My wife does not care for DSMtuners.com

[4G634ME]

This message board (along with the standard DSM websites) has been the sole reason I have yet to get anything done around the house in the last two days. Being new to DSMs (I cringe at the use of the term 'newbie'... obvious reasons), I have committed myself to learning as much as possible by reading everything I can. Downside, of course, is that list of things that isn't getting done.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of contradictory information floating around out there, both on the net and in the DSM race community. Realizing this, I have come to respect a number of folks' opinions on this forum, as they seem to really know what the heck they are talking about!

I believe I am on the right track for the goals I have in mind, but some reassurance would be more than welcome. I'm thinking about following the Turbo Magazine 4G63 buildup (minus the bigger turbo), and hope for similar results. Won't do too much legal drag racing (maybe four trips to the track a year), but I'm a hell of a sucker when it comes to stoplight drags.

Here's what I've ordered (or already have installed) so far:

FP Big 16G w/ wastegate mod
ACT 2600
ND 660s
2G Manifold (ported)
Dejon tool 1gB intake w/ K&N
VP o2 housing w/ dump tube
Apex'i SAFC
Pocketlogger
NGK plugs (BPR7ES)
MSD plug wires
Spoolinup AFPR
Fuel pressure gauge (forget brand)
Walbro 255
Custom full 3" exhaust w/ mandrel bends (previous owner)
GReddy EGT (peak/hold)
GReddy Boost (peak/hold)
Autometer temp gauge
Eibach springs
KYB shocks
17" 2G GSX rims
Kumho rubber
And at least one other "verrrrry important supporting mod" that I probably have but will get chastised for not doing.

And when the tax return FINALLY gets here (don't ask):

IRC street core

And down the road, once tuned and broke stuff unbroked:

HKS or Crower cams
NX 35 shot (mebbe)
New engine or TRE badmofo transmission (whichever goes first!)

Well, am I on track? Anyone out there with a similar setup want to steer me clear of potential pitfalls? I will keep the forum updated as the parts go on and things break. No smiley, I know it will happen eventually.

Finally, I want to say thank you to the active members of this forum. Those who refuse to answer condescendingly to the <gulp> newbie questions are helping many more than the individual who posted the question. The more good information available in the archive, the more the search function will be able to be used effectively.

Jason

 

[91gsx]

it looks as though you are on the right path. welcome & good luck. (i am getting that tranny next year also)

 

[tjh-dsm]

That's a damn good list, only thing I'd say is get a bigger turbo before you get nitrous. AGP L2R sounds yummy to me.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

@ that wife comment. I don't even tell my old lady what I'm buying for the car.

Later,

 

[97GuSTo]

Yeah, the Turbo Magazine's 4G63 DynoCell Articles are very informative and they give the hp increase for each part added. Its a good guide to follow!

 

[Sgt Turbo]

Looks like a really well thought out plan to me, I would only add a strong cliutch and brake upgrade. If you decide later a 16G isn't enough for ya, you have a good base for a larger turbo.

Edit: Looks like ya got the clutch covered, good choice

 

[BatmanGSX]

Dude, your wife sounds like a total f4g.

 

[4G634ME]

Originally posted by BatmanGSX
Dude, your wife sounds like a total f4g.

Actually, she's friggin' cool as hell. She's all for the mods... gave up our plans to buy this ~$3000 four poster bedroom set in order to get all this crap. Reason? She thinks its her car. :laugh: Hey, whatever puts a DSM in the garage, right?

She actually looks for stoplight drags more than I do. Got a primered black mid 80's V8 Trans Am to bite... smoked him even with the leaky manifold and boost leak! Really funny... guy had his girlfriend/wife in the car.

Few nights ago we were in Salt Lake City to grab a bite to eat, and she gunned it when the light turned green. Looking back, we were kinda unsure whether or not the stupid semi-ricey (exhaust/rims) new Cavalier or not was trying to keep up. Decided it wasn't. Got to the next light and Mr. Cavalier rolls up and won't look over. Don't think anything of it. Now, this time he was apparently trying to predict the green, cause the idiot drops the clutch and spins his tires well before the light even started thinking about changing. Oops. Now he knows he won't get the jump on us, and he looks like a tool. Heeheehee. So Kim (wife) revs it to 4500, holds it there real nice, and launches the car so perfectly that any guy would be proud. He didn't stand a chance.

Oh man... to watch these guys get owned by a girl! I highly recommend it. Funny stuff.

[EDIT - oh yeah, she 'doesn't like DSMtuners.com' because I'm friggin addicted to it. So nuthin' gets done around here anymore.]

Jason
BTW... thanks for all the encouragement with my upgrade path. The Nitrous (yo dog, you mean Naws, right?) is a long way off, believe me.

 

[supereclipse]

It does sound like a really good plan. I love to see my girl in her own gst wax guys and shes totally stock hehehe funny stuff i just laugh.

 

[KenTSIII]

Might wanna add a 2g maf to that list.. but that's just personal preference. Also I'd look into some other tires...

 

[4G634ME]

Yeah, I guess I should look into the 2G MAF. Problem is twofold: One, I kinda wanted to wait and see if TRE is gonna make that MASC of theirs again, and two, I just bought a Dejon tool intake pipe, which I imagine is not compatible with the 2G MAF.

On top of this, I get a MAF code on my Pocketlogger. I'm afraid the problem may not lie with the MAF though, because the PO gave me another 1G MAF when I bought the car. This leads me to believe that he replaced the MAF after getting the code, only to find it was still there.

I'm thinking loose connection, possibly at the ECU or something. What do you think? I don't wanna drop $400 on the TRE MASC just to get the same friggin code.

Another possibility: he knew of the code, bought the new MAF, but never put it in. So I'll try swapping 'em out tomorrow, see where that leaves me. Fingers crossed.

Jason

 

[larryd]

I didnt see intercooler piping on yer list eithe.. your definitely going to want to replace the stock UICP and LICP, IU guess your sticking with th2 1st GEN BOV which would be fine.. just curious thats all..

 

[4G634ME]

Originally posted by larryd
I didnt see intercooler piping on yer list eithe.. your definitely going to want to replace the stock UICP and LICP

Reread the list, Larry. Gonna splurge and go for the whole shebang as soon as the tax return gets here. Why so long for the return? I was stuck in the world's biggest sand box for the last four months, doin' this whole Enduring Freedom thang. Too much fun.

Not sure if I'm gonna go Spoolinup or IRC. Prolly IRC. Everyone has good things to say 'bout it.

Jason

 

[HighPsi91]

Its a good list. However with such a comprehensive list I would skip the big16G and go for a 20G or equivalent hybrid. The same goes for the intercooler. The Race core is far superior to the street core. You are going to have plenty of fuel for a 20G so you might as well use it. As I and many others on this board can tell you... its much much cheaper to buy things like turbos and intercoolers once.

 

[larryd]

Originally posted by 4G634ME


Reread the list, Larry. Gonna splurge and go for the whole shebang as soon as the tax return gets here. Why so long for the return? I was stuck in the world's biggest sand box for the last four months, doin' this whole Enduring Freedom thang. Too much fun.

Not sure if I'm gonna go Spoolinup or IRC. Prolly IRC. Everyone has good things to say 'bout it.

Jason

ok am I blind.. I just read it again 3x and I still dont see uicp and licp on there anywhere..

 

[Dyre]

Originally posted by larryd


ok am I blind.. I just read it again 3x and I still dont see uicp and licp on there anywhere..

He's going to get a Indy Front Mount when he gets some more money, and that will come with all hard piping from the throttle body to the compressor outlet.

 

[4G634ME]

Originally posted by Dyre
He's going to get a Indy Front Mount when he gets some more money, and that will come with all hard piping from the throttle body to the compressor outlet.

Yeah, what he said. You are indeed blind as a bat Larry.

I was thinking about going with the Race core, but was concerned with fitment issues. My AC is arctic cold right now, and with temps reaching 100F almost daily, it's nice to have until it goes, and I don't want to have to pull it to squeeze the Race core in. FWIW, I've already bought a Sawzall in anticipation of cutting stuff up.

A number of the local DSM guys recommend going with the race core over the street core. Something about how the pipes are routed allowing for better flow to the radiator. Any truth to this? Also, I'm worried the race core may be too much intercooler for my application. Lots of searching on this and DSM****.com revealed a number of references to that possibility. Opinions?

I've already ordered the Big 16G, but gave a lot of thought to going with a Green or a 20G. There is a good chance I may go with a larger turbo down the road (when the DSM no longer serves a daily transportation), but for now I want the responsiveness and simplicity of a standard turbo. Yeah, I'll probably regret it when I get my A$$ handed to me by a BPU Supra or a Z06, but, oh well. Good for now.

Jason

 

[SOURCE1064]

Everything sounds good. I would be careful about the GSX rims though. I love the look of them and have kept them so long because of that but I have gone through 7 bent GSX rims already and I'm in a class action lawsuit against Mitsubishi because the alloy is too light and the smallest pothole bends the rims. The rims are OK if you have absolutely no potholes on the roads by you. I thought it was just me and the dealerships tell you that's what happens with lo profile tires but there are people out there with ridiculous thin tires and their rims don't bend like mine. Good luck with your project but if I were you I would get different rims.

 

[4G634ME]

Originally posted by SOURCE1064
the alloy is too light and the smallest pothole bends the rims. The rims are OK if you have absolutely no potholes on the roads by you.

Ok, this is kinda weird. The PO had them on there for as long as he owned it, and they look phenomenal. Not sure about how bad the pothole situation was where he lived, but from what I remember, the roads were just like any other city. I've hit about five or six serious big time potholes (and I mean REALLY bad 'holy sH!+' potholes) around here already and they look fine. Fingers crossed, I guess.

Don't want to buy new rims... the 2G GSXs look awesome! Plus, I'd feel like I was 'settling' if I didn't get Volks or some other super light wheel. And that would cut into the backup blown engine/tranny fund! Oh well, we'll see what happens.

Jason

 

[larryd]

Originally posted by Dyre


He's going to get a Indy Front Mount when he gets some more money, and that will come with all hard piping from the throttle body to the compressor outlet.

oh.. I didnt know that core comes with all the piping from throttle body to compressor..