17 second car need help going faster?

[BigRand]

Okay I'm going to try to avoid bench racing as much as possible, so please don't ban me if I accidently slip into that. I have just been really frustrated with my last times at the track before the track closed for the winter. Now I've got a coulpe of serious (meaning low budget 18yr old) mods over the winter and I'm hoping to drop my times significantly. Last time I was at the track, I had everything on my mod list except AEM cold air intake (had an ebay one) SAFC2, ARC stage 2 clutch (I think my clutch was slipping when I last raced too). I raced that last time with all of my seats in and even left my sub box in, because I wanted to know how fast I'd be on the street as well. WEll, consistancy proved that I have a 17 second car on avg. lowest being 16.8. I'm taking out the sub, and front and back seats this time, and getting my car tuned on a dyno etc.

what I spent all this time rambling for was to basically ask, what else should I do before I hit the track next? No more bolt ons ect. or time to port anything, just any little tricks for running N/T's at the tracking. I don't think I'm the best driver either so tips on that would be greatly appricieated.

Thanks

 

[BaddAssGst]

I didn't bother going through your mod list.... but you need Nitrous if your really thinking about going fast(er). Best bang for the buck I would say.

 

[Nosjunke]

I didn't bother going through your mod list.... but you need Nitrous if your really thinking about going fast(er). Best bang for the buck I would say.

I was going to say that as well, but you said no time/money for anything else. Try unbolting the exhaust from the cat. Maybe take your catalytic converter off, and hog it out for better flow. No recommended for an emission state, and not legal, but always an option.
BTW, what point is it to spend all this time taking out your seat, sub box, etc...when on the street you have all that stuff in it. I think it's a waste of your hours. If you are going to take that stuff out for good, sell it, and buy a nitrous kit. Tuning it on a dyno may not yield a big difference, and you may be dissapointed. You may only see like a 3hp gain if that. Consider that when it come to the cost of the dyno session. That could be $100 for a nitrous kit. If you really wanted to get the car dynoed, then it would be okay, just to run it to see what you have, but to tune it with those mods you have, would be a waste IMO. If you put a nitrous kit on, THEN GET IT DYNO TUNED with the spray, and maximize that, you might see gains of 10-15hp maybe more. Good luck man.

 

[Below Ambient]

sell your car and get a turbo dsm. :laugh:

thats exactly what I did... and guess what I got maybe $400 out of the $3000 worth of mods I had in it...

get a turbo DSM while you can...

 

[laser90]

mod wise i dont know what to tell you but driving wise practice makes perfect. launching is the the key to faster times. try to get your 60 ft quicker works wonders for ET

 

[BrokenTsi]

sounds like you want to go fast but the only thing that is limiting you is your car. Sell it for a good deal on a turbo dsm.

 

[Nosjunke]

Hey dude! Sorry to pop your balloon, I just looked at your pictures, and your car has a lot of good things about it. Seems like all the stuff I said above you did, DOH! Maybe I should have done a little more research first, but hey, at least all that ricer stuff is done now. I didn't realize you did that much to your car so far. Just keep throwing money at it. It looks like a 14 second car!

The picture of the Red Talon is my car, still looks stock, except, I had to do the 3" turbo back, and now the muffler stands out a little. I'm going to try and prolong the front mount, but it is the next mod.

 

[BigRand]

Yeah, well the rims and the skirts and rear bumper came with the car. I just bought the front one because it was cracked when I got it. But guess what now my side skirts are cracked and so is my rear bumper. The only other cosmetic mods I've got planned for this car is to fix those cracks and paint it once its fixed. Everything thing else cosmetic isn't coming out from my pocket until I get a turbo and build my motor. Thats the direction I'm going. I've stopped racing on the streets (mostly), and just try to practice at the track when I can, I'm saving for this turbo, and if I'm really lucky I'll have it by the end of spring. Today I just bought a motor with 6200miles on it for $80, and its a 99 as well (dude wrecked his), I'm building that up when I get the money.

There are only a couple of reasons for me not buying nitrous.
1) I'm trying to save for the turbo
2) I didn't want the bottle in my trunk (anyone fit a smaller bottle somewhere else by the way?
3)This is still my daily driver with 120 000 miles on it. Can't afford for shit to go too bad on it.

A Turboed DSM is not an option either, Can't afford the insurance, and when I can I'll be buying an EVO or STI by then.

I'm just a wyning 18yr college kid (that can't spell), who wants my car faster now, but can't afford to yet. So don't worry about me, I'll get over it.

 

[BrokenTsi]

turbo'ing your car is going to cost you a lot of money. Possibly the price of a turbo dsm. If thats the route you want to go, then go for it. But if it were me, I would just drive to school with it and wait until you're out of college. Save up and buy a turbo dsm off some old guy that doesn't want it anymore. If you wait, a good deal will come around.

your car is a 99 and probably in good shape. Someone will want to buy it soon enough. But if you can't wait, go buy a used nitrous kit off some honda dork for 200 bucks. You only need to spray when you want to be fast(er).

 

[fastezz]

Buy a 1g turbo, I pay 80 a month liability for my talon tsi, also im 17.

 

[BrokenTsi]

If you're 17, then you're not the policy holder on your insurance because nobody would insure a 17 year old for 80/month. You must be under your parents insurance.

Back on topic: Spending thousands to make a gutless car go semi fast seems pointless when you can get a turbo dsm and do only hundreds in mods and be 10x faster. Plus you'll save on insurance because of this anyways.

Have you ever got a quote for a turbo dsm? Its really not that much more than a NA sports car. Actually, it really shouldn't be that much difference at all.

 

[FireyIce01]

If you're 17, then you're not the policy holder on your insurance because nobody would insure a 17 year old for 80/month. You must be under your parents insurance.

Back on topic: Spending thousands to make a gutless car go semi fast seems pointless when you can get a turbo dsm and do only hundreds in mods and be 10x faster. Plus you'll save on insurance because of this anyways.

Have you ever got a quote for a turbo dsm? Its really not that much more than a NA sports car. Actually, it really shouldn't be that much difference at all.

He said liability only... that's about the right price...

As for the topic.... keep your nice looking '99 and save some cash.... you can find a nice AWD 1G for $1500 or so, and you can make that faster than schitt... the turbo kit for your car will cost you more than that, and you'll probably only be able to run 6-8 psi with stock compression on the 420a motor... If you don't like the 1G, you can find a 2G FWD turbo for less than your turbo kit is going to end up costing you, and if you're handy, I found my GSX for 2000 with over 1500 in go fast parts already installed on it, and all I have to do is get the rear end hammered out (just got it last month) so there's wrecked cars out there that can be fixed... you just gotta look

 

[97ClipseDSM]

Bro seriously, nitrous is like your only option if u want to be quick the cheapest way. I use to own a 97 RS, had catback exhaust, intake, headers, UDP, camgears,i gutted out the backseats and everything man. It still felt so slow. Honestly, i didnt feel much difference at all and got pulled on by many stock cars including stock 4 cylinders. Im not here to tell u what or what not to do. I can only give u my oppinion or some advice. Dont waste your $$$$ on a turbo kit. I dont know if your car is payed off or not because i didnt read this whole thread but u should think about the following..

A) If your car is paid off, keep your 2G N/T as your chill car and as yur daily driver, buy a 1st gen AWD DSM and mod that, every mod u do will be well worth it and u will feel the power switching from a n/t to a turbo dsm instantly..believe me u will not regret it
B) If its not paid off, sell your nonturbo and save up or find a good 2G fwd/awd or a 1G if u like..
C) I know for a fact that if u are considering to turbo your n/t, get ready to dish out a sh!tload of money. It is no joke, u are looking to spend about $3000-$4000 on a good turbo kit. You are better off just selling your nonturbo and using those $3-$4g's and buy yurself a clean turbo dsm in good condition & whatevers left, use it for mods. Start off with boost controller, 3" turboback, BOV, etc. 420A motor is a high compression motor and there is no way yull be running anywhere near the boost most of us run including the ones with upgraded turbos untill you start building internals (IE: Rods, Pistons).

Dont get me wrong, ive seen some really nice built 420A's and nothing but respect to those people. The point is, you need to sit down and decide for yourself what you really want to do. The car you own right now is limiting you a whole alot. I bought my 97 RS not knowing a thing about DSM's, and i ignored everybodys advice when they told me to sell it and buy a turbo dsm. I thought simple bolt ons would give me significant gains that I could hang with alot of cars. All this lasted me about a year untill i got fed up spending $$$ in it just to be slow. And yes, i was a cocky nonturbo owner im not gonna lie. It just takes a few asswhoopings to realize why mod something that wasnt meant to be moded that way. You have top of the line DSM's out there waiting for you to grab the wheel and kick some booty. The choice is yours, but if u want to be fast, the only dsm u will ever be fast in, in the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient way is a turbo dsm. 1G or 2G, choice is yours.

Last but not least, alot of you bring up insurance. I am 20 years old and my insurance a year ago for my nonturbo was about $125 Liability. My Insurance now for my Turbo DSM liability is $130. Insruance is not as high as some of u make it seem. Im sure every state, every insurance company has there own rate but i got nationwide insurance and thats what i pay.

I hope some of this helps, i dont mean in anyway to tell you that your nonturbo cant be fast, it can be, but in a really bad money sucking way, and alot of work, alot alot alot.

 

[big green]

you need a nice healthy 75 shot, and get a underdrive pully while your at it

 

[snoozin]

Im 20 also and i pay 127 a month for full coverage with a 1k deduct (only because i have a note on it still) as soon as i get the bank paid off its going to a 500deduct for about 25 more a month.

with the topic, either squeeze and be happy with the hp you get or sell it and get a turbo dsm.

 

[slow_talon]

I would say remove you cat, nitrous express 75 shot of wet juicy nitrous. If you are saving for a turbo it would eventually blow your car. Its better if you get a 1g insurance won't be that much since its an old model

 

[BigRand]

I've figured out what I'm going to do. I've got some money coming in, so I'm going to turbo this 420a, I'm not looking for superspeed I'm looking for show and go, I got the car for a good deal, and dropped a lot of mods into it already, its almost paid off too, so selling it isn't an option anymore. I've got a second motor sitting in my garage, which I'm going to learn and build the crap out of it. Drop that in after a year or two.
I know I won't ever be as fast as built GSX, but I figure its a enough go for me, otherwise I'll get into too much trouble., this is the one car I get to play around with in life, Its gonna look good and go fast. When I'm rich enough I'll buy a car thats already fast, and make it go faster.
For now I just need to learn how to drive better.

 

[JessesTalon]

Sticky grippy tires, bigger throttle body, sheet metal intake manifold, header, high flow cat, 2.25 inch piping all the way back to a 2.5" muffler.

cam gears, increase timing, get bigger cams, 50shot of nitrous would net you faster than a stock turbo dsm.

oh yeah and get a LSD

 

[THE_ARTIST_]

Ive herd of alot of people who turbo N/T DSM's end up regreting it. IMO the N/T DSM's are not ment to handel almost any amount of boost. it will end up becomming very unreliable and if thats your only transportation then youll be SOL if it blows. you could easily find a 1G turbo for the price of a turbo kit for your N/T. insurance (for me at least) is like 5 dollars extra a month.

I was thinking about turboing my N/T before i got my GS-T i had $3000 saved up and i got to thinking that i really wanted to have the 4G63 not just a turbo 420A, and after all the stories i read up here i decided to hold out, put my car up for sale, and waited and saved until someone bought it, eventually someone did buy it and i kept saving and searching and i found my GS-T 73,000 miles just 1 state over and i had just enough money to afford it. she has been pretty good to me so far. i bought my car completely stock (even had the stock air box) and the power over my old N/T was amazing it actually pulled me back in the seat my N/T never did that. now im looking to get a 1G awd for my grip issues...... any way thats my story maybe your close to the same situation. good luck in whatever you decide

 

[TurboGeoff]

Threads like this REALLY frustrate me, no offense to the original poster, but kids who buy N/Ts, rice them out, and expect them to be fast, are exactly that, KIDS.

It makes the whole dsm community look bad when someone takes an N/T and makes it look fast, because as we all know, NO N/T is even close to being fast. IMO the 420a motor has nothing going for it, and the ONLY option worth while is Nitrous. Nitrous MIGHT get you 14s if you strip the car out. Then you will get laughed at because 14s are still slow and, you're using nitrous.

I also suggest getting a turbo dsm, the main reason is because there is no other way you will have a fast car. I am 18, and i pay $43/month for FULL coverage for my 92 Tsi Awd, and i stress the year, 1992, because the older the car, the cheaper the insurance and it makes a BIG difference. Im on my own policy and i have 2 tickets... go Allstate!

I dont have a problem with guys driving N/Ts, its the guys who think they are fast and want to race them.


Just my .02

-Geoff

 

[remmargorp]

Threads like this REALLY frustrate me, no offense to the original poster, but kids who buy N/Ts, rice them out, and expect them to be fast, are exactly that, KIDS.

It makes the whole dsm community look bad when someone takes an N/T and makes it look fast, because as we all know, NO N/T is even close to being fast. IMO the 420a motor has nothing going for it, and the ONLY option worth while is Nitrous. Nitrous MIGHT get you 14s if you strip the car out. Then you will get laughed at because 14s are still slow and, you're using nitrous.

I also suggest getting a turbo dsm, the main reason is because there is no other way you will have a fast car. I am 18, and i pay $43/month for FULL coverage for my 92 Tsi Awd, and i stress the year, 1992, because the older the car, the cheaper the insurance and it makes a BIG difference. Im on my own policy and i have 2 tickets... go Allstate!

I dont have a problem with guys driving N/Ts, its the guys who think they are fast and want to race them.


Just my .02

-Geoff

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a car look good. You own your car because it is yours. You spend money on it because it is yours. You make it look nice because it is yours. Just because it looks nice doesn't mean that it's "supposed to be fast". It's when someone makes a car look nice then acts like it's fast when there is an issue. To me, I want my car to look good and be reliable. Oh well if people think it's fast because there is a body kit on it, I'll never race them to prove or dis-prove if it's fast. It just sucks because now everyone with a good looking car (reguardless of it's speed) is put into a stereo-type of "ricer". If you have an 80's camaro, and put on the ground effects that came on the z28 or the 91-92 camaro's then give it a nice paint job, now it's looks nice, doesn't make you a ricer, because it's a domestic muscle car, yet you're doing the same thing to a DSM (4 cylinder) and now you're a ricer...??? ahhhhH!!!!

 

[TurboGeoff]

ya i agree, Fast n Furious really screwed everything up!

 

[allgripnoslip]

yes I agree F&F really messed things up. For insurance I pay $365 a month thats with some discounts, under the parents coverage and one speeding ticket.

 

[Bosey85]

Threads like this REALLY frustrate me, no offense to the original poster, but kids who buy N/Ts, rice them out, and expect them to be fast, are exactly that, KIDS.

It makes the whole dsm community look bad when someone takes an N/T and makes it look fast, because as we all know, NO N/T is even close to being fast. IMO the 420a motor has nothing going for it, and the ONLY option worth while is Nitrous. Nitrous MIGHT get you 14s if you strip the car out. Then you will get laughed at because 14s are still slow and, you're using nitrous.

I also suggest getting a turbo dsm, the main reason is because there is no other way you will have a fast car. I am 18, and i pay $43/month for FULL coverage for my 92 Tsi Awd, and i stress the year, 1992, because the older the car, the cheaper the insurance and it makes a BIG difference. Im on my own policy and i have 2 tickets... go Allstate!

I dont have a problem with guys driving N/Ts, its the guys who think they are fast and want to race them.


Just my .02

-Geoff

I'm sorry but just about everything u said is complete bull and there are a some people of this community that would be offended including myself. I have a 99 GS and I am very proud of it is very clean looking and I get many compliments for it from many people. I have some engine work done to it, and it is a nice civic beater even took on a wrx rs and won. Oh and by the way I am 19 years old. When I bought my car, I was not interested in doing anything to it, but the longer I had it the more it inspired me to do stuff. Also I am sure there is N/T dsm in our community that hold its own against any turbo DSM out there. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[sleek98]

go find the nearest cliff. back up 1000 ft and then floor it. jump out as its heading over the cliff. the last 320 ft would be done in about 3 seconds. that sould give you about a 16.6 time