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Find all of the parts listed to the right in our Parts Catalog. We list several vendors to choose from in order for you to find what you need at the price that best fits your budget.
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Tuning Guide > 2G Upgrades > 400hp
Once you've completed the Stage 1 Mods and all of the necessary maintenance, you can begin the the next stage of modifications to get you up near the 400hp mark. However, it'll take more than the parts listed below to reach this goal. You'll need to begin learning the ropes of fuel tuning. This requires more knowledge of how the engine and ECU work together and also requires you to make some adjustments that can cause some severe engine damage if you don't know what you're doing. Proceed with caution or contact a reputable DSM shop in your area to help you with the tuning of your car.
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Stage 2 Parts List
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Requires all of the Stage 1 Mods, minus the Upper Intercooler Pipe upgrade.
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Step 1:
Logging Software
Before you can safely begin making fuel adjustments, you'll need to know what's going on inside the engine. Logging software will give you this data and will help you decide what fuel delivery changes are needed, how much change is needed, and at what RPM point. Though datalogging is mainly for tuning, it's also a critical tool to prevent major engine damage as well.
» Shop for data logging options
Step 2:
Warning Meters
Along with a datalogging solution, you'll want some gauges to help monitor the engine. While dataloggers allow you to analyze data after doing some test runs, guages are easier to read while driving. An EGT (exhaust gas temperature) gauge and probe will allow you to monitor the exhaust temperature exiting the engine. Extremely high temps generally translate into a lean condition and can be catastrophic. You can also go with a Wideband O2 system that will allow you to monitor the air/fuel ration of your car while driving. This will tell you exactly how rich or how lean the car is running, allowing you to adjust the fuel curve accordingly.
» Shop for Gauges
Step 3:
Fuel Controller/Engine Management
In order to control the flow of fuel of the larger injectors, you'll need some form of a fuel management system. The factory system simply cannot control the changes you've made/are going to make. There are a variety of ways you can go here. The most common route is a piggy-back style computer which still uses the factory MAS in combination with a reprogrammed EPROM chip that plugs into the factory ECU. The drawback to this is that some cars didn't come with an ECU that utilizes an EPROM, making an ECU swap necessary. Another option is a stand alone fuel system which completely replaces the MAS system altogether. Stand alone systems give you much greater tuning capability, but may require more knowledge of fuel tuning than the average weekend warrior may possess. Either route you choose will allow you to run larger-than-stock fuel injectors - which will be needed very soon.
» Shop for Fuel Controllers
» Shop for ECU Upgrades and Stand-alones
Step 4:
Fuel Injector Upgrade
To supply the amount of fuel needed for a larger turbo, the stock fuel injectors will need to be replaced with higher flowing units. The larger the turbo you plan on upgrading to, the larger the injectors you'll likely need. If swapping in a 16G turbo, you can get away with 550cc injectors. Most T3/T4 combos will require at least 650cc and up.
» Shop for High flow Fuel Injectors
Step 5:
Front Mount Intercooler Kit
The stock side mount intercooler will not be able to cool the amount of air flow needed to produce 400hp or more. Thus, it will need to be swapped out for a Front Mount Intercooler. Some kits require some trimming of the steel bumper and some dremeling of the plastic bumper cover. Most "street" kits will do for this stage. But if more than 400hp is desired, you might want to consider a "race" kit which will have a larger core for better cooling characteristics.
» Shop for Intercooler kits
Drivetrain Upgrades
Performance Clutch
With more power on tap, the stock clutch probably won't last that long. It will start to slip, especially in the higher gears. This means it's time for a high performance clutch that can handle the increased horsepower.
» Shop for Aftermarket Clutches
Lightened Flywheel
To help your engine rev quicker, try a lightened flywheel. Most are stronger than stock, and can handle the abuse seen at the track.
» Shop for Flywheels
Shifter Mods
If you have a 5-speed tranny, you'll notice that the shifting is likely less-than-desirable on the 90-94 cars. These transmissions tend to be notchy from the factory to begin with. The best solution short of a rebuild is to put in some good tranny fluid and replace the rubber bushings in the system with some metal bushings. This should help with grinding and missed shifts as well.
» Shop for Short Shifters
» Shop for Tranny Fluid
Limited Slip Differentials
If you have a front wheel drive DSM, you'll probably need an aftermarket LSD to keep the tires from spinning - especially if you plan on making more than the stage 1 power levels. FWD cars will have a more difficult time achieving fast 1/4 mile times compared to the AWD cars due to traction. Tranny rebuilds are the most opportune time to install LSDs, since the tranny is already being taken apart.
» Shop for Limited Slip Differentials
Auto Tranny Upgrades
Though you won't find as many turbocharged automatic transmission DSMs around as 5-speeds, there are modifications available to help improve shifting, help handle increased horsepower, and just make driving more enjoyable.
» Shop for A/T Upgrades
Other Upgrades/Modifications
Helmet
If you're planning to be putting down a ton of power, it's a good idea to start thinking about safety - both yours and those around you. First of all, you should be taking your car to the track regularly to do all of your testing. Keep the racing off the city streets. When you're at the track, you'll notice they have some rules and regulations in place for safety. Most tracks require you to wear a helmet if your car runs a 13.99 second 1/4 mile time or faster. If you're doing any road course or autocross racing, a helmet is always required.
Roll Cage
Most tracks require your car to have a roll cage installed if your car runs an 11.99 second 1/4 mile time or faster. If you're doing any road course or autocross racing, a roll cage is totally necessary.
Racing Seats/Harnesses
For more safety and driving control, look into some good supportive racing seats and harnesses to keep you firmly planted in the proper driving position. You'll find a variety of manufacturers for the racing seats, including Sparco, Corbeau, Recaro, etc. Sparco Racing seats tend to be quite popular among DSMers for some reason.
Once you've completed these mods, and only then, will you have enough knowledge of how these cars handle power to go further. You should now know how tricky the art of tuning can be, and you're likely well versed in spending money on parts and repairs. It is possible to get over 600 horsepower out of the 4G63 engine, but it will require rebuilding the motor with some forged pistons, strong rods, more aggressive cams, porting the cylinder head, etc. You can even go with a stroker kit to add displacement for bigger torque! Be prepared to spend some big money - especially when things start breaking due to the excessive power output. And things will break.
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