Need more POWER!!!

[gingerbredman00]

Ok I have no mods, and the only thing wrong with my car is a cracked valve cover.
maintenance is covered
I'm looking to get maybe 50 more H.P.
around 200-400 bucks worth but I dont know what to do.
not exhaust, that's covered. lighter wheels and grippy tires are on the way (almost)
The car already runs pretty rich, and I plan on getting more gauges.
What should I get? maybe bigger turbo?

 

[talonDSMerr]

A boost controller and tuning device will get you going in the right direction. You can make considerably more power upping the stock boost, leaning out the air/fuel, and adjusting the timing.

 

[scotyu]

You need to get an EMS like an safc or something. then get a boost controller and fix your valve cover. hook it up and up the boost. Haveing a bigger turbo does nothing without the supporting mods and an EMS is a pretty good place to start so you can tinker a bit.

used safc= $150 give or take
boost controller= $20 and up (you get what you pay for)
valve cover= $50 or a little less

is the $200-$400 including the cost of gauges? Do you have a logger?

 

[gingerbredman00]

No logger but a fellow DSM'r lives about three blocks away and he can do all the tuning and logging for me.
I forgot to say I have a boost gauge and controller.
and boost is set at 13lbs

 

[LiquidX]

IF all you plan on doing with the car is 50 more hp, then the safc and injectors will be good for you. If you plan on going bigger, save your money as what you will buy for the 50hp upgrade will be obsolete. So figure WHAT you want to do with it first before making decisions to minimize over spending.

 

[gingerbredman00]

I don't plan on doing much to the car within the next few years. maybe spend about the same amount on income tax time every year.

 

[scotyu]

Injectors will def help you raise your boost levels higher, on a stock turbo. Like stated up top, a bigger turbo wont do anything without supporting mods.

Learn what you think your goals are going to be and search the forums for the advice on the best way to get you there. Sometimes on a budget that doesn't always equate to instant power increases, but the steps will save you money in the long run.

 

[gingerbredman00]

I think I get what your saying, but wont my stock turbo be useless after a certain boost level?
and from what I can tell I'm already running kinda rich.
I am not planning on doing anything big with this car. For fwd it is almost as fast as I want it to be.
It's just the acceleration from 50+ I would like to improve.

 

[LiquidX]

IF you don't plan on going real big and plan on keeping the stock turbo, then getting an SAFC and up to 750cc injectos would suite you well. Over 750cc and the SAFC has a hard time adjusting for the compensation. Look on the marketplace for a used SAFC. As for the injectos I personally would buy new but it's up to you. I'm sure 550cc injectos would work well for just the 50hp increase you are looking for. You'll be able to turn up the boost a good bit withough hitting fuel cut by having the SAFC installed. The 14b is a VERY capable turbo so you should be happy with it meeting those goals.

 

[gingerbredman00]

Ok I'll get back to the classifieds and keep searching..

 

[LiquidX]

Ok I'll get back to the classifieds and keep searching..

Currently, the first post is for the SACF II which is what's needed, so it shouldn't be that hard to find what you need. Just search around and it won't take long.

 

[untouchablecc]

I agree with the previous posts but dont forget about the free tweaks if you have not already looked at them on the site. Replacing your stock intercooler piping with hard piping will cut back chances of boost leaks and net a little more hp. Also an intake pipe would be considerd. Hows your clutch? Remember if your on a stock clutch 50 hp more will prob not hold up too well to the stocker. If you get the right tools you can port your turbo and exhaust manifold and O2 housing and wouldnt cost you a whole lot provided you have a decent drill. If you want to up the boost a 190 or 255 walbro will be needed those run about a 100 unless you find someone who has one. If you have never cleaned out your stock intercooler you should do that.

 

[TheMadCheshire]

Is everybody missing the fact that this guy thinks he is running "a little rich anyways"? If you are truly running a little richer, you should probably figure that out. Possibly a boost leak, vacuum leak, etc.
Fix your valve cover. It won't get better by ignoring it. If all the maintenance is done, whats another 50 dollars for a valve cover?
I also don't understand how you say your car has no mods, yet you say exhaust is covered. If you really want the most out of your car, you need to open up the exhaust which will help even more of your +50 hp goal.
Gauges doesn't make hp. The one gauge I would recommend for a modest increase in power is a boost gauge. The stock gauge is junk and doesn't read correctly after installing a K&N filter. A real boost gauge will insure you don't set the boost too high.
What about an intake? Allowing the turbo to breath better may not make much power but it will spool a heck of a lot better. On that same note, hard intercooler pipes help too and almost insure there is no boost leaks between the turbo and throttle body.
Hows the exhaust manifold? Did you check for cracks? A 2g manifold may not make much power either but will help spool up.
Before you go buying a SAFC, make sure you have a way to check your air/fuel ratio. I used my palm III to log the o2 voltages back in the day, but now I have a proper wideband and will never go back. Maybe a better investment is a wideband; than the SAFC.
A fuel pump re-wire will further help you reach your 50+ hp goal. 550 injectors will finish it off. I'd also suggest a 190 pump just got safety.
Sorry if I sound like a jerk, but I'm trying to set you off in the right path. I think you have the right idea just not the best plan to execute it. If this were my situation I'd personally by a boost gauge(maybe 50 bucks), a full exhaust(depends but even a cat-back for under 300), an intake(my hdr cost 15 bucks) and a MBC(HDR 10 bucks)
Then after saving some money I'd get the wideband, safc and injectors all at the same time. Possibly the fuel pump at the same time as well.

 

[saechao04]

It's all a matter of opinion at this point, everyone will say do this or that, so will I. I say safc, logger, wideband and do a fuel pump re-wire, that is about $400.

 

[Calan]

14 posts in and nobody suggested reading THE UPGRADE PATHS in the tech section that are accurate, proven, and cost effective.

 

[LiquidX]

14 posts in and nobody suggested reading THE UPGRADE PATHS in the tech section that are accurate, proven, and cost effective.

Yes that's true as well, but he just stated that he wanted a modest increase and so I told him what he wanted to hear. If he said he wanted more over all I would have given the link


Since there is a conflict of replies,
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...se-troubleshoot-boost-leak-tester-merged.html
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/9332-cracked-valve-cover-merged-4-8-crack.html

 

[doctor_shock10]

id find someone thats selling dsmlink cause with a good tune youd be amazed at what kinda hp #s youll find. your stock 14b has seen 11 sec 1/4 miles so you can see what it can do

 

[gingerbredman00]

sorry guy's I'v been at work.
You didn't sound like a jerk at all, you cut to the point and said what needed to be said.
The exhaust is already covered (already on my list) sorry
I already have a boost gauge. I didn't realize hard pipes would be needed or even help until you really start making power.

 

[Yngvar]

If your going to turn the boost up might want to get a supra side mount for it with the hard pipes

 

[gingerbredman00]

Hows your clutch? Remember if your on a stock clutch 50 hp more will prob not hold up too well to the stocker. QUOTE]

You didn't knock on wood did you?
what are the odds that at about 3700-4000 rpm's in third gear it slipped (I think)?
It was like somebody had slightly pushed in the clutch as I was slowly gaining speed.
Or kinda like barely spinning the tires.
time for more window/screen shopping
I'll also search for recommended but cheap clutch set ups.
So income tax will buy me exhaust+clutch+wheels+tires=broke again

 

[Blurred Talon]

14 posts in and nobody suggested reading THE UPGRADE PATHS in the tech section that are accurate, proven, and cost effective.

Beat me to it.

What about rewiring the fuel pump? That's the first thing I would do.

 

[untouchablecc]

Sorry about your luck man, and i think i did suggest free tweaks which is in the upgrade paths. I was just to lazy to post it. Yeah dsms are all stock an ready to rock - the clutch.

 

[Tort9320g]

Beat me to it.

What about rewiring the fuel pump? That's the first thing I would do.

Bingo ! I was starting to think all the old school free power gainers we're being over looked. I totally agree with what both of these gentlemen above stated. When I got involved with DSM's 11 years ago, my friend had been involved for a year or two and was already aware of these mods. and was kind enough to relay this info. to me. We did everything listed above before spending a dime. You seem to be heading in the right direction, keep asking questions and keep others informed of your current/future goals.

Best of luck...Dave

 

[the_mork]

FWIW I do not believe that an SAFC is a worthwhile upgrade for these cars anymore. It is simply too expensive for its minimal usefulness. An SAFC costs about $150 and will offer you basic fuel control but if you spend $250 on an eprom ecu and a chip or an ostrich then you've got advanced fuel control and timing control as well as a number of other super cool features. Before anyone jumps on me saying that you could get your mild increase in power from an SAFC for $100 less I would venture to say that the $100 difference in price will offer a more significant increase in power than spending $100 literally anywhere else and your car will be safer for it.

Also if you do end up looking at an SAFC keep in mind that you want the minimum sized injector that you need to meet your goals with an SAFC because every bit of extra correction will cause you to fall farther away from the factory timing curve for your give airflow and cause you to be more likely to knock. The only way to fix that with the SAFC is to run richer and with less timing than you could enjoy with a smaller injector or a better tuning solution.

 

[Boosted98gsx]

Tune your CAR!!!!!!