420A Newbie Just Got 97 RS, has parts list, needs advice

[Fryguy]

Allright, well I picked up a 97 RS the other day (still learning how to drive a 5-speed )

Anyway, the car has an intake and exhaust already, as well as eibach springs. I'm looking for a car that is highly streetable and fast, while staying away from a turbo. This car will not ever hit a drag strip, though it will see it's share of light-light racing I'm sure. That being said, I am looking for fast acceleration, I don't really care about anything 120mph+, I care about 0-60 times etc, things that are applicable to street driving. If I WERE to take it to a track, I'd want it to hit low 14s/high 13s.

I don't want to have to do engine swaps/major engine rebuilds, so from what I understand from the 420a, that means I'm pretty much limited to around 300hp.

My first step is going to be headers since I've been told they produce a good deal of power 0-3500 rpms, and a cat-back exhaust (mine right now is just a muffler). What are recommended brands for this? I know greddy EVO and SP make good cat-backs, but which is better?

Next will probably be cam gears and maybe camshafts. AEM makes an affordable cam gear. Any advice on tuning this?

Next is plugs and wires, I plan on going magnecore (sp) wires and ngk plugs.

Next is a throttle body, bored 50mm (is this worth it?) and a UDP (I have an large soundsystem, so I'm a bit worried about this, I've heard conflicting things)

After this I'm pretty much stuck. I don't know anything about fuel management systems, and I'm trying to stay away from big, one-shot purchases. I want something where I can purchase a part every month or 2, and feel the difference (I'm only 18 and trying to get through college)

I was considering a 50-shot of nos, with a little ignition timing to make it work, but I'm not sure if I want to put that risk on my engine.

How am I doing so far? Advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fast1.8sohcDSM]

1st I would get an Underdrive pulley set
2nd I would get a NX/NOS/Venom Nitrous system.
3rd I would get Headers
4th I would get lightened cam gears
5th I would get a jet chip


Later on, I would mill down the head and try to get a higher compression out of it. You would see a large upgrade in horsepower if you did upgrade the compression on it. Also if you built your head for a larger amount of rpm, you could probably go to 7.5 K, and that would help you on the track shifting. With those mods, you could be probably with a stock 2G Turbo motor, but you wouldn't be much past it, unfortunately.

 

[Fryguy]

So you see throttle body and hi-flo cat etc as a waste of time?

 

[fast1.8sohcDSM]

Well, throttlebody on the 2nd gen could be a good upgrade, and I thought the car had an exhaust including that it had a performance catty. I sometimes forget how limited your throttlebodies are on the 2nd gen, it could help you getting an overbored one. I guess I would say do your performance catty first so you could actually make your exhaust system horsepower able. As for the overbored throttle body, do that before the cam gears, that could be a better idea instead of those. I still think though, the most hp you will hit is 215-220 with all your modifications done.

 

[Fryguy]

Well say I redo the exhaust, do the cam gears, the throttle body, plugs and wires, and do an MSD ignition system. Then add a 50 shot of nos. How much danger am I in running nos with a higher mileage car? Since I'm not spraying much, is it safe to say I wouldn't be hurting my car anymore than a stage 2 turbo?

Would you rather see me build up N/A parts and add a shot of nos, or just save up hella money for a stage1 or stage 2 turbo? Keep in mind the mileage IS rather high.

 

[fast1.8sohcDSM]

Nitrous in my opinion is a safer upgrade then Turbocharging, because of the chamber preasures increasing as forced induction is put on. The Nitrous shot I would use is either 40-50. I wouldn't go much more then that because of the risk of internal destruction. If you were to go forced induction, you would end up with better results though

 

[green95hrcgs]

I may have to say your dreams will not come true without, either the engine build or turbo. If you prove me wrong be the first to lemme know. Good luck. Going fast takes a lotta work.

 

[green95hrcgs]

By the way, in order to get low 14's high 13's, just realize that Hahn Race Craft runs 14.00-13.7 with their Stage 2 TURBO kit.

 

[Fryguy]

Yah, I'm aware of this. I just figured that doing a lot of the other mods that aren't as bad on the engine life, like pulleys, throttle, etc. Might get me close to this range without having to severly shorten to life of my car.

I dunno, we'll see.

 

[EvuLFleA]

Fastest NA on 2gnt right now is 15.5

YOU will not get into the 14's NA period. Sorry for being blunt but its true.

Jet chip doesn't do #@%#@%#@%#@% for our cars either haha. AFX has an ECU out now. 15whp gains damn good.

 

[eek!lipse]

i'd finish the entire exhaust system...header, 2.5" piping and a hi flo cat or test pipe. do the electrical, wires and plugs. cam gears. and port & polish anything and everything you can...header, intake mani, everything. bored throttle body will make a smal difference...do it if you have the money. there's more to making a car fast than just engine mods tho.

get a short shifter and racing clutch. adjustable shocks will help your launch and motot mounts will keep the power at the wheels.

i'd run only a 50 shot of nitrous if any.

 

[Budget Tuner]

Hi!

Fryguy I had the same questions you did thanks for asking.

One question no one answered though was the effect of a underdrive pulley on your stereo system, and since it underdrives everything 30%
will it underdrive your powersteering as well!