simple mods

[smgs92]

well i plan on doing a few simple mods for now
cold air intake
headers
exhaust

and i was wondering if with these small mods if i should bother getting header wrap or would it not make any difference with these mods i plan to get ebay headers thanks in advance

 

[agarc023]

I don't see why not. It won't help much at all with performance but it will keep the engine bay from getting so hot

 

[Dhan]

Header wrap can trap moisture and lead to rusted headers.

They're ebay headers so they'll probably rust w/o you using the header wrap anyway.

You aren't going to be racing it (or are you), so I wouldn't bother with the extra expense. Put it towards maintenance.

 

[smgs92]

well header wrap is only $14 so unless im buying 2 quarts of royal purple or new wiper blades i dont see that making a dent in maintenance expense but i do like the idea of keeping the engine bay cooler
and i wont be racing although i will from time to time rev it up and just see how fast i can go on a clear road and they're not gonna be permanent headers so rust shouldnt be an issue

 

[phunny]

My first new car was a 99 RS and after dumping tons of money in it I'll tell you what I learned. Nitrous nitrous nitrous and did I mention nitrous. . Most bang for your buck easily

 

[smgs92]

im not looking to run nitrous not yet anyway i will eventually turbo it though maybe after that run nitrous

 

[phunny]

im not looking to run nitrous not yet anyway i will eventually turbo it though maybe after that run nitrous

Ah I see. You sure you want to put that kind of money in her?

 

[99OZDSM]

+1 on the header wrap, keep those engine temps down.

Also, these links are very, very useful...

Tech Guide: 2G 420A Power Upgrades - DSMtuners

2GNT.com - POWER

 

[smgs92]

Ah I see. You sure you want to put that kind of money in her?

yeah i actually found a turbo kit with garret turbo for $700 and its only got 95k on it so the engine still has plenty of life in it

+1 on the header wrap, keep those engine temps down.

Also, these links are very, very useful...

Tech Guide: 2G 420A Power Upgrades - DSMtuners

2GNT.com - POWER

thanks that was extremely useful and i was looking for something like this so i could find good upgrade combos

 

[agarc023]

Hopefully your not getting this "kit" off ebay...

 

[Alan11]

yeah i actually found a turbo kit with garret turbo for $700 and its only got 95k on it so the engine still has plenty of life in it

I hope you are not trying to push more than 8 psi on stock internals no matter what the mileage (or life )the engine has.

 

[smgs92]

no i was not gonna get the kit off ebay i found it on craigslist the guy sold him dsm before installing it and i plan to eventually upgrade internals but did not plan to run higher than 8psi stock

 

[phunny]

no i was not gonna get the kit off ebay i found it on craigslist the guy sold him dsm before installing it and i plan to eventually upgrade internals but did not plan to run higher than 8psi stock

What kit is it? And by turboing it you will break something.

 

[99OZDSM]

no i was not gonna get the kit off ebay i found it on craigslist the guy sold him dsm before installing it and i plan to eventually upgrade internals but did not plan to run higher than 8psi stock

How many miles are on the kit itself? I would make sure you have someone on here check out the parts to make sure they would be reliable especially if they are used. You never know if someone beat on their car or not.

Also, are you up to date with ALL of the maintenance on your car?

I would recommend a compression and leak down test too to make sure your engine is healthy.

 

[Locke]

What kit is it? And by turboing it you will break something.

Ya, because every boosted 420a explodes when it sees boost. We only guide people into how to do this because we're evil, and want to see more explosions.

@OP: Just be weary of the turbocharger itself. eBay chinese turbos have a bad reputation for eating themselves. Some work fine forever, others don't Be weary, and pay attention. At the first sign of a failing eBay turbo, you should take actions to repair or replace.

 

[agarc023]

We only guide people into how to do this because we're evil, and want to see more explosions.

 

[smgs92]

How many miles are on the kit itself? I would make sure you have someone on here check out the parts to make sure they would be reliable especially if they are used. You never know if someone beat on their car or not.

Also, are you up to date with ALL of the maintenance on your car?

I would recommend a compression and leak down test too to make sure your engine is healthy.

its a brand new kit and as far as i know i am up to date on maintenance i got a spare timing belt and serpentine belt that i would put on if needed or when i install the turbo kit and the engine doesnt leak and compression sounds fine but i havent tested this stuff other than by sight and hearing

Ya, because every boosted 420a explodes when it sees boost. We only guide people into how to do this because we're evil, and want to see more explosions.

@OP: Just be weary of the turbocharger itself. eBay chinese turbos have a bad reputation for eating themselves. Some work fine forever, others don't Be weary, and pay attention. At the first sign of a failing eBay turbo, you should take actions to repair or replace.

its not a chinese turbo its a garret turbo which i know is a good brand

 

[phunny]

Ya, because every boosted 420a explodes when it sees boost. We only guide people into how to do this because we're evil, and want to see more explosions.

@OP: Just be weary of the turbocharger itself. eBay chinese turbos have a bad reputation for eating themselves. Some work fine forever, others don't Be weary, and pay attention. At the first sign of a failing eBay turbo, you should take actions to repair or replace.

Oh yeah, lets tell the OP to boost and have fun..... Hell, I'll give you my spare 50 trim so you can push uber duber horsepower. Did I say every 420 explodes when boost happens??? No I didn't. But are you saying that he will get the same life out of that engine after it's boosted? And if your answer is no, then how long? He needs to know and understand that things ARE going to break, so he shouldn't empty his account to turbo it and then it will set like so many cars do...

OP I've personally ran hahn's stage 2 and it was a nice kit with good customer service.

 

[Shake_Zulla]

Oh yeah, lets tell the OP to boost and have fun..... Hell, I'll give you my spare 50 trim so you can push uber duber horsepower. Did I say every 420 explodes when boost happens??? No I didn't. But are you saying that he will get the same life out of that engine after it's boosted? And if your answer is no, then how long? He needs to know and understand that things ARE going to break, so he shouldn't empty his account to turbo it and then it will set like so many cars do...

OP I've personally ran hahn's stage 2 and it was a nice kit with good customer service.

I think Locke was commenting more on your negativity then the actual effect on the motor. Yes adding a turbo can reduce the life of you engine and so can accelerating quickly, shifting after 3500rpms and not changing your oil every 3000 miles... its all relative and I think it's kinda stupid that a person who is pushing for nitrous is telling the OP how bad a turbo is on your car. I think the OP realizes anytime you add more HP than stock its hard on your car and is like every other person that is actually going to turbo their car and will fix things when they break.

OP Check the end play in the turbo before install.

 

[phunny]

I think Locke was commenting more on your negativity then the actual effect on the motor. Yes adding a turbo can reduce the life of you engine and so can accelerating quickly, shifting after 3500rpms and not changing your oil every 3000 miles... its all relative and I think it's kinda stupid that a person who is pushing for nitrous is telling the OP how bad a turbo is on your car. I think the OP realizes anytime you add more HP than stock its hard on your car and is like every other person that is actually going to turbo their car and will fix things when they break.

OP Check the end play in the turbo before install.

Maybe but it sure doesn't seem like it. And nitrous works very well on high mileage engine and it's not constant.

 

[Shake_Zulla]

Maybe but it sure doesn't seem like it. And nitrous works very well on high mileage engine and it's not constant.

You still have to worry about damage to rings, pistons and valves not to mention pinging. Im not saying a turbo is better than nitrous or anything like that but if his goal is to build an autocross car nitrous would suck. It sounds like the OP his a idea of what he wants so we probably should just do our best to provide unbiased information.

 

[Maverick4g63]

I wouldnt suggest a nitrous system to a rookie tuner with no way to log and read afr. I use a kit on my bike but its a learning experience that can lead to expensive lessons.

To the OP: There is a plethora of 420A turbo conversion info here and many members with first hand knowledge.

 

[smgs92]

well i'm not getting a turbo yet i dont have the funds for it right now anyway
and i am quite aware of the dangers of boosting cars i do plan to upgrade the engine internals eventually and i dont really want nitrous because i dont wanna be labeled as another ricer with "nos" thinking i'm a badass
i do realize that parts break especially when boosting i've seen guys boost cars run too high of psi and throw rods through the head
and i'm not looking to have a super fast car that would only be good for the strip since this is my daily driver along with a mercury cougar
some plans i do have in the future are boosting it, possibly turning it into an awd, internals upgraded and bored over

 

[phunny]

You still have to worry about damage to rings, pistons and valves not to mention pinging. Im not saying a turbo is better than nitrous or anything like that but if his goal is to build an autocross car nitrous would suck. It sounds like the OP his a idea of what he wants so we probably should just do our best to provide unbiased information.

Not being biased, but nitrous is less destructive on a high mileage car. Not talking about a beatin piece of junk but a little bit of slop is a good thing. It puts less stress on the engine.

 

[Maverick4g63]

Not being biased, but nitrous is less destructive on a high mileage car. Not talking about a beatin piece of junk but a little bit of slop is a good thing. It puts less stress on the engine.

Whats your nitrous setup phunny?