Starting with low money need performance(not a turbo)

[LeJeune123]

I know there are a million things on this but I coulnd't find real answers just a bunch of guesses. I have a 95 N/T and I want to get into the 15's or lower but I am low on money(repairing the DSM everyday). It has 150000 miles but is still running a 16.8. I use Royal Purple 10w-30 and Lucas Oils and Fluids in everything else. What are some cheap mods I can do to make it a little faster(have to do headers because mine are cracked). Just tell me what were some good cheap (up to $300 dollars) performance mods that helped you guyz out. No guesses please!!! NO I DO NOT WANT A TURBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Thunderskull]

Well, I'm going to tell you right now that you're not going to get into the 15s for $300. $300 might get you a decent header. If I were you, I'd do some searches on the board. This subject has been discussed MANY times. There are 3 primary things that will give you more power: 1. cold air intake, 2. header, and 3. 2 1/4 inch exhaust piping with a high flow cat. Lightened pulleys will help you free up horsepower that you already have also. That will get you into the 15s, but you'll spend about $600-$1000 depending on which route you take to do it. You could follow this up with a decent nitrous kit. You shouldn't have trouble with a 50 shot. That'll get you to 200 hp and into the 14s or low 15s depending on how good of a driver you are. Oh, and if you're an automatic, then just sell the car and get one with a manual transmission if you want to make power out of a n/a vehicle (or take that money and buy a turbocharged 1g awd for $2000-$3000).

 

[GSGoinFast]

Well, I'm going to tell you right now that you're not going to get into the 15s for $300. $300 might get you a decent header. If I were you, I'd do some searches on the board. This subject has been discussed MANY times. There are 3 primary things that will give you more power: 1. cold air intake, 2. header, and 3. 2 1/4 inch exhaust piping with a high flow cat. Lightened pulleys will help you free up horsepower that you already have also. That will get you into the 15s, but you'll spend about $600-$1000 depending on which route you take to do it. You could follow this up with a decent nitrous kit. You shouldn't have trouble with a 50 shot. That'll get you to 200 hp and into the 14s or low 15s depending on how good of a driver you are. Oh, and if you're an automatic, then just sell the car and get one with a manual transmission if you want to make power out of a n/a vehicle (or take that money and buy a turbocharged 1g awd for $2000-$3000).

If you take the highest estimated 1/4 time improvement on 2gnt, with a cold air intake, exaust and UDP, you could... COULD... hit 15.95. now whether i will do this(as these are teh mods i have) is unlikely but i will find out soon. but it all depends on driving skill. but as for what was stated above, i went with 2.5 inch piping, not 2.25. a little bit bigger, a little better flow. but if you want to get into the 15's on a low budget, you can get a Zex wet kit for a little over $500. that will be the cheapest way.

 

[Thunderskull]

Yeah, I shoulda prefaced that by doing I/H/E and pulleys you could break into the 15s if you were a good driver. A cheaper way to do it would be just to install a nitrous kit. But, I would think you would see better gains from that if you had the intake, header, and exhaust in place. 2 and 1/2 inch piping is overkill. The GST/GSXs only use 2 and 1/4 inch piping and they're pushing more horses than a 420a would ever see without a turbo kit or a whole lot of engine/head work. I would think 2 and 1/2 inch piping would improve the sound, but you would lose some backpressure which would hurt your low end.

 

[miamieclipse]

Well, I'm going to tell you right now that you're not going to get into the 15s for $300. $300 might get you a decent header. If I were you, I'd do some searches on the board. This subject has been discussed MANY times. There are 3 primary things that will give you more power: 1. cold air intake, 2. header, and 3. 2 1/4 inch exhaust piping with a high flow cat. Lightened pulleys will help you free up horsepower that you already have also. That will get you into the 15s, but you'll spend about $600-$1000 depending on which route you take to do it. You could follow this up with a decent nitrous kit. You shouldn't have trouble with a 50 shot. That'll get you to 200 hp and into the 14s or low 15s depending on how good of a driver you are. Oh, and if you're an automatic, then just sell the car and get one with a manual transmission if you want to make power out of a n/a vehicle (or take that money and buy a turbocharged 1g awd for $2000-$3000).

isn't hahn or is it bushr (sp? I'm not quite sure which one) but one of them has a automatic, yes automatic, running faster than you hehe,

Yes i beleive 2.5" piping is an over kill also

 

[Thunderskull]

I know, and it's fine if your vehicle is turbocharged. But, we're talking about a car that is n/a. That's the only reason I suggested that.

 

[BumpinTitaniums]

Fact of the matter is, if you are starting with a car in crap condition that is breaking all the time it is only going to break more if you make it faster. Your initial $300 investment is gonna get really out of hand really fast.

 

[GSGoinFast]

2 and 1/2 inch piping is overkill. The GST/GSXs only use 2 and 1/4 inch piping and they're pushing more horses than a 420a would ever see without a turbo kit or a whole lot of engine/head work. I would think 2 and 1/2 inch piping would improve the sound, but you would lose some backpressure which would hurt your low end.

will it still be over kill when i get my nitrous on?

 

[LeJeune123]

Sorry guyz about saying it's breaking all the time. I'm just replacing all the old parts that are going to go out anyway like: sensors, filters, fluids and oils, timing belt, headers, belts, hoses, and battery. See I do take very good care of my car. I don't only want to spend $300 just about $300 a part. Please if you can tell me which Exhaust, Intake, Headers, and Underdrive Pulleys to buy which would show the biggest gains. Should I just get a test pipe or the full cat back exhast. Thanx for all the help. Also I don't want to hurt my daily driver so would nitrous be a good idea?

 

[GSGoinFast]

Sorry guyz about saying it's breaking all the time. I'm just replacing all the old parts that are going to go out anyway like: sensors, filters, fluids and oils, timing belt, headers, belts, hoses, and battery. See I do take very good care of my car. I don't only want to spend $300 just about $300 a part. Please if you can tell me which Exhaust, Intake, Headers, and Underdrive Pulleys to buy which would show the biggest gains. Should I just get a test pipe or the full cat back exhast. Thanx for all the help.

well, first the test pipe and cat back arnt reallly related, like you dont have a choice of one or the other, you can do both. the cat back goes from, like its name says, from the cat back, while a test pipe replaces the cat with just a pipe. if you only wanna spend $300 per mod, you have 2 choices for exaust. you can buy a used turbo exaust, or you can have a custom job done. i got the 2.5 piping and a magnaflow muffler from the cat back for $325. not bad at all.

i got my AEM cold air for $165 brand new. i got my UDP for $140 brand new. i dont have a header.

heres the pulley:
http://www.howellautomotive.com/How...duct_info.php?cPath=142_38_84&products_id=298

heres where i got the cold air, but its a lot more expensive now:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

http://store.dragracing.com/product.asp?prodid=1013&catid=7

good luck

 

[Thunderskull]

Don't put a test pipe on your vehicle. Go with a high flow cat. First, there's a fine (it's usually a very large one) if you're caught without a cat. Also, you'll lose too much low end with a testpipe. GSGoinfast has a good suggestion for the exhaust.

 

[lawdaman]

If you want to save money (if its really that crucial), you can have Minekie (probably spelled that wrong) make you cat back for like 150. I'd suggest buying your own muffler though. Most only go this route when budget is a problem or their application just doesnt have any support. If you dont want a turbo, you can go a head get a AEM V2 Cold-Air intake. It's somewhat better than a normal CAI but it is expensive. You know, going the "cheap" route with this hobby wouldnt be the best advice I can give you. This isnt a cheap hobby. The best way to save money is to do all your work yourself. Since your staying NT, that shouldnt be a big problem, because your basically bolting things onto your engine. Also try out a good 8.5mm ignition wire (MSD, Crane or Magnecore) and iridium spark plug (NGK or Denso) combo, along with a Screamin Demon' (also named DUI) Racing Coil. You might as well keep going on the eletrical line and get a set of ground wires (HKS, Lineage Motorsports or Arospeed) and an Optima Battery (or something just as good). You can find some inexpensive parts like a cai and header among others from arospeed or obx r.
Things you should touch on to hit 15's and stay NT
-CAI
-Headers
-Hi-Flow Cat
-Cat-Back Exhaust (I recommend 2.5")
-Iridium or Platinum Spark Plugs
-8.5mm Spark Plug Wires
-UDP or Over Drive Pulleys (Alternator and Pwr Steering), because you cant do both for the time being
-Short Shifter
-Maybe a better Clutch and Flywheel Combo (SPEC makes an inexpensive set)

Not sure how much of a difference they would make but it does help when staying NT or going turbo;
-Screamin Demon (DUI) Racing Ignition Coil or a MSD unit
-Ground Wires
-Optima Battery

There are more serious mods like a Porting and Polishing different head components along with a 60mm MPX Throttle body, More Aggresive grind Camshafts, or Lightweight Adj. Cam Gears (advance your timing) but you did say "cheap". And yeah there's NO2. I dont think the phrases "performance", "420A", and "cheap" mix together.

 

[miamieclipse]

rofl nice sig phil, but yes he is right you can choose any of the following 2: Cheap, fast, good

If its cheap and fast it's probably not running good
If its cheap and good it's not fast
If its good and fast, its not going to be cheap

 

[AEMEclipse140]

Id suggest higher compression also.

 

[dsmrunnah95]

Nitrous.

 

[GSGoinFast]

Id suggest higher compression also.

i thought about that but if he decides to run nitrous, i dunno howq good of an idea that it. cause i know boost and high comp dont mix too well. plus the high comp only give you like 8 hp if he goes to 10.5. imo not worth it.

 

[lawdaman]

$300 Budget...
$140.00- Af/x UDP
$110.00- OBX R or Arospeed CAI
$50.00- Iridium Spark Plugs... I'd recommend getting 8.5mm Spark Plug Wires soon after for the full effect.

Following those mods just tackle your exhaust. Some good manufacturers for Headers are;
GReddy (SS, too expensive imo)
OBX R (SS, & Ceramic)
Arospeed (Chrome)

Hi-Flow Cat
OBX R
Arospeed
Bomz

Cat-Back
If you cant find a cat-back for our cars you dont need to mod it any longer. Sell it, pick up a Tercel and call it a day. There are so many different applications, I shouldnt have to list anything but a couple good companies are GReddy and A'PEXi.

 

[miamieclipse]

CAI-$75
Custom Catback (muffler shop do piping bring them a muffler) $200
Header $150
UDP-$140
Resonator: $50

THats a start off

 

[LeJeune123]

Wow thanks for all the ideas. I am not going nitrous because it is my daily driver and I just don't want to hurt it (besides the hard driving). I think I will focus on letting air in and out first. Ebay CAI, 4-2-1 Headers, Straight through (no cat) mandrel bent with resonator and N-1 style muffler, and then onto UDP, Ported Intake Manifold, 52-55mm Throttle body, Sun Auto Ground Wires, and Screamin Demon Performance Coil. Another Question, I want more top end but without losing any bottom end, should I get 4-1 or 4-2-1? And with what size exhaust piping2 1/4 or 2 1/2. Thanks you all have been a real help to me so I wouldn't just go spending money to get nothing.

 

[GSGoinFast]

i have 2.5" piping but was told that may be overkill. i think its perfect. its really your choice. if you think your going to do some SERIOUS modding, go with the bigger size as you might be needing it soon.

 

[BumpinTitaniums]

I have 3" piping. Sounds beautiful and has a lot more top-end kick, but <3000rpm my god my car is pokey. A stock RS/GS/ESi is slow off the line anyway but I sort of killed all of my off-idle power with my exhaust. To solve this problem, I recommend liberal downshifting and a rolling start for every race

 

[dsmrunnah95]

I have 3" piping. Sounds beautiful and has a lot more top-end kick, but <3000rpm my god my car is pokey. A stock RS/GS/ESi is slow off the line anyway but I sort of killed all of my off-idle power with my exhaust. To solve this problem, I recommend liberal downshifting and a rolling start for every race

"Speed Mods
Intake, and a muffler on stock exhaust (yeah I know)"

 

[GSGoinFast]

"Speed Mods
Intake, and a muffler on stock exhaust (yeah I know)"

maybe he just forgot to update his profile

 

[Burrito06]

Intake, Headers, Exhaust, Hi-Flow Cat, UDP (Under drive Pulley), Clutch, Aluminum Flywheel and you should be able to hit into the 15"s. A cnew clutch should help significantly.

 

[BumpinTitaniums]

maybe he just forgot to update his profile

Yeah I forgot I even had one.. I'm pretty sure all that information is left over from my last car, which was a really crappy Laser.