Upgrading 420a

[Misuta Yancha]

so I was wondering where I could find info about upgrading bassically everything on my 420a so I can do some research... obviosly I am a noob to car engines but I do have some mechanical experience so I want to rebuild an engine

I am planning on mostly daily driver but also a track car on weekends I will be running 91 octane always... I am hoping to get about 400 or so horsepower

links and misc. knowledge will be a big help, thanks

 

[nfernotalon]

420a forums and pick up a chiltons or haynes

 

[bomexe]

2gnt.com is an alright site...they like to flame or at least they use to....i really like this site though because everyone is always chiming in on there thoughts and it is always good constructive ideas no bashing witch is nice...so if you have any questions just hit up the site...if you want to do some motor work i found at modernperformance.com offers a full performance rebuild kit for about 2200 i havent really heard any testimonials from them but i have talked to them and they seem to be legit. also howellautomotive.com they offer good products also..cimotorsports.net offers a good selection and also slowboyracing.com...good luck with the project!!!

 

[Locke]

Tech Guide: 2G 420A Power Upgrades - DSMtuners
420A DSM Tech - DSM Forums

 

[Misuta Yancha]

ok this is all a little overwhelming... are there any reviews on rebuild kits or has anyone here used a kit or crate engines or something that can pick brands and such... I want a good bang for my buck... no pun intended

 

[nfernotalon]

Overwhelming? Then I suggest you REALLY pick up a manual and just read it.

 

[Misuta Yancha]

Overwhelming? Then I suggest you REALLY pick up a manual and just read it.

I dont mean the rebuild itself I mean the selection of parts... I dont know what to get, but I do know how to do it, I already have a haynes manual and have been reading through it while waiting for replies on this thread


oh and possibly a stupid question but what is the difference between a shortblock and a longblock?

 

[imagine3163]

A short block is just what it sounds like...an engine block all by itself. A long block is the engine block plus the head.

 

[ob420aboosted]

pm sent i got some things that might help you out

 

[steeda763]

Hahn Racecraft specializes in boosted 420a performance. Give them a look

hahnracecraft.com

 

[dsmmike50t]

As mentioned above the hahn kit is a really good choice, I hear alot of people recommending it.


Hahn Racecraft - Automotive Turbosystems

 

[steeda763]

I can personally attest to the quality of Hahn Racecraft's kit design and reliability...my buddy's been sporting a Stage 3/4 kit for about 3 years, and has put approximately 45k miles on it without a problem. He has the Port Fueler and runs 18psi daily.

 

[Viper588]

I dont mean to hijack the thead or anything but i was not aware that they made turbo systems specifically for the 420a...i had thought about getting a turbo but decided when my eclipse finally died i would just get a gst or gsx....but with a turbo like this and the same supporting mods as a gst would the gst be still be faster?....in short would it be worth it to get a turbo system or just wait and get a gst or gsx later....again sorry to ask in your thread Mitsua Yancha

 

[DsmKid98GST]

to OP: you'll be spending hours daily reading these boards and others. Search your questions using the Search function. I got all the information that made all my decisions from this board.

to Hijacker: read message addressed to the OP

 

[Locke]

I dont mean to hijack the thead or anything but i was not aware that they made turbo systems specifically for the 420a...i had thought about getting a turbo but decided when my eclipse finally died i would just get a gst or gsx....but with a turbo like this and the same supporting mods as a gst would the gst be still be faster?....in short would it be worth it to get a turbo system or just wait and get a gst or gsx later....again sorry to ask in your thread Mitsua Yancha

Hahn pioneered the 2gnt turbo movement. They do sell complete kits for the 420a. A 2gnt at 8psi will make more power and be faster than a GS-T at factory boost.

A vehicle is worth whatever a person is willing to pay for it. It is subjective, and varies from person to person. It will come down to cost and want. Decide for yourself.

 

[Misuta Yancha]

to OP: you'll be spending hours daily reading these boards and others. Search your questions using the Search function. I got all the information that made all my decisions from this board.

to Hijacker: read message addressed to the OP

I already searched and couldn't find anything on the info I specifically need


and I think everyone misread my post... I already have a t3/t4 turbo on my 420a... I am looking to upgrade the engine itself so I can safely increase the boost from 8 psi

 

[Locke]

I already searched and couldn't find anything on the info I specifically need


and I think everyone misread my post... I already have a t3/t4 turbo on my 420a... I am looking to upgrade the engine itself so I can safely increase the boost from 8 psi

You need to completely fill out your profile. What is your current fuel setup?

8psi is not a limitation of the engine, it is a limitation of the common "12:1 FMU + 255lph + 235cc injectors" fuel system. The factory bottom end has been known to hold ~12psi, given enough fuel.

Crower and Eagle make rods for our cars, and JE and Wiseco make pistons for usl. Any piston manufacturer will cut pistons to your specs if you don't like what JE or Wiseco have to offer. ARP makes stud kits for the 420a as well.

 

[steeda763]

My buddy's '97 RS was set up with a Hahn Racecraft 16g, SMIC, and running 8psi. He managed to keep up with an S13 w/SR20DET running 15psi, and left behind a Spyder GST running stock boost. That all should give you an idea of what the RS-T is capable of...

Hahn Racecraft also provides a fuel solution to the 420a with a Port Fueler. The PF is a sandwich adaptor that installs between the head and the intake manifold, and holds 4 more fuel injectors in addition to your stock fuel rail. These injectors are set to spray at a certain RPM to provide the needed fuel under boost. Out of boost, you're just using your tiny stock injectors (fuel economy FTW!).

Just don't expect the stock 420a bottom end to take much abuse; he blew his piston rings at 8psi after only a few months.

 

[Misuta Yancha]

You need to completely fill out your profile. What is your current fuel setup?

8psi is not a limitation of the engine, it is a limitation of the common "12:1 FMU + 255lph + 235cc injectors" fuel system. The factory bottom end has been known to hold ~12psi, given enough fuel.

Crower and Eagle make rods for our cars, and JE and Wiseco make pistons for usl. Any piston manufacturer will cut pistons to your specs if you don't like what JE or Wiseco have to offer. ARP makes stud kits for the 420a as well.

I bought this car used with everything in my profile in it plus extras I have invoices for some but not all of the upgrades... I haven't done anything to it yet so I am not sure of everything that he did... but he upgraded to a high flow fuel pump (which one or how much output and what fmu is unkown to me) and blocked the return... as far as I know stock injectors and fuel rail (which will be upgraded in this build)

between crower and eagle which is "better"? as well as JE and wiseco? like I said earlier I want around 400 hp

any other info I need to put into my profile and how to find out that info would be helpful to everyone as well

 

[Locke]

Crower makes beefier rods than Eagle, but with added weight and an incredible price. For 400hp, Eagle rods won't let you down. As far as JE vs. Wiseco, it is mostly personal preference.

More importantly is fuelling and tuning at those levels. You can have a ridiculously strong bottom and, and destroy it quickly with poor tuning or inadequate fuel supply.

The (S/D)FMU (or AFPR, if using a setup that requires one of these) will be somewhere in the fuel return. On an early style fuel system, the return comes off the fuel rail near the inlet, and the FMU is usually located in the engine bay. On a late style fuel system, the return and the FMU will usually be located under the vehicle, near the fuel tank.

Post a picture of your turbo setup, and report any markings on the turbo so we can determine what you have to work with.

edit: Do you know if the previous owner was a member here? If so, knowing who he was may answer most questions about your current setup.

 

[Misuta Yancha]

picture posted

and I don't think he is a member... and I don't think he remembers everything he installed

 

[Locke]

I can't really tell from that pic, other than it is a pretty clean looking install for the most part.

Regardless, for 400+whp, you'll be looking at forged internals and either Portfueler or MegaSquirt, both requiring a 1:1 AFPR.

 

[Misuta Yancha]

yeah and it looks like I will be getting a new turbo as well

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/284654-damage-turbo.html#post151418454

 

[Blitzeclips]

I hope you realize the time money and dedication needed for 400whp. It's cerntainly no bolt-on affair. Prepare to find a tuner, ahem, good tuner, money, and miscellanious parts and set-up changes.

I know from this point you'll need a new bottom end, top end, turbo and fuel set-up. Oh and depending on how you drive; a new tranny.

But hey that's half the fun of it..

 

[Misuta Yancha]

I hope you realize the time money and dedication needed for 400whp. It's cerntainly no bolt-on affair. Prepare to find a tuner, ahem, good tuner, money, and miscellanious parts and set-up changes.

I know from this point you'll need a new bottom end, top end, turbo and fuel set-up. Oh and depending on how you drive; a new tranny.

But hey that's half the fun of it..

oh I most deffinately do realize this which is why I am going to buy everything for the rebuild plus a used block and do all of the work slowly and properly... then when I am done I will take a long weekend and swap the engines

and yes I will be driving it easy till I can get a new tranny