BNR Stage 2 - not worth it without upgrading exhaust?

[vshang]

I got my BNR Stage 2 tuned last week. It was a warm day, and on a mustang dyno, but I can't help wishing I saw better numbers. Max torque was 280, at 3750rpm. Max HP was 230 at 5500rpm or so. Only other drivetrain mod I have is a Cobb SRI.

Most dynos I've seen of MS3's whether modded or not have had the max torque and HP numbers having a difference of not more than 20 or 30. I noticed the torque curve falling quite fast, so the HP doesn't climb very much with rising RPM. The shop said this was because I am still on the stock exhaust, which is very restrictive. However, living in CA, I don't really want to mess with the exhaust system... But I wonder if there's anything else in my car that is preventing the torque curve from being more flat?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[OCRaceShop]

where did you get tuned at? and where in California do you live?

 

[b e z]

I wouldnt go messing with the exhaust, if anything just the downpipe because that is restrictive. As far as the numbers i dont know if thats low or not ive yet to dyno my car and i do not remember other peoples numbers.

 

[MSMS3]

If you can make an aftermarket 3 inch catted dp slip through Cali inspection, that would help you immensely. The sharp angle and poor shape of the stock downpipe and the two low flow cats are extremely restrictive. Until you uncork the exhaust, upgraded turbo performance is going to be quite limited, IMHO.

I'm in a state with no emission testing and I can run a big bellmouth downipipe and fully catless exhaust. The gains, expecially in torque and "under the curve," are dramatic even on the stock turbo.

 

[vshang]

Thanks for the replies. For some reason i'm not getting notified of replies. I got it tuned at Fine Line Imports. I live in Fremont, and that is the only "Cobb authorized" tuner near me. I am leaning towards getting a catted DP, like Cobb's. However, I some ppl over at another forum were saying that I need to get fuel pump internals ASAP or risk blowing up my engine. I'm not knowledged enough to know what's what.

 

[b e z]

At the very least you need to monitor your fuel pressure while at WOT, should be 1600-1700. If its not there then you will need internals.

 

[EdgeAutosport.com]

This is kind of interesting. Never heard of someone in an MS3 doing turbo upgrade and sri and that's it. You should be able to get that kind of power with a tuned stock turbo and sri. If you don't want to take out the cats, a cat back is still worth some extra ponies. We saw +11hp and +13tq by just bolting on a 3" CPE cat back. Top mount intercooler would be a good mod too. Sounds like conservative mods are what you're looking for by the sound of it.

Bottom line is, if you want to make more power, you have to open the exhaust and intake up. Sounds like a race pipe is your kind of exhaust mod. But fuel needs to be considered too, like mentioned above. Check your logs to see what pressure is like.