Help a Newbie...Look Smart in the Process

[SpinmanADK]

Hey All,
New 2003 P5 owner (silver, manual 5). Love the handling. All of my WRS/X owning friends are feeling a little envious (in the wallet). I would like to make them a little more nervous. (Just a little in the twisties). Here's the question:
If you had some money to spend, but not enough for a turbo charger, what would you do to get 10 to 20 more hp? Would an Injen CAI and a cat back exhaust combo do the trick? Any other suggestions? Should a header be part of the combo? Or should I just place myself in life-long indentured servitude for a turbo charger? Any info passed along would be greatly appreciated.

Oh Yeah, if you're going to recommend the t/c anyway, suggestions on how to pass it by the Mrs. would be helpful.


P.S. Be gentle, it's my first post.

 

[ForceFed]

Welcome SpinmanADK!(hi) Just skip the :bs: and get the turbo if thats what you really want!If you can afford to do it,just go for it!If you settle for an exhaust and an intake when you relly want (and can afford)the turbo,YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH THE CAR!You will just end up down the line going through this again,wondering if you should get the turbo!As for the misses,I think you might be on youe own for that one.Only you know her and how she would react to something like this!I would just sit her down and tell her that this is really something you want and ask her what she thinks?
Just my .02 cents!
GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME!

 

[ForceFed]

OK ,just a little more to add.I re-read your post and it looks like you don't have the $$ for a turbo so here is what I would do.I would get a Full exhaust(header,and full cat-back)and possibly even eliminate the cat if you see fit just for the increased flow and I would combine this with a good CAI.I might even make the suggestion of a lightened flywheel to increase your throttle response!
Once again,Just my .02 cents
Matt

 

[KYREDP5]

And see if you can snatch up a remaining set of cams.

 

[1sty]

Cams, intake, header, exhuast, and no cats still won't add 20 WHP. THeres only 2 ways to get speed in these cars. Turbo or NOS.

 

[KYREDP5]

Or you could try some APC stickers. I hear those are good for up to 25whp... The more the better.

Edit: Traveler gained 15 whp peak from Cams, header (non-ceramic), intake, and exhaust. Add high flow cats, ceramic header, and tripoint's cam gears and I wouldn't think 20whp is out of the question. Expensive though.

 

[1sty]

Not to mention would drive like complete ASS!

 

[KYREDP5]

Is he having drivability problems w/ his car? I hadn't heard anything recent form him.

 

[1sty]

I remember CH mentioning when he had his cams and was trying to get any real power the car was a total turd to drive.

 

[KYREDP5]

Hmmm....didn't read that. Was this before or after he got the Haltech?

Edit: E-manage I mean, don't know where the hell I got Haltech from.

 

[1sty]

It was from his cams.
This is not an uncommon saying amoung tuners I know.
They all frequently mention how bad a car will drive in trying to get serious NA power from it.

 

[KYREDP5]

Hmmm....I havn't had any problems with my cams...Must just be you hit a certain point and the ECU just goes apeshit....

 

[1sty]

I think its when compared to the same power as a turbo. Like a turbo adding 50 whp is far easy to deal with then an NA setup yeilding the same power.

 

[Sir Nuke]

hello spinman and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. (stash)

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!! (stash)

to get the power you are looking for I am afraid that a turbo is the real way to go.....that will net you about 40 HP....the header, intake, exhaust combo will get you somewhere around 10-15, somewhere in that ballpark.

I think if you do that...and then have your buddies ATTEMPT to hang with you in the twisties, ones with very few if any straights, you will find your buddies having a whole new respect for you, as they will be working hard to keep on your ass.

 

[SpinmanADK]

Thanks for the input everybody. All of the info has been very helpful in making a decision. Oh and Sir Nuke...I have just the road in mind!!!
Thanks,
Spinman

 

[MinnowGT]

If you're looking to show off in the twisties.

I would recommend a good set of tires,
springs and a rear swaybar. Cause you're not
gonna go full throttle in real twisties.

 

[SpicyMchaggis]

Well, whats is nice about the 2.0L motor is its "abundance" of torque. HP is the last thing you need to worry about. If you really want to get up on some power, it's time to open up the motor. New seals, gaskets, spacers, port/polish of the heads and piston housings. Hell you could even bore over the motor a touch for some more displacement. Intake manifolds, fuel injectors, and larger oil injectors do help as well..If you want to get real fancy..DFI system would be amazing. Maybe you can pick up a MSD blaster coil with a 4 retard ignition system. Don't forget to pick an ECU....APC stickers couldn't hurt the process. Whoa...I think you might need some real funding for this project..but thats the long answer..Short answer...Plugs/Wiresm Fuel Injectors, Intake, FULL exhaust including header, a VENOM 400 ECU, and the VENOM 1000 or 2000 nitrous system..that would make your P5 crazed quick...or..you could just do it ALL!! just make sure you come up with like 6g's before hand..haha good luck man! -kyle

 

[KYREDP5]

Well, whats is nice about the 2.0L motor is its "abundance" of torque. HP is the last thing you need to worry about. If you really want to get up on some power, it's time to open up the motor. New seals, gaskets, spacers, port/polish of the heads and piston housings. Hell you could even bore over the motor a touch for some more displacement. Intake manifolds, fuel injectors, and larger oil injectors do help as well..If you want to get real fancy..DFI system would be amazing. Maybe you can pick up a MSD blaster coil with a 4 retard ignition system. Don't forget to pick an ECU....APC stickers couldn't hurt the process. Whoa...I think you might need some real funding for this project..but thats the long answer..Short answer...Plugs/Wiresm Fuel Injectors, Intake, FULL exhaust including header, a VENOM 400 ECU, and the VENOM 1000 or 2000 nitrous system..that would make your P5 crazed quick...or..you could just do it ALL!! just make sure you come up with like 6g's before hand..haha good luck man! -kyle

Larger fuel injectors would do you no good with the mods listed, the same goes for the oil squirters. The MSD won't work with our cars. Our ignition timing is controled by the ECU, not the coil, or anything else. Don't even get me started on what you said about the ECU....

Please learn what your talking about before you spout off nonsense like that.