more power from my N/A protege questions

[kozzy59]

So i want to get a little more power out of my N/A 2003 protege lx, dont want to turbo since its my daily driver so dont try and change my mind

so i know the obvious mods: cold air intake, pulleys, header, catback exhaust.

here are my questions about the rest.

1. since i'd do catback and header, i might as well get a midpipe too, but should i get a midpipe with a high-flow cat or just go catless?

2. Is there a big difference between the protegegarage JDM camshafts and the CorkSport Performance FS Exhaust Camshaft/J-SPEC 2.0 FS-ZE intake camshaft? if so, what is the difference? positive/negative things? or do they require modification

3. Is there a big difference between protegegarage ProtegeGarage High Compression Pistons for FS 2.0 Engine and corksport J-SPEC 2.0 FS-ZE Piston set?


Can all of this be done with out extensive modification? Is it all replacement parts?

 

[stdntDrvr]

the fs-ze cam is a 'jdm' cam

check the compression for the pistons to compare...ask ken...i believe CS has them posted.

if you don't have emissions testing, go with no cat...if you are tested, you will fail without one.

cams are moderately difficult...takes time to do it correctly.

pistons...yeah, that's a little more complicated...well, a LOT more.

header/exhaust is straight-forward...take the stock parts off and put the aftermarket parts on. nothing tricky at all about that...just get something to break the nuts/bolts free.

turbo wouldn't hurt the DD thing as long as it's done properly...you can go the cheap route and get a msp turbo set-up. all you need is the mani, turbo, downpipe, intercooler and ecu, i believe...

 

[kozzy59]

the only problem with the ecu thing there, is i got an automatic

but is there a difference between the cams sold by protege garage and corksport?

and for the pistons sold by pg is says "Raises engine compression to 9.8 to 1 (stock is 9.1 to 1). No need to over bore. Includes a set of piston rings and all four pistons. Can be matched to stock connecting rods, no need for forged rods. Requires use of premium octane fuel after installation. Increases overall horsepower and acceleration"
It makes it sound like all you do is replace the stock ones?

 

[amair001]

ive got a set of the high-comp pistions if you decide to go that route. Comparitavly cheaper than buying them from PG or Corksport. LMK

 

[stdntDrvr]

replacing the pistons involves removing the engine and disassebling it. personally, i don't have the tools or time needed...but if you do...go for it. i believe the CS pistons are higher compression than the ones on PG. all you would do is bolt them on.

the cams are the same...but i would go for the integral cams on PG...more power.

when doing cams/pistons, it's better to figure out which pistons you are running and then have the cams designed around that. also, if you go with CS pistons, you'll need a standalone to tune it. once you get inside the engine, there's a lot more work involved than just bolting things in.

 

[CulRidr]

Corksport = 10.4:1
PG = 9.7:1

ive got a set of the high-comp pistions if you decide to go that route. Comparitavly cheaper than buying them from PG or Corksport. LMK

Couldn't you have told me this earlier?
I just bought some from Corksport (I'd feel better if I knew you didn't have the rings, lol).

 

[kozzy59]

^^^^^^^^
thanks for the helpful post!!!!......... gtfo