more power

[chiachin]

(bluemp3) (dunno) My MP3 is still stock, mostly. I want to get some more power out of it. However it seems that everything I look at adds power to the top end. Any suggestions for more low end power?

 

[mp3moose]

boost....only way to may any real power.

 

[RyanJayG]

very true.... dont buy anything.... save up $3000-$4000 and get one of the many turbo kits available for our cars.... its the only way to make any real power without spending rediculous $

 

[flat_black]

As an avid N/A enthusiast, I would highly suggest... You get a turbo. =) Because it is definitly the easier of the two paths.

 

[chiachin]

But even with turbo and super chargers, isn't most of the power gain top end? What about off the line power?

 

[RyanJayG]

forced induction produces a lot of torque... dont worry bout that... you will get up and go in a hurry... especially if you get a kit with a BB turbo... somewhat like the Mental Addiction Motorsports kit with the T-28r or T-28rs. it will spool quickly and make power down low

 

[flat_black]

Both of those add power along most of the range, really... Superchargers are in limbo right now, as there aren't any production units for the car, but those help off the line, too.

A small sized turbo will spool early enough for most anyone to be happy with the low end; It won't make a huge difference 'till boost builds though. I plan on using a Mitsubishi-style T25 turbo, and most of the kits around here use T03's, or similarly sized turbos. GT28's, too, from time to time. The T25 boosts in really early, from what I gather, and will load up all the way pretty quickly. That's enough of a gain for me, as I'll probably only run 8 or so PSI, at most, depending if I go with an FMU or an EMS for fuel, but that's a whole different story; I'm custom making my setup. =)

 

[stdntDrvr]

stay n/a! don't go f/i...it's a trap.

 

[mp3moose]

I am $4k into NA and can tell you my car is NOT fast. I'll never see more than 135whp.

 

[stdntDrvr]

wow...i'm $3500 into NA and i can hang with a lightly modded msp.

 

[mp3moose]

wow...i'm $3500 into NA and i can hang with a lightly modded msp.

what mods do you have? I have no concept of acceleration anymore as I have raced anyone in 2 years when my car was stock. Feels a bit fast, but I have no way to tell.

 

[stdntDrvr]

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/523852

my clutch/flywheel/struts aren't on yet...they're collecting dust at home.

 

[SpicyMchaggis]

Agreed, I've gotten really far N/A and it feels much faster than when it was stock..Even I am selling out for boost..Your worried about down low..rock boost for a week you'll be begging for a limited-slip.

 

[stdntDrvr]

sell-out...you're just like brittany spears.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I am $4k into NA and can tell you my car is NOT fast. I'll never see more than 135whp.

The only NA mods I see (unless your sig is out of date) are the HC pistons and AWR header. Even with a piston install, you're shy of $2000. If you were to get a piggyback and actually tune for your NA setup, I think you'd enjoy it more. Simply throwing in some HC pistons without changing fuel and timing is relatively useless.

Chris

 

[stdntDrvr]

(werd)

 

[mp3moose]

$4k is inclusive of all my mods plus labor. not 4K on just NA parts. Also though...my hood/intake combo is good for 6 whp apparently.

I have thought of cams and tuning, and I was in fact going to use my mp3 as the tester for stage 3 cams from perworks, but I guess we know how that turned out. And EMS just don't seem that feesible fiscally. I am saving for school and the 5 or so HP that the AEM unit picked up was not worth 1400 to me.

 

[chiachin]

OK, thanks for the input. My problem is it is going to take me awhile to save up 3 or 4k,unfortunately I have lots of other obligations. Anything I can do with a little money now to at least give me something more? ( AEM recommends a short ram over cold air and says 15% more power, I've also seen Injen cold air installed) Should I and which one?

 

[stdntDrvr]

eh, they both do basically the same...i went with the injen...it's a nicer look in my opinion.

 

[1sty]

But even with turbo and super chargers, isn't most of the power gain top end? What about off the line power?

With the MP3, you want as little off the line as you can get. Launching at even 3K will make the wheels hop.

A turbo is certainly the best bang for the buck option other then NO2. If you can be happy with around 130 whp then N/A is a solid path if you need more, then F/I is the only coarse.
The basic ideal of more air in + more air out = power works well enough on the protege. An intake, header, mid pipe and exhuast will yeild some nice gains.


I'd go with Injen over a short ram AEM.