Upgrades for an Auto pro5?

[bambam-85382]

I am not sure if it has been asked before or not, I did a search and didn't find much.
But anyway, here is waht I have on my car currently: Injen CAI, AWR Header, custom 2.25" mid pipe with high flow cat and a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust.
What would be some reasonable add ons that will help with power on the low end since I am auto? Can't get too carried away, after all it is an automoatic tranny. I have about 5 bills right now.
I was considering an underdrive pulley and maybe the J-spec intake cam or would I just be better off dropping the money on a wet nitrous system? I guess the nitrous gives the best bang for the buck, but I have never been too crazy about it.

What do you guys think, any suggestions would be great?

Thanks
Jeff

 

[Mike R]

the cams and UDP would be OK, the nitrous would be pretty hard on the trans though.

 

[bambam-85382]

the cams and UDP would be OK, the nitrous would be pretty hard on the trans though.

I have heard of people running turbo with an auto tranny and no problems, but I am just not sure about that.

I have read that the intake cam would give the most increase and the exhaust cam is not worth it. Would I need adjustable gears with just the intake cam?

 

[Mike R]

You could do turbo, The turbo is alot easier on the trans because it comes on progressively instead of on/off like nitrous. Adjustable gears are not really needed, but they do give a little more umph out of the cams. though the mazdaspeed/JDM cam is so small I doubt the gears would be much gain, and since the cam is a factory cam.

 

[bambam-85382]

You could do turbo, The turbo is alot easier on the trans because it comes on progressively instead of on/off like nitrous. Adjustable gears are not really needed, but they do give a little more umph out of the cams. though the mazdaspeed/JDM cam is so small I doubt the gears would be much gain, and since the cam is a factory cam.

That makes sense with the turbo vs. nitrous. The turbo is just way out of my budget. Do think I should do both cams or just the intake?

 

[twilightprotege]

dont go for the j-spec intake cam if you wanna keep lower power, but a custom or the mazdaspeed exhaust cam will definately help.

 

[Installshield 2]

you mentioned low end increases since you own an auto...so the cams would be pointless, being that they do not add any lowend output, and only marginal gains way up near redline...

The UDP would help...and you could actually look into even smaller cam grinds to lower the torque band even more...the engine would fall flat on its face above 5 grand, but you would have some impressive lowend torque...if that is what you are looking for, that would be a good option...

 

[mp5zoomer]

you mentioned low end increases since you own an auto...so the cams would be pointless, being that they do not add any lowend output, and only marginal gains way up near redline...

The UDP would help...and you could actually look into even smaller cam grinds to lower the torque band even more...the engine would fall flat on its face above 5 grand, but you would have some impressive lowend torque...if that is what you are looking for, that would be a good option...

explain more what you mean by smaller cam grinds? newb when it comes to cams.

 

[twilightprotege]

smaller cams encourages greater air speed at low rpms which = more low end power, but it does kill your high end

 

[bambam-85382]

you mentioned low end increases since you own an auto...so the cams would be pointless, being that they do not add any lowend output, and only marginal gains way up near redline...

The UDP would help...and you could actually look into even smaller cam grinds to lower the torque band even more...the engine would fall flat on its face above 5 grand, but you would have some impressive lowend torque...if that is what you are looking for, that would be a good option...

I guess I am looking for the best of both worlds (not going to happen (shrug) ) The car pulls nicely up to redline now, just not enough grunt off the line. Is there anything else I should consider that might help things out a little short of going with a turbo? Should I consider and computer upgrades or is that pointless with the auto as well?

Thanks for the input.
Jeff

 

[Mike R]

A custom torque converter would give you much better acceleration. Though I don't know how much that would be or the availibility of one.

 

[bambam-85382]

A custom torque converter would give you much better acceleration. Though I don't know how much that would be or the availibility of one.

Yeah, I agree but I have not seen any available and the thought of the cost of one is kinda scarry. I would expect no less than about $500 for one.

 

[Lil Freek]

lentech automatics for your torque converter.

I'm getting mine from there in March of this year.
I'm going to January for a tranny cooler and new valve bodies

 

[ssmp5]

Don't forget your torque converter and cams work hand-in-hand. If you go with a "Higher" stall your gettin alot of slippage and heat. You need to match your torque curve of your motor to the stall or your just wastin' your time and money. I would build my motor first and get professional advice from a couple of different tranny companies after my motors been dyno'd and find out where it's makin the power. Torque rules from streetlight to streetlight.