Anyways, I wanted to do this article for sometime now but never got the chance. Now that I'm also carrying out some performance upgardes to my car I thought may I can share a few views with you and maybe here a few ideas from all you out there...
So here goes.. From the research I've done its quite important to look at a few things under your hood and quite easily achieved ones at that. I've gone a bit cheap and quoted the rest from one of my research sites but I don't think I can do a better job of explaining the points of improvement (http://www.jdmenginesamurai.com/performance_tuning.htm)
1) Get more air into the engine: Modifying your car’s intake system is one of the easiest and biggest performance boosts you can make for a reasonable price. Increasing airflow into the engine provides oxygen needed to burn more fuel. More fuel means more power. It’s a modification you can easily do yourself, as the parts are easily installed with little or no modifications needed. AEM makes an easy-to-install hybrid intake system just for JDM swaps. Another popular brand is K & N.
There are two types of systems used in the tuner community: the short ram (also called warm) intake or cold air intake. With the short ram intake, the air filter is still inside the engine compartment but it is located as far away as possible from the engine. This system has less restriction and uses a higher flowing air filter to get air into the engine. You can expect a 4 to 8 hp gain from this system. The system most desirable is the cold air intake system, which runs a longer pipe and locates the filter low in the engine compartment. You can expect to see a 15 horsepower gain after installation and tuning. It costs around $150.00. A bypass valve is important to install, as it helps to keep the engine from getting bogged down with water if the car happens to splash through a deep puddle. The bypass valve costs $50.00. Check brands to make sure a bypass valve is offered when buying a cold air intake system, and make sure it passes your state's smog/emissions guidelines.
2) Get more exhaust out of the engine: As more power is produced, the need for a freer flowing exhaust system is more prevalent. Getting exhaust to flow out the engine efficiently helps the engine to draw more air into the air intake, thus producing more power. Installing a Cat-back exhaust system will provide the level of engine noise and performance you desire. A cat-back system is all of the exhaust components from the catalytic converter back, hence the name. There are after-market systems available for almost all makes and models that are made of stainless steel, mild steel and titanium. Mild steel is cheaper but rusts easily, so if you live in a wet or snowy climate, you'll want to steer clear. Stainless steel won't rust and is polished for a high-quality shine that will give your vehicle a smart, individual look. Titanium is lightweight and attractive with a steep cost—up to $300 more than a stainless steel system. Expect to see gains of up to 6 to 25 horsepower and 5 to 20 foot/lbs of torque. DC Sports, Trust and Tanabe are popular brands that offer cat-back systems for under $700.00.
2) Get more exhaust out of the engine: As more power is produced, the need for a freer flowing exhaust system is more prevalent. Getting exhaust to flow out the engine efficiently helps the engine to draw more air into the air intake, thus producing more power. Installing a Cat-back exhaust system will provide the level of engine noise and performance you desire. A cat-back system is all of the exhaust components from the catalytic converter back, hence the name. There are after-market systems available for almost all makes and models that are made of stainless steel, mild steel and titanium. Mild steel is cheaper but rusts easily, so if you live in a wet or snowy climate, you'll want to steer clear. Stainless steel won't rust and is polished for a high-quality shine that will give your vehicle a smart, individual look. Titanium is lightweight and attractive with a steep cost—up to $300 more than a stainless steel system. Expect to see gains of up to 6 to 25 horsepower and 5 to 20 foot/lbs of torque. DC Sports, Trust and Tanabe are popular brands that offer cat-back systems for under $700.00.
Things to keep in mind when choosing a cat-back system: future modifications, clearance, and emissions. If you're planning on upgrading to nitrous, blowers or turbo, you'll want to install a larger diameter pipe. Beware, larger isn’t always better. Too large of a diameter in exhaust pipes can disrupt flow patterns. If you're looking to lower your car’s ground clearance in the future, then go with a system that's suitable, as you don't want your new exhaust ruined on a low driveway or a speed bump. Also, before purchasing, make sure your new system will pass all emissions standards to avoid registration/emission problems or even tickets from the long arm of the law. You can also install an exhaust header to replace the exhaust manifold. An exhaust header is a tubular exhaust manifold that allows exhaust to leave the engine
more efficiently. DC Sports and G Reedy are popular brands offering headers in the
$200.00 to $500.00 price range.
3) Get more fuel to your engine: Now that you have more air for the engine and a way to dissipate engine waste, the engine is ready for more fuel. More fuel burned by the engine equates to more power. As you increase the fuel needs of your engine, you may want to change to a high-volume fuel pump or an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. A high-performance fuel pump by Venom sells for $185.00. AEM makes a fuel pressure regulator for $150.00. You can also install a computer that helps to control fuel flow. G Reddy offers a product called eManage, which is an after-market computer that connects with the
ECU and helps to manage fuel and air flow, among other things. G Reddy also offers a program for your computer to help track changes for more efficient tuning. It’s available for around $320.00 and G Reddy offers technical support if you purchase one of their systems. Keep in mind, the unit should be professionally installed to insure that all of the modifications work with the ECU and the system.
4) Get better spark to the engine: Now that you’re burning more fuel, you need to have a more efficient means of getting more spark to the engine. The spark ignites the fuel, which creates horsepower. Installing an after-market high performance ignition system such as MSD or Exel will help to get a more efficient and powerful spark from the spark plugs. Systems are available for under $500.00.
5) Improve engine performance: Accessories such as the water pump, oil pump, cooling fan and alternator rob your engine of precious horsepower. Installing a new drive pulley system will reduce the amount of horsepower stolen from the crankshaft to drive the system. A lighter weight pulley is made of aluminum, comes in a kit with all of the accessories, and is easy to install. AEM and Unorthodox Racing offer drive pulley systems for $160.00. You can expect to see increases of 6 to 10 horsepower.
more efficiently. DC Sports and G Reedy are popular brands offering headers in the
$200.00 to $500.00 price range.
3) Get more fuel to your engine: Now that you have more air for the engine and a way to dissipate engine waste, the engine is ready for more fuel. More fuel burned by the engine equates to more power. As you increase the fuel needs of your engine, you may want to change to a high-volume fuel pump or an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. A high-performance fuel pump by Venom sells for $185.00. AEM makes a fuel pressure regulator for $150.00. You can also install a computer that helps to control fuel flow. G Reddy offers a product called eManage, which is an after-market computer that connects with the
ECU and helps to manage fuel and air flow, among other things. G Reddy also offers a program for your computer to help track changes for more efficient tuning. It’s available for around $320.00 and G Reddy offers technical support if you purchase one of their systems. Keep in mind, the unit should be professionally installed to insure that all of the modifications work with the ECU and the system.
4) Get better spark to the engine: Now that you’re burning more fuel, you need to have a more efficient means of getting more spark to the engine. The spark ignites the fuel, which creates horsepower. Installing an after-market high performance ignition system such as MSD or Exel will help to get a more efficient and powerful spark from the spark plugs. Systems are available for under $500.00.
5) Improve engine performance: Accessories such as the water pump, oil pump, cooling fan and alternator rob your engine of precious horsepower. Installing a new drive pulley system will reduce the amount of horsepower stolen from the crankshaft to drive the system. A lighter weight pulley is made of aluminum, comes in a kit with all of the accessories, and is easy to install. AEM and Unorthodox Racing offer drive pulley systems for $160.00. You can expect to see increases of 6 to 10 horsepower.
Happy tunning guys!!!! Love to hear from you about your point of views....
Thanks a lot. Good points.
ReplyDeleteThanks mate. I like your blog mate. Nice items..
ReplyDeletewow , just what i needed , hachi your the best everRRR
ReplyDeleteIf you need any more info just let me know..
ReplyDeleteAnother trick that i have heard of is to advancing the timing so that the intake and exhaust valves are open for longer.
ReplyDeletei am experimenting on my car these days, so will let you know how it goes
Mooses Pulsar
hmm.. This action might backfire on you as it's been told that if you advance your ignition timing the engine tends to miss.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say advance timing you're adjusting the distributor to a different angle moosy??