Joe Weinstein
09-19-2008, 08:44 AM
Hi all. I'm hoping to maintain a power-planning thread that
lists the logical steps toward more power, from the easy
to the full rebuilds, in the order people would want according
to their level of desire, budget, and risk tolerance. As comments
and new recommendations come in, I will try to update this
first entry, and if it becomes successful, it might get 'stickied'.
This is a 'stone soup' endeavor, so do chip in!
thanks,
Joe Weinstein
Level One
---------
These are the 'low-hanging fruit', easy to do, cheap and
mostly completely reversable. They can typically be combined,
each gaining it's own benefit or more if tuned as a package.
New Programming
Function: Alters timing, fuel injection and other parameters to
optimize for higher octane gas, as opposed to the 87-octane stock tune.
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: You have to use the better gas or risk engine knock. If
the dealer finds out, he may void your warranty.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Cold Air Intake
Function: Gets colder (denser, better) air to the engine, and
maybe with less restriction.
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: Essentially none functionally. An A**hole dealer might
still try to void a warranty
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Freer-flowing Exhaust
Function: Reduce the back-pressure the motor has to overcome
to pump the exhaust out of the engine.
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM
range
Risks/Tradeoffs: May make more noise and/or droning. Some
aftermarket cats don't last as long. I can't even see an A**hole dealer
voiding anything.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Underdrive accessory pulley
Function: Lower the amount of energy spent running the alternator, compresser etc.
Gain: X HP and Y ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM
range
Risks/Tradeoffs: You may drain or lessen the life of your battery, or you won't get as much air conditioning etc.
Cost: $X - $Y
Sources:
Vendors may offer combination packages for any or all of the above.
Level 2
-------
These next-step options are still bolt-ons, but typically involve more work to install
and may have more tradeoffs for every day use.
Exhaust Headers
Function:Less back pressure and potential exhaust scavenging improvements
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits typically localized to a particular
RPM range.
Risks/Tradeoffs: May make more noise. may break smog laws.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Nitrous Systems
Function: Adding pressurized NO2 delivers concentrated oxygen
that will support burning much more fuel. These kits can be cheap and can
deliver *lots* more power.
Gain: about XXX HP and YYY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: The nitrous tank has a limited capacity, and the initial
low price and power is seductive for those that don't have the budget to
strengthen the rest of the drivetrain, so you risk breaking things quickly. These
are best for drag racing, but they don't typically deliver the modulated power
you'd want for everyday in-traffic power. Think bottle rocket. Warranty
eraser for sure.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Level 3
-------
These put you into the big leagues, money and powerwise. Tuners
will often offer complete packages including supercharging, intercooling,
and any or all of the level 1 and 2 components.
Supercharging
Function: Deliver pressurized air to the motor
Gain: about XXX HP and YYY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range. Turbos maximize the upper RPMs. Mechanical superchargers are usually best in the low and midrange.
Risks/Tradeoffs: You will definitely want to strengthen the rest of
the drivetrain or risk breaking things.
Cost: $XXXX - $YYYY
Sources:
Motor rebuilds
Function: Get more displacement, more RPMs, and more durability
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: Expensive.
Cost: $XXXX - $YYYY
Sources:
lists the logical steps toward more power, from the easy
to the full rebuilds, in the order people would want according
to their level of desire, budget, and risk tolerance. As comments
and new recommendations come in, I will try to update this
first entry, and if it becomes successful, it might get 'stickied'.
This is a 'stone soup' endeavor, so do chip in!
thanks,
Joe Weinstein
Level One
---------
These are the 'low-hanging fruit', easy to do, cheap and
mostly completely reversable. They can typically be combined,
each gaining it's own benefit or more if tuned as a package.
New Programming
Function: Alters timing, fuel injection and other parameters to
optimize for higher octane gas, as opposed to the 87-octane stock tune.
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: You have to use the better gas or risk engine knock. If
the dealer finds out, he may void your warranty.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Cold Air Intake
Function: Gets colder (denser, better) air to the engine, and
maybe with less restriction.
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: Essentially none functionally. An A**hole dealer might
still try to void a warranty
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Freer-flowing Exhaust
Function: Reduce the back-pressure the motor has to overcome
to pump the exhaust out of the engine.
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM
range
Risks/Tradeoffs: May make more noise and/or droning. Some
aftermarket cats don't last as long. I can't even see an A**hole dealer
voiding anything.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Underdrive accessory pulley
Function: Lower the amount of energy spent running the alternator, compresser etc.
Gain: X HP and Y ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM
range
Risks/Tradeoffs: You may drain or lessen the life of your battery, or you won't get as much air conditioning etc.
Cost: $X - $Y
Sources:
Vendors may offer combination packages for any or all of the above.
Level 2
-------
These next-step options are still bolt-ons, but typically involve more work to install
and may have more tradeoffs for every day use.
Exhaust Headers
Function:Less back pressure and potential exhaust scavenging improvements
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits typically localized to a particular
RPM range.
Risks/Tradeoffs: May make more noise. may break smog laws.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Nitrous Systems
Function: Adding pressurized NO2 delivers concentrated oxygen
that will support burning much more fuel. These kits can be cheap and can
deliver *lots* more power.
Gain: about XXX HP and YYY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: The nitrous tank has a limited capacity, and the initial
low price and power is seductive for those that don't have the budget to
strengthen the rest of the drivetrain, so you risk breaking things quickly. These
are best for drag racing, but they don't typically deliver the modulated power
you'd want for everyday in-traffic power. Think bottle rocket. Warranty
eraser for sure.
Cost: $XXX - $YYY
Sources:
Level 3
-------
These put you into the big leagues, money and powerwise. Tuners
will often offer complete packages including supercharging, intercooling,
and any or all of the level 1 and 2 components.
Supercharging
Function: Deliver pressurized air to the motor
Gain: about XXX HP and YYY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range. Turbos maximize the upper RPMs. Mechanical superchargers are usually best in the low and midrange.
Risks/Tradeoffs: You will definitely want to strengthen the rest of
the drivetrain or risk breaking things.
Cost: $XXXX - $YYYY
Sources:
Motor rebuilds
Function: Get more displacement, more RPMs, and more durability
Gain: about XX HP and YY ft-lbs torque, benefits across the RPM range
Risks/Tradeoffs: Expensive.
Cost: $XXXX - $YYYY
Sources: