Before you suggest I do a search, I did...my head exploded!

I have a late '06 MCS. I have a 15% pulley I won as an AMVIV door prize. I want to add an intake and an exhaust. I'm looking for a reasonably priced intake and exhaust solution to complement the pulley. My goals are:

• Reasonably priced (doesn't have to be CHEAP but don't want to break the bank. Would like to keep them to under $1000 (combined) if possible.
• Noise: I would like a little more aggressive sound but not wake the neighbors . Also don't want highway drone or a whistle.
• Performance: Main goal is to increase my low end torque. Because the SC doesn't kick in until 3000 rpm or so, I suspect the low end torque is primarily impacted by flow resistance...improving the exhaust and intake should help that (i would think).

Is this possible? Best combo?

Thanks!

 

When you put an exhaust system in you usually lose a little low-end from the decreased backpressure...but with a pulley I would think that would be less significant. If you have a pulley with stock exhaust you're definately bottlenecking.

 

Exhaust wise you could do a 1-ball exhaust.

Filter wise you could a) replace yr panel filter w/ a ITG foam or b) consider vaious closed CAI systems - DDM, MyMini, Alta, Dianan, or JCW. For the CAI - keep an eye on the marketplace or ebay and pick up a used one.

 

I like BahamaBart's suggestions, especially because I have the one-ball exhaust. But...if you have a bugget of under $1,000...then I would go with either Alta(3.0"-$749.00 or less/2.5"-$699.00 or less), Borla(both street or race for under $800), or Magnaflow(under $800 easisly right now they have them for $559) for the exhaust, you can always pick up new ones on ebay from auth. dealers...and for the CAI I would go with either Alta($260 or less), DDM($230 or less), or Helix($199 or less)...

Hey now that I think of it...maybe consider doing the one-ball instead of a cat-back, then buy a header(OBX, Alta, Mini-Madness, MossMini[jackson racing]), and your CAI...this would get you more mods for your money and more power

Now, looking down the road...get some new "colder" spark plugs(NGK or Denso), screamin deamon coil pack, and better wires(too many choices). Just to start. PM me any time to find out more info or ask questions.

 

Speaking of used systems, there is a used JCW exhaust on Ebay right now for $500 w/ free shipping. I think it has 3500 miles on it.

If you want to go off the beaten path you could go for the TC Sportline or Megan cat-back exhausts. Both are around $500. TC Sportline is having a special on Amazon- they're going for $300 including shipping. There is a thread about this exhaust and there have only been positive reviews. (not many though).

 

HAI ($50)
One-ball ($100 or so)..
Reasonable volumes. no drones, power gains..

THEN!

Spend some $$ ECU (Depends) , Header ($200 for OBX..)

THEN!

Save up some bucks and get a set of lighter wheels or start on your suspension (Swaybar, springs or coils, etc)

 

Backpressure?
Do you have any references as to this need for backpressure?

 

I have a few car nuts as references . I have talked to a few of my friends who are experienced with car tuning who know that too little backpressure will take some low-end off at first, but gain it back in the high end. I am not a physicist, but I do know that. It really isn't a myth, but a fact. The more air you have going through your engine (help from pulley, intake, etc) will null the effect of the low-end loss. If you put a 4' exhaust on a bone-stock MCS you would be slower off the line. That's an extreme example, but that's what I'm trying to put across.

 

Can somebody explain why? Because that makes no sense to me...

As for the other suggestions...appreciated.

I should add that this is a daily driver, not a racer, so I don't plan (nor can afford) on going nuts on this. A fellow club member has an HAI and a one-ball along with his 15% pulley and is quite happy. Also much cheaper...

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=59332

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=backpressure

 

OK, based on other threads, the "backpressure is good for torque" theory is urban legend. As I suspected.

Back to the thread...looking for a good mix. Makes no sense to pile on a good exhaust and buy a worthless intakes, and vice versa. Looking for a good blend. HAI and one ball?

Thanks!

 

I would say go for the CAI, but if you do, go for a good one. I've never had an HAI on any of my cars but I hear they're effective. You can't go wrong with a one-ball mod. You'd only gain power from it.

 

HAI isn't no where near worthless.. nor is the one-ball
I had alta, pilo, k&n, u name em. and I ended up with HAI because the throttle response is far better than previous intakes... plus the less noisei n the cabin, screaming near the front bumper cover..

HAI + borla, HAI + WMS (3inch) I have done em and I am very satisfied with my $50 intake.

I'm dropping my WMS soon and going with one-ball so I Will let u know how that goes..

 

Not implying an HAI is worthless. My point was that it doesn't pay to spend a lot on the exhaust if you still have a bottleneck elsewhere...whether that bottleneck is a cheap intake or stock headers. I'm an engineer...it pays to have balance. Heck, I'm real close to pulling the trigger on a one-ball/K&N HAI myself. Just wondering what else is out there that meets my criteria: Reasonable cost, higher low end torque, and better sound without being obnoxious

 

Sin MINI, your on the right track, just add VGS mod, 15%-19% pulley + OBX header and your driving a different car.