i have a magnaflow catback, ABD intake and a 15% pully on the way. if i still feel the need to add more safe HP without swapping the head what would be the best way? thanks

 

A Jan tune would be a great next step. I was hoping to get in on the local tuning session, but am going to miss out due a schedule conflict.

Do a search, there are plenty of glowing reviews about Jan's tuning.

 

A tune is probably your next best option. A +2% crank pulley is also an option depending on whether or not you subscribe to the "non dampened crank pulleys will destroy your engine" camp.

After that, a head is the way to go.

 

I have spent the past three years modifying my car in a million different ways. I wish Jan from RMW was around a few years ago when I started modding because if I were doing it all over again, I would do the engine mods a lot differently.

I know you don't want to swap your head; I assume because it might be psychologically frightening spending $1500-$2000 for a performance upgrade, but IMO after lots of trial and error in my search for more hp/torque, I highly recommend upgrading the head AND it will probably be cheaper for you in the long run.

I don't have any safety concerns with the 2% crank pulley, but now advise against it. After you purchase it and get it installed, it's a $300-$400 investment and I think you would be better off saving up and getting a custom tune and/or custom head. Also, I believe there is dyno evidence that having more than 15% reduction hurts your top end hp, when properly tuned.

I think best bang for your $$$ power can be made with any 15% pulley, 440 cc injectors, RMW's Jesus head, RMW crankshaft, and a RMW tune. With your choice of intake/header/exhaust. That would probably give you 240+ whp...something almost unheard of a couple years ago without going twin-charge or turbo only.

But if money is an issue, I think a single RMW tune would get you some serious power gains.

 

im not yet ready for the head, will injectors help on their own? will a coil pack net any gains? thanks

 

nitrous

 

cartar452 nitrous
um no......

headers? will an OBX header be worth the investment?

 

come on...30-100hp at the push of a button for under a grand? whats wrong with that lol

but yeah get an obx with stock cat if you want a header for a good deal

 

JCW injectors and JCW flash or better, Jan tune...

 

Injectors do nothing without a tune. Coil pack does nothing.

The OBX header is a good deal with some small power gains. Once again, your money would be better spent on a RMW tune.

 

i live on the east coast, a jan tune is going to be hard to set up isnt it? jcw incectors, jcw reflash and an OBX header should net me how much hp?

 

JCW injectors (~$250)
JCW reflash (depends on dealer, free-$200)
OBX header with stock cat ($190 + ~$200 installation)

My guess would be in the 8-13 hp neighborhood.

RMW does tuning parties all over the states, so you could probably wait a few months and find one near your area. That's what I'm doing.
RMW Tune- about $350 and gives ~10-30 hp depending on mods

 

due to noise issues i will probably wait on the headers but im going to look into the JCW reflash. any experience with it?

 

RMW Tune $350.00 + Dyno time.

 

Just check my sig and you'll see my mods. and gains from a Jan tune...
he was just here in Philly last month and I know he has plans on being back in the near future...
I had the Screamin' Deamon coilpack and ended up switching back to the Bosch Stock coil, since their was no real gains.....
I would honestly stay away from a 2% crank, I've only heard bad things when things go wrong with it...
As well as anything higher than a 15% pulley.

One good mod is a stiffer rear swaybar, Might not be gains in HP although you can take turns at greater rates of speed and you will notice greater handling!

 

power is money. So how much money do you want to spend?

I'd look at a better intercooler and headers also www.swaintech.com to control heat. Then injectors and a good tune job.

Alt- to aftermarket headers. Use stock header but port match them, ceramic coat, and use a free flowing cat.

 

If your going to upgrade your intercooler, the best way to go is with a GP...
At least keep it in the family....
I'm running the stock S intercooler and never really thought the need to upgrade...
Spoke to many people regarding this mod and most seemed to think that keeping the stock was a better bet than going with an aftermarket....

 

yeah aftermarket intercoolers have shown to not really help...unless u go full custom frount mount...the stock intercooler is designed and performs very well

 

And therein lies the problem for easterners: if you want more than just a tune, or more accurately, to get more out of a Jan tune by changing to something like an RMW head and 440 injectors just prior to or in concert with the tune, then your options are limited. Not everyone has the bandwidth to do a professional-grade head change on a daily driver and then successfully ferry the aftermath to an eastern location Jan might happen to be visiting for a tune.

Rather than simply paying Jan $350 for a tune on a stock engine that would net me a few hp, I would want to make some changes (RMW head, injectors, header) that would make his tune have more of an impact. For some people that would translate to having Jan or someone trained on the components do it all at once--a problem if you live in, say, New York.

 

I agree...a good game plan of what you want to do performance wise will help. Get everything done and then when you've decided it's enough...get a custom tune.

 

Since the OP ruled out heads and only wants "safe" HP. His options are limited. Cooler and better airflow with a better intercooler is within his request.

Cost effective compared to others. Probably not soo much. I'd go with a used GP intercooler, bigger hood scoop and have the intercooler coated. 3-8% decrease in post intercooler air temps. Cooler air is almost always safe.

 

Not exactly. The tune or at least an initial tune would be required when the head and injectors were installed.

 

I have the flash and I really can't tell if it did any good. Remember, the current JCW flash is designed specifically for the JCW package that involves a XXX.XX% reduction pulley (let's not go there), an intake that has a flap open at 4500 rpm, a catback exhaust, JCW injectors, and a different cylinder head.

Even though I'm sure (or I hope) there is plenty of leeway in the JCW programming, just know the flash will probably not be optimal for a setup other than their specific setup.

I was flashed with the JCW program by a MINI tech for free, that's really the only reason I have it. I am looking for other alternatives...

If you can't do Jan's tune, I would do a GIAC flash before doing the JCW flash on you car. Then I would concentrate on the cooling. I have a RAM scoop together with the Alta Diverter/Sprayer for the stock intercooler. I like it, but can't be certain of performance improvements. You can also try water/meth injection if you want to go that way.

Another thought: Prior to Jan's tunes it wasn't common to have to change the stock injectors when using the stock head. My point is that if you don't plan on getting his tune, you will probably not need to change injectors either. They wont add any performance on their own.

Then there's the GIAC 19%/380 injector combo if you want to try that.

Hope that helps

 

As far as tunning goes i have no idea what happened to LDG they just seemed to vanish from the site. But, before Jan they were the people to go to for a custom dyno tune. In fact i remember people mailing their ECU's to them for a tune. If your on the east coast withing driving distance of Maryland, and want a custom tune without waiting for someone to come to you. I can give you some info on LDG.

 

A JCW flash with the stock MCS injectors would not help you at all and may hurt. The JCW flash is done when installing the JCW injectors so that the ECU knows they are present. I def. could feel a difference after the flash and new injectors! As soon as my warranty expires I will seek out a Jan tune and the injectors will be there. Just my 2 cents. PS: I paid $100.00 for the flash.