I just purchased an 05 MCS convertible. Completetly stock with 4K miles on it. Currently have a mod budget of around $2K. So where to start? I assume pulley, CIA, exhaust..? Is that basically the right order? What else?? Cheers.

 

1. Pulley & colder spark plugs & shorter belt
2. Rear Sway Bar 19 mm
3. CA Intake
4. Ireland Engineering cat-back exhaust
5. RMW Tune

You should be on the $2K budget.
Do a search & it has been discussed many times.

 

Since you cant get a head with 2K then a tune is the best thing you could do after some simple bolt-ons.

 

Whats involved in a tune? Do you have to upgrade your ecu?

 

Your car is run in a dynometer where Air to fuel ratio, timing, wheel HP/TQ, etc. are read and then parameters will be adjusted via a computer hooked in the OBD port. A 380 cc fuel injector will also be beneficial before the tune but you will be over your budget unless you can do some of the installations yourself to save labor cost.

If you want, do a one-ball exhaust and save the money for the injectors. My 04 car with the one-ball, Alta 15% pulley, Ultrik CAI, Siemens 380 cc injectors, NGK BKR7EQUP colder plug made 194 whp (220 chp) after the RMW tune. I am going to add IE cat-back next week to add more bark & maybe slight HP/TQ gain.
The cylinder head, exhaust header, & cam are the best next mods but those are big $. It all depends on how you plan to use your car. Spirited Street? AutoX, Track? For me, I am happy where I am now. The RMW tune changed my car for good.

 

Great info thanks.

 

What do guys think of the Alta "Stealth" exhaust? I'm looking to hp and subtle grumble not a bunch of noise.

 

It's called stealth because it's black, not because it's quiet. If you want a more subtle sound, try a Miltek or a "one ball".

 

Not looking for quiet but not look for LOUD either. Being a convertible, I don't want it to get annoying. What is a "one ball"? Thx.

 

Psht save some cash a bit and just buy the head. biggest bang for your buck And all your other smaller mods in the future will have a greater effect.

 

Search

 

OK i just did a google found this... http://reviews.carreview.com/blog/mi...haust-upgrade/

 

I agree with you, but he would have to save a lot more money. It costs about $500 just to install one, not to mention tax, injectors, plugs, and everything else.

 

Head + install = $ 2,500
With head, you'll need the following to optimize things:
Bigger Fuel Injectors + Install = $ 375
Header + install = $ 1,100 (except OBX or Megan which are cheap)
One Ball exhaust = $ 100
Good Intake = $ 100
Colder Spark Plugs = $ 35
Tune & Dyno Time = $ 500
Rear Sway bar + install = $ 275

Total = $ 4985 and more if you buy cat-back.

 

Those mods will get you probably to more than 240 wheel HP! You better upgrade your brakes.

 

Uhhh...tires too!

 

May I ask, what your driving goals are? I have found it's best to know what they are and let the goals drive the mods.

 

Daily driver with a little extra umph... I think if I can get it up to around were the JCW kit get you, I would be happy. I'm assuming CIA, exhaust, pulley, and perhaps injectors?

 

stock intake with DIY cowl vent holes, upgraded filter, pulley, injectors, RMW tune and then I'd do a sway bar and ditch the runflats and put some proper rubber on (runflats don't do so well).

An exhaust is worth maybe 5-10hp and an intake maybe 2-3hp. Spend $1k on these and max you'd see isn't much...that's half your budget. The stuff I mentioned up top will take you to JCW levels of power and put a few things on the car to allow you to make use of it.

 

PGT is right on the apex. The only part I would add is an engine damper. I have one spot left for a Jan tune this Sat, July 12th in Chicago. We could do all the mods and get you on the dyno and headed home with more custom power and still be well under budget.

 

Chicago? Is Atlanta on the schedule??

 

OH MY COME ON OVER TO the Stock club.....

 

No, but Charlotte NC is! its short notice and I dont even know if you could get in, but there is a great shop right around the corner to do the work the day before. here are a couple of helpfull links to the info:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=143884

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=143927

and the shop close by:

http://www.grassrootsgarage.com/

hope those help. you would have to get your parts ASAP! but the shop and Jan are closer then they will be anytime soon!

 

How original.

 

I agree but you may want to consider a one-ball exhaust mod for now and add JCW injectors prior to the RMW tune.