To anyone whom has done mods like this before, how much of an increase in performance can I expect to see. I am slightly worried that I am going to dump a bunch of money into the car and really not see a huge increase in performance. Here is my list of desired parts.

Alta 15% Wheel
Borla Street Exhaust
Denso Plugs
Alta Intake

Any thoughts?

 

big increase. worth the time/money spent, thats for sure.

WIth all that stuff you mentioned you could get up to 210bhp depending on what your stock hp was to start with.

 

I am thinking 190 but I am not well versed in these things

 

That list of mods will put a bigger grin on your face.

I'd suggest the Borla Race though instead of the street.

 

190 is much more accurate.

 

I think you need software to make it a bigger improvement. I last dyno'ed at 170whp & 160wtq with Alta 15% pulley, GIAC chip, and IK22 plugs.

 

I am starting with stock HP....at altitude.....5200 feet (Denver) so I am starting with about 155 rather than 163.....but it sounds like most people think I will see a huge difference....

more thoughts?

 

After recalculating, I agree, 190.

 

You will definatly see a noticable difference, weather its huge or not depends on what you actually expect. There is no doubt your car will behave completly different with an exhaust, pulley and inake.

 

I have that set up, but with milltek cat back and MTH and got nearly 190 at the wheels. 188whp 163wtq to be exact. This helped me lose a full second from my 1/4 mile times.

You will definitely notice the power, but it won't be earth shaking.

 

Usually the MCS gets about 143-145 wHP which is the number you want to watch. It varies alot and you are at high altitude.

These are conservative estimates- you'd need a good dyno done to know exactly.

Any 15% pulley would gain about 13-15 wHP at best. You might add another 5+ wHP with a good matching ECU software upgrade.

Borla street-It's quiet and isn't the most high HP system. Figure about 4 or 5 wHP.

Plugs- nothing gained for HP

Alta intake- figure about 5-6 wHP if that much. Makes alot of noise.

So at best about 168-171+ wHP or about 190 HP vs 163 HP for stock. All depends what you start with at the stock level.

Having the right ECU software would be a good thing.

 

Save yourself some guessing, buzz down to Highlands Ranch and take my car for a spin. Pretty much what you are shooting for in mods.

 

I have tried to contact Randy at WMS, but with no reply yet. I understand things are very buys for him right now and he is taking time to reply to people's messages and what not.

Is there a way I can contact you and take your car for a spin?

 

For the average driver not doing 1/4 milers, what can I expect to see in improvement with these mods in the 0-60mph? Thats the most important for regular work driving in my opinion. Off the line in lights when I need to get out in front to cross over three lanes and hit the on ramp.

 

I just had these same three things changed over on my 04 mcs. I had a 15% pulley, a milltek exhaust, the JCW intake and denso plugs added. After the additions the increase in performance is definately noticable... (read not imaginary or wishful thinking). The lower end of the RPM range is more drivable now. I agree with others though this isn't magic (it's not like "getting a whole new car")... the engine is still has only 1.6L... but I'm happy with the percieved/real gains I feel. If you were doing it on a budget just get the pulley as I imagine (and what others have shown) is where most of the difference comes from.

Erik

 

Let me throw this into the mix...

For $139 and not much more in labor (when you're putting the SC pulley on) you can add a lightweight Alta crank pulley. I noticed a big difference in power low down in the rpm band. Less bog on starting from a stop.

 

" Less bog on starting from a stop"

typically, with lighter rotating components (flywheels, crank pulley) you tend to get more bog, which is why drag racers don't like lightweight flywheels.

the real advantage is when you frequently want the engine to speed up and slow down and do it quickly, like road racing.

 

Maybe I've just naturally started to launch at higher rpm's. Let's say this, then: there was an obvious, positive difference.