Newbee FI questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Newbee FI questions
I'm thinking of getting the A&A SiTrim kit and was talking to an installer to do the job. Along the way questions came up about other mods, ie. headers, cam yada yada.
It was suggested (and why not) to get headers as the engine compartment will run hotter with stock exhaust. Reading other threads on headers makes the passenger compartment run hotter. Well no good deed goes unpunished.
I don't need gazzilion HPs right now. Up to 500 is fine with me and it would not hurt my ego any to run 422-450 for awhile. I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck. IF I get bored I'm sure I can save my bread and get more.
I'm more concerned about breaking trany's or rears, although I don't think I'll be doing burn-outs everyday.
So any good advice about the header thing? Trans? Rear? If I go with a $6500 mod for HPs and then what another $6k for comfort/ breakage protection? Then maybe I need to save some more shekels. But I got the bug and want to get started before the whole process looks like a money pit.
It was suggested (and why not) to get headers as the engine compartment will run hotter with stock exhaust. Reading other threads on headers makes the passenger compartment run hotter. Well no good deed goes unpunished.
I don't need gazzilion HPs right now. Up to 500 is fine with me and it would not hurt my ego any to run 422-450 for awhile. I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck. IF I get bored I'm sure I can save my bread and get more.
I'm more concerned about breaking trany's or rears, although I don't think I'll be doing burn-outs everyday.
So any good advice about the header thing? Trans? Rear? If I go with a $6500 mod for HPs and then what another $6k for comfort/ breakage protection? Then maybe I need to save some more shekels. But I got the bug and want to get started before the whole process looks like a money pit.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
I'm thinking of getting the A&A SiTrim kit and was talking to an installer to do the job. Along the way questions came up about other mods, ie. headers, cam yada yada.
It was suggested (and why not) to get headers as the engine compartment will run hotter with stock exhaust. Reading other threads on headers makes the passenger compartment run hotter. Well no good deed goes unpunished.
I don't need gazzilion HPs right now. Up to 500 is fine with me and it would not hurt my ego any to run 422-450 for awhile. I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck. IF I get bored I'm sure I can save my bread and get more.
I'm more concerned about breaking trany's or rears, although I don't think I'll be doing burn-outs everyday.
So any good advice about the header thing? Trans? Rear? If I go with a $6500 mod for HPs and then what another $6k for comfort/ breakage protection? Then maybe I need to save some more shekels. But I got the bug and want to get started before the whole process looks like a money pit.
It was suggested (and why not) to get headers as the engine compartment will run hotter with stock exhaust. Reading other threads on headers makes the passenger compartment run hotter. Well no good deed goes unpunished.
I don't need gazzilion HPs right now. Up to 500 is fine with me and it would not hurt my ego any to run 422-450 for awhile. I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck. IF I get bored I'm sure I can save my bread and get more.
I'm more concerned about breaking trany's or rears, although I don't think I'll be doing burn-outs everyday.
So any good advice about the header thing? Trans? Rear? If I go with a $6500 mod for HPs and then what another $6k for comfort/ breakage protection? Then maybe I need to save some more shekels. But I got the bug and want to get started before the whole process looks like a money pit.
FWIW and IMO
the lt's and heads could come later if it were my money I would do a cam and upgrade the oil pump while installing the SC (and an overdrive crank pulley) if you think you will want these things (i would do the upgraded pulley reguardless). those are the hard parts to get back to later that will have to be exposed (or partly) while pinning the crank for the sc (and they are tuff to get back to later). as far as hp you can make as much hp as your stock short block will deal with just by turning up the boost on just about any Centri system so no additional upgrades needed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Thanks for insight. Makes good sense on the crank/pully decisions. If something goes wrong over the years I'd change and make other mods, but I'm not really looking for the screamer. Easy and sensible bolt on HPs for my DD with a bit of room to grow if I get the bug even worse.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Me threeI would do headers before a cam. When you do a Centri install you pin the crank. That's all you do up front so your not really saving anything by doing a cam now. Plus if you do a cam you better do springs.
The LT's now with the blower install is the way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 7
From: Richmond VA
Stick or Auto?
For your goal, I'd do:
A&A kit
headers
boost-a-pump for the fuel
42 or 60# injectors
That should get you an easy 550. For your goal, a cam is not needed. I have stock cam and over 650.
Rear
Replace one or both output shafts
Stick?
Twin disc clutch (McLeod or RPS)
Auto?
dunno....
For your goal, I'd do:
A&A kit
headers
boost-a-pump for the fuel
42 or 60# injectors
That should get you an easy 550. For your goal, a cam is not needed. I have stock cam and over 650.
Rear
Replace one or both output shafts
Stick?
Twin disc clutch (McLeod or RPS)
Auto?
dunno....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Thanks Auto trans and 3.15 gears. I've been kicking around doing an RPM V trans. This adds another 2400 + to the mods. This would be a sort of prevention mod but now begs for new TC, gears, yada yada yada mo money. This is DD with summer fun weekends. No doubt all could change but I don't see myself going to the track, cause itsa vert. So staying lower than 500 hp, 422.8 to 487.3 HPs is fine. But if I decide I need 517.4 HP I want to jump to it with restarting/replacing the mods again, and if I stay 466.7 thats fine too.
Thanks for all any any input. I want to stay with car for a long time (5 plus years) and once I get the HP jones fixed, Ill probably want new seats, stereo, more chrome stuff, yada yada.
Thanks for all any any input. I want to stay with car for a long time (5 plus years) and once I get the HP jones fixed, Ill probably want new seats, stereo, more chrome stuff, yada yada.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Thanks Auto trans and 3.15 gears. I've been kicking around doing an RPM V trans. This adds another 2400 + to the mods. This would be a sort of prevention mod but now begs for new TC, gears, yada yada yada mo money. This is DD with summer fun weekends. No doubt all could change but I don't see myself going to the track, cause itsa vert. So staying lower than 500 hp, 422.8 to 487.3 HPs is fine. But if I decide I need 517.4 HP I want to jump to it with restarting/replacing the mods again, and if I stay 466.7 thats fine too.
Thanks for all any any input. I want to stay with car for a long time (5 plus years) and once I get the HP jones fixed, Ill probably want new seats, stereo, more chrome stuff, yada yada.
Thanks for all any any input. I want to stay with car for a long time (5 plus years) and once I get the HP jones fixed, Ill probably want new seats, stereo, more chrome stuff, yada yada.
I did 3.42s but kept the stock TC which I prefer over a high stall TC.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
What about multiple tunes? more, more better and maxed. can boost be programed or is it set by pullys?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Great thanks for the info. One goal is to try to keep the car a bit bullet proof. This is why I'm thinking about going RPM trans. While I wont be the wild-child everyday, I know that I can resist anything but temptation, and will let the boost loose. Trans is next mod and will not be able to install for some time. Any experience out there has far as the A4 trans holding up after SC? Would getting a in-line trans cooler save me for a while? I know my trans runs a bit hot during the summer sitting in traffic, and when traffic finally clears, well there is that temptation thing again.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
Likes: 33
From: North Port Florida
Great thanks for the info. One goal is to try to keep the car a bit bullet proof. This is why I'm thinking about going RPM trans. While I wont be the wild-child everyday, I know that I can resist anything but temptation, and will let the boost loose. Trans is next mod and will not be able to install for some time. Any experience out there has far as the A4 trans holding up after SC? Would getting a in-line trans cooler save me for a while? I know my trans runs a bit hot during the summer sitting in traffic, and when traffic finally clears, well there is that temptation thing again.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Groton Ct
Thanks for insight. Makes good sense on the crank/pully decisions. If something goes wrong over the years I'd change and make other mods, but I'm not really looking for the screamer. Easy and sensible bolt on HPs for my DD with a bit of room to grow if I get the bug even worse.
You just think you will be happy with 500hp
good luck with that 
You might want to look into the definition of "Modaholic" as you're about to join the club and don't even know it.
Just remember these answers for your wife/girlfriend:
1: Yes dear i had to
2: I don't know what your talking about dear it alway sounded like that.
3: I had to change it the old one was about to break.
4: My mechanic said it was necessary or it wont run right.
I am sure the guys will be happy to continue the list
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
You just think you will be happy with 500hp good luck with that
You might want to look into the definition of "Modaholic" as you're about to join the club and don't even know it.
Just remember these answers for your wife/girlfriend:
1: Yes dear i had to
2: I don't know what your talking about dear it alway sounded like that.
3: I had to change it the old one was about to break.
4: My mechanic said it was necessary or it wont run right.
I am sure the guys will be happy to continue the list
good luck with that You might want to look into the definition of "Modaholic" as you're about to join the club and don't even know it.
Just remember these answers for your wife/girlfriend:
1: Yes dear i had to
2: I don't know what your talking about dear it alway sounded like that.
3: I had to change it the old one was about to break.
4: My mechanic said it was necessary or it wont run right.
I am sure the guys will be happy to continue the list
HP is probably like money the more you have the more you want - the less you have the more you want. It seems to be interchangeable ... in one direction anyway.
5: Gee honey I don't know where that $10K went, are you sure you didn't buy something?
6: It makes the car look so much better, don't ya think?
7: No, it's not faster than in used to be, I'm just starting to learn how to drive it.