New to the forum and just doing the intro thing. Currently drive a 2002 WRX. Looking to retire it from daily driving so that it can be stripped and prepped for auto-x only. The car makes about 400bhp and has been good to me, so I don't want to let her go. I'm thinking about picking up a 99 FRC in the coming year for daily driving purposes. From what I have been seeing, 500bhp is a realistic NA number for a daily driver doing the H/C, headers, intake, reflash, etc mods. Basically bolt-ons+HC. Ironically, I can get to 500bhp for about the same price it took to get the WRX to 400bhp, with about the same amount of hassle. Should be fun.

My question is, what are the best bang-for-the-buck packages you can think of off the top of your head. Just looking to get general ideas, as I plan to do a LOT of research and reading as the time to actually start this project draws nearer. I know that I already like the BB&B bullet exhaust , but that's about as far as I've gotten toward having a specific list of parts in mind.

Lingenfelter promises 500bhp, but I have to believe you can get there for less than that price premium.

Also, what should be the single biggest concern about running that sort of power through the 99's engine/driveline on a daily basis? Does this package have a particular weakness I should look out for? Any serious replies and non-flames will be appreciated. Thanks for reading!

 

If you take nothing else away from this forum, remember this:
you get what you pay for.

Larry
code5coupe

 

Welcome and enjoy you quest for 500rwhp.

 

Welcome Tampa
I asked the same question about my 500+ stroker that I bought about 2 months ago. I was told that the rear end would be the first thing to upgrade throught the driveline. I have driven it only about 8 times (bad weather and still no title fron the DMV!!!!!) and haven't felt/heard any probs yet, but I haven't tried launching it while trying to get traction (just burnouts for fun ). Good luck in your search. And I approve of the WRX, BTW.

 

Thanks for the welcome and glad to hear WRXes are not met with outright disdain by everyone in the domestic world. It's not fast, but it does what I want it to and it pulls g loads like you wouldn't believe on the suspension setup I run.

Looking for 500BHP, not WHP. Not sure I want to budget that kind of money/build-up just yet.

Glad to hear your car is running without undo breakages plaster. Hope she stays that way!

 

Ain't that always the case in the car world. Damn econimic realities and physics! That said, the Lingenfelter heads/cams package for my desired power level really isn't that bad. Just want to make sure I get the best package for my performance dollar. Vettes are expensive enough as it is!

 

Welcome and hope you make it to the 500 HP mark. You may want to consider a head/cam job, headers, better intake, etc.

 

Welcome!

Depends on what you want to spend - what's you budget?

Biggest bang for the buck? NOS. But it is not street legal and you have to keep refilling the tank.

Second biggest bang for the buck? ATI Procharger centifugal intercooled supercharger. 540BHP on 93 octane gas. Circa $6000 or thereabouts - more installed.

If you do not seriously abuse your car (hard launches, burnouts, donuts, drifting etc.) nothing should break.

And Vettes corner like they are on rails in stock form.

BTW, the WRX is a great car but NOTHING gets attention like a Vette. It's not just about power and performance. They are more than "just a car" - they are a way of life.

My 0.02 cents worth

 

I agree on the "more than just a car" thing. My WRX ran dead even from a dig with a nearly bone stock Z06 my buddy was driving for a while, but sitting still in a parking lot, that car always got ten times the attention my little Scoob did...unless we were at a ricer infested venue. That damn Z06 always got me as we passed the 105-110mph mark though. The superior aerodynamics and power curve ultimately owned little Scooby, but she's not a drag car nor a highway cruiser. She's more of the 'point and shoot' variety. I'm running on 450lb/in coil-overs up front, 425 lbs/in in the rear, with lots of urethane, hard mounts, etc. The Scoob does nothing if not turn and damage lower backs.

Leaning heavily toward heads/cams, as I'd like to be NA and $6k or thereabouts sounds about right. Most people dismiss 500bhp as easy to achieve, which is encouraging. I just want to make sure it is done right with as little wasted money being involved as possible. Would LOVE that supercharger, believe me, but FI changes things drastically. I would not ever say never, but would have be convinced that it is worth the added risk as compared to leaving the car NA.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far!

 

So far over the last couple of years, I would normally agree with you on the NA deal, but not any more. Take the stock 99FRC, do nothing else to it, throw on a procharger and be done with it. The Cent chargers are great. They are there when you want them and off when you don't. I have seen guys screw with H/C setups, headers, intakes and not get what they could have gotten with just a cent charger. Plus in the end they go the long way around the barn. Now in time you will need to go to new valve springs at least and maybe stronger push rods. I went with the 1.8 rockers while I was in there as well.

 

I've read that the pushrods were a possible issue when dealing with FI setups. It is tempting, believe me. 500bhp seems to simple on these cars with HC, exhaust, etc. Would definitely want to address the spring issue as well, since I read a post yesterday that gave me a pretty clear impression that they were an issue on motors making more than 400rwhp. Thankfully I have plenty of time to make my decision.

 

500hp is about 425rwhp, very very easy to obtain. Very mild cam, some mild heads, standard intake manifold/headers and you'll be there.

N/A is definitely the way to go. Then if it's not fast enough, you bolt on a super/turbocharger and then you've got mega power

LPE is nothing special except for the 'name'. You can easily use the same parts or better, and do it yourself, for a fraction of the cost.

FRCs are the best vettes too, good choice. Cheapest, lightest and stiffest. I should know, I have a heavily modded 99 FRC

Dope

 

Since you are in FL, you may want to talk with Mike Norris http://www.norris-motorsports.com/c5.html Mike is a great guy!

 

yeap I would go NA..that is the route I am going just saving money that's all that's holding me up

I would check with some of the supporting vendors on this forum, most of them are very good and are very knowledgeable (they specialize in vettes)

Supercharger/NOS etc..= setriods for cars, put them on anything and they'll go fast.

Heads/CAM = safe, long lasting reliable (if done right of course) horsepower.

I'd much rather have very strong internal upgraded parts in my engine then strapping on 100+ extra HP with stock engine ...might be fine in the short run but long term

to each his own

 

Well, the WRXs are made by a GM subsiderary

 

They are made by a GM "partner", not subsidiary. There's a difference. The Saab 9-2X seems so familiar, it's almost scary.

I guess there is a strong case for both approaches. Thanks for the leads and advice so far. Looking around the Norris site, it looks like their Basic heads/cams package would be well within my budget and a farily clean install. There are a couple of locals who do good work and make big power, just have to know where to find them.

The more I read, the more I just want to run out and get the damn car and get this started! Thanks again everybody!

 

Erik,

Welcome to the forum. What section of town do you live in?

You should come out to one of our gatherings. Lot's of modified
C5's...and knowledgeable people.

 

Greetings Erik,

I can't offer much on your quest to the 500Hp mark. My Coupe is only running a Blackwing and Corsa and no additional work other than cosmetic. I just wanted to drop into the thread and say welcome to the forum. . I do like the WRX, even in stock trim it seems like it would be a fun car. Good luck in your search, and yes, just go out and get the damn car...you won't regret it

Paul

 

Welcome to the Forum ...and good luck finding the right new ride!

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your hp quest. If I had stayed in Alaska longer, I was looking at replacing my Talon Tsi for a WRX. AWD is the only way to go up there. Check out the thread below. This kid had a WRX at WOT in 3rd gear in a residential neighbourhood. He drove it into someone's house.


http://www.diecast-pub.com/forums2/i...howtopic=17718