Well, I dyno'd the car last evening with the intent of finding out what little mods do what on my car - a stock '99 6-speed. My first dyno runs a few weeks back showed me that the K&N replacement filter in the stock box cost me 5 HP. So I changed back to the paper filter, but I did cut some major holes in the lid: 0 HP gain there. Changed to a 160° thermostat which gives me lower operating temps on the highway, but nowhere else: 0 HP. Put on a relocated/recalibrated MAT sensor: -3 HP. Changed from the accordian coupler to a smooth silicone: +1.5 HP/3 lbs./ft torque. Removed the stock MAT sensor from its housing (just pulled it out into the cooler air): +2 HP. Took off the stock pipes and added a set of JCL's "Bad Boys" (prototype exhaust): 8 HP/12 lbs./ft. torque. OK, finally something that does something...

I guess what it shows me so far is that the car is really set up well to run without all of the extra crud we all run around and buy (it took me 30 minutes to sell the MAT sensor on eBay, after I bought it here on the Forum). When you get into REAL mods, like the exhaust system and the intake manifold and cams, headers, etc., THAT'S where you find the real gains. Everything else is just fluff. I'd like to try one of the popular air filters and see what it really does - I know there are many that are happy with the Blackwing and the Halltech system looks formidable. I think I'll change back to the original thermostat first... We've got a dyno day in NE Ohio this Saturday (see Great Lakes section) and I'll get on there once more to try my luck. :yesnod:

 

:iagree:

 

but, but.... every bit of HP counts... :rolleyes:

 

I'm definitely no expert here -- but the dyno results could vary from time to time, day to day -- and some of the -1.5HP, or the 0HP could just be noise in the machine and the measurements...

I am very happy with the Halltech + LS1 Edit + 160 therm that I just did, and I got +27RWHP from all that (2003 LS1 vert 6-speed).

Just my $0.02.

--dc.

 

I added a vortex to my Z last week and noticed a large gain (no dyno, but more tire spin :yesnod: ) If you look at the stock airbox it's pathetic, opening it up has to provide gains.

I agree that all the little crap is a waste of money... just look at a breathless performance products catalog, it's full of the little mods you've done for lots of money and each claiming 5-10 hp! Dynos aren't exact, they can measure +- 10 horsepower on each run, so it's hard to test for small gains.

 

You are exactly right with your post.. Many of the little mods do nothing, or even hurt performance. These mods are known as "snake oil" mods! :D

For power do the mods in this order.... Air Intake, Exhaust System, Xpipe, Long Tube Headers, Cam, Heads....

 

I disagree...My car was an absolute dog when I first took it to the strip. Admittedly weather was horrible, and both my runs were with a heat soaked engine(220+)but 13.95 @103 was very disappointing. I've done nothing drastic to my car(see sig) and the mods have been done gradually, but I've been able to take .5 off my et and add almost 5mph to my trap speed. To me that is a marked improvement.....

 

lost take those 3.15's and dump them, get you at new t/c and 3.42's and your car will wake alot..trust me ....i ran 13.56 stock with 2.73's now i run low 12's in any weather. :yesnod:

 

And the worst part is that the "snake oil" mods suck you dry for real mods..

i.e.
TB bypass $20, CF Airbridge $300, ported TB $250, Recalibrated MAT $30, MAF Ends $155, Smooth Airbridge Coupler $70, Powerloader $450

All this CRAP adds up to $1275!!!! More than enough to buy 4.10 Gears...

Net of all this junk??? :confused: :confused: :confused: :yawn: :sleep:

Net of 4.10 gears :D :D :smash: :smash: :smash: :party:

 

I agree in general. However some of the little mods must be done all of the way. For example, a cold air (bottom breather) intake would give more results than changing to a replacement filter in the stock airbox. Also changing to a lower thermostat would also require changing the fan turn on temps and perhaps ading a bit of tuning with LS1Edit for example. I don't have the dough for real mods right now but my car has picked up some HP with selective little mods. :cheers:

 

Sometimes it's not the HP but the fact that you get to customize (PLAY with) your toy. If you like the mod and it makes you feel good about your car then it's money well spent.