So in going through the posts, I have seen some people saying mod x is great for this and not that, etc. etc. So for a 91 GXE, auto VG, what are some of the things I should be looking into first? I would like to have better low end acceleration, but I havent seen anything geared directly toward that in a VG Auto short of ECU upgrades. What would you recommend to do first? Price is an issue. I am looking for more of an agenda. You know, this would be the best low cost thing first.

Thanks,
Pete

 

I would do suspension first.

FSTB, springs/dampers, RSB

 

if you want low end, some say the CAI is better, get some good tires so you can hook up, y pipe, suspension so you can get the power to the ground better

 

Do what Randy suggests first. Then if you still want more lowend torque buy a torque convertor from www.protorque.com then buy some 205/50-15 tires for the front wheels.

 

Get a warpspeed Y-pipe, they are the most effective mod and add about 13 HP. They cost 300 for a mandrel bent stainless pipe.

 

Just be ready for your speedo to be way off with the low-pro's. 205-50 have a 23% lower sidewall (102.5mm vs 133.25 mm) Check it: 133.25-102.5/133.25 =.23*100=23% This is how you calculate % difference. This means the tires must spin 23% faster to maintain the same speed. Your RPM will be 23% higher at the same speed. You will be showing 60 mph but will acually be moving only about 47. Gas milage will go poop. Acceleration will absolutely rock, but top end will suck too. Just FYI. If you want 50's, go to 225/50 on 16 in rims. When you do this sort of thing you want to keep your overall tire diameter within 2-3% of original equip.

 

Actually your math is alittle off. The total tire diameter of 205/65-15s is 25.49in, the 205/50-15s are 23.07in or 647.44mm vs 585.97mm. Yes the speedo will be off but it would be in his favor. If it indicated 60mph the actual speed is 54mph not 47mph. Besides I have measured the diameter of a 205/65-15 tire (uncle's 91se) and a 205/55-15 (sister's mx6) plus a 195/50-15 (my se-r). Total circumfrence is 6.34ft with the 205/65-15s and 5.98ft with the 205/55-15s. Getting smaller tires is the same as changing the final gear ratio from 3.62 to 4.00. The car gains 10% more torque in every gear. According to simulations it drops 0-60ET by 2-4 tenths and 1/4 ET by 1-3 tenths and adds 1-3mph trap. Basically it's 5spd performance at the swap of a tire(s) . Add a higher stall convertor and tires capable of 2.0-2.1 60ft times and you now have a VG auto that can run 15.9-16.4s without engine mods.

 

Great info guys!! Thanks for the help. I have been thinking of jumping to 16 or 17 inch wheels (right now have the original stars from 91, not bad looking.) I have also been looking into springs/struts/sway bars for suspension stuff. I will keep looking. Anyone else have any thumbs up ideas to share?

Thanks,
Pete

 

what's the math for 16's?

 

try this link

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

This makes it alot easier to adjust tires/wheels without messing up speedometer.

Dan

 

when i put my 17's on man o man it felt like i lost 20 hp be careful with this wheel tire combo stuff see if you can find a homie who will let you swap wheels for a few hours or so in diffrent sizes ,just a thought I had friends i could of asked but didnt,but good luck I hope you find the right mods and dont forget to share what you find out.

 

mod #1: Auto to 5 Spd conversion. Everything after that wont really matter

 

205/40-16 are basically the samething. Since those wheels go on the hondas and other cars with simular sized tires they are plentiful.

 

Hmmm - haha just wonderin about this... How much (bsically/average) owuld it cost to get and install a 5 spd manule over a auto trans for a '94 maxima gxe?

 

...Whatever dude. Looking at all those numbers make my head hurt.

 

Now what if i get say 17" rims and tires that are the same overall height and width as my stock 15" with the r65 tires on them, will the speedo and the tach still read the same? Is it even possible to find 17" rims and tires that are close the the dimensions of the stock se rims as in height and width.

 

Here is the deal the stock speedo is off even with stock size tires. It is about 1mph off up to 45, 2-3 at 60mph and about 5-9 at 95mph, after that it gets ugly. There is no reason to worry about keeping the speedo calibrated, its like trying to clean the brake caliper when you wash the car. Why bother worrying about it .

 

My bad, I guess I should have used overall diameter..I recalculated it and got 54mph insted of 47 with a 9.5%reduction in diameter. Thanks for the correction.