My car rarely sees RPM's past 3000 (it's an auto and i don't usually floor it), I don't race or go to the track or anything (I guess I'm too old), but I do like to have decent "off the line" acceleration every once in a while. What would be the greatest power improvement in the lower RPM range?

Current Mods-
K&N Drop in
WS Y-pipe
WS High-flo cat
Custom 2.5" exaust with 24" resonator
"Meanstreak" muffler

Thank you for your advise.

belosic

 

Roots type S/C + more displacemnent.

 

Maybe go with an UDP

 

Upgraded ECU hands down.

 

CAIs usually gives more low-end grunt. You lost torque when you went with a more open exhaust.

 

Turn off the A/C...
and kick your gf out of the car....



j/k........lightened flywheel would probably help. It makes you able to rev more quickly. It affects 1st and 2nd gear more than others.

 

I was under the impression that you lose out on the low end with a CAI, am I missing something?

 

Yes, good advice! haha

Cai is great for lowend.

 

CAI = better lowend...suffers a little on topend due to length of tube.
HAI = better topend but suffers from hot air in the low end.
Stock = better midrange and choked up design compared to aftermarket intakes.

 

dont replace ur intake at all. i would say ECU is the best bet for u

 

I have a CAI on my '96 auto. If the CAI is for lowend power, I sure don't feel it. I feel it more in the midrange. IMO, the hacked stock air box is the best for lowend power. I might go back with the hacked stock air box. Since I have great midrange and highend with the JWT ECU and MEVI, I need more lowend power.

 

That is why I raised the question about low-end torque with a CAI, as you are not the first person I have read going back to a hack airbox from a CAI as they were not satisfied with low-end performance.

 

yeah, from everything I have researched and read, CAI is for Midrange/high end power. Hacked airbox is the best for the low end.

 

I have a K&N panel air filter to go along with my recently-installed Budget Y-pipe. Could someone please explain to me what a hacked airbox is and how to "hack" it.

 

smaller/lighter wheels/tires

 

The CAI is for low end power if you have a hybrid. Compared to the stock intake the CAI is crap the lower rpms.

 

where can u buy a new ECU anyway

 

UDP you always feel that power

 

http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/

 

udp hmm...i didnt feel anything from that really... couldnt tell any difference at all actually

 

.............

 

Good suggestion, I forgot to mention that one.
That will give you more power than you can imagine from just wheels/tires.

 

Get a technosquare ecu since its cheaper and you say you harldy ever go above 3k, you wont need the higher rev limiter that the JWT has

 

As always, thanks for all the advise. I saw a dyno chart for a TechnoSquare ECU and it definatley looks like power is increased across the entire RPM range. Does anyone know if fuel economy will be affected with the TS ECU?

belosic

 

Runs leaner, yeah, but you might get on the gas more due to the added power feeling.

 

i felt my udp but then i went further and took out the A/C and then i really felt it.....its more for mid range to high end torque, does nothing for the low end. you can feel it after like 3000

 

yeah get the ECU

 

Increase final drive gear ratio in the transmission?

 

get a 2k2/2k3

 

I just put an UDP, makes a lot of difference in the low end, I can feel the car accelarate quicker. I would recommend that if you don't want to spend too much money (I couldn't afford to get the ECU (: )

 

I think you got it the other way around bro.

 

Yea I didn't notice much difference from my UDP either (and mind you I have one of the lightest ones available). I guess I'm not as sensitive as other .Org members. However if I was you, I would save and buy the Technosquare ECU. It's a steal considering it's only real competition is $100+ more.
-Cyrus

 

For more lowend power you need very light weight smaller wheels. Another problem is the automagic's shift points which you can't change so it sucks lol. Also consider getting a higher stall torque convertor.

 

Keep your K&N panel filter with the stock intake, and get the ECU as mentioned.

 

I suggest a true CAI setup like the Place Racing/Cattman/Warpspeed systems and use the stock Helmholtz resonator that sits between the throttle body and MAF sensor instead of the CAI providied "midpipe". The resonator seems to give the VQ a better feel in the lower rpms.

Next I would get the JWT ECU. Keep in mind the ECU gives absolutely no gains below 3200rpms according to every single dyno I've seen. The ECU does greatly enhance the 3200-5600rpms powerband though and you'll use it more because it's there.

Finally like others had said, get light weight 15" or 16" rims and possibly lightweight performance tires like the Toyo Proxis TS-1. Reducing unsprung weight on a tire/rim combo by 7-10lbs does a lot more than you think, especially in the lower gears. On top of that the car will handle better and stop better.

 

Is the resonator the pyramid shapped piece with a couple crankcase vent hoses? I'm looking at all my old pieces from the stock intake and I can't find that one.

 

Yepper skipper.

 

Dave is the one I'd go to for intake questions...

By 'true' cai he is talking about the one that pipes over to the battery and down through the hole. Do NOT buy the Injen or anything like it...that design pulls the hottest air compared to any other intake.

 

Hm...I'm going to give what Dave B suggested a try.

 

That is what I was gonna do too. Keep the stock oil seperator/mid-pipe. I learned, through expierence, that it helps in over all throttle responce compared to a aftermarket mid-pipe. I will buy hte ebay PR style CAI pretty soon. FL summers are too hot for regular intake.