I only want about 300ish hp (because I'm not trying to get speeding tickets)... There are only a few things I would like to do to my car, the first of which is getting a new exhaust... Any suggestions as to what, test pipes? I live in Island county, so no emission tests for me.

After getting an exhaust, I was planning on getting either a new plenum altogether OR a spacer (what would you guys recommend?).

After that, I'd get a CAI (because I might as well)

Lastly, reflashing my ECU- or getting a new one...

Then I'll work on how the car looks, my Bday is around the corner, and I usually get a good amount of cash (400-500) for it- just wondering how I can waste money usefully.

 

You wont get to 300 whp with a DE engine and bolt ons. If you want more power look into FI. A basic vortech setup will get you your power goals easier.

 

+1

 

Well what do you think I can expect with just those few mods? 300 whp would be good, but I'm not going the FI route, too expensive!

I'm okay with 300 bhp, but I think those 4 things could probably yeild just a bit more than that, maybe 310...

 

I have an 03 I did plenum spacer, test pipes, dual exhaust, cold air intake, and a tuned utec ecu. The power gain was minimal i was at 242 whp. So I added nitrous got a little more power, but it was just a tease. So then I tore everything out and went with a twin turbo set up. Now I sit at about 393 whp, and I say this is the way this car should have come from the factory.

 

on the de engine prolly like 270 ish? maybe 280?

 

Just throw an exhaust on there and you'll be happy with the sound. DE motors have a hard time making power with basic bolt ons. I think its a pretty fun car stock though.

 

Well, I don't have 5 grand to dump at once into my car- and besides, I only want to go a little quicker. I'll end up spending more on the looks of the car vice the performance, the wife will appreciate it more that way (easier to sell her the idea of dumping buckets of money into a car).

 

Thats cool. I would just keep the stock airbox and put a K&N filter in it ( or maybe a JWT pop charger)and then get some kind of exhaust you like, maybe a 5/16" plenum spacer. Skip the test pipes unless you like to smell like gas.

and if you want to squeeze a couple more ponies out get an osiris tune. I can't remember where, but there is a local shop that tunes with it.

 

Intec Racing

The same shop that shows I get 280whp / 250 tq from my stock '07......although I do have a stubby antenna and spider skull air fresheners, that might have been what helped me.

 

You auto or 6sp?

With that budget, you will barely have enough for the Osiris reflash from Intec.

If auto: But I'd go 5/16th Motordyne spacer, 3/8" spacer from powerlab or Crawford V5 plenum. Whatever you can find used for cheap.

If revup 6sp: MREV lower plenum.

Consider the motordyne Y pipe. Probably the only part of the exhaust that makes good power but you should consider opening up the rest of exhaust at some time.

 

LOL i got 298 uncorrected with all the of bolt ons for HR. however, now i have my ECU tuned for the bolt ons and 100 octane. I should be 300whp +, but it is hard to get this kinda of power and expensive

 

Save up and go FI.

With the DE it's hard to squeeze power out of it. Root's supercharger setup, or single turbo. Since you don't want ridiculous numbers.

 

2003 6spd- no mods

edit: I'm doing one thing at a time, because my wife doesn't want me dumping money into this car all at once. So I'm doing things in steps. So basically, exhaust is next- then plenum- then intake- then ecu.

Then I work on looks

 

^ that sounds like a good plan, i'm hoping to do plenum, sway bars, then exhaust. Then some Bilstein coilovers when I can find some real $$

 

Take your basic list and buy when the opportunity arises. For instance, you just missed out on some killer deals from Redlude97's part out. In fact, if he still has the revup Z airbox, grab it. Or buy the G revup airbox and swap the v-stack to your oem box.

 

Do yourself a favor and save it.....cars are a bad investment...fast cars are even worse....my srt had over 5k put into it....didn't get me anywheres.........


save it and buy some stock



jus sayin

 

Telling a guy not to spend money on toys is like telling a woman not to buy clothes, shoes and purses. How often do women use every item on a daily basis.

Stocks are good if you know what you're doing.

What's wrong with spending a little money on toys?

If you add up all the things a person does almost every weekend, in five years (usually the loan length) you would have spend some money. Example, Alcohol consumption every weekend can add up to 100-200 bucks, cigarettes (if you smoke), going out to eat. At least with a car or other motorized toys, you get to use it on a daily basis and it never gets sh*t out, p*ssed out or have to buy a pack of cigarette every other day.

Motor heads see things differently. Spend money on things you can use on a regular basis with out having to spend more money to use it (minus gas and insurance and oil changes lol).

I don't drink, smoke or go out to eat, so I have to waste money on useless things. Besides, I suck at money management.

But I see your point.

 

My choice from almost 7 years with a Z is light flywheel. Then Ecu reflash so the throttle doesn't close at high RPMs.

Flywheel and light weight wheel/tire combo will make your car feel faster then the other mods.

 

I agree!

I just bought my wife 125 dollar Coach shoes, she isn't wearing them right now.

I drive my car everyday, why? It is awesome. Why not make it more nice, and more efficient?