G'day.

Aussie guy here, some of you may have read in a thread of mine about how getting real Jap / US parts can sometimes be expensive here. Gonna do some mods, so here's what I intend to do:

1) Buy the brand-name items I can get hold of (and afford)
then
2) Get your opinions on what's left and shop by specification, rather than brand. EG Materials, designs, manufacturing technique etc.

I want lots of ppl's opinions, because I know it's fun telling others how to spend their money Please put responses in 1) , 2) 3) etc format. I will go with the general consensus on here and also those doing the installing of the major parts for me.

Here we go..

I drive this: EK1 D16Y4 Australian spec Sedan & Hatchback FWD 88kW/144Nm
(Yeah I realise it's not VTEC and not even DOHC *shrug*) I think it's equivalent to the EJ6 D16Y7 USDM All 3-door CX/DX, (I'm not sure, different chassis to start with...) Anyway, it's pretty no nothing, in terms of power, but feels fun to me.

I want my car to breath easier, not expecting to go much faster (but nice if I can ). Been told that even if I don't notice performance gains, I'll at least get more mileage (which is just as good a result in my books).

My budget (unless it gets boo'ed down immediately, and I have to up it) is going to be a bit over $1000US (that's $1500AU and doesn't count the tuning I'll have done when all the parts are in). Bare in mind I'm not a racer or anything, just want a more efficient (maybe better sounding and faster) car, and to learn a few things as I go.

Here are the brands I know I can get hold of at the moment:

- GReddy
- Blitz
- A'Pexi
- K&N
- Trust (affiliated with GReddy? any good?)
- lots of no name stuff. Apparently "Lukey / Walker" are big in headers and exhausts here, they're homegrown, so I know buggerall about them.

Items I think I'm after:
1) Exhaust/Muffler:
Currently have bog-standard S curve choker muffler, am thinking a nice straight-through. This is one of the items I think I won't be getting a brand-name product. I don't care about looks. I have a tip I can just chuck on a new muffler if it doesn't look any good. I think I want Straight-through. Diameter: I read that 2 - 2 1/4" is best? Correct me if I'm wrong. Main aim: free flow second: nice sound. I DON'T really want a lot of attention because of my muffler when just driving normally. It WOULD be nice is if it had a "nice" note going around the block, but if I push the car, it'll sound meaner. What are the best materials? Differences between canon/oval shape/dual cylinder? In case I have to go no-name...

2) Header:
I've read: 4-1 gives better high end power but you lose a little at the bottom (and they take up more room, limiting lowering possibilities.
4-2-1 seems better for overall performance, so I'm leaning towards that.
Materials / coatings (this even important?)? This is one of the things I'm pretty sure I'll be getting no-name.

3) Cold Air induction
Haven't got an air-intake resonator (gone when I bought the car).
I want to get a CAI. I think SRI takes in warm air from the engine.
This is another thing I might be going no-name on. I read Injen CAI's are really good and saw some dyno sheets on a site that agreed. Apparently next best was a AEM CAI. I'll be using either a K&N or A'Pexi filter in it, but are any of the above makes good? Should I make a lot of effort to find Injen here? If not, what diameter and material should the piping be?

4) This is where I'm not sure what else to do. Saw a site that showed some dyno tests that demonstrated that changing air filter (already gonna do that), spark plugs and the leads can give more power. They were blatantly pedalling their brand as you'd expect, but if you buy the right stuff, can it make a difference? Cos that seems like a very cheap way to gain some power (the site claimed 5kw.. not expecting that of course ). I'm guessing the brands would be totally different here, so what should I get for plugs/leads etc?

So 4) is basically "whatever the heck else you think may make a difference!" Be sure to say the materials, design, or whatever I should "look out for" when buying.)

As I said, I don't expect miracles, but it would be nice if I could break 100kW

And if your interested, I'll be getting it tuned on a dyno (for the heck of it) after I do all the mods (all of them.. not after each, I'm not made of money ), just to see where it ends up! Should be an interesting experiment, and I'll keep you all informed if you help me out.

Anyway, thanks for any help in advance.

 

Trust is a pretty good company...

About the SRI to CAI thing.. it is heavily debated... search is your friend.

I don't see how any cai is better then any other, its a big metal bent tube *shrug*

If you want a nice sound I would go with an Apex'i World Sport 2 muffler/catback.. it sounds great.

also, 100kW = what in HP? Sorry, im a metric idiot

Sparkplugs and wires DO make a difference.. I suggest MSD or Hyfire, or any known ignition speciality brand.... wires make quite a difference.

As for sparkplugs.. I have heard good things about NGK Iridiums, but have yet to try them.

 

OK, the balls rolling!
1 kW = 0.746 HP so when I said "nice to break 100kw" I'm saying "nice to break 75HP" It's about how much power new hatchbacks coming out these days here have.

Yeah I've read up a bit on CAI vs SRI, I've decided (whether ppl agree or not) that I'll get colder air from the front of my bumper than I will a few inches from my engine. And I'll look into that muffler and the plugs etc. Keep em coming!

 

I still fail to see how a cold air intake actually gets cooler air. The tubing is heated up pretty damn much from the engine anyways and will warm up the air alot. I wonder if wrapping it in header wrap or anything would work in deflecting the heat off of it to keep the air ALOT colder.

And like alpha said, I've heard tons of good things about NGK Iridium spark plugs. As for plug wires, I, personally, want to get the spoons with self grounding wires ;o

As for the 4-1 giving less possibility for lowering, I'm not sure that applies to all of them. According to DC Sports 4-1 through a quote from Cox Import (Bad Ass online store) "Another benefit of this merge is that it provides superior ground clearance by offsetting the top and bottom tubes"

 

Yeah I'd probably insulate the piping too. I don't think the air would be in the pipe long enough for the ambient heat to affect it.. anway, like we've said.. just opinion

More recommendations/specs!

 

I also forgot to mention there are alot more you can do than I-H-E to make your car breath easier. You also have things such as replacing intake manifold, port and polishing the head, and either replacing or porting the throttle body. A good port and polish should give you "dont quote me" about a 20% hp gain. Which would be the most gain you would get out of any of the mods you are looking at.

 

Good another idea!
Polish and port - is that something you need to take specifically to a "performance tuner" or does the generic mechanic do it? and what does it roughly cost? (in US will do..)

 

Apexi world sport exhaust is one of the best I have ever had!

Not loud and annoying or buzzy

 

A mechanic should be able to do it, but then again i'm not saying every mechanic will do it... You might have to call and check. I'm able to get it done for $75 by a friend, but I think shops charge around $200 - 400.

 

- GReddy
- Blitz
- A'Pexi
- K&N

All good brands, for intake I would recommend Weapon-R, AEM, Injen.

Header- DC Sports, GReddy

Exhaust- APEXi, GReddy

Good luck mate!