Modding Crossroads

[jeettao]

So I've got a '99 with a completely stock engine (stock heads/stock bottom end) with a Greddy TD05 16G setup, and supporting mods (660cc injectors, hotwired walbro, AEM, FMIC, wires, etc).

Right now it is running just under 15 lbs of boost. 32k on the engine. Performing the 60k service as this is written, as well as a general tuneup (okay, a lot of tuning up, for those that know the situation).

I'm at a bit of a crossroads as far as what to do next. Further down the road after finishing school and residency and such, I will be doing a 3.5 liter stroker.

I was thinking of installing a meth injection kit and retuning the car to up the boost a bit. I absolutely do not want to run race gas, as it is not at all easily accessible in my area.

Now, other than not having stage 3 heads, my car's setup should technically be good for the 600 whp range. However, I am worried about the stock pistons. This is where the problem comes in. I don't want to put forged pistons on an engine I'll only put maybe 20,000 miles on in the next several years, only to replace it with a stroker. I also don't want to pay for all of the labor required to install the pistons, etc, when it's essentially wasted and will be "redone" with the stroker.

I also feel a little silly getting a meth kit if I won't be able to push the boost safely on the stock pistons. Lastly, it seems like it's a little retarded to have a 16G setup and only run 18 psi or so (any big TD04 turbo can do that, with much less lag).



* * * * * *

My goal is to make 500-ish WHP or better on 93 octane + water/meth. I know some people have made this on the stock bottom end. More or less, my question for some of the veterans out there that have had fairly heavily-modified cars is ... what would you do? Trust the bottom end and the tune? (Josh/niteryder would be the tuner) Not risk it? Am I worrying too much about the stock pistons?

Comments, suggestions, random rants welcome.

[AudibleSilence]

15g's + Supporting

/thread

You'll still destroy most of what you'll find on the street...

[jeettao]

Lol, man. I'd also take a bit of a hit selling off this one-off Greddy TD05 kit and buying 15G's. Ouch, that'd be tough to swallow.

[AudibleSilence]

One off Greddy kit? Hmmmmmmmmmmm...if you already have the stuff then use it. Personally if I had to start over again, I'd just stick w/ 15g's and supporting. Bolt on parts, no fuss, stockish pep, etc etc.

[jeettao]

Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

One off Greddy kit? Hmmmmmmmmmmm...if you already have the stuff then use it. Personally if I had to start over again, I'd just stick w/ 15g's and supporting. Bolt on parts, no fuss, stockish pep, etc etc.

Yeah, it's a kit that Matt Monett sold to the previous owner of this car, years ago. Heh, the gaskets alone cost just under a hundred bucks, it's ridiculous.

I totally understand what you mean by 15G's though, they'd easily handle the boost levels we're talking about, and eventually when I do the stroker I'd be getting something larger than 16G's. So I'm sort of stuck in between right now.

[92PearlTT]

Put a meth kit in and turn up the boost. Datalog to make sure everything is fine.

[AudibleSilence]

The Philosophy side of modifying cars.

Troof!!!

[92PearlTT]

Very good read^^^^

[HilbillyHomeboy]

You've got AEM ems, use it. You should easily be able to push more than "just under 15 psi" on pump gas/stock engine.

Jeremy

[AudibleSilence]

If you are going big later anyway I say sell the parts before they are used and their value plummets. Drop 2k-2.5k on a 15g setup (if you need a clutch too) and call it a day.