Just bought a vr4 where to start?

[coolhandluke]

Hi, im pretty new to 3si i just bought a 93 vr4 to replace my 94 sl with a spun bearing. So i go to pick it up tomorrow and i want to start with the mods as soon as i can! So my question is where should i start? Im going for performance first and saving the cosmetics for later. I want a good starting point for performance mods. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[rez604]

maintenance first always right?
do an uber tune up first then go crazy with all the mods you want.

[veerfour05]

Welcome aboard, like rez said start out with maintanance. It doesn't matter what you have for mods if the car doesn't run right. As far as mods go start out with a boost controller and real boost gauge, intake, and exhaust.

[neverenoughhp]

agreed. check transfer case fluid, trans fluid, oil change with synthetic oil, good wires and plugs etc.

Mods; how far do you want to go and for what purpuse? Basic mods include: open element intake filter, boost controller, O2 housings, downpipe, and full exhaust, and an underdrive pulley. How is your clutch? If you do all of these you will likely have to upgrade it and might as well get a lightweight flywheel.

[kywhitelightning]

Before you start making crazy decisions about your build, first decide where you will be driving this car the most. Street cars aren't the best track cars and definitely vise versa. Next come up with a real HP goal. You will be basing most of your aftermarket parts from this. Remember that the further you go from stock the more likely you are to break so if this is your DD you will have to be careful with insane amounts of HP. I only say this because if you search through the old threads you will find a lot of people that have high HP cars and wish they would have kept them stock. Finaly, be careful and ask a lot of questions before you buy something. I learned this one the hard way.

Good luck with your build and here's a good link to begin with RTEC Engineering - 3000GT staged upgrades

This is good too:

Stage 1: This stage is meant to make the car breathe easier and turn up the boost. Approx. total HP gain is 65hp.

3-5hp - Open element intake (K&N FIPK, HKS MegaFlow, etc.)
8-12hp - Cat-back exhaust (Borla, Greddy, ATR, HKS, etc.)
30-50hp - *Electronic Boost controller (Blitz DSBC, Greddy Profec, HKS EVC, APexi, etc.) - turning boost from stock boost level to 14.5-15psi

*Remember to re-gap spark plugs to allow for higher boost levels - see here for info on re-gapping plugs

Stage 2: Continued Improved Breathing. Approx. total HP gain is 12hp.

3hp - Hi-flow Catalytic Converter
8hp - Downpipe
1-2hp - Gut pre-cats
N/a - BOV (blow-off valve) - no hp gain here but spools turbos faster giving the feeling of improved power.
N/a - Y-Pipe (stock tends to come undone at higher boost levels than stock)

Stage 3: Get a grip! The stock clutch will begin to show its limitations at about 400hp. Approx. total HP gain is 10-15hp.

N/a - Clutch
10-15hp - Lightweight flywheel

Stage 4: Fuel management. Approx. total HP gain is N/a*.

Fuel Injectors (450cc, 550cc or 720cc)
High-flow Fuel Pump
AFC (air flow converter), VPC (vein pressure converter), or ARC2

*Note that this modification does not directly increase hp but allows for running higher boost levels without having a lean air/fuel ratio. It is these higher boost levels that account for increased hp.

Stage 5: It's Turbo Time! Approx. total HP gain depends on turbo selected.

40hp - 13g Turbos
80hp - 15g Turbos
100hp - 17g Turbos
??? - 357 Turbos
??? - 368 Turbos

Stage 6: Cool it down! Approx. total HP gain is 22-45hp.

20-40hp - Intercoolers (front mount, side mount)
N/a - Alcohol or Water Injection System*
2-5hp - Ignition System

*Note that this modification does not directly increase hp but allows for running higher boost levels without having a lean air/fuel ratio. It is these higher boost levels that account for increased hp.

Stage 7: Open it up and smooth it out! Approx. total HP gain with stock turbos and stock fuel system is 10-30hp.

10-30hp* - Port and polish heads, intake, and exhaust manifolds (extrude hone)

*Note that this modification improves performance dramatically once the fuel system and turbos have been upgraded. Performance after those steps have been completed can range from 50-100hp.

[stealthxtreme4]

That list has a few deficiencies...

[neverenoughhp]

Originally Posted by stealthxtreme4

That list has a few deficiencies...

so fill in the blanks matt

hey, i was talking to this intern at work about his galant vr4 and my car and he mentions PAPA. Says that he is the VP and that the president has a modified vr4. knowing few people at pu with vr4s i took a wild guess. that was hilarious.

[tarfin]

Staged Upgrades - 3SI Wiki

[etecnifibre]

Search my username and 'fastoldguy'.

[stealthxtreme4]

Originally Posted by neverenoughhp

so fill in the blanks matt

hey, i was talking to this intern at work about his galant vr4 and my car and he mentions PAPA. Says that he is the VP and that the president has a modified vr4. knowing few people at pu with vr4s i took a wild guess. that was hilarious.

ha! Henry. He's an interesting kid.

It's amazing how small this state is.