Simple Engine Mods ??

[speed_addict]

Okay, so I ran my car at the track this past weekend and pulled a 15.97 in a pretty much stock 03 msp- I was suprised at my consistancy as it was my first time! Anyways, the only engine mods I currently have are a AEM short ram intake, and a front motor mount... considering I am still under warranty and have an extended warranty to 100,000 miles, I would like to keep it for at least a little while longer since stupid shit has been crapping out on my lately (like my head unit and wheel speed sensor!).... but I was wondering what ideas anyone has for small HP increases I could get on some smaller or non warranty voiding mods... ??? Any help would be awesome!!! thanks :)

[boostdprotegelx]

Okay, so I ran my car at the track this past weekend and pulled a 15.97 in a pretty much stock 03 msp- I was suprised at my consistancy as it was my first time! Anyways, the only engine mods I currently have are a AEM short ram intake, and a front motor mount... considering I am still under warranty and have an extended warranty to 100,000 miles, I would like to keep it for at least a little while longer since stupid shit has been crapping out on my lately (like my head unit and wheel speed sensor!).... but I was wondering what ideas anyone has for small HP increases I could get on some smaller or non warranty voiding mods... ??? Any help would be awesome!!! thanks :)
well I"m pretty sure that the dealers will void your car under any work done to the car to modify the performance. but there are some dealers I'm sure that will allow it. I would just be careful with that.

[sandspeed]

Hey, with some more track experience your time will improve. First time I went to the drag track i completly missed 2nd gear(ughdance) haha but it was a fun night.
As far as additional mods you could get a new downpipe or an electric exhaust cut-out. I used to have an intake and corksport exhaust and noticed a nice gain throughout the powerband but it won't yield you a huge amount of extra hp.
It depends on how much money you want to spend but an air fuel controller(DSMConvert) will improve hesitation and if tuned well you could gain some hp at stock boost. Good luck

[yashart_mp3]

J-spec intake cam looks almost identical to stock. You could drop that in there and they would probabl have no idea. You can find them used/ new for about $125-$150 on the forums. It will improve your top end and pull harder all the way to redline.

I heard nothing but great reviews about the RR-racing underdrive pulley. More torque and better acceleration. $150 new from rr-racing.com

ported and ceramic stock downpipe (I will be selling mine soon :)) dealer probably wouldn't recognize it since it is stock, just ported

[speed_addict]

J-spec intake cam looks almost identical to stock. You could drop that in there and they would probabl have no idea. You can find them used/ new for about $125-$150 on the forums. It will improve your top end and pull harder all the way to redline.

I heard nothing but great reviews about the RR-racing underdrive pulley. More torque and better acceleration. $150 new from rr-racing.com

ported and ceramic stock downpipe (I will be selling mine soon :)) dealer probably wouldn't recognize it since it is stock, just ported



sweeeeeet.... im definately going to look into these.... im just trying to add some HP without killing my bank account... what are the other huge HP gains? front mount? catless exhaust? bigger downpipe?

[ZenProtege]

Better battery than the weak stock one, better gear fluid, silicone vac lines, a good high performance coolant, carb. spring on the wastegate....even with that your walking a tight rope if you plan on keeping that warranty. I def. wouldn't get an underdrive pulley, they put a load on the crankshaft that outweighs any gains IMO. I'd leave that mod for the NA guys to enjoy

[speed_addict]

Better battery than the weak stock one, better gear fluid, silicone vac lines, a good high performance coolant, carb. spring on the wastegate....even with that your walking a tight rope if you plan on keeping that warranty. I def. wouldn't get an underdrive pulley, they put a load on the crankshaft that outweighs any gains IMO. I'd leave that mod for the NA guys to enjoy


yea that is a good point... i do need a new battery. mine is kind of corroded... what kind would you reccomend? i dont know very much about batteries...

[Run for Cover]

for batteries i would go with the red top optima which you can get at costco.. 100$ was worth EVERY penny...

also i would get a short shifter too, one of the best mods...

and read these forums and do searches and again.. read read read..

[MSpeed2397]

Optima red top :)

[sephiroth]

imho.. there's no reason to spend $100-200 for an optima unless you're packing an upgraded audio system. If you're not a $50-70 battery is going to be just as good.
just my .02 cents.


although, that hardly means anything comming from a person with a yellow top optima and the stock audio (peep)

[yashart_mp3]

you have nothing to worry about with an UDP. Plenty of msp owners are using them without any problems. Daily driver, track or auto-x events, they haven't caused any problems on anyone's car to date. Its one of the best/ cheapest mods you can do

side note, a good short shifter (kartboy or twm) would be nice, and get some redline mt-90 tranny fluid while your at it

[Blade4804]

stock boost? i was told the mp3 didn't have turbo... only the msp did... was I told wrong?

[sephiroth]

? i was told the mp3 didn't have turbo... only the msp did... was I told wrong?
no, the MP3 is a standard 2.0L protege with some interior improvements and the body molding of a MSP

[Notorious_V.I.C]

A exhaust system like the Vibrant or Perrin or Apexr1 cat-back with their downpipe. Easier to install then the GHL Turbo back. Hard pipes, SMIC upgrade.

[Blade4804]

crap I didn't read his first post correctly... I hate this dislexic shit... lol I thought he said he had a MP3... you ran a 15.9? thats it? my buddy in his ES ran that a few weeks ago without boost...

[Mutmatt]

i can get you anything you need ashlee but if you have any questions or want to run up to BWWs again sometime to talk over parts give me a call... you've got my cell

[speed_addict]

crap I didn't read his first post correctly... I hate this dislexic shit... lol I thought he said he had a MP3... you ran a 15.9? thats it? my buddy in his ES ran that a few weeks ago without boost...


yea... that was my best run... but it was my first time EVER at the track and doing a good 1/4 mile so i was proud of myself... my goal was to break 16 (my first 10 runs were all low 16s) and i did that and also took home a trophy for best of class- i beat out like 13 other cars in my class!

on the other hand, i am going to look into that ud pulley... depending on how hard that would be to install.... new battery is a priority... um... any suggestions for hard pipes?

matt- i will be sure to let you know what i decide to do! :) bww sounds so good right now... lmao! um....

yea... man, what they say really is true... you put lots of money into your car and you think you are happy with the way it is but you just want to go spend more and more money on the damn thing! I just put like a grand into it and Im already making a full size notebook sheet of paper of stuff i want to get !! wtf... lol ... i guess that is what makes it a hobby (friday)

[SergMSP]

Better battery than the weak stock one, better gear fluid, silicone vac lines, a good high performance coolant, carb. spring on the wastegate....even with that your walking a tight rope if you plan on keeping that warranty. I def. wouldn't get an underdrive pulley, they put a load on the crankshaft that outweighs any gains IMO. I'd leave that mod for the NA guys to enjoy

What do you mean by better gear fluid? What kind do you use??

What kind/brands of coolants are better?

[Puckpimp71]

A few free mods would be to remove the weather stripping on the back of the hood and TB coolant bypass. You might net a few HP there, but since you're in MN, I wouldn't recommend those mods to you in the winter.

[540James]

but a boost controller and put the boost at 19psi, that will show some good gains, and all you have to do is cut some vac lines and ur in like flint!

Im jk dont do this i dont want to be the reason why you find yourself on the "another blown motor" thread

[jestermsp]

might be a little late about the battery but i use an optima yellow top n that thing is the shit! i have an upgraded sound system n bumped it for 5 hours straight n voltage never dropped below 12.8V. car started up fine. youll love the optima. and also some dealer will even void you for the cai so just be careful. you can put anything you want in the car as long as you can easily remove it for warrenty repairs.

[speed_addict]

A few free mods would be to remove the weather stripping on the back of the hood and TB coolant bypass. You might net a few HP there, but since you're in MN, I wouldn't recommend those mods to you in the winter.

yea, one of my buddies took his weather stripping piece off but he didnt roll his in the winter... i am going to have to... sadly.... didnt last year but this time around i dont think i am going to have a choice.

[ZenProtege]

What do you mean by better gear fluid? What kind do you use??

What kind/brands of coolants are better?

manual transmission fluid- You can get it at most auto parts stores. Changing out the stock fluid for higher quality gear fluid such as redline mt90 or mobil 1 makes shifting (especially into reverse) so much easier and smoother. Changing it out is about as hard if not easier than an oil change.

http://www.***************/RED_50304_p/red%2050304.htm

there are several high performance coolants on the market. IMO, anything reasonable you can do to keep down engine temps on a turbo car is worthwhile. This article should steer you in the right direction

http://www.evanscooling.com/main11.htm

BTW, I have an optima red top and love it.