NA6 Intake/Exhaust Mods

[PaulF]

Upgrading the inlet will usually loose power(ask Ben)y

I disagree. Bensale's "upgraded inlet" consisted of drilling some holes in the stock airbox. It made more noise, but lost him a bit of power. A well-designed cold air intake which takes air efficiently from a high pressure, low temperature area (e.g. a Mania-style intake) will improve power, and to say what you have said is misleading and misguided.

[NitroDann]

+1, and as for the question of 100rwkw 'claims' jump in a m45 nb8b and drag race me

Dann

[zephyrus17]

Oh, let me just make it clear that I don't want a muscle car or anything. I'm about to do a oil change soon (Mobil 1 or Shell 0w-40), new sparks (NGK Iridium), coolant flush. And I'm soon due for my next timing belt change. I just swapped a set of Kumho KU31s end of last year and plan to get a oil filter replacement soon. So I take care of my car but not anally like cleaning piston rings.

I know the extra overhead for a 1.6 NA is quite small, and I'm not expecting magic. But a little extra omph would be neat.

@tbro, could I know what exactly a 'tune up' you refer to implies? The Mazda dealer says it's just a oil/spark/filter change, which I can easily do myself. So surely there's something else I'm missing?

[NitroDann]

The overhead is what you want it to be.

At 80 my na6 pulls swiftly away from a standard na6 in 6th gear while the stock car is in 4th.

It is also as quick as a friends decently modified na8 with an m45 blower, big intercooler, haltech ecu etc etc . Its what you want it to be. But if you want to make the power you need to be careful with the details. get it all right, little things like the silicone on the intake.

Dann

[NitroDann]

I could definately suggest an upper cylinder clean using subarus upper engine cylinder cleaner as part of a 'tune up'. But no theres nothing but a service with new leads and plugs, upper cylinder clean and new oil that can be done to 'tune up' the engine.

Dann

[zephyrus17]

Mmm that Subaru Intake Cleaner sounds great. I'll get that!

[93_Clubman]

I have a fully stock '90 NA6. I've been tempted to get some more growl in my NA and I was wondering what's a good place to start? I don't want to invest a lot at one time but try to do it step by step...

So from a stock setup, what's the component that's the first bottleneck?

Apart from maximising what you've currently got by ensuring everything is running optimally, get it breathing in & out better, & improve spark.

So step at a time:
Cowl CAI;
Hi flow cat & cat back exhaust;
Coil on plug (CoP) [see tbro, nitrodann & jerrah threads ref DIY same]; &
Headers.

Of course, losing some weight will also help your cause.

[NitroDann]

Talking cops, Ive found some well priced cops and ignitors and after some testing ill be offering them. I hope to get complete ready to go professionally presented plug and play setups out for 200 or less.

I hope.

Dann

[Guran]

Build your own CAI for peanuts. Gives you a few kWs (5%) and sounds tits! Read Matty's DIY for details:
http://autospeed.com.au/cms/title_FreeF ... ticle.html

Add a catback exhaust and there's another few kWs bringing you up to 10% gain. But keep in mind these two changes are aimed at top end rpm.

If it's midrange rpm torque you want fattened, try bumping timing to 18 degrees. You might need to use 98 RON fuel to avoid knocking. Dann's COPs would be a worthwhile addition too.

Incidentally, my stock NA6 made 71rwkW on Mania's "optimistic" dyno a couple years ago. If you suspect your engine might be down on power, it would be worth getting a compression test done.

[clubman7]

Good extractors/exhaust and aftermarket ECU.
Why is horsepower never cheap?

[NitroDann]

It is.

Extractors, intake, exhaust cams compression and ecu comes to WAY under 2k doing it yourself.

Dann

[Matty]

It is.

Extractors, intake, exhaust cams compression and ecu comes to WAY under 2k doing it yourself.

Dann

Of course not everyone has the ability or inclination to DIY...

What's your <$2K price breakdown on those parts?

[gslender]

My costs....

4-2-1 headers. $350 hi flow cat $120

New exhaust Inc fitting above $1100

JR intake fitted by me $350

Cams and rest ain't gonna happen with the change ??

G

[NitroDann]

See my build thread for photos etc.

$30 for my intake which is far better than any bought setup ive seen.
$80 for vrs kit
$80 for head shave
$200 extractors, second hand off the forum
$300-400 for an exhaust from an exhaust shop in mild (recommend 2-1/4 press bent)
$500 max for megasquirt, down to 400 for second hand.
$440 for cam regrinds from camtech or similar

1730 using high MS price, and 400 for exhaust.

Dann

[gslender]

See my build thread for photos etc.

$30 for my intake which is far better than any bought setup ive seen.
$80 for vrs kit
$80 for head shave
$200 extractors, second hand off the forum
$300-400 for an exhaust from an exhaust shop in mild (recommend 2-1/4 press bent)
$500 max for megasquirt, down to 400 for second hand.
$440 for cam regrinds from camtech or similar

1730 using high MS price, and 400 for exhaust.

Dann

Dann, the issue that pops up a lot is that your prices are crazy aggressive... Eg most cams are near $600 min and nudge $900 from some places. Im assuming you are asking exhaust shops for the cheapest options (press bent) and using cheap/short lasting mild steel. Intake being $30 doesn't include the hole saw, or drill, or other tools, which regardless how DIY you are, you are bordering on saying $100 for an Ecu because I built my own boards and parts from scratch..... I think under $3000 is probably more likely and still requires a fair amount of DIY.

G