HP Mod Plan - What do you think?

[Bandit400]

Hello all,

It is time to start thinking about upgrading the HP of the 02' GTS. Here is my plan, let me know what you think?

1. Roe Racing SC with 5lb of Boost
2. Arrow adjustable Roller Rockers - Heard T&D's need to have the heads machined to properly set the geometry. Also heard Arrow's had problems with the old design but none after the redesign.
3. Roe HF oval Cats
4. B&B Catback Exhaust
5. Unitrax HD Half-Shafts - Are there different options with these?
6. Teamtech 6 point belts
7. Drag Rollbar, BTR or Autoform? Looking for a bolt in solution.
8. 70mm Throttle bodies? This is questionable as the car will mostly be used for driving around town and not on the track. I do not want to the throttle to be too jumpy.


I would like to stay away from new headers as the stock street headers should be good for most of the rpm range. The HP/cost does not look justifiable. Bring it on Thanks.

Bandit400

 

[Shelby3]

Excellent bang for the buck approach. For your intended use, you didn't leave much out.

 

[GTSnake]

How about an aluminum flywheel. It will really increase your response. I know there's no HP change but it just makes your motor quicker to spool up and down.

 

[GONABITE]

I have the roe supercharger on my car and drag race enough with slicks on the car and have had absouloutely no problem with the half shafts dumping the clutch at 4500 to 5000 rpm, I woudl leave them alone unless you plan to be at the strip every week. T&D's will work fine no machineing neccesary I have them as well. Cats are your choice again not neccesary as your state inspector won't be able to see them anyway with the sidesills covering them up. If your not going to run the 70's I would skip the rockers. My car works well for me in the city with them. Yes the headers are expensive (skip the half shafts and the cats) but do yield some nice power on the mid to upper rpm range. Either way you do it you will be happy. Good luck.

 

[FE 065]

Don't forget a shift light, things will be happening REALLY fast with all those mods and you'll want a quick and e-z way to know when it's time to hit the next gear without taking your eyes off the road. I just bought the upper half of the turn signal/4 way flasher cover (behind the steering wheel) for less than $10 at the local dealer. Just a couple of screws hold the top and bottom halves together. A good place to put a shift light.. - FE065

 

[Russ M]

I think you plan is fine, but you should reconsider getting a set of nice headers.

From all the dyno pulls I have seen 2000+ Vipers really need them. On a typical 2000+ you can expect to make 20-30hp at the wheels from exhaust/headers. On the other hand just an exhaust with filters seems to give no gains at all.

 

[Gerald]

GONABITE,

Just curious, with your 3:45 gears and the Roe Supercharger.. does it make boosting in 1st impossible? I find it difficult with stock gears..


Gerald

 

[jimandela]

3. Roe HF oval Cats

i went with random tech substrate cats, suppost to be the best... but who knows...
just know the sidesills only get lukewarm.

good luck seems like a solid plan

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Sounds like a plan.

I would add headers to the plan before the roller rockers, if money is an issue.

I have stock rockers (for now) and the 70mm throttle bodies. I find the bigger throttle bodies are silky smooth in all kinds of traffic from being in stop & go heavy traffic to going real slow in a parade to everyday driving to frolicking to on-the-track.

I want to see by how much I pass emmission testing in March 2004 before I add 1.7 roller rockers.

 

[GTS Bruce]

Performance modsriving school,driving school,driving school,(improve the weakest link first),then improve braking,improve handling,add horsepower. Bruce

 

[Bandit400]

Thanks guys for the good info. A few questions:

Russ M, I thought it was the other way around for the headers and exhaust mod. The pre-2000 vipers gained much more from exhaust mods than the later years???


GONABITE, I am worried about dropping the CATs in NJ as their sniffer test is pretty strict. Probably stick with them. What is reason for some people saying T&D's need machining and having to remove the heads?


Now for headers, Belangers, or B&B? I was reading some of the posts regarding issues with 02 sensor readings when headers are installed. Specifically, some of the Roe SC posts were indicating issues with O2 issues causing fowling of the rear plugs? Also will the stock heat shields fit over the belanger and B&B?

So the consensus so far is that the 70mm throttle bodies have not caused drivability issues around town, surging etc.?

jimandela, do you have the metal substrate? I heard those are barely categorized as CATs as you can practically read through them. Again concern is sniffer test in NJ. Has anyone experience tough emission testing with these?

GTS Bruce, you are correct. Driving school is in the short term plan. My driving skills will have to be on par with the high HP output I expect.

Thanks.

Bandit400

 

[GONABITE]

Gerald,

I have kumhos which help tremendously, if I am rolling I can go full throttle and get very little wheel spin. With the Michelins the car is all over the place in 1st and 2nd.

 

[jimandela]

"Jimandela, do you have the metal substrate? I heard those are barely categorized as CATs
as you can practically read through them. Again concern is sniffer test in NJ. Has anyone
experience tough emission testing with these? "

Yes, i have them and yes you can see thru them... but they come with a document that states
50 state legal cats for emissions.
Also, being so open it creates a louder sounds and cooler sidesills.
here in NYS no sniffer so,not sure about passing but the company Randomtechs says they
will.
here is the thread to partsrack
http://secureprocessing.net/PartsRack/WebShop/store/detail.tmpl?sku=30006&category=Exhaust&cart=105633226186072

good luck
JIM

 

[Snakester]

I'm not sure if your car is an ACR FE from the pics, but if it's not then a set of smooth tubes and S&B/K&N filters are the first mod to do.

The next one would be the Roe oval high flow cats as they really cool down the side sill temps.
California has very strict emissions testing and mine easily passed with S&B/Roller rockers/HF cats and a Corsa cat-back exhaust.

I skipped the headers as well because of the high price vs. middling HP gains on post 2000 cars. But you might gain more with the blower.

I would also suggest a B&M Ripper shifter.
Also I like the EBC brake pads for less dust and squeal.
Personally I'm running reds in back and greens up front.

-Dean.

 

[Bandit400]

jimandela,

If you do not have a sniff test, why put the cats back on?

Snakester, it is a non-ACR. I have added the S&B and smooth tubes. Good cheap mod.

Thanks.

Bandit400

 

[pjb]

Now for headers, Belangers, or B&B? I was reading some of the posts regarding issues with 02 sensor readings when headers are installed. Specifically, some of the Roe SC posts were indicating issues with O2 issues causing fowling of the rear plugs? Also will the stock heat shields fit over the belanger and B&B?

i had the shop re-install the heat shields over my B&B 1 3/4 headers. they said it went back on rather easily

 

[GONABITE]

Bandit,

Go with the B&B's the 02 sensor reads all cylinders as the Belangers do not, they only read 3 out of the 5. T&d instructions are meant for soild lifter and cam application. Anyone who has put them on can attest that there is no machineing required. As for the NJ sniff test, you can combat that with a card for the VEC-2 that Sean can burn for you, although if you are still not comfortable you are really not losing that much power with them on.

 

[Bandit400]

GONABITE, Do the B&B come coated with a high temp coating or is it something I will have to do after I purchase them?