More HP.

[henry]

I understand the 2L FI engine comes with 100hp.\

I had to reface the cylinders and add bigger pistons, and I also change the air filter for a K&N one.

How many HP more can I expect from this two modifications and what else can I do without more $$$$$?

Thank You.

[mbouse]

the saying is: speed costs money. how much money do you have?

what have you done to the exhaust to increase the breathability?

[manoa matt]

Cheap and performance are not usually used in the same sentence. However the cheapest thing to make the car faster is to loose weight. Loose the front and rear big tube bumpers. FI cars should have a 4-2-1 exhaust, so a free flowing catylitic converter or a straight pipe and free flowing muffler would help.

[mbouse]

dumping the big tube bumpers will getcha over 100# weight reduction (just did that).

performance gains from a test pipe or changing to a free flow cat and a performance muffler will getcha MINIMAL gains by themselves.

[narfire]

I was wanting the same thing. I think its like two-foot-itis with a boat. I have a FI 2l and asked a bunch of questions over the past several months here and at several shops I've delt with. Most have said shaving the flywheel helps with the acceleration. Mine goes well but I did not have a stock flywheel to compare to. I have recently put a set of Ansa headers on and removed the cat. The midrange seems to have a bit mor zip,but I never expect to have head snapping acceleration with this car anyway. I've put together a 1800 head with new valves and some cleaning up of the ports. That will go on a block with HC pistons and balanced crank,flywheel ect.
If you wanted to keep it reasonable($$),shave the flywheel,no more hp, but less mass for the engine to spool up,set of headers or make sure you have the 4-2-1 manifold.Good plugs and timing. After that... turn your wallet upside down and see what comes out.
Have fun
Chris

[mbouse]

Chris, question.

i'll grant you less taken to get the flywheel up to speed, but for cruisin' the two lane highways, isn't there something to be said for the stored up inertia in that spinning fly wheel? and if you lighten the flywheel, isn't there less mass to store that inertia? meaning, that every gear change you gotta spend energy restoring that inertial lost..more than if you had the heavier flywheel.

not a loaded question, i sincerely desire to know.

[ventura ace]

Chris, question.

i'll grant you less taken to get the flywheel up to speed, but for cruisin' the two lane highways, isn't there something to be said for the stored up inertia in that spinning fly wheel? and if you lighten the flywheel, isn't there less mass to store that inertia? meaning, that every gear change you gotta spend energy restoring that inertial lost..more than if you had the heavier flywheel.

not a loaded question, i sincerely desire to know.

Each time you shift, you let the engine rpm fall off before letting the clutch out for the next gear. When the engine rpms fall off, the kinetic energy of the flywheel is reduced (it's not stored anywhere). Then, when you accelerate with the next gear, you have to add energy to get the flywheel back up to speed again, and it takes more energy to accelerate with the heavier flywheel, so you are better off with a lightened flywheel. The heavier flywheel does help smooth out the power surges as each piston chamber is ignited -- I guess that's the main purpose for a flywheel.

A

[kilrwail]

I have both a very lightened flywheel and an aluminum clutch in my Porsche and I can tell you, no energy is lost putting stored inertial energy back into the flywheel - it all goes directly to the wheels. Rev's drop off very quickly during gear changes, so you have to pay attention and keep the rev's up in order to shift smoothly, either up or down. But the response is immediate - and very satisfying.

[narfire]

As I mentioned I did not have a stock flywheel in this car to compare to really get a personal comparison, however I do like it and while at say at 40 mph in 5th gear I just add gas and I'm doing 60mph without having to down shift. There does not seem to be any labour in the engine. I took off I believe about 4-5 pounds. I saw a website,I think from a link from Denise's thred, where a flywheel that was drilled lightened and all sorts of racing type stuff that weighed about 10 pounds. I have a friend nearby that has a stock 79,I should take that for a boot.
After reading Henry's original question ,he was asking about easier mods anyway. Flywheel work might be a bit of a stretch,unless the clutch has to come out.

[henry]

Thank you all, I've learned a lot with this post.

I have a 4:2:1 with a free flow cat and a special "turbo muffler"

But I still want to know about my first post, Can I expect more HP by refacing cylinders, bigger diameter pistons, the new exhaust system and air filter? 10hp maybe?

[kilrwail]

Larger pistons = larger bore = larger displacement = more horsepower. How much depends on the increased bore. In my "other car" we increased the bore from 95 to 98 mm (3.0 L to 3.2 L) and got about 10-12% more HP. This also included an increase in compression ratio from 8.5:1 to 9.5:1 and re-profiled camshafts. A really free-flowing exhaust (i.e. quite loud) is worth another 10% in that car. Improving air flow into the engine should help too. Your results may vary.

[swede]

Thank you all, I've learned a lot with this post.

I have a 4:2:1 with a free flow cat and a special "turbo muffler"

But I still want to know about my first post, Can I expect more HP by refacing cylinders, bigger diameter pistons, the new exhaust system and air filter? 10hp maybe?

Will a European motor pass the American smog inspection
You might be able to find an original 118hp motor that you can use for a good price, I just bout one 1800cc last fall to my car for only $100.

[speedracer]

Will a European motor pass the American smog inspection

You might be able to find an original 118hp motor that you can use for a good price, I just bout one 1800cc last fall to my car for only $100.

For most of us here in America, we don't have to worry about our spiders passing a smog inspection. Some states, like California however are pretty strict.

But that brings up a good point. Taking off all of the pollution gear and cat will help add abit of HP through better breathing and it costs nothing. Have you done that Henry?

[henry]

No I can't remove the cat, It won't pass inspection......Well actually I can and put it back before next inspection, next year.

[mbouse]

No I can't remove the cat, It won't pass inspection......Well actually I can and put it back before next inspection, next year.

O.K. time for another 'dumb' question.. will a modern catalytic converter decrease from performance?

yeah, i know that an aged, plugged cat will rob h.p., but what about a new technology cat?