Simple upgrades

[contraption22]

The more i talk with people about how active this computer is on my SRT-4, the more questions i have.

Now, i am in no way ready to upgrade anything on my car yet, but i would like to get a discussion going.

Apparently, if you want to up the boost on these cars, there are different methods from what us old school 2.2/2.5 guys are used to.

1. A "Spring Mod". I assume is adding an extension spring to the wastegate actuator to hold more tension on it.

2. An aftermarket adjustable wastegate actuator. Sometimes accompanied by a bleed.

3. Some type of boost controller sometimes in conjuntion with the above mods.

But.. im reading that these computers learn to pull back the boost, to bring the engine back to its torque target. And you will end up about where you started. If you use a boost controller and take the computer out of the loop, then the timing will be pulled back to again bring the engine back to its torque target.

Am i right? and if so, whats the best way to do it?

[GLHS837]

Mike,

Which "best" do you want? The most power per dollar?

Or the safer, more engineered, more expensive, slightly better warranty wise mods.

I will be the first one to say you will go faster with a combination of either a spring mod or adjustable WGA (wastegate adapter) with a boost controller. Getting it set right without throwing codes can be a pain, but is doable.

Me, I paid my $350 for Stage 1 and $350 for the Mopar 2.5 inch.

I would say try to find local ones set up both ways and see. If you need a hand with that, I might be able to work it through the forums as a middleman.

[tarkus1]

Get and exhaust and wait for stage 2 and or 3. No guessing if it will work. There are a few turbo kits but they are incomplete. I don't want to have to buy parts from different companies and have to make it work where the MP stuff will be a complete kit bolt right in and I am done. My .02

[GLHS837]

I'm with you on this Tarkus, if I was just now getting my car, Stage 2 and the Mopar exhaust or maybe a good 3 inch turbo back (noise levels depending) would be the deal. Basically plug and play, 265 whp 93 octane, up to 280whp with race gas. As soon as Stage 2 is relaesed, I will be one of the first ones to order.

In fact, I quit smoking in the last week of November to afford it

[contraption22]

I would defintitly rather have the better engineered way of doing it.

Is the stage 1 computer a worthy upgrade for the 04's? Anybody know the price of a Stage 1 for an '04. I asumme it should be a bit cheaper than the 03 systems because i would not have to purchase injectors?

[BuRn__]

Quote:

Originally posted by GLHS837 In fact, I quit smoking in the last week of November to afford it

talk about commitment to modding..

[tarkus1]

I was going to use the quit smoking thing too to help to put towards the monthly payment. The car showed up a week early and I didn't my finance stuff ready. So I just paid cash for it and now I can keep smoking"thumbs up .
Stage 1 is actually a little more for the 04.
If you plan on going with Stage 2 or 3, the Stage 1 PCM gets replaced and your money is gone, it will not work with the other stages.

[GLHS837]

I was smoking a carton a week, about $25. Figured about $1200 a year. shockingly, the best estimate for S2 is around there. Retail of course, your price could vary through vendors.

Stage 1 can be resold. There are two different methods that have been used to make it work. I'll bring those details over if anyone needs them.

Some quotes from 04 owners who have done Stage 1.

"I installed the Mopar Stage 1 PCM on Tuesday night so I've had a couple days to feel the difference now. I gotta say it's pretty cool guys. The car gets off the line so much harder now. It also pulls hard from about 2k RPMs rather than 3k RPMs now. Partial throttle driving is much better now too. It's really hard not to drive the car fast. The car wants to go all the time now! Money well spent despite what the critics might say."

"The car feels better i think. It's overall a faster car but no HUGE differences in power. It does feel stronger thoughout the rpm range though. Boost response is awesome now....especially when downshifing. For example i was doing around 65 and i went from 5th to 3rd and slammed the gas and it was like the car knew i was wanting to haul ass and BAM..max boost. That felt really good."

And a thread for a posted dyno sheet for an 04 Stage 1 car. As some folks mention, look at the area under the curve.

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/show...ighlight=stage

[Turbolag87]

this is what i did to my 04. I bought a AGP wga and installed it, now since im running a 04 stage O pcm i would get the CELL. After talking to some guys on teh forum they have recommended me to plug up the RED vacuum line from the solenoid ( the one taht goes from the TB to the TIP) and now i get no CELL's. Since my last dyno pull ( stock @14psi) i have added the borla catback, WGA and soon to be a MBC. I can definatly feel the difference now with the exhaust and WGA. Now the car pulls SO FREAKIN HARD at 14psi to redline. Clutch now slips in VERY cold conditions, but not when teh weather is warm ( im thinking a hydraulic problem under severe cold weather). Once the weather warms up, im going to set the boost to 16psi to redline and see how it is.


Danny

[Andre Parker]

I personally like the Mopar performance stuff. I have an 04 and am waiting like everyone else for the stage 2 to come out. I don't know how much of an improvement the stage 1 would be on an 04. And since I am waiting for stage 2, it would be pointless to spend over $300 for a few months until stage 2 comes out. There are aftermarket items out there and I am sure they are very good products. some of the vendors out there have really put alot of time and R&D into it. I happen to like to buy mopar stuff. The mopar Exhaust would be a great upgrade if you too are waiting for the stage 2. Just my 02

[GLHS837]

The basic rule of thumb right now is that if you don't plan on going past 300 whp, then the Mopar exhaust is good, past that, 3 inch is recommended. There is one vendor won in GA, he makes a 3 inch O2 housing replacement, also a 3 inch downpipe that necks down to 2.5 to mate up with the Mopar.

maxxfab.com

[contraption22]

How about things like a high flow intake system? I work at a speed shop, so i get good deals on both AEM and K&N. Are either worth anything? Or is the puter just going to dial the boost so the torque output is the same?

[crazymadbastard]

Quote:

Originally posted by Turbolag87 Clutch now slips in VERY cold conditions, but not when teh weather is warm ( im thinking a hydraulic problem under severe cold weather). Once the weather warms up, im going to set the boost to 16psi to redline and see how it is. Danny

I think it slips because of the extra power you're making when it is very cold out. I wish I had your "problem":big grin:

[tarkus1]

If you buy the stage 1 and a wastegate actuator your at about 500.00 give or take. Your already almost at 1/2 the rumored price of stage 2 price of 1200.00. And it includes both of these.
If you plan on Stage 3, stay away from the 3' O2 housings. The bold pattern on the Stage 3 turbo is different, so thats another 150.00 wasted.
K&N makes a CAI. Just installed it last weekend.

[contraption22]

Quote:

Originally posted by tarkus1 K&N makes a CAI. Just installed it last weekend.

Looks nifty, but does it make a difference?