What's Safe for a stock motor?

[zeeboid]

Hey All, Forgive me, as I've searched the site, and haven't found a definitive guide to "ez and safe power." I have swapped the clutch in my Spirit R/T (that I purchased because they put in the wrong clutch and was messing with the CPS) and will get the tranny in tonight, and though I had intended to keep this thing stock, I can't help the temptation to purcahse a couple parts that are easially swappable for factory for some extra go-fast-fun.

I have been looking at FWD Performance's website, and I love how they include everything you need from them at a reasonable price (Injectors, ECU, MAP) and to bottom line it:

If I purchase the supporting parts (Injectors, ECU, MAP, Exhaust), what stage do you all reccommend if I would like to keep the engine otherwise stock? the 15, 16, 18, or 20 PSI flavor?

I am assuming the stock turbo won't do 20 PSI, nor would it be safe for the stock motor... but this is why I ask. there is no reason a daily driver can't have a little more power. (note, by Daily Driver, I do have spare autos, as I know the reliability of the Spirit R/T's isn't that hot)

[speeduphoria]

not sure what you have replaced yet but look into doing basics 1st, like plugs, fuel pump ect. Then get a better intercooler possibly

[zeeboid]

ah yes, In general I wanted to keep as much as the car stock as possible. I have a 2.4 turbo neon that is my frankenstein car.

I ask because the descriptions on many of the Re-programmed comptuers say "Great for use modified turbo III 2.2L cars, requires +40% injectors, 3 bar map sensor, and larger exhaust." so when i read that I see "Requires injectors, map, exhaust" as the modifications needed...

but then if I want to keep the stuff stock but add a few ponies, it sounds like a stage 1 calibration would be best eh? A fuel pump would not hurt. and other basics i'll have covered as a general tune up (which reminds me, I need to buy spark plug wires on my way home today.

[tryingbe]

If I were you, I'd test the compression to see how the engine is doing. Then stage 0, which is tune up, wires, plugs, oil, coolant, transmission oil, etc, making the car runs like it suppose to first. Then, buy fuel pump and wideband sensor.

After all that, and $$$, I would start looking into upgrades.

[lotashelbys]

^ All that + a new timing belt tensioned correctly,regreased timing tensioner and idler. I would also pull the VCs off and make sure your cams and rocker assemblies are in good condition and them you can think about the 3bar setup for the car

[DaPepster!]

Absolutely check out the current condition of the current hardware before you go adding performance mods it. The worst thing you can do is go real high up the performance mod list from the start and burn up the motor running it lean.

[DaPepster!]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryingbe If I were you, I'd test the compression to see how the engine is doing. Then stage 0, which is tune up, wires, plugs, oil, coolant, transmission oil, etc, making the car runs like it suppose to first. Then, buy fuel pump and wideband sensor. After all that, and $$$, I would start looking into upgrades.

Speaking of "Stage 0", does anybody have a copy of those performance pages Dempsey Bowling made a while back? When he sold his turbovan a few months ago, those pages disappeared... If not, I'll have to write up some this summer...

[glht_omni]

your not goig to find spark plug wires on your way home either, your options are custom, magnecore, taylor or aurora all which will run $40+ and need to be ordered.

if your not in a big hurry, i could sell you a fwd stg1 15 psi cal and the +20's injectors in a bout a month for a good price, i'll be going to a 3 bar cal and +40 injectors, you can run that no problem with your stock fuel pump, innercooler and exhaust.
you should be able to break the tires loose at the end of second without trying if everything else is tuned up and running right.