whats the cheapest way/mod to improve performace?

u571 · 06-05-02, 01:18

im just looking for the least expensive modification I can make to my car(any car in general, really) to improve any aspect of its performace really, whether it be accelleration, hp, handling, braking, etc. any help is appreciated.

-thanks

Jngrbrdman · 06-05-02, 06:58

The least expensive would be good gasoline.

I don't know that I would consider that a mod though. Probably an air intake would be next. Depending on what kind of car you have, that would probably be pretty cheap.

blkZ28Conv · 06-05-02, 07:16

Less restrictive air intake, Hi- flow exhaust system and computer (PCU) reprogramming or reprogramer. All less than $500 and can add 5-15 hp depending on car. Even with the addition of all three additional hp will not excess 15-20 max.
For improved handling the best bang-for-the-bucks change is upgrading to high performance tires.

DCopp · 06-05-02, 09:26

advance your timing...it is free and worth at least 7hp.

MarylandVW · 06-05-02, 10:01

Depending upon the car you drive, the biggest bang (and I mean bang) for your buck is a chip. A chip remaps your ECU, so that there is a significant HP increase, torque increase, and overall performance increase.

When I add a chip to my VW GTI 1.8T, the HP will go from 180bhp, to 220bhp. This is by simply adding a chip to my ECU. Not too shabby for just one mod. There are lots of other modifications that you can make, but the biggest bang comes from a chip. Most cars have chips available for the ECU's.

Best regards.

blkZ28Conv · 06-05-02, 10:38

Quote:

Originally posted by MarylandVW
Depending upon the car you drive, the biggest bang (and I mean bang) for your buck is a chip. A chip remaps your ECU, so that there is a significant HP increase, torque increase, and overall performance increase.

When I add a chip to my VW GTI 1.8T, the HP will go from 180bhp, to 220bhp. This is by simply adding a chip to my ECU. Not too shabby for just one mod. There are lots of other modifications that you can make, but the biggest bang comes from a chip. Most cars have chips available for the ECU's.

Best regards.

HeHeHe. Do you really believe that a chip will deliver 40 hp? No way will you see anywhere near that number with a stand alone chip replacement. If it sounds to good to be true....it isn't. Not a flame but a warning.

By the way I have some swamp land in western Florida available... prime investment for future development. Interested?

MarylandVW · 06-05-02, 11:06

No flame warning needed. Check out the sites for yourself. Since the engine is a turbo, the HP increase is a bit more dramatic. Hey, I was a bit skeptical at frist, but after reading posts from other VDubbers, I am looking at getting a chip for my car.

http://www.upsolute.com/

http://www.giacusa.com/

http://www.awe-tuning.com/

Let me know what you think. I know that there is a required gas octane increase, but I am pretty sure that the HP gains are in the 30hp to 40hp range.

Thanks for keeping me in line. Hope that this sheds some light on your query.

Jngrbrdman · 06-05-02, 11:09

If you want the most HP for your $$ then nitrous is the way to go. $300 or $400 bucks will get you more HP then you have right now probably. It is one mod that will wear out your engine waaaaaaaaaaaay fast but I don't think anyone can argue with me that it is the cheapest HP you can get. I don't know any other mod that can give you 100 HP for $300 bucks.

StyleTEG · 06-05-02, 11:09

Yeah, I beleave the chips change the boost which results in incredible gains.

For na engines, N2O is the best bang for the buck mod.

Jngrbrdman · 06-05-02, 11:20

...great minds think alike.

blkZ28Conv · 06-05-02, 11:36

MarylandVW,
I read the articles and they seem very convincing but I still do not see where a 20-25% increase is coming from. The only loop hole I detected was the comparison of crank hp verses rwhp. If one advertises the crank peak hp gains with chip (220 hp) verses the rwhp stock (180 hp), the gains seem unbelievable or fantastic depending on one's view. But if crank hp before and after chip are compared the numbers would be more plausible with improvement of the ECU tables by the chip (200-205 verses 220). Also as stated previously if the waste-gate of the turbo is electronically controlled this would also augment gains. If this is the case ...be careful... increased boost means increase engine stress = BOOM.
This has become a very interesting thread.

MarylandVW · 06-05-02, 12:29

There is a VW performance shop here in the Baltimore area (off of Rt. 40) called New German Performance. I gave the shop owner a call, and talked with him regarding the chip (APR specifically). There are different programs that require different octane fuels, but the increases are amazing.

The Stage I chip requires a 93 octane or higher. That gives about a 25 to 30 horse power increase.

The Stage II chip reqires a 98 octane fuel. This gives (approximately) a jump from 180 (stock) to 240.

The Stage III chip requires a 101 octane fuel (not sure where to get that). That mod requires a few other changes (not sure exactly what they were: manifold, cams?). The net result is a bit over 300hp.

Not too shabby from a 1.8T engine. Here is the link if you want to check it out. I almost choked when he started telling me about the Stage III chip.

http://www.ngpracing.com/

Best regards.