I guess I'm just getting old. I dont think I can afford to be in the 12s. I don't mean money-wise. I mean in terms of time and legality. I think I need to just get used to the fact that those two downpipe cats need to stay on the car. I don't want to attract attention. I don't like spending time with the police. I don't have time to swap my car back to stock if I need to see a ref or go for a smog check. Yeah I know, only once every few years. But in smog check or two, I might have kids who need Daddy to go get more diapers. (Why can't they use a litter box like my cats which have such tiny brains? Go figure). I'm guessing that with your run of the mill smog shop, an upipe will go unnoticed... yah?

So. I've got an HKS catback, Perrin uppipe, Blitz DSBC-SpecR set to 16psi limit, Vishnu IC hoses.

Last time I went to the track I pulled 14.01 with just the catback and an MBC on a recently overboosted, CEL throw'n engine. So I am sure I'm easily in the 13s now. I'm guessing 13.8 on an avg run. Id like to be at about 13.5 at the slowest. I dont feel the need to be faster than 13.2. Don't ask me why... its just a number that I'm happy with. I went to Thunderhill with my current setup and I was more than satisfied with the power level. When you're passing Corvettes and SVT Cobras on the turns, who cares about the straights . So I don't need gobs more power.

At the crossroads, here's what I'm thinking. Reflash vs UTEC vs SomethingElse. I think as far as boltons go, I'm getting near the end. Like I said, I'm not changing the downpipe. So all I can think of is:

- a lightweight and/or underdrive pully (I dont have a sub or crazy stereo stuff),

- larger TMIC (easy to swap, getting good reviews from SCCA Solo guys),

- larger hood scoop (if this at all really helps)

And then the electronics. What to do?

- If I get an ECU flash, how about when I need to smog? What's the ramifications? If I were to get a second ECU I guess I could find a used one for, I dunno, $1000? But then we're talking at least a $1500 total for unit + programming.

- So I might as well get a UTEC in that case. Maps up the wazoo.

- What about the Vishnu Exede w/ "One Samco" map.

- GReddy eManage? (Has timing control, right?)

- Straight up AFC from HKS or A'PEXi (No timing control, right?)

- other ideas?

So a bolton or two or three and some management, and *that's it* for power tuning. Really. I'm guessing some decent combo therein will get me to low 13s? After that... its buhbye Tein springs and stock struts; hello coil overs Thank God there's not laws against that ... yet

jason

 

UTEC

emanage sucks, timing is based off of a %age of stock timing, utec timing is independant....

did i mention get the UTEC???

if not, get the utec !!!