It's an automatic (no flames, it's my wife's and she can't drive stick). We use it to go skiing in the Colo. mountains and take summer trips in the mountains. Although it has the most hp in its class (it did in '01 anyway), it leaves much to be desired on uphill climbs. Turbo is not an option. The most annoying aspect is that b/c the car only has a 4-speed auto, it's constantly switching between 3rd and 4th. So, I'd love it if I could do a mod that would add enough power and/or torque so that when I'm in 4th and climbing, the car doesn't lose speed until it decides to downshift. Down**** occurs around 3k RPMs or 55 mph in 4th. So, what is the best mod to do to get more power in the 3,000 - 3,500 RPM range in 4th? CAI? Cat back? Both? Chip? What about easy ways to reduce weight w/o losing functionality?

Thanks in advance.

 

I'd get a lightweight (not underdrive) crank pulley. Perrin makes a nice one for ~$120, it reduces the inertial weight of the crank, seems to makes the engine work less hard, and has a similar effect as reducing the weight of the car. (more than the ~6lbs it actually does reduce) I've experienced only pros, no cons, on the one I have on my 2.2 automatic. I have a CAI, headers and catback also, which all helped a little, but if I could do it over, I'd get the pulley first.

 

drive your car in "3". i always drive mine in 3 unless i get out above 60 mph on a FLAT road. if there are hills or corners of any sort 3 is the way to go. and it makes your cornering ability so much better. better braking, accel out of the turn. yah drive it in 3.
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Lincoln C History

 

... I totally forgot... but the 3 on the 2.2 seems to lag a little too much. I like the 2 for max. traction on steep, sharp corners. But using those gears just makes me wish I had a manual even more.

 

oh yah first mod should be you: learn to drive the car before you modify it
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Miscarriage / still birth forums

 

I'm a novice mechanic (replaced a speedo cable, don't know my way around an engine too well). Also, costs are a concern. So, with that in mind, is the pulley still the best mod?

As for driver skill, thanks for the tip, very much appreciated.

I'm just looking for an economical way to get another 10hp out of the car so I don't have to drive in "3" all the way up Vail pass at 4,500 rpms, buring fuel at 10mpg. Thanks, though for your insight.

 

i did an experiment about the gas mileage thing. driving to school and back every day (23 miles each way) at 55-60 mph. for a year i drove in "D" and got around 24-25 mpg. there are some twisty sections and such, its not just highway driving. then for about a month i tried just leaving it in "3" even on the highway section. i got an average of 26 mpg. my theory ended being that even though you are revving higher, it takes less throttle input to keep the car going. think of it like a mountain bike, even try driving around in its highest gear all the time? its pretty hard to do. but put it in a midrange gear and its easy going. but you are turning the pedals more. so its a tradeoff. for me driving in 3 really worked. i only use D now if im going 70+. BTW: 60 mph in "3" is about 3500 rpm. not the 4500 as you proposed. take this into consideration, think about it, and try it out. see if you like it.
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FORD OF BRITAIN HISTORY

 

You can pick up a K&N drop in filter for around $40. That's good for maybe 5hp. A nice 2.25" cat-back exhaust(I have a greedy evo 2 IIRC, nice and quite) for around $350-600. Maybe another 5-10hp. The Lightweight Crank pulley, as was previously mentioned. There is also a full lightweight aluminium pulley set out there some where. Around $100-180. (that's should give you better response.)
There is not a chip yet as far as I can tell, but ther e should be soon. Bill at I-speed is working on a chip.
Those are all some good starting places.