Monday, March 30, 2009 - 06:31 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Start with the basics, compression test to see if its worth spending money on, then new plugs, coil packs, ignition leads etc will all need replacing if they havent been done already. Then BFI with new OEM filter, then start thinking about spending some money. Catback exhaust is probably the easiest place to start, then extractors. After that you start to get into the serious money.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 08:20 pm, by: Mike Dobkin(Razman)
Surely the biggest and easiest power gain is by installing a boost controller. 14psi on standard turbos give a huge increase for very little cost. Adding a BFI (almost no cost) and a decent exhaust will certainly help too. After that possibly an aftermarket ecu, hybrid turbos @ 20psi, then cams... by then you will be in the region of 450bhp. How much more do you need for a road car?
Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 11:16 am, by: James Johnson(Jimbo)
Brent, Greenlane, is that as in Auckland NZ or Australia? I have a uzz31 that was stock when I brought it. Since then I have put a cat-back exhaust on and dropped a torsen LSD in. Those mod's alone have improved the performance alot. I would like to do a BFI and put some extractors in (hopefully buy the parts in Aus when I go over there in 2 months time). The LSD did cost me $800 but that was because my open diff spat the dummy and I bit the bullet and forked over the cash instead of putting in another open diff. The exhaust cost me nothing because it was a xmas present but it is valued at around $400-$600 because it is a custom job. What you have to also take into account is the "wow factor" for the price. Over all I would say that every cent was worth it in both power gains and the "wow factor". When the novelty of each upgrade wears off, I can then afford another upgrade and I only earn $30k a year with other expenses. If you are in NZ I would be keen to catch up and have a chin wag if you are.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 07:37 pm, by: Matt Petersen(Mattmannz)
I have done a BFI, complete dual 2.25 catless exhaust, Supra TT sways, Supra 4 pot brakes and Supra Torsen 4.08 LSD. They all made a noticable difference.
I got lucky and got my diff for $650 shipped over a year ago and got a pretty good price on the 4 pot brakes and the bars.
I have most parts now for a remote shift R154 manual conversion and an M90 supercharger setup. These two mods are not cheap at all.
I think you should do bushes, engine and gearbox mounts, and springs and shocks before progressing any further. Get all the basics right so you enjoy the car and it runs properly.
After that look at your budget and see what you can do. $800 for diff, $1000 for exhaust, $1000 for fitted headers, $850 for front brakes. Around $1500 or so for a reprogrammed ECU like a Mines or Harry Lemmen setup.
Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 08:18 am, by: Brent Matthews(Stix)
Wow guys thanks for the feed back.
James Johnson - yeah man Greenlane Auckland New Zealand keen as to have a chin wag.
Budget is modest most mods wont happen until end of the year but I got a mate with a R154, diff and pedal box sitting there for me.
Was thinking about that first - also he has supra brakes around somewhere.
I have just order new front air suspension for my car - Dont hit me or swear. It was only $450 a corner for new stuff and at the moment Bilstien adjustables were about 5k fitted .
Supercharging --- I might look at TT in far far distant future
As for the ECU I am real keen to have a look at this option but was worried about the Aircon control speedo and stero as I heard they are all linked in some way in the UZZ31.
Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 09:27 am, by: Joe Russell(Joe_r)
I found the little things made a crazy difference to mine Brent, tighten throttle cable and line pressure cable(faster, clunkier shifts), BFI, rear mufflers replaced with straight pipe, ecu reset. I've recently done a $0.50 mod to the AFM which I hope will result in a little better timing.
As for your aircon etc, they are linked to a point, yet all run independently. I have no emv and my aircon is great, I just have very little control over where it goes, so need an aircon unit.
Experiment! After I move up to Ohakea it will be good to meet you, could organise a meet with everyone perhaps.
Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 07:44 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
Scott, LSD was a factory option for the V8s. The option box was less often ticked by those buyers but it exists. I have one, for example, and know of many others who do. It is recorded on the build plate.
Brent, manual conversion does nothing for power, only for how the car feels and drives (plus the advantage of an extra gear). On a value for money basis, do BFI, exhaust, piggyback or replacement ECU, extractors, supercharger in that order then spend any other money you like on other features.
Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 05:21 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
No, it seems not.
I think the record is on the PlanetSoarer site of tests before and after installation of manual transmission, with no power gain. A manual will go faster in gears because it has five gears rather than four and even it top the gross drive ratio is lower (more RPM per Km). It also feels faster owing to faster response from the steel connection rather than slush connection.
Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 07:10 am, by: Brent Matthews(Stix)
I have heard people talking about the manual conversion and the extra power gained.
Its obvisouly not @ the engine KW its all @ the wheels which is what counts. Some were suggesting 10 RWKW which is huge and the driving experience is way better.
Not to mention burnouts and if you at a supercharger how FUN!