i just picked up and 03 cavalier, and im looking to get alittle more power out of it, with out spending much many. any got any ideas. i alrdy got a cold air intake
The 1st rule of modding cars is that power is not cheap. If your only able to set aside alittle money each week for the car, then save it for the better parts instead of cheapies.
With that said look into a header and have a exhaust shop bent you up some full exhaust. Another good move would be to invest into engine and tranny mounts. They will increase vibration, but will reduce the loss of power throught the drive train.
cat back exhaust would work.
Silly ricer, useless wings are for penguins.
alright sounds good, thanks
Quote:
cheap power
those terms are mutual exclusive
The search function automatically adds 22hp at the wheels...
Buildin' n' Boostin for 08' - Alex Richards
Matt&Marissa wrote:cat back exhaust would work.
True if you are not using a header. If you get a header and cat-back, the stock "mid-pipe" and cat will be a bottle neck and choke up the exhaust. Thus reducing the gain in power. The 02' T/A in my sig, that's my cuzins. Its only putting out 350 whp when it should be around 370 - 380 whp. The reason? Short tube headers, stock cats, and stock y-pipe. Its "choked-up" and reducing the overall gain.
Just because it bolts on doesnt mean it will increase power. You have to pick and choose mods that will support and compliment each other. If not then you'll just end up spending money and not really have anything to show for it.
The best thing to do when trying to make power on a low budget is to research. Its invaluable. It will save you hundreds that you would have spent on useless crap.
whiteboyz24 wrote:2 words:
hood scoop
This, plus Turbonator, plus weight reduction would make it FLY! j/k
But seriously, if you want big power at low cost, nitrous will give you the most HP/dollar. Like they said, header-back exhaust (same size piping all the way back). If you don't mind some vibrations, then motor mounts and tranny mounts. Depends on your definition of "cheap." As they said, "cheap" and "power" don't really go together in the same sentence.
nitrous is not most HP/dollar. unless you have an endless supply of N2O
A well designed air intake system w/a well designed hood scoop will net some gains, but they won't really pay-off until you get the engine to move more air through it first. After that, they will just be necessary.
Go beyond the "bolt-on".
What do you consider "Cheap"?
All of the serious mods listed are good ideas:
Header back exhaust, 2.25" or 2.5"
Engine Mounts
Transmission Mounts
I don't know if they (they probably do) make lightweight pulleys for the l61, those arent a bad choice.
Those are really the mods that I consider "Cheap". Anything else would be forced induction, headwork, tuning, etc... Those things get hairy with the wallet.
^RKsport makes a pulley and belt! i'd go w/ that, mounts, and a header!
WiGM-Tuners member.
