Thread: What should I do next?

Ok well I have gotten most of what I planned finished or at least ordered for my car. Now I'm undecided on what to do as the next step on my build. I know a turbo upgrade would give me the biggest upgrade in 1/4 mile. But thats going to cost a lot more than any of the other upgrades on my list. So I think I want to push that back til some other things are finished. My last trip to the track I ran a 13.979 at 99.76mph with a 2.2 60ft. That was my first run of the night and i killed the clutch on the second. That run was also on 195/60/15 tires. Since then I have upgraded the clutch and went to the g35 wheels with a 235/50/17 on the rear. Car will be tuned before next trip to the track so that along with the wider rear tires I should be able to get low 13s. Car has full interior and is daily driven also.



Here is a list of my current mods

Stock rebuilt SR20DET with about 15k miles on it now
Balanced rotating assembly
ARP head studs
Rocker arm stoppers. considering removing these
CX Racing FMIC
Manual boost controller @ 14psi
3" downpipe and exhaust. Has 2 mufflers though so its still a little restrictive. Probably going to be removing one or both of them in the next week or so when I tune the car.
Walbro 255 lph pump
ACT Streetlite flywheel
6 puck sprung clutch and heavy duty pressure plate from Tennessee Clutch
Battery relocated to hatch
J30 VLSD with SPL solid bushings
Emusa coilovers. they were on the car when I bought it, going to be going to something better at a later date. Not a big issue to me currently
Contano 5 lug hubs
J30 Front brakes
17x7.5 front 17x8 rear G35 wheels
Innovate LC2 wideband
Nismotronic is in the mail and will be installed and tuned shortly.

Focus on setting up Nismotronic. Install the Map conversion and get the car retuned, IMO. Also if you have the time and money install the electronic boost solenoid for boost by gear. Boost by gear will be your best friend now and when you get a bigger turbo. Being able to control the boost through the rpm range and gears will allow for maximum amount of traction that the ECU can provide.

Thats something I forgot to add to the list. I would like to get the map conversion and ebc. I already get no traction in first and it will spin in second some. So less boost in 1st and on the initial shift into second would make the car faster on the track. Also I'm going to get a clutch switch so I can set up the full throttle shifting to. What is the benefit of going map? Other than my atmosphere vent BOV not affecting the car between shifts lol.

@Boosted_S13 I like the MAP system for the simplicity. Overall though, calculating density based on pressure and temp is, IMO, much more effective than a heated wire. With this, it comes down to preference and experience. I say give it a shot. Also, in the case of a popped intercooler coupler or severe boost leak, you can still drive the car home where as a maf will leave you stranded. Also the cost of a GM MAP sensor alone vs a used z32 maf is a good incentive. Also, I just realized I overlooked your poll. S4 cams, s4 cams, s4 cams. I cannot recommend them enough.

Also...

+1 on getting familiar with Nismotronic.

You can do no-throttle-lift-shifts if you have a functioning clutch switch. That alone should help you shave down on your quarter mile time.

You can also run anti-lag, if you run a bigger turbo and want it to spool up quicker off the line.

MAP conversion and EBC setup is the best thing i've done to my car!

I'm planning to utilize the full throttle shift. But that's gonna wait until after my top end upgrade. I don't want it hitting any Rev limiter til it's all upgraded and the dual guide mod is done. The launch control is gonna have to wait until I get a z33 Trans, q45 diff, stronger axles, and slicks. It would just spin with my current tires

That's a big thing I didn't think about if something came lose. That alone is a good enough reason for me

i think to properly answer this question youd have to ask yourself what kind car are you looking to have? straight drag? mostly street? who else is gonna drive it? you mentioned goin to the strip, how often do you go? so far your car sounds like a very fun zippy daily driver.

of course you should tune tune tune first but after that weigh your options. Cams are a good choice as they are still very drivable but personnally i wouldnt go the extra mile with the springs and retainers and gears unless i was planning to crack over 8k on a regular basis

driveshaft is good no matter what as it removes rotational mass and forces you to check out your seals and bearings when your down there as apreventative maintence and would require no retuning.

turbo upgrade is of course gonna yeild the most power... but its the most work and cash and personnally i like to take baby steps and get the supporting mods before i take the big step like a bigger fuel pump and a metal headgasket to handle more boost.

long story short, s4s only or driveshaft.

my 2c

dan

Car is mostly a fun daily driver, but I do not baby my car it sees full boost on a regular basis to and from work on curvy backroads. It will be at the strip atleast once a month over the summer hopefully more. Will also make a few trips to the mountains and possibly make a Road Atlanta trackday this year. Nobody else but me will be driving it.

My reason for wanting the springs and retainers are because I will eventually be using the 2 step launch control and full throttle shifting features. So the car will be on a rev limiter while racing and I thought it would be safer with those upgraded. Plus its only $250 for springs and retainers so why not do it while I got the cams out.

Also I know what all is going on under the car as far as seals and bearings. I put the diff and clutch in a few months back. Also did the new hubs and brakes about a week ago. Already has a walbro pump, stock head gasket with about 15k miles and ARP head studs. Nismotronic board will be here this week, going to solder that in and get going with the tuning and learning the software.

Doing the work ins't a issue for me as I can have most of the mods finished within a day so its more of a money thing thats slowing me down.

Also on the driveshaft, I'm still undecided whether or not I will be going with a Z33 trans swap or not. I need to make my mind up. Everyday my power goals for this car go up smh, I gotta stop reading on forums. I have went from just wanting a S15 turbo, to a GT3076, to now which is as much hp as possible and still be a reliable daily.

LOL well it seems pretty clear to me that s4s and atleast springs and retainers are a good choice for you as you will definitely take full advantage of them up top in the rpm. and drive shaft is out of the question till u decide on the tranny i guess so the only other thing i can suggest like i said are supporting mods like maybe a engine oil cooler with a thermostat if your gonna be ripping on it that high of a rpm all the time itd be good to keep the oil a little cooler for the bearings. Also maybe a water/meth kit? both of those will never get old and will help you run more hp safely.