How to ruin you car's performance (and spend $ 4,000 in a process)

[Igor]

Dear fellow lx owners,

Week ago I have received long awaited package of performance parts from US, installed them, and have totally ruined my car’s performance (5.7 300c).

I did not take her to the dyno yet (I must prepare myself for yet another disappointment) but here are the performance figures:

0-60
before: 5.51 (each and every run was in 5.5 something), now: 5.94 (best from more than 20 runs) - average 6.10.

¼ mile
Before: 14.42 @ 100mph, now 13.92. @ 102mph

As you can see I have significantly increased 0-60 time, and slightly improved ¼ mile. The car feels heavy, shifts slowly, has extremely rough idle. The engine even shuts down in idle occasionally.

Here are my setups:

Previous: DUB CAI, Zoomers cat-back, Flashpaq – 91 octane custom settings (reduced torque management, raised shift point, hold gear).

New: Airhammer, Jet TBI Spacer, JBA shorties, HHP sport cats, Zoomers cat-back, Pro Torque performance converter (2,800 stall speed), Flashpaq – with same 91 octane custom settings.

I have spent more than $ 4,000 (shipping, customs, duties, installation) to get a slower, heavier, and unresponsive car. Even the sound did not change at all, except for whistling of the Jet TBI.

I have every reason to believe that the install was done professionally (300c mechanic). I do not have check engine lights or any warnings.

I have reset the computer several times (disconnected the battery, pulled out fuse 11, returned Flashpaq to stock, programmed again, drove like crazy…). I still use the same 20’’ rims and tires.

I have spent months on the internet searching for those parts, purchasing them, waiting and now I feel like an idiot .

Ideas anyone?

Pls help, I’m desperate.

[Michaelr]

These cars have computers that ensure all the components work together efficiently to give to a combination of the best performance, fuel efficiency, and general smooth driving. In the old days you didn't have this and you just bolted on bits and pieces and in most instances it worked. It is very complex now and you have risk that your car will even run as good as it did previously.
I really question the value of spending much money on modding the engine. If you really want to go fast then maybe spend all your disposable income on buying an SRT.
regards Michaelr
ps there will always be someone faster no matter what you get.

[PappaD]

Should have just sprayed it for about a grand installed! Just My .02

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

here is my take on some of this:

First TB Spacers have shown to be useless on our cars. IMO I would remove
it.

Second, do you have a DCX dealer nearby with a StarScan? if so have them RESET your ECU (it's a little more than just pulling Fuse 11) Make sure you put the flashpaq back to Stock first.

Next:

Intake and Exhaust will make the car breath better, but if you are looking for major gains you need a lot more:

Cam, Heads, ETC.

If you want cheap gains go with NOS (spray) for about $1000.

Intake and Exhaust really don't show a whole lot of performance gains any more, there is a whole lot of other things to consider with these computer control rolling robots.

JMHO though.... Good Luck...

[The Gunslinger]

Yeah, that manifold spacer is a bad idea, the vortex it creates to mix the air and fuel places severe restriction on your air intake, which essentially neuters any gains that AirHammer might have provided.

[Midnightsun300c]

Igor...The throttle body spacer won't hurt your times so you might as well leave it in. The JBA shorties should help a little, maybe 10 hp (.1" in 1/4). I am not familiar with the HHP sports cats but high flow cats could be good for another 5-10 hp (.1 in 1/4). The Airhammer is reported to be good for about 15 hp (.15). The new stall/torque converter should be good for a couple tenths in you 60' times and maybe 4 tenths in your 1/4 mile times. I would have guessed that your new 1/4 would have been about 13.7?

Your new 1/4 mile time of 13.9" is not real bad for the installed mods but there is something definitely wrong with your 0-60 times! Of all the mods that you have done the mod that should have the most effect on the 0-60 times is your stall/torque converter. Are you power braking on launch? Maybe a new launch technique to take advantage of you new stall/torque converter could solve your problems.

In summary, it doesn't appear that all is lost yet. You seem to have made some good purchases so far.

[C4PC]

Originally Posted by Igor

Dear fellow lx owners,

Week ago I have received long awaited package of performance parts from US, installed them, and have totally ruined my car’s performance (5.7 300c).

I did not take her to the dyno yet (I must prepare myself for yet another disappointment) but here are the performance figures:

0-60
before: 5.51 (each and every run was in 5.5 something), now: 5.94 (best from more than 20 runs) - average 6.10.

¼ mile
Before: 14.42 @ 100mph, now 13.92. @ 102mph

As you can see I have significantly increased 0-60 time, and slightly improved ¼ mile. The car feels heavy, shifts slowly, has extremely rough idle. The engine even shuts down in idle occasionally.

Here are my setups:

Previous: DUB CAI, Zoomers cat-back, Flashpaq – 91 octane custom settings (reduced torque management, raised shift point, hold gear).

New: Airhammer, Jet TBI Spacer, JBA shorties, HHP sport cats, Zoomers cat-back, Pro Torque performance converter (2,800 stall speed), Flashpaq – with same 91 octane custom settings.

I have spent more than $ 4,000 (shipping, customs, duties, installation) to get a slower, heavier, and unresponsive car. Even the sound did not change at all, except for whistling of the Jet TBI.

I have every reason to believe that the install was done professionally (300c mechanic). I do not have check engine lights or any warnings.

I have reset the computer several times (disconnected the battery, pulled out fuse 11, returned Flashpaq to stock, programmed again, drove like crazy…). I still use the same 20’’ rims and tires.

I have spent months on the internet searching for those parts, purchasing them, waiting and now I feel like an idiot .

Ideas anyone?

Pls help, I’m desperate.

I don't know about you guys but I see a big improvement in 1/4 mile, and that's what counts

Maybe you have more wheel spin on your 0-60 times?

[Igor]

Originally Posted by Midnightsun300c

Your new 1/4 mile time of 13.9" is not real bad for the installed mods but there is something definitely wrong with your 0-60 times! Of all the mods that you have done the mod that should have the most effect on the 0-60 times is your stall/torque converter. Are you power braking on launch? Maybe a new launch technique to take advantage of you new stall/torque converter could solve your problems.

Midnightsun, I think you might be on something here.

When I launch with this new setup, the car starts slowly, but then picks up furiously. The most of time is lost in the first several yards. I have seen power braking on some videos, but don't know how to do it right with 2,800 stall converter. Should I rev the motor to 2,800 or more or less?

Thank you for helping me out, I really appreciate it.

MrIncredible,

I’ll definitely go and have my ECU reset. My car is an early build (2004) so I guess that bios is a lot more advanced now. I believe this could help with transmission issues.

If i solve this problem, I will definitively go with a new Camshaft. If not, I won't be doing any more performance mods.

Thank you, for your thoughts and support

Also, thanks to all the other guys, I’m still listening.

[Igor]

Originally Posted by The Gunslinger

Yeah, that manifold spacer is a bad idea, the vortex it creates to mix the air and fuel places severe restriction on your air intake, which essentially neuters any gains that AirHammer might have provided.

I consulted Scott (aka: Rev.Hammer) concerning TBI, and he didn't object to its installation with Airhammer. However, it affects the sound in a way I don’t like, so I’ll most probably uninstall it.

Thanks

[Igor]

Originally Posted by C4PC

I don't know about you guys but I see a big improvement in 1/4 mile, and that's what counts

Maybe you have more wheel spin on your 0-60 times?

No, not much wheel spin (I have 275/40/20 Pirellis at the back), I think Midnightsun might have a point. Maybe I just need to learn how to launch with stall converter.

And as for 1/4 mile, it is important, but in Europe its more about 0-60 (or should I say 0-100 km/h)