LQ-1 Upgrade Schedule (Need YOUR Input!)

[VerbotenZ34]

Hey guys,
Just got my tax return back, and now it?s time to start planning! I really value the board members input, as the members here are singularly the most knowledgeable about the LQ-1. So, I?d appreciate it if you guys could review my summer plans, and let me know if I?m on the right track!

I?ve got about $1400 to play around with, so here?s what I have planned so far. I?m in the Great White North, so everything will be in approximate Canadian dollars, as well.

Lots of stuff from FFP (prices from website and converted):
UD Pulleys - $119.50 CDN
Poly Dogbone - $92.94CDN
ECM/PCM Chip - $265.55CDN (Ben, I read in another post you do FFP?s chips; I?ll PM you about that)
Total: $477.99, so most likely $500+ after shipping and duties

In addition to these FFP products, there will be some other tidbits sourced from local companies (i.e. 160* T-Stat, Fenderwell intake/battery relocation, 13* retard I can all do myself etc) as well as a replacement exhaust from local suppliers. I have yet to phone around and estimate these costs, but I?m presently going to leave the remainder of my tax refund for these items.

For the replacement exhaust, I intend to have mandrel bent tubing (or equivalent production method) replacing the catalytic converter, leading into an open glasspack resonator, capped by Borla straight through mufflers. Quick question about the exhaust on LQ-1 vehicles: Is there a 02 or other sensor in the catalytic converter, and would eliminating it confuse the ECM and throw a code?

Additionally, I would like everyone?s input on which transmission modifications are worth their money. I?m familiar with ?shimmed? accumulator springs. I?ve also heard good things about the Trans-Go 4T60-E kit ? is it really better than shimmed springs or is it snake oil?

So after these bad boys are all accounted for, I think the performance side of my car will be accounted for (unless, that is, my transmission grenades itself ). It?s only a daily driver, so I?m not looking to clone Brian89?s setup. Let me know what you guys think ? positive or negative! If you think I'm being a stupid ricer, well, we never discussed cosmetics :P

Verboten

[xtremelumina92]

Borlas will be very loud!

[Lyle's GTP]

Park Muffler, in Sherwood Park does good work. 160 degree stat, is a little extreme for E-town, don't ya think? There was no post O2 sensor on LQ1's until '96, so pull the cat. There are no laws here saying you can't. All emission test here are volentary.

Lyle

[VerbotenZ34]

160 degree stat, is a little extreme for E-town

Ah, see that's what I mean about input. From what I understand 190* is stock, and "two steps" down is 160*, which alot of LQ-1 owners swear by. Of course, they are in warmer US climates so you're probably right Lyle. Do you think a 180*/170* would be even noticable (beneficial), though?

Borlas will be very loud!

That may be true, but I've heard flowmasters on LQ-1 vehicles (Monte Carlo Z34) and they don't have the sound I'm looking for. It's a little too 'wheezy', if that's an accurate description. Borla has some sound bites on their website, and they sound good on other 6-cylinder vehicles.

I'm going to pull the cat if there's no sensor then! I know it's an 'irresponsible' mod, but I rationalize it by telling myself I don't drive a turbo diesel :P
Great input, guys! Keep it coming!
Verboten

[4spdz34]

if u go to borla.com and look up 95 monte carlo it will give u a exhaust clip of there exhaust on a 3.4 car. i did the shimmed accumulators and i didn't really like it. and i had the transgo shift kit, all it does is fix problems with the trans, doesn't acctually make it shift harder. so i made my own. i can hook u up with a stall converter if u think u can put it in. u gotta pull the trans.

[SappySE107]

I think you meant 156, cause the chip can't possibly be 256 canadian at the current exchange rate.

I would go with a single exhaust, not a dual. Not easy to do with a the cut outs but the sounds is better IMO.

Stock stat is fine, and probably best overall. It will keep the car running cleaner, and the oil cleaner as well.

[dykz34]

Borla's are not loud at all. It all depends on what tips you get. Do you know what style you plan to get?

I would only get a 180* stat--who swears by the 160*?

Shimming the accumulators is worth the cost. $3 later and your tranny shifts harder--can't beat that. I wouldn't bother with the TransGo kit.

Be ready for the stink of a lifetime if you get rid of the cat....

[VerbotenZ34]

Do you know what style you plan to get?
I would only get a 180* stat--who swears by the 160*?

Maybe I only read 160* is optimal once and got it into my head it was the favored model.

In regards to exhaust, I'm actually changing my mind to Magnaflow. Their Stainless Steel mufflers look great and seem to be better quality than the Borla products (or at least their website is easier to navigate: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/ss.htm) I believe I remember seeing 2.5" being the optimal exhaust size in one of the multitudes of exhaust threads (please correct me if I'm wrong). Also, I'll need to measure my current mufflers in order to choose a Magnaflow that approximates their size.

I would go with a single exhaust, not a dual. Not easy to do with a the cut outs but the sounds is better IMO.

That's probably true, but a single outlet doesn't have the panache of a dual outlet

Shimming the accumulators is worth the cost. $3 later and your tranny shifts harder

Ok, so the Trans Go is snake oil for the money you spend. I'll hit up the accumulator shim thread that was popular just recently for that then.

Thanks for all them responses so far guys - keep the coming! For instance, any ass-dyno stories regarding the UD Pulley/FFP Chip/Shim mod combination?
Verboten

[Lyle's GTP]

How about Dynomax Super Turbo muffs, I heard they are good.

Lyle

[Cotton]

(quote)I'm going to pull the cat if there's no sensor then! I know it's an 'irresponsible' mod, but I rationalize it by telling myself I don't drive a turbo diesel
Great input, guys! Keep it coming! (quote)

actually, the diesel eng is very efficient and adds less polutants to the atmosphere than gas engines, thats why most states do not test diesel powered vehicles.

nitrous is allways a choice, taken in moderation, of course

[dykz34]

How about Dynomax Super Turbo muffs, I heard they are good.

Lyle

I've heard that they don't flow well.

[VerbotenZ34]

I've heard that they don't flow well.

I'm apprehensive about this brand - I hadn't heard of them before I did an extensive search this afternoon, whereas I've heard of Borla/Magnaflow. Its all about brand recognition!

Verboten

[SappySE107]

Borla sucks. Don't ever confuse quality with market recognition. I have a set of their headers here for a WRX (thanks chris, i owe you one....fucker). Shit, pure shit. welds are ass, transition from flange to pipe....ass. Fuck borla in the ass, overpriced shit is all it is. Looks nice and shiny...OOO!

Super turbos are probably ok, as 1. I like mine on the 3.1 till 1 blew out (my fault, not the mufflers). It was raspy as all hell though...but a 3.1 doesn't need fake duals, especially the same exhaust im running on the DOHC car now (2.5 mandrel).

[Anonymous]

I swear by the Magnaflow mufflers on a 3.4L. There are quiet, flow eccelently, and sound throaty.

I heard Shan'es 1995 Z34 with Borlas. It sounded good at idle, not as good as mine, but still good, but he didn't rev it for me so I really don't know.

As far as headers Ben, does the WRX have headers or header???

[SappySE107]

it a 180 degree engine, 2 heads...you tell me.