1998 200SX Se-r mods help...

[1mean16vSe-r]

i have a sr20de motor in my '98 200SX, the only mods i have on it are a cold air intake, and i need opinions on what would be the best upgrades for my car. (exhast, transmission, turbo... Ect) I know the topic is a bit broad but i am new to the tunner world.

[Dittoz7]

Suspension?

[1mean16vSe-r]

I have no idea to be honest, its all stock at ths point, thats all i know about my suspension.

[nametakennow]

What do you want out of the car? "Best upgrades" is a phrase that's hard to help out with since it's all subjective.

Anyway, post your goals for the car (auto-x, fun on back roads, drag, etc - and please don't say all of the above) and we can help you figure out what areas you can work on.

[1mean16vSe-r]

I am trying to get top acceleration out of my car, it doesn't have to top out at 300mph or nothing, im just looking for a good quater mile in a street race.

[nametakennow]

First off, don't street race.

Second, what's your budget? You can get into the 13s fairly easily, the 12s cost a bit more, and beyond that you're going to have significant traction issues and a whole bunch of turbo lag.

[1mean16vSe-r]

i am working part time at a store right now so my cash flow isn't what it used to be to say the least, so i dont have a big budget because im a student also. so im not looking for the best of the best, but somewhere in the middle.Srry if thats really broad

i was looking at some proformace chips, but i am not sure if i should do other things to my 200SX before i put chips in it, would u agrree? or would a chip be a good idea just bone stock, with the execption of CAI?

[nametakennow]

No point in a modified chip or piggyback computer right now.

By the way, the Proformance "chip" (i.e. intake temp resistor mod) is total BS. It'll just make your car run rich and lose power. The only chips out there for your car are JWT's retuned OEM ECU and the Calum custom daughterboard setup, which I'm not even sure he's still doing. Google that "Calum daughterboard" for more info, though you only need any of these if you do some serious mods. Even with cams, you don't stand to gain much more than 5-10hp with a retuned ECU.

I'm not certain what "somewhere in the middle" means, but basically (and I mean VERY basically) here are your options:

Bolt ons - I/H/E = ~$1000 if you do all brand name stuff, closer to 5-600 if you are willing to do some hunting and/or piece together some bits.

Bolt ons + pulleys + cams will net you a good bit more horsepower for an extra $800-1200 or so installed, depending on how expensive your shop is or if you can do it yourself.

Low budget, but quality, turbo setups can be done for $1500 or so if you do bargain hunting and DIY the install. This will net you the most power per dollar, but given that there's bargain hunting involved, it's possible you'll get ripped off.

These figures aren't exact. They're guesstimates based on my own and observed experiences buying and selling parts.

[NismoB13]

Just do intake, header, exhaust, and pulleys if you are feeling good. Do not shoot for any more power until after you upgrade the suspension and brakes first. This is for saftey reasons.

[nametakennow]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that in my posts. A car is only good if it's reasonably balanced, and it's a lot more fun to drive that way too.

[justjuiceit4]

Nitrous is your best bet. I had a 1998 Sentra SE and was using a compucar dry nitrous system. It takes less than 5 minutes to hook up and works great. I ran some colder plugs, an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, stock timing, and premium gas with this set-up. Retail price for all the parts needed was less than $500. You could make an ebay setup for less than half that price.

For price reference, a 20hp shot will last about 6 minutes.....however 20hp shot produces at least 30 ft/lb of torque and dropped my hella slow Nissan truck from a 17.2 to a 15.7. Before I get flamed, I would like to add that without nitrous I was barely getting into third for the quarter, with nitrous I was near the rev limiter! It takes a larger shot for your 200SX because the car has optimal gear ratios for the quarter mile already.