reasonable gains on the SOHC KA?

[hybrid_flyer]

Ok so I kinda thread jacked another thread and decided to start this one here. I am installing a rebuilt SOHC, and was interested in gaining some extra power. Now I live in California so a turbo is out. So I was trying to find out what if I increase VE to close to 100% through some mild head work and change to a 270 degree .402 inch cam. Do you think the gains would be worth the time and money??

Keep it civil people and please try to back up opinion with facts

[PapaSmurf2k3]

If you already have the motor out and everything, and you think you would be satisfied with just -a little- more power... then go for it. You won't get your VE to 100% though... just so you know. Maybe like, 94%

If the motor that is out has not been rebuilt yet, you also might want to look into higher compression pistons.

[hybrid_flyer]

i bought a long block rebuilt to factory specs, but i was thinking of getting another head and having it built up a bit. 100% VE is ambitious true, I would be more than happy with mid to high 90's. So I need to get rid of the POS exhaust the previous owner had on the car so I was thinking 2.5 BRM with resonator and hi-flow cat. After reading the posts about the stock exhaust manifold i have decided to stick with the OEM one, but in your opinion are aftermarket intakes worth it? Or should I just go with a high quality filter and call it a day?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

well, when I was talking about the factory exhaust manifold... I was talking about the manifold for the DOHC. Truthfully, I really haven't looked at a stock SOHC manifold in a VERY long time. I can't remember what it looks like.

Check your cali law, it might be illegal to modify the exhaust in any way. That being said, you said that the car already has some exhaust on it. If you buy a pre-made exhaust system, BRM is pretty good bang for the buck. I have always noticed that exhaust shops seem to do the best though. I've gotten exhaust done for as little as $60 from a local shop.

As for the intake. I would definately just buy a nice K&N filter and slap it in your stock airbox. If there are any intake resonators, feel free to rip them out.

[hybrid_flyer]

well its definitely not an equal length header, maybe i should reconsider that and get the DC ceramic. As for the exhaust I had no idea you could get a custom on for so cheap. I will def look into getting a one off I know of a good exhaust shop in my area. As for the air filter, which do you think K&N or Wix?? If I do have some head work and a cam change do you think I will need to change the AF at all??

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Eh, that manifold really isn't too bad. How much is the DC header?

I would DEFINATELY go with K&N. They have been around the longest, they have true musclecar/racing roots, and also have a million mile warranty.

If you get a cam and head work, you won't HAVE to change your A/F ratio at all. Your ECU does that automatically based on the factory tune. If you want to (and maybe make a few extra ponies) you would have to get a tuned ECU for your specific setup. Once again, if you have the cash, and want to do it, go ahead. It is another one of those things that will most likely not affect the way your car passes inspection (since most inspections are done under about 2700 RPM, where the tune will still have relatively stock parameters).

[hybrid_flyer]

here is the header I was looking at http://www.nismoparts.com/catalog/?section=245

i was considering a jwt ecu if i did the head work but i am not sure if moving the rev limiter removing the cut out and maybe 5 hp is worth the 600. but if i do the head work i was wondering if it would throw an engine code

[PapaSmurf2k3]

You won't throw an engine code.

If you want to buy that header, I guess go for it if you have tons of money burning a hole in your pocket, and for some reason want to keep the car that you have. The probability is pretty high that you won't notice much of a gain though. If you get a tuned ECU, check out Emance ECU's. A bunch of people on this forum have gotten them with good results. They are generally under 200 bucks.

[hybrid_flyer]

under 200 really??? I will definitely be doing some research into that. Looks like it might be head work and ecu retune for performance mods.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Don't forget the Cam.

[86silvia]

jason, did you get it running?

[hybrid_flyer]

not yet, been to busy to work on it. the new one is in, just gotta put the manifolds back on, radiator and fill it with fluids, and try to reattach all the tiny a** vacuum lines