[craiger21122]

I would like to get as much horsepower as possible from my stock d16a keeping it affordable and not using a turbo. I was thinking a nice intake, a 2" full exhaust with hi flow cat and headers, possibly a cam, ignition system, plugs and wires. Help with anymore suggestions would be great.Thanks everyone.

 

[mattminerDOTcom]

skip the ignition system.

Heres the order i would do things, keeping a budget in mind.

Cam
Intake
Exhaust

After that point you ar egoing to get diminshing returns on your money. Id then invest in other ares of the car (specifically suspension/handling mods) if i wasnt looking to ge tmore power througha head or motor swap, or forced induction.

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[craiger21122]

Do you think better fuel injectors might help? I still run the stock ones.

 

[mattminerDOTcom]

you definitely don tneed ifferent fuel injectors. your stock ones are good for almost 200hp

 

[craiger21122]

I know Im not getting near 200 hp, but I would like to see around 150! Will the stock clutch be suitable because I am in the process of looking for a new clutch right now and was thinking about upgrading to a stage 1 or 2?

 

[akirarex]

A stage one clutch would be adequate for lowe hp n/a setups, especially if your stock one is already beat.

Shaving your flywheel to 13 pounds or so, underdrive crank pulley if you like, intake, 2" exhaust-header-hiflow cat, and a cam are all about it.... mod'd ecu after all that.

Things to NOT buy- ignition, fuel injectors, just like Matt said.

 

[mattminerDOTcom]

yeah if youre shooting for like 150hp you can get a exedy stage 1 or an act HDSS clutch and maye a flywheel. that would be a nice, long lasting upgrade.

honeslty though, i had a maxed out bolt on motor (vtec head, IHE, ignition, fuel system, pulleys, clutch, flywheel, intake mainfld, throttle body, programmable exu) and i made about 135 whp (so maybe 155-160 flywheel hp) max. thats where i learned the things that cost me alot of money that did nothign to improve performance.

the biggest value upgrade, is to do a vtec head swap. otherwise, jsut do like we said in the earlier posts.

oh yeah, and like always, make sure your car is in top running shape, like all the general tune up stuff. good compression, timing right, filters in good shape, etc. that stuff will make a big difference
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[craiger21122]

thanks. I really did not want to get into the fuel and ignition system,especailly if the stock equipment will satisfy. Just wanted a bit more power. heres my future list:

cam
headers
full exhaust including hi flow cat
8mm wires
stage 1 clutch
lightened flywheel
cold air intake

That will probably do it, just simple bolt ons.I have to be able to beat my wifes 91 gti 16v!!!

 

[mattminerDOTcom]

sounds like you are on your way to having a fun, reliable car. now go beat that gti!

...and get some suspension, thats where you can really beat on that VW!

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[Dren]

You should see around 120hp with just IHE.

Depending on what you are using the car for...

Take off as much crap from inside the car to lighten it up. That is the cheapest mod of them all.

I would recommend the VTEC head. It flows better and has a better cam.

 

[downest]

sounds like you are on your way to having a fun, reliable car. now go beat that gti!

...and get some suspension, thats where you can really beat on that VW!

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Yeah, suspension first, and tires. Loosing weight and controlling it not only help handling, they help accceleration and braking too.