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Need suggestions - Let's Mod My 04

L

LapeerGTP

New member
Well since the differential died in my car I decided its time to pull the engine and trans as a unit and do some light upgrading.

This is my daily driver so I would like to keep it dependable and as streetable as possible while adding a little more excitement :-)
I'm not looking to set the world on fire just a good mid to low 13sec car would be fun.

I'm rebuilding the trans myself with the help of TEP parts.

Engine mods : here is what I was thinking. Feel free to add anything I've missed or stuff you would do while both engine and trans are out.

3.6 or 3.5 pulley
K&N cone filter
180 thermostat
Speed Daddy Headers
Camshaft and Valve Springs (which one does everyone recommend?)
EGR delete
Manifold coolant plugs
Rotate engine mounts
Replace Engine Mounts if necessary
WideBand O2

Probably a Overkill tune - I do have a dhp now but with the learning curve I'd like to get the car on the road asap

While engine is out do you think I should pull heads and put new head gaskets on? Engine has 93000

What stock replacement axles has everyone been getting? I'm going to throw new ones in while I'm there.

With the above mentioned mods will I need yo upgrade the fuel system or is the stock system gonna be good enough.


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I'd do a gasket refresh...as in pulling the LIM is going to be necessary anyways when you'll be tossing a cam in there. Buy ZZP's cam install kit...with a new timing chain/dampner.

Cam I recommend.

XP or S1X...great cam choices...using Crow 105 valve springs and a 850-950 idle...very daily driveable. I daily'd my XP car for over 40k. Loved it.

Headers, yes...WB yes as well. With the XP or S1X a 3.5" would be a very mild pulley...especially for a DD, I don't see why a 3.3" wouldn't be out of the question either on stock timing...but a 3.5" wouldn't be a bad choice either for reliablility. Stock fuel system would handle a 3.5"/3.4" JUST fine.

Launched/Tuned correctly...I don't see why a mid 13's pass isn't possible over 100-102 mph.
 
So with headers has anyone had problems with under hood temps when daily driving the car? I thought the xp can might be a bit much but I may break down and go this route. The wife is gonna be driving the car too so I was gonna leave the stock rear exhaust / resonator in place.

Just curious did you have the EGR deleted with the xp cam? And what kind of mileage did you get.

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LapeerGTP said:
So with headers has anyone had problems with under hood temps when daily driving the car?
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Who said this?

LapeerGTP said:
I thought the xp can might be a bit much but I may break down and go this route. The wife is gonna be driving the car too so I was gonna leave the stock rear exhaust / resonator in place.

Just curious did you have the EGR deleted with the xp cam? And what kind of mileage did you get.

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Click to expand...

I'd suggest opting for the VS for a pure daily. Or an S1X for a slightly more aggressive car.
 


I say, leave everything together, put a new diff in in the car, and leave it alone.

Probably a Overkill tune - I do have a dhp now but with the learning curve I'd like to get the car on the road asap
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I already said I would tune it for basically free (not meaning to brag, but I am probably well within the top 5 3800 tuners in north america).. and it would be a live tune which even overkill would tell you would be MILLIONS of times better than a mail order tune (a mail order tune is never anything more than a stock tune with the speed limiter removed anyway). AND I would show you everything you needed to know to tune it yourself while i am doing it... again we already disucssed this.
 
darkhorizon said:
I say, leave everything together, put a new diff in in the car, and leave it alone.



I already said I would tune it for basically free (not meaning to brag, but I am probably well within the top 5 3800 tuners in north america).. and it would be a live tune which even overkill would tell you would be MILLIONS of times better than a mail order tune (a mail order tune is never anything more than a stock tune with the speed limiter removed anyway). AND I would show you everything you needed to know to tune it yourself while i am doing it... again we already disucssed this.
Click to expand...
to bad u live in MI otherwise id get u to tune my car haha
 
Golly. You're gonna need to tear down and do the LIM gasket... at which point you may as well be doing a cam. Though, it seems to me like you might just want to go with the 1.9" rockers route instead of worrying about the cam.

And skip the 180* stat until you find it's necessary.
K&N cones are pain in the ass because they get oil all over the MAF. Get a dry-flow filter. They're half the price.
You'll be happier with poly upper engine mounts than just a "dogbone flip." Maybe solid rubber lower engine mount and trans mount.
 


It kinda sucks I just did the lim gaskets. But since I'm pulling the engine and trans as a unit I really want to get as much as I can out of the way now. Just curious are these things known for valve cover leaks?? The ac compressor looks like its got rust proofing sprayed on it the gunk and oil is that thick.

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After seeing where the power steering pump is I believe i'll be putting a new one in while the engine is out.

Where is the best place to order the sd headers? Ebay or straight from the speed daddy website?

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Engine and Trans is out. I've never worked on a dirtier car.

aefce0f6-a489-2eba.jpg


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Ok, quick question. E85 is very accessible around here and I'm really thinking since I'm this far I'd like to take the necessary steps yo run E85. The catch is I'd like to have the ability to go back tp e10/93 octane if the need arises. What Injectors and fuel pump would work good for this?? And is a return system really necessary ??

Again thanks guys for all your help. This thing really is gonna be a fun car to drive back and forth to work.

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Stock pump, re-wire...(pretty sure you can re-wire the '04+ cars just like the 97-03's), and big injectors...like 60's or even 80's.

Not sure about the fuel filter since it is in tank along with the pump...
 
Nope, fuel filter isn't in the tank. Its outside the tank..

Define rewire?? I've heard if you use the bump in fuel pressure under boost like the early models than its a biatch to tune.

Since its this far apart I was considering putting a pump in just in case I decide to do more down the road.

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