The best way to 400bhp

We all know that getting to about 360bhp in an r33/34 is as simple as a few bits of metal and a screwdriver, but what about the minor leap to 400bhp?

It appears (unless I am misinformed) that there are 2 options.

a) Replace the exhaust/downpipes,air inlet, install an good intercooler i.e. HKS and push the boost to 1 bar.

b) Replace the exhaust/downpipes, air inlet, install a replacement ecu, change the cams and pulleys.

Of the 2 options, (a) only takes a couple of hours and costs nearly half of (b). It also seems to my mind to be far gentler and is still not pushing the standard turbo past its recommended spec.

I already have an HKS dual drager (no compact disc sized tailpipe for me!) and super powerflows.

So (b) really does seem the answer. Will someone argue with that please?

You really do not need to replace the stock cam 264* should be good to 500-550hp if you really wanted to push the boost with new turbos and the stock intercooler should be alright for 400hp.

ECU, Pullies, boost controler, exhaust replacement, electric fan, and air inlet replacement. This would be the way I would go about it. This should be able to get you close to 400hp.

Firstly, why the ECU?

I assume that is to get round the 112mph limit. UK cars have a slightly altered ECU mapped for 155mph and lower octane fuel.

Why change the pullies and add a boost controller. It seems standard practice to upgrade them when changing the cams, but replacing them for no reason seems unnecessary expense. If the turbo's are running at the accepted limit of 1 bar (or is it .9 bar), why would I wish control the boost.

Lastly, I havent seen much mention adding of electric fans. Surely if cooling is on the list an HKS intercooler is a very cheap way around this problem (about 850gbp). I am informed that it is not unreasonable to expect about 25bhp increase because of the great inefficiencies of the standard unit. The drop in charge temperature also allows the boost to be increased by a tiny amount. Does heat affect your performance noteably in your warmish climate?

Staying within the tolerance of the components, what you have suggested should give about 360-380bhp. It is that last 20-40bhp that I am after to get it upto 400ish (But i dont want to go down the route of steel turbos)

I would install a Super Drager exhaust nad HKS down pipe. Push the boost to 1 bar (I am now running 1.02 bar). The ECU needs to be remapped at this point to ensure the right air/fuel mixture and ignition timing for the increased boost (HKS F Con V Pro would be good). Cooler iridium sparkers would also be welcome at this juncture. Any excess money would then be spent on either an intercooler (HKS Sports or GT - easily worth 15 hp) or HKS Twin Power Ignition (for excellent throtle response). You can then see the horses climb from 360 - 400 (or even 410). That's what I did with my GTR.
Cam and pulley? No. I will do it when I later change the cams and pistons.
The boost can be increased mechanically but doing it this way is not very reliable as it is prone to over or under boosting (boost is not consistent). Adding an electronic controller solves this problem.

I am not talking about cam pullies, I was refering to under drive pullies which should be good for 5-7hp.

The stock fan is run by the crank which is another small power loss. If you use an electric you should see another 5-7hp.

You are right about the intercooler, so if you go with what I just suggested and upgrade on the innercooler. That would be 12hp for the fan, and under drive pullies, and 20 or so for the intercooler shouldn't that be over 400? You could also try one of those water injection kits that spray onto the intercooler for a few more hp as well. :)

Originally posted by madman
I already have an HKS dual drager (no compact disc sized tailpipe for me!) and super powerflows.


HELL YA!!!! Those huge pipes drive me crazy! Distroys the profile of the car.

Ermmm...'scuse me! You'r talkin' 'bout mah fart pipe?

hi guys
had my car dynoed on friday - 215kw at rear wheels.
14psi boost, big exhaust, cold air intake. is running very rich which robs power.
regards adam.

215kw = 290 rear whp. That's great. Let's pump it up man...:D

What happens when it's too rich? Smoke? Does fire come out from the tailpipe on changing gear? What are u gonna do about it?

ok, too rich is only detrimental to your fuel bill and possibly the spark plugs, but does rob the motor of power, so i've arranged to get a r32 gtr computer and swap it over. The 32 comp. is reprogrammable so can back off the fuel a bit.
flames - yes, the one i saw was during the dyno run when the mechanic backed off and it backfired as it quite often does. the flame was about a foot and a half long. i was rapt.
adam.

1 foot flame? That's cool...er...hot man!:cool: Wanna try a Jun ECU? On my car it churned out 384 horses.

hi r33
i get the r32 computr installed tomorrow.
considering how rich it was running it should gain at least another 15 kw @ r wheels.
hope that it doesnt stop the exhaust flames though.
adam

the new figure is 227kw @ r wheels!
the mid range power has also been hugel increased. will post the dyno sheet up once it is scaned
adam

306.5 horses at the rear....GR8...that's more like the Godzilla that I know.:cool: What? No more flame?:(

yes flames still i rekon as it still pops and farts and backfires like it did before.

On the subject of flames, just about any R33/R34 (and i guess r32), with an HKS exhaust and the cat removed will throw out flames all day.

Does anyone not have flames!

Here's an interesting one. I get a huge heat build up in my cat replacement pipe when the car gets real hot. It glows bright orange. Why do you reckon it should bottleneck there! I would have thought that assuming the pipe is correct diameter it shouldnt. Is anyone else sad enuff to stick their head under their car when it is roasting hot?

:flamer: My GTR has Super Drager. Boost upped to 1.02 bar. No flame:mad: That's probably due to the fact that I am using the HKS High flow cat. I still maintain the cat because of the environment (my small contribution towards it:D ) and also the fact that it actually improves low end response. I am advised that tha cat only has to go if I go for 450hp or more.