never modded before have few q's

[jp76]

I was thinking of getting a boost controller and gauge and setting boost to at least 13.5 psi. My car has 116,000 miles on it and has been well taken care of (obviously has wear and tear and minor flaws), but what do you guys think with this kind of mileage. The car is 14yrs old so I just don't want to smoke the turbo's.

[Linebckr49]

our cars can handle quite a bit of abuse. if you've maintained your car well, then don't think twice about modding: that's what should be done, regular maintenance, then mods.

as for the mileage, your car's age is fine for some more boost. just be aware that the TT cars tend to have problems with the Valve Stem Seals around 120k miles. also, if you're worried about smoking your turbos, you can always check them for shaft play.

[AutostradaVR4]

13.5 is about the limit you should boost to with no fuel/air support mods.

[jp76]

Also, what companies make the best boost cont. for the money or should I go all out incase I ever decide to go crazy. I don't know how to work on cars to much except for changing oil and tires. That has always been the factor form me never really doing anything with any of the good cars I have ever owned because I'm afraid it's much to expensive to build a 11 sec car without doing the labor yourself(or atleast most of it.) Am i wrong, please someone tell me I am. jp

[Ralliart 3000gt]

I think You need to replace you stock air box if you havn't already, Manual Boost controller shouldn't cost too much Down Pipe is a must, Hot wire fuel pumps, 13psi you'll be looking at going from 280hp (If your car is in good condition) - 340-350hp............................................. ......................

[youngvr4]

its 300hp or 320hp and you can boost up to 14.5 psi without monitoring knock
my car ahs 175,000 miles on it, i have a boost controller and some more bpu's

[MechanicDock]

There are quite a few VR4s running healthy over 200k miles.
Pay attention to leaks and smokes.

The 1G motor's weak spot is a head gasket. If you see leak, or determin compression loose, then you may need to replace it if you increase boost. You should not hot wire fuel pump unless you try to go over 17 psi with stock turbos. You do not need to loose gas milage and stress aged fuel pump.

Water pump/Timing belt are important spot. As I see your milage 116k, you may need to check them.

Originally Posted by jp76

I was thinking of getting a boost controller and gauge and setting boost to at least 13.5 psi. My car has 116,000 miles on it and has been well taken care of (obviously has wear and tear and minor flaws), but what do you guys think with this kind of mileage. The car is 14yrs old so I just don't want to smoke the turbo's.

[Igovert500]

I'd do the 120k tuneup first. You want your belt and pumps in good condition before you start modding. Also pressure test for boost leaks, because they will put excess strain on your turbos.

If I remember correctly, you said you had a 92vr4. First thing you want is a datalogger. It is the single best tool you can buy, and if you have a 91-93 I think it should be the first thing you buy. I would kill for the ability to log knock on my 96. With the datalogger you can watch adn see EXACTLY how high you can boost without getting knock. That way you aren't guessing if 15psi is safe.

Read the FAQ, it has a link for the cheapest manual boost controller, which is fine if you don't plan on going past basic bolt on upgrades. Get an intake and downpipe too, and hotwiring your stock fuel pump is also a good idea.

[jp76]

I haven't done my 120,000 service yet since I did my 60k quite a bit late and my mechanic says everything seems good. But if I decide to add 50 ish hp is it a must to do it now. You guys would probably know from both good or bad experiences. Since I am on a limited budget I was thinking of doing whatever increased hp the most for the cheapest $, not necesarily going in order of what I probably should do. I probably will get that k and N fipk also and thats probably it for now. jp

[Igovert500]

How late did you do your 60k, because if it's been 5 years or close to 60k, you should start thinking about it. Consider this, $400 to do the 60k yourself, or $3000 grand to fix a snapped timing belt.

The basic beginning mods all feed off of each other, so however you go about it doesn't matter too much. A boost controller wont help as much without an intake and downpipe, but whatever order you choose to go doesn't matter too much. However, get an aftermarket boost gauge BEFORE you get a boost controller. And again, I highly recommend the datalogger first and foremost. So many people are concerned with more power, and then they blow a motor because they were too cheap to spend $150 on stuff to protect their engines.

[jp76]

Igo, I'm thankful you brought up the dataloger because I probably would have skipped it and now I am not going to. I actually did my 60k at 85k which is a little late but everything seemed fine. I just did it because my mechanic told me how much of a prob. it would be if I didn't. So now I am unsure when to do the next one with these power upgrades because like I said I don't want to ruin anything. I am very close to ordering all the parts and doing most of the work myself, except for the downpipe, but I can have a competant friend do it for a pack of hazardus health product.

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by jp76

I am very close to ordering all the parts and doing most of the work myself, except for the downpipe, but I can have a competant friend do it for a pack of hazardus health product.

hazardous?

pshhh. they say dark beer is actually good for you, comparable to a glass of red wine.

[talskinyguy]

You get the same benifits as red wine by drinking grape juice. The whole some alcoholic drinks are good for you is mostly bullshit. Part of the drink may be good for you but the whole drink itself is not.

[AutostradaVR4]

"OK brain, lets get one thing strait. You dont like me and I dont like you, so let's just get through this so i can get back to killing you with beer."
~Homer Simpson

[Igovert500]

I would say since you did the 60k at 85k, then you could do the 120k tuneup at 145k....except the oil pump was probably not changed at 85k, and I wouldn't want to try going 145k on the stock pump (it's meant to be replaced at 120k). I know it's kind of expensive and a PITA, but I would recommend getting back on track and doing the 120k tuneup at 120k.

Also your mechanic may have reused the original pulleys, same kinda deal. They are recommended to be changed at 60k, but many hold of until 120k...but 145k is probably not a good idea.

And just so we are clear, I love beer as much as I love boost