FAQ: 2.5 Bolt-on basics

[GTO Pete]

=Updates=


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FAQ - Bolt-on Basics is dedicated to performance modifications that involve little to average mechanical ability.

If you want to get more serious about modifications, check out FAQ - Serious Modifications.

=Areas covered in this FAQ=
Chips
Coatings
Exhaust
Headers
Heatshields
Intakes
MAFs
MIL Eliminators
Motor Mounts / Poly Roll Resistors
Mufflers
Oil filter relocation
Resonators
Short throw shifters
"Snake Oil"
Throttle body / Optimization & Services
Y-pipes

[GTO Pete]

=Chip/Tuning=
A chip/PCM reflash is recommended as one of the last modifications you want to do, although it is not neccessary. Having it tuned is the most important part, and it will be tuned to your existing modifications. There's essentially three different kinds of methods of tuning you can get. First, you can get a chip which is tuned specifically for your vehicle. No tweeking is available. The tune on the chip is what you get. Remember, a brand of chip (Superchip, Diablo, etc) really is not what matters, but WHO tunes it. If you want the most gains, you want someone to tune your car that has a great deal of experience with this platform. Secondly, you can get an SCT X-CAL 2 which is a device that you can plug into your OBD-II port and reflash your PCM's stock tune. Again, this is pretuned much like a chip, but is vehicle specific. Whats nice about this is you can upload multiple tunes into an X-CAL 2 to see which works best for your car or something like a N/A tune or a nitrous tune. Minor tweeking such as timing can also be performed with the SCT X-CAL 2. It also acts as a CEL scanner. Finally, if you want to do your own tuning, you can get the SCT Pro Racer Package (PRP) which lets you fully tune your car yourself. This isn't for a novice tuner, but options are endless.

Most recommended/used:
Nautilus Performance

=Coatings=
Coatings for your headers, exhaust, UIM, etc. will reduce the temperatures and add durability to the parts.

High Performance Coatings
Jet-Hot Coatings
Swain Tech

=Exhaust=
A bolt-on cat-back exhaust will result in 4-8hp depending on brand and modifications to your vehicle.

Bassani - Discontinued
- removable resonator tips to reduce sound
- loud and drones
- raspy when cold

Borla - Discontinued
www.ctamotorsports.com
www.batinc.net/contour.htm - page 33
- smooth sound similar to stock

Bosal
www.batinc.net/contour.htm - page 34
- loud with mirror finish
- flange-fit exhaust may cause some installation problems due to inability to adjust

CTA
www.ctamotorsports.com
- Magnaflow mufflers and resonators options available
- 2.5" all the way back or 2.5" -> 2.25" available

TruBendz
www.trubendz.com
- 2.5" bolt-on cat-back exhaust
- many consider best "bang for the buck" exhaust
- many muffler and resonator options available

=Headers=
How-to: Headers by CEGer Tourige
Headers FAQ by CEGer Tourige

MSDS www.msdsinc.com
- short tube headers
- realistic gains 5-15hp+ depending on other modifications

Weapon-R - www.customcougars.com Discontinued
- short tube headers
- known as MSDS knockoffs

SHM Long Tube Headers Discontinued
- have been discontinued for quite some time now but were the only long tube headers available, $1200 NEW when they were offered
- provide more low end torque compared to the shorty MSDS headers

[GTO Pete]

=Heatshields=
CEGers have used various methods and techniques to create heatshields. Some are cheap and easy, others a little more expensive and more creativity.
Search: heatshield
CEG'er Pudmunkie also sells heatshields. Send him a PM.

=Intakes=
AEM Intake System
www.ctamotorsports.com


BAT
www.batinc.net/contour.htm pages 22 - 25
www.ctamotorsports.com


Most popular open filter: K&N RU-3530
www.ajusa.com

Most popular CAI: Nautilus Performance
Nautilus Performance
Click here to see sample picture of intake installed

KKM
KKM intake

=MAF Adaptors=
www.batinc.net/contour.htm page 23
CTA Motorsports
www.ssd4u.com ***Added 7/6/06***
CEGer J3SVT: They are sold with hardware and the K&N on the website, but CAN be purchased separately if you e-mail or call them and ask ONLY for the maf adapter. They are made specifically for the ru-3530 and are made from hardened polyurethane. I paid about 26 dollars shipped.
KKM MAF Adaptors

[GTO Pete]

=MAF=
The stock MAF can support about 280-290FWHP safely.
There is not a "need" to upgrade until then.
Larger MAF discussion
Recent MAF discussion

=MIL Eliminators=
MIL Eliminators

=Motor Mounts / Poly Roll Resistors=
Front and rear - Purchase from CEGer pole120

=Mufflers=
Magnaflow - most popular, most recommended
Flowmaster
Dynomax
Borla

Magnaflow mufflers can be purchased from www.justmagnaflow.com - CEGer Stazi does NOT sell them anymore!

=Oil filter relocation How-to=
How-to by CEGer todras

=Pulleys=
CEG member 96BlackSE sells underdrive power steering and alternator pullies. Might free up a couple hp. Send him a PM on availability.

=Resonators=
A resonator will result in 1-3hp depending on modfications to your vehicle, and provide a nicer sound.

Magnaflow - most popular, most recommended (4" round straight through muffler")
Used by CEGers: #10435 and #11225

Where to buy:
www.justmagnaflow.com

[GTO Pete]

=Short Throw Shifters=
Cutting your shifter down is not a short throw shifter!
B&M
Can be purchased at Ultra Rev
- shifter is shorter than stock height
- 1st true short throw shifter

Steeda (MTX-75) - Discontinued
Steeda
Ebay
- shifter is close to the same height as stock
- an adapter plate is needed to install

OBX
Ebay
- considered to be poorly made
- reinforcing the weld at the base generally solves the problem

=Throttle body=
TB Optimization from CEGer pole120 - optimization by hand

TB Optimization by machine TB Optimization by machine - contact CEGer scottd60


Optimize the SVT TB
Optimize How-to on Main site
Install How-to in Duratec Performance

2.5Ls will not benefit from a larger throttle body like the Mustang 65mm) unless you are running some kind of Forced Induction. Save yourself money and Optimize the SVT TB.

=Y-pipes=
A y-pipe will result in 4-8hp depending on modfications to your vehicle.

www.batinc.net/contour.htm - page 33
Tru Bendz
- stainless and aluminized
- realistic gains: 4-8hp depending on other modifications

[GTO Pete]

=Snake Oil=
The following products are nothing more than marketing hype and wont do you any good:
- Tornado Fuel Saver
- Ebay Performance Chips/Modules/Resistors "good for 20+hp"
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is! No single bolt-on that costs a few bucks is going to yield 20+ for this engine.

FAQ: Misconceptions / debated subjects, snake oil

=Suspension=
Tubular Toe Control Arms - CEGer Bradness