Performance upgrades...and intakes
09-13-02, 01:47 AM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: CHICAGO
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Performance upgrades...and intakes
Searched the archive....lot on this stuff. I just want to confirm to make sure I read it all correctly.
Basically...if you have a SC400 like I do....getting a performance chip (aka changing computer) will cost me about 800-900 (dont really want to spend that for just 40hp).
So I guess I am looking to add on a few HP for cheaper...couple hundred or so...any ideas?
From what I gather, the only thing that might work would be some sort of intake...but then it seems from the archives that an intake might hurt your car....or in fact wont do anything performance wise for it at all! I just want a few more HP, etc at lower speeds. I dont really race this car so HP gains at 80 MPH and up wont be what Im looking for.
Any input would be appreciated.
Basically...if you have a SC400 like I do....getting a performance chip (aka changing computer) will cost me about 800-900 (dont really want to spend that for just 40hp).
So I guess I am looking to add on a few HP for cheaper...couple hundred or so...any ideas?
From what I gather, the only thing that might work would be some sort of intake...but then it seems from the archives that an intake might hurt your car....or in fact wont do anything performance wise for it at all! I just want a few more HP, etc at lower speeds. I dont really race this car so HP gains at 80 MPH and up wont be what Im looking for.
Any input would be appreciated.
09-13-02, 01:50 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey mj24,
Low end might get a benefit from a cold air intake and a nice cat back custom mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust.
May cost you around $500 or so.
Freeing up the air flow into and out of the engine is a effcient way to get the engine up and going from low speeds.
MW
Low end might get a benefit from a cold air intake and a nice cat back custom mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust.
May cost you around $500 or so.
Freeing up the air flow into and out of the engine is a effcient way to get the engine up and going from low speeds.
MW
09-13-02, 01:53 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: CHICAGO
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PC, on the ball again 
Any particular intakes you suggest? Also would I want one with a heatshield?
Ive always heard the horror stories of letting too much air into the engine along with the dust, etc will ruin your engine...false?
Any particular intakes you suggest? Also would I want one with a heatshield?
Ive always heard the horror stories of letting too much air into the engine along with the dust, etc will ruin your engine...false?
09-13-02, 01:58 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cold air intake like the one that Hermosa is selling is the BEST solution. Do a search in classifieds for hermosa's pics.
The 'cold air' intake means that the area around the filter is kept separate from the hot engine and supplied with outside fresh cold air.
The Filter element with 360degrees of filter element provides better, and cleaner air than the paper factory filter element. However it requires periodic cleaning.
Providing MORE air to an engine NEVER hurts it. With that theory a turbo, in which air is forced down the intake, would KILL an engine.
MW
The 'cold air' intake means that the area around the filter is kept separate from the hot engine and supplied with outside fresh cold air.
The Filter element with 360degrees of filter element provides better, and cleaner air than the paper factory filter element. However it requires periodic cleaning.
Providing MORE air to an engine NEVER hurts it. With that theory a turbo, in which air is forced down the intake, would KILL an engine.
MW
09-13-02, 02:07 AM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: CHICAGO
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PC.....just found the Weapon R pics. Hermosa quoted these prices....
"WR ECU $850
WR Intake/Airbox/Filter $365
WR RAM Air $65
ECU can be reprogrammed when going forced induction."
Would I want the $365 one or the $65 one? Or does the ram air need to be used in conjuction with the intake, airbox, filter (I am not educated in terms of performance mods)? Thanks.
"WR ECU $850
WR Intake/Airbox/Filter $365
WR RAM Air $65
ECU can be reprogrammed when going forced induction."
Would I want the $365 one or the $65 one? Or does the ram air need to be used in conjuction with the intake, airbox, filter (I am not educated in terms of performance mods)? Thanks.
Trending Topics
09-13-02, 04:52 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: CHICAGO
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, Im going to go with a filter and a MAF adapter.
So panel or cone filter? I heard the cone filter actually robs you of HP at low rpm's....I dont want that.
Also, I heard a filter actually makes the throttle a little more throaty, is this the case with both the panel and cone filters?
Where should I get the MAF adapter?
93 sc400
So panel or cone filter? I heard the cone filter actually robs you of HP at low rpm's....I dont want that.
Also, I heard a filter actually makes the throttle a little more throaty, is this the case with both the panel and cone filters?
Where should I get the MAF adapter?
93 sc400
Last edited by mjr24; 09-13-02 at 05:01 AM.
09-13-02, 12:17 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mjr24,
If you pm Hermosa, I am sure that he has EVERYTHING you need.
He returned his SC400 to stock for sale purposes and pulled off everything. He lives near me and I can attest to the fact that he is a meticulous person that spends the extra to get the good stuff.
MW
If you pm Hermosa, I am sure that he has EVERYTHING you need.
He returned his SC400 to stock for sale purposes and pulled off everything. He lives near me and I can attest to the fact that he is a meticulous person that spends the extra to get the good stuff.
MW
09-13-02, 10:34 PM
#12
Pole Position
Join Date: May 2001
Location: International
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Filter element with 360degrees of filter element provides better, and cleaner air than the paper factory filter element.
09-13-02, 11:38 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Source: MW 
"Our cotton air filter design flows substantially more air throughout the filter's life while maintaining filtration levels critical to ensure long engine life. On average, a square inch of our filter medium will flow at least 50% more air than a square inch of paper or synthetic filter media." K&N
"These dirt particles cling to the fibers of the filter and actually become part of the filtering media. This process, known as depth loading, allows the K&N air filter to retain significantly more dirt per square inch than a paper filter." K&N
"FIPKS utilize a 360-degree filter design which provides increased surface area to promote air flow" K&N
I found similar info on other sites as well....but you get the point.
MW
"Our cotton air filter design flows substantially more air throughout the filter's life while maintaining filtration levels critical to ensure long engine life. On average, a square inch of our filter medium will flow at least 50% more air than a square inch of paper or synthetic filter media." K&N
"These dirt particles cling to the fibers of the filter and actually become part of the filtering media. This process, known as depth loading, allows the K&N air filter to retain significantly more dirt per square inch than a paper filter." K&N
"FIPKS utilize a 360-degree filter design which provides increased surface area to promote air flow" K&N
I found similar info on other sites as well....but you get the point.
MW
Last edited by pcmw; 09-13-02 at 11:44 PM.
09-14-02, 03:46 AM
#14
Pole Position
Join Date: May 2001
Location: International
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ahhh - I was hoping it was going to be something else besides the advertising on the side of a K&N filter box or the blurb on a K&N website.
I can get Amsoil filter blurbs that say the same thing and put themselves above K&N for flow and filtration. The Blitz foam filter blurbs are equally impressive.
The only independent Journal paper I have seen by the Society of Automotive Engineers (US) looking at dust filtration put the K&N behind paper.
On the dyno we couldn't measure any improvement changing a new Lexus filter for a K&N or even removing the filter altogether. I have measured a reduced pressure loss across a K&N panel indicating higher flow than a stocker - but it was very small.
I've been logging dirt contamination in my oil analyses and will try a K&N in the future to see if it lets more dirt in.
I can get Amsoil filter blurbs that say the same thing and put themselves above K&N for flow and filtration. The Blitz foam filter blurbs are equally impressive.
The only independent Journal paper I have seen by the Society of Automotive Engineers (US) looking at dust filtration put the K&N behind paper.
On the dyno we couldn't measure any improvement changing a new Lexus filter for a K&N or even removing the filter altogether. I have measured a reduced pressure loss across a K&N panel indicating higher flow than a stocker - but it was very small.
I've been logging dirt contamination in my oil analyses and will try a K&N in the future to see if it lets more dirt in.
09-14-02, 02:31 PM
#15
Pole Position
I SIMPLE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ONLY CHIP TUNING (CHANGE PROGRAM OR ALL ECU) CAN GIVE 40 HP ON NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE
THAT IS PURE BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5-10 HP AT BEST, THAT IS ALL I THINK. CHIP TUNING MAKE SENSE IN MODIFY ENGINE, IN STOCK PERHAPS IT IS MAX 5%GAIN.
I REALLY WANT SEE THAT 40 HP JUST BY CHANGE FUEL AND SPARK CURVES.
JERRY
THAT IS PURE BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5-10 HP AT BEST, THAT IS ALL I THINK. CHIP TUNING MAKE SENSE IN MODIFY ENGINE, IN STOCK PERHAPS IT IS MAX 5%GAIN.
I REALLY WANT SEE THAT 40 HP JUST BY CHANGE FUEL AND SPARK CURVES.
JERRY