2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

cheap/easy power?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:14 PM
  #1  
rxskaterwill's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: summerville, sc
cheap/easy power?

i jus bought an n/a 89 rx7 convertible last week because i was looking for something with a little more power then my civic and it def does but i was wondering if there are any easy ways to gain some more power out of the rx7.
i was told by a couple of people that the emissions suck alot of power out and that i should get rid of everything except power steering and ac. i have a very limited budget. anybody have any suggestions?
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:19 PM
  #2  
initial D is REAL!'s Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena
what is your budget? THere are planty of mods to gain power
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:24 PM
  #3  
rxskaterwill's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: summerville, sc
im 16 and still in school. where my money goes depends on how much i have to save up. i get good money 4 a 16 year old but i would still have to do a little saving but i need get an idea of wat im looking at
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:27 PM
  #4  
CyberPitz's Avatar
Boost ahoy!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, MO
intake/exhaust? Really hard unless we get a few numbers. 100 a week, every other week, every month? :P
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:31 PM
  #5  
cloudx189's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
So just power, no suspension or body work? Intake and Exhaust would be the cheapest and they're hefty ho bags anyway. Porting is where real power comes in but that would mean to go ahead and rebuild the engine while you're at it. Intake might as well stay stock because w/ cone filters you gotta be careful of that heat soak, isn't that right everyone?
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:35 PM
  #6  
rxskaterwill's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: summerville, sc
i can do my own body work because im on my second year of it at school and it has decent suspension. i get about 800 a month after paying for insurance
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:53 PM
  #7  
p4nc7's Avatar
Passenger
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Brampton
Well, first off, do the whole "tune-up". Flush and fill all fluids, & redo all your grounds, while you're at it, look for leaking van lines. Get new plugs&wires then start fromt here.

An RB exhaust is hella popular, and the only downside is that it weighs more than most aftermarket systems, but it's built to take anything. Good gains too.

Other than that, I'd say try to get some sort of S-AFC or similar, and see if you can lean your car out. My 89 ran rich as hell, so it might be the same for you.

If you want more, then you'd need to port your engine, so it can wait. The Vert is a heavy ****, so I'm not sure if it was the best choice, but it should be more than enough to keep up with most civics with an exhaust.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 12:59 PM
  #8  
1st7's Avatar
no more 7
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 0
From: Orange County,Ca.
just do a Tune up and change ALL fluids.......stay away from the cone filters, keep the the stock air box but if you want a lil better air flow drop in a K&N filter..
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 01:07 PM
  #9  
Juiceh's Avatar
Saiga-12 Power!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,385
Likes: 2
From: N of Chicago
What are your power goals? If they are anything like 250rwhp+ STOP NOW!

My Advice:

SAVE YOUR MONEY!

I went through the motions of trying to get more power out of my NA vert engine. cold air Intake\exhaust etc. etc. For the money you put into them the gains aren't worth it.... at all...

A turbo swap will be THE BEST thing you can do to set yourself up with a platform that has more power and much more power potential with mods. But, its not exactly cheap. So if you get $800 a month, save up for a good 6 months+.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 02:50 PM
  #10  
ericgrau's Avatar
Clean.
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 3
From: Huntington Beach, CA
To save money and effort:
1. Keep the NA. Turbos put out much more power but also involve much more headache and $. But if you want a lot and have the time and $, turbo may be the way to go.
2. Do all maintenance items to prevent future problems.
3. High flow cat. Bonez, I think. You could just get a straight pipe but then you have to get around smog tests later. A $150 bribe is one method, I hear. Not to mention legality, effort, etc.
4. Mufflers. Racing Beat is more expensive but they are quiet and they last.
5. Get a cone intake and make your own cold air box for the intake. I'd re-use the stock snorkel so you don't have to do any cutting. Search for more info.
6. Stop. There are other ways to get more power but they are expensive and time consuming. But you could do the standard handling upgrades. Or at least replace the shocks and any worn out bushings.

In other words, best way to save time and money is to spend time and money now on what counts. Or you'll be spending more later.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 02:52 PM
  #11  
RETed's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,664
Likes: 22
From: n
No.


-Ted
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 02:53 PM
  #12  
TehMonkay's Avatar
Back in the game
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (-1)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 2
From: Louisville KY
Standalone ems, megasquirt n spark would be cheap, and has autotune built in. Then you could also run nitrous.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 03:23 PM
  #13  
clokker's Avatar
Cake or Death?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 64
From: Mile High
You bought the wrong car- the least powerful engine in the heaviest chassis.

Either learn to love it for it's unique charms or forget it...there are no "cheap/easy" fixes.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2007 | 03:50 PM
  #14  
CarzArKoo1's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: California
maintain what you have and save it for turbo thats what i'm doing.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rgordon1979
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
40
Mar 15, 2022 12:04 PM
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
Sep 16, 2018 07:16 PM
High_Carb_Diet
Power FC Forum
1
Sep 5, 2015 09:07 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:17 PM.