Originally Posted by arghx

Originally Posted by Old Smokey (MR2OC.com)

We have all heard the magic 300rwhp number brought up many times in many threads. We all drool at 300+rwhp dyno’s and marvel at the level of commitment that it must have taken to achieve those numbers. And yes, we also daydream about what it must be like to step on the throttle with so much horsepower on tap.

On the other hand, we have all heard about certain obstacles and problems faced with aiming for more than 300rwhp, and we wonder about what issues we might not commonly hear about. We also have to keep in mind that the majority of members on this board, for one reason or another, will never get beyond that 300rwhp mark, though I am sure they face the temptation to try.

For these people, and for those who may be planning to go for big horsepower one day, but do not yet realize what this really means, I thought it may be informative and entertaining to attempt to list as many of those “reasons not to aim for more than 300rwhp” as we can think of.

*Please know that I have nothing against those who have or want more than 300rwhp, and I hope those who have done so will chime in with some of the wisdom gained and lessons learned from achieving their level of power.

Also, I hope that anyone even considering upgrading near and above 300whp has read the Power Primer, but even if that is the case, sometimes it helps to look at things in a different way.

Anyway, to get the ball rolling here are a couple obvious reasons:
1-Say goodbye to the CT26.
2-Say hello to the world of compressor maps and proper turbo sizing.

Originally Posted by Bruce H.

It's not unobtainable at all...just around 21 other things so far to consider.

22. Lag
23. Loss of stock ECU (for those that just prefer to keep factory stuff) somewhere above 300

Some may consider changes to the stock engine bay to be a negative incl.
24. Loss of AFM
25. Loss of heat shield (maybe)
26. Need for Ext WG at some point

27. Loss of insurability if an adjuster comes within a mile of your car.
28. The cost of stuff or repairs you don't anticipate (ie blowing knock sensors and then adding water injection)
29. Loss of vehicle use when it does break.
30. Calming furious wife or gf when they discover the amount of time and money you are spending.

Great thread Chris!

Bruce

Originally Posted by ATSAaron

This is just a sad, sad thread.

The first time I made 300whp, it cost me about $20,000 (not including the car). The same motor went on to make 500whp, but that is not the point.

The second time I made 300whp...or I should say, the current recipe is around $4000 not including labor. 300whp on 93 octane is a simple, simple package. 1 ATS combo kit + exhaust + intake + MBC. It negates most of the points made in this thread.


For those that are still scared we offer a 275whp (CT27 based) combo kit for less ;-)

Aaron

Originally Posted by magikspl

I agree with ATS, I don't think 300 is a high enough number for this cause. Now 400 is a more suitable number. I could go on forever about reasons not to. I just past the 400 mark and I have lost 1.5 years of my life, $16,000, one girlfriend, many sleepless nights, weight loss, 1 hour in jail, attorney fee's, 1 wrecked MR2. Any sane person would quickly judge the costs are not worth it. But it only takes one moment for you to justify all the sacrifices you made, and my moment was standing proud in front of 45 other cars and taking home the highest hp car at the dyno day while everyone watched in envy and congratulated. :thumbup

Originally Posted by --MAstermind--

hmm well what say u to a NON ported 13bt.....lee tuscano here has done it about 550hp....non ported running about 34psi......water to air intercooler...runs 10 around here...its a great car hes helped me personally get my car in order....BUT he claims he has to rebiuld every 4-5 months after 40 passes and like 5-10 dyno runs is that considered unreliable? (hes movin' to the 13b-RE i belive....and still not porting it)