Is there any bolt-ons or non major upgrades that we I can do to my 99 TL To get some bottom end power. I know that the v-tec is awesome and you can really feel it kick in at about 3500 but what about before that. There just isn't much there, any suggestions? Also,I'm sure I'll get yelled at for this, but I got a buddy selling a 02 vette z06 if anyones interested.

 

Look into the UR underdrive crank Pulley.

 

But don't the underdrive pulleys just make the accesories spin slower so that when you get to the top end not so much horsepower is being wasted to spin them. Also when you get underdrive pulleys your accesories don't run so well at idle. Atleast that is what I have heard. I'll look into the underdrive pulley thanks. Any other advise?

 

They aren't just underdrive, they're lighter.

 

ya pretty much. your accessories spin slower so it frees up some parasitic drag. This allows the motor to rev up easier. The underdrive pulley (the crank one is the only one you need to add power with this car) doesnt cause problems with the accessories at all, and like Mike said, its much lighter and that is where you gain the most power. About 80% from the lighter pulley and 20% from the underdrive characteristics. Unorthodox Racing is the best brand for these.

really the only way to add real low end power is by adding a super charger. The other bolt on mods...headers, intake, exhaust...are mainly for higher up power increases.

 

That's pretty much what I thought as far as the only way for bottom end, but I figured I would give it a shot and see if there was anything out there. Can you answer this though? I also heard that when you add those boilt-ons that you end up losing some of your bottom end. It doesn't sound right but what do you think?

 

if you add a full exhaust - headers and a cat back system you can lose some bottom end torque. The engine uses some of the backpressure and when you free it up a lot, it exhales faster than it needs too in the lower RPM range (think of blowing through a straw, then a larger diameter straw) you dont have to work as hard with the larger straw, but if you need to blow out a lot of air, the larger diameter straw allows that.

same with the engine, that is why if you add a turbo or supercharger, you really almost have to get a free-er flowing exhaust because the engine can take in much more air, it has to get rid of it.

long story short, if you do add new mufflers and/or headers, you really wont be able to tell a lose of torque. when I put on the headers, I only noticed much more power up high and around town its still the same.

Our stock exhaust flows enough unless you add some forced induction - so I wouldnt mess with it unless you want some more sound.

An intake wont cause any loss though - get the AEM V2, it is an amazing intake (kinda expensive) but I noticed as much of a power increase when I put it on as when I put the headers on.

 

Doesn't lighter rims also give you HP gain to the wheels across RPM band?

 

yes - same concept as the underdrive/lighter engine pullies

 

Good post. Good read.

 

To complete the list, lighter lug nuts, especially lighter tires (for a given size) also gives gains for the whole band.