last night I raced a stock 03 TL type s and LOST! I have a 03 type s w/ DC sports headers, injen intake, removed resonator w/ aftermarket exhaust! I passed him at the start but at about 100 mph he pulled away! Maybe it was because i had my spare tire on the back( I have ADR rims w/ 225-40-18) but ever since i had my headers in it feels somewhat slower. Anyone lost a race they felt they should have won?

 

Maybe he wasnt stock

 

Could be with that extra 5" of pipe you had the muffler shop add to your DC Headers, as per that other thread you started. I don't know of anyone that had to ADD any length to the DC headers. My DC Headers fit on perfectly. The only problem I had was with the lousy gaskets. I've only raced one TL-S, and beat it pretty convincingly.

 

Could be three things 3 things

1. He wasn't stock, may have stock exhaust but has every other mod
2. There is something wrong with your car (Bypass valve acuator)
3. Your 18's if they are really heavy + if you have a heavy system in your car

I've taken out many stock type-s', should be pretty easy with i/e/h

 

Bypass valve acuator? My wheels seem pretty light but I did have a spare on it. Even if he wasn't stock(dealer plates usually mean that) I don't see how he could pull away from me at 100mph that quick. I kinda hesitated because of the spare tire. Well my car has 54K and all i've done is changed oil & brakes. Other note: I've been using 87 gas.

 

87 octane will kill power in your car. run some good fuel system cleaner(BG44K or gumout regane) and fill up next with 93 and your car WILL respond much stronger. either that or your bypass actuator is toast, that makes a big difference in tl-s'.

 

Oh no you cant run 87 in your car , the car requires 91 and up. I used to put 89 until my mechanic yelled at me.

 

87 octane. I only run 93 (premium) in my baby, also check that actuator.

 

How do I check the acuator?

 

I've done experiments with gas grades and my car definetly runs sluggish with 87 89 in it...it runs noticably way stronger with 93

 

Actuator? What the hell is that? I know what the FLEX CAPACITOR is but whats an actuator? Please explain where it is, what it does, and how to fix it or clean it if it needs it, and how bad it can slow your car down if its bad.

 

Benn runnin' premium ever since and my car runs a lot better. But what about that acuator? Also is it better to run w/ or w/o resonator?

 

without resonator sounds better and lets the car breathe better...

 

Click on this link HERE to find out how to check it, didn't feel like typing it all up, plus it has pictures and videos. Go down to the section that says "What is an actuator and how do I tell if it is broken? "

 

I bet you shifted into 4th out of 3rd early. NEVER SHIFT OUT OF 3rd gear without hitting the rev limmiter when racing. Another TL-S I raced in my TL-S did that and I blew him away after 100.

 

i was gonna say, did you rev out in 3rd? that would make all the difference in the world...

 

good looking out!

 

It's FLUX capacitor

 

I think I did shift to 4th early.........I don't remember but the premium gas makes all the difference. I got to line up w/ a g35 today(finally) and took him from the go. I can't wait to get the UR pulley! Is there any HP gain on it?

 

You get a gain in power by eliminating the parasitic loss of it. Make sure you get a UR underdrive pulley (Ultra S). It's slightly smaller than stock and about 8 lbs lighter. I've had mine for about a week, and it makes a noticeable difference. UR claims that every pound saved by their pulley results in ~ 2.7 hp at the wheels. Check out their dynos on their website. The best thing about the lightened, underdriven pulley is that the power gain you get is across the entire rev band, not just at 6k RPM + as with headers and CAI.

 

I'll bet 87 octane made you lose 15 hp or so.

 

it must be the 87 octane....

 

Every day I drive my car it seems to perform better! Thanks for the tip on the gas! Yesterday I was goin' to work and an 03 type -s revved his engine like he wanted some. I didn't know what he had but I figured it was a chance to prove myself! Damn it wasn't even close! Off the line I pulled 4-5 car lengths ahead of him and by the time I was in third he was halfway down the block(embarcadero in frisco has a long straightaway). He pulled up to me at a stoplight and said "you even beat me with a spare on"!(My rim is cracked and its been 2 weeks now)

 

At least! Probably 30! What brand of gas do you use? I try to stick to Chevron or 76.