what can i do to get more power out of my wifes neon?
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Joined: Nov 2008
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airflow improvements like a CAI are a bit overrated, on the dyno they pick the one spot where there is the largest difference between the two, and say 'gee golly look at that! 8hp!, when in reality the average difference across these jagged graphs is more like 2 hp, with maybe an average gain in the 5000-6500rpm range of say 3-4hp. But it does help, just don't go adding up the advertised performance gains and start thinking that you can make 30hp with nothing but intake & exhaust tubing. Those parts might make that much difference... but only ON a turbocharged car, or with a racing cam, or with both), basically you'd need to do something to the engine which would make it benefit from a much more volumous airflow to get 'significant' gains. but on a stock engine there is a limit to how much hp you can squeeze out of wider airflow alone. basically if there is no appreciable restriction to airflow in and out of your engine, then that's all, nothing wider will do anything for ya (but it will sound better still 
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Rookie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 54
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From: California
airflow improvements like a CAI are a bit overrated, on the dyno they pick the one spot where there is the largest difference between the two, and say 'gee golly look at that! 8hp!, when in reality the average difference across these jagged graphs is more like 2 hp, with maybe an average gain in the 5000-6500rpm range of say 3-4hp. But it does help, just don't go adding up the advertised performance gains and start thinking that you can make 30hp with nothing but intake & exhaust tubing. Those parts might make that much difference... but only ON a turbocharged car, or with a racing cam, or with both), basically you'd need to do something to the engine which would make it benefit from a much more volumous airflow to get 'significant' gains. but on a stock engine there is a limit to how much hp you can squeeze out of wider airflow alone. basically if there is no appreciable restriction to airflow in and out of your engine, then that's all, nothing wider will do anything for ya (but it will sound better still ).
).It's a 2.0l so every ponny helps. I understand. I do. It's not like my old F250 diesel where a $299 chip now makes me 400hp/700tq But, if you do a few things, you will notice. It all depends on how much your wanting to spend.
Think of a motor like a pump. More air/fuel in and out the faster you go. On the neon, if I can gain 20hp from an intake, exhaust, and 60mm throttle body and some MSD ignition I am good
Last edited by gcrn7081; Feb 10, 2009 at 03:21 AM.
2nd gen neon peace keeper
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,554
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From: Hornell NY
kath, you are correct when saying dyno... the manufactiors of the products say say hp messured by the crank and not the wheels... some good manufactors will often give u both, wheel and crank hp rating, but not many...
2nd gen neon peace keeper
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 1
From: Hornell NY
Think of a motor like a pump. More air/fuel in and out the faster you go. On the neon, if I can gain 20hp from an intake, exhaust, and 60mm throttle body and some MSD ignition I am good
and i make 300 more whp i am happy..... HAHA, lol
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Joined: Nov 2005
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without getting too deep into the car... a CAI, 55mm throttle body, header, cat-back, & underdrive pulley, should get you about 10% more power. AND give you better gas mileage. These parts would just let the engine breath better, and decrease the amount of power drain that your accessories draw from the engine. While the effects should be positive throughout the operating range of the engine, the bulk of your power gains will be realized at higher rpm where airflow becomes more significant.
After that an R/T or crane cam (& springs) will get you less throttle response at the low end, but great high rpm power. This will take away any gains in gas mileage you got from the other parts. I would imagine, that with a cam (combined with the above listed mods) could maybe get the engine to about 15% or more gain over stock power. Racing cams don't really give you more power on the rising side of your torque curve, they just extend the peak into a higher rpm range, so that your engine can rev higher before peaking out, but at the cost of degrading your low rpm efficiency and giving you a less smooth idle.
After that an R/T or crane cam (& springs) will get you less throttle response at the low end, but great high rpm power. This will take away any gains in gas mileage you got from the other parts. I would imagine, that with a cam (combined with the above listed mods) could maybe get the engine to about 15% or more gain over stock power. Racing cams don't really give you more power on the rising side of your torque curve, they just extend the peak into a higher rpm range, so that your engine can rev higher before peaking out, but at the cost of degrading your low rpm efficiency and giving you a less smooth idle.
Last edited by INVUJerry; Feb 10, 2009 at 05:33 PM.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Baltimore, Maryland
Get a replacement cylinder head from the yard, and port match it on the intake and exhaust side. A better cam (95 cam is cheapest) would fair well with the smoother air flow. Ebay have very fair priced headers and underdrive pulley. A cai would be a nice addition, and can be made for next to nothing. Research is your friend. Top that off with a tuning device (SAFC II or NEO) as the factory PCM runs you rather rich. Oh, and 5sp neons run circles around n/a autos. Truth.
If I could do it again, I'd start with port matching and tuning. Work from the inside out.
If I could do it again, I'd start with port matching and tuning. Work from the inside out.
Last edited by Ghost Neon 2; Feb 11, 2009 at 02:08 AM.
Professional
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 237
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Chipping the car is vurtually (won't let me correct spelling) useless given the programming on the Neons computer.
If you want a decent increase in power, you'd probably have to go with building up your internals and forced induction.. But that's probably a little out of your wife's league.
Stick with the cold air intake, free flow exhaust, maybe a bigger throttle body
If you want a decent increase in power, you'd probably have to go with building up your internals and forced induction.. But that's probably a little out of your wife's league.
Stick with the cold air intake, free flow exhaust, maybe a bigger throttle body
smartest answer in this whole post bro, listen to this.. you dont wanna build it up to where your wife cant handle it, but this should be good enough for you to feel a difference and for her to be able to drive it... Dont listen to these douchebags that just wanna give you **** cause they are still kids.. just like this guy said tho... intake, exhaust, and throttle body
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From:
I really hope you're not saying I'm only trying to give **** and not help, and I really hope you're not calling me a kid. I've been down the "Mod the NGC" road before. Intake and exhaust will help, but the most you'll feel is what they call "the butt dyno" . A louder car feels like a faster car.
BTW, the Jet chip (the only chip they have right now for the 03-05 neons) dosen't do anything, it's been dyno proven tha tit dosen't give any gains what so ever.
BTW, the Jet chip (the only chip they have right now for the 03-05 neons) dosen't do anything, it's been dyno proven tha tit dosen't give any gains what so ever.