3HP difference, no. hell, most people could get 3HP by doing a tune-up. I remember a few years back in Turbo magazine they were doing some stuff to an SE-R and they did an extensive tune-up after a baseline dyno run and then dynoed it again and gained like 9 HP.

 

it was a 2.0

could you tell the diffrence in a car if it only had 3 more HP

 

Thanks for the info. I think all my questions are answered

 

I chuckle when people dispute gains smaller than 5hp from a dyno. Even the most expensive dynos read differently on every pass. Is it the engine? Is it the dyno? Is it wheel spin? Who knows?

I was at altered atmosphere watching them dyno a stock Lancer Evo, and every pass yeilded a different result even after cooling the car back down again. Sometimes as much as 15 hp! Dynojet's are very accurate, too.

So you can gather that if they dyno a car 5 times before adding parts, then 5 times afterwards, take the highest and lowest output numbers, you could advertise that your parts are "dyno proven to produce 10-15hp gains" even if they don't do a thing. Speculated gains are all just advertising hullabaloo. Every car is different.

You can buy CAI's on ebay for $30. I have one, it's every bit as big and loud as an old-style AEM, and it's cheaper than buying just a K&N, too. It makes my civic sound like a saxomophone, and let me take all of the OEM intake crap out. Look for btnz if you're interested in a cheap alternative. I don't think there's a complicated enough science to building a quality intake to warrant a $200+ price tag. Aren't name brands just fashion accessories anyway?

 

so what is your opinion on thoes guy that say a computer adds 30 HP i have a hard time beliveing that

 

The biggest gains from hacked ECUs usually come in the form of added features like stutter boxes (for accurate and consistent drag launches), and re-tasking gauges to monitor other engine functions (to assist with tuning), raised rev limits (for the guys with seriously worked heads), and DATALOGGING(!). I'd rather be consistent than fast because driver error will get you sent home early in bracket racing unless the guy in the other lane makes an even bigger one. You can win bracket races with a 25 second car. Even if your competition is running 10's. Consistent passes are worth more than 30hp is, and ECU's can be tuned to help you with that.

I believe the 30hp reference in this thread is for a Turbo car. Yes, an ECU on a turbo car can yield insane gains in HP. The rules that apply to your Honda/Acura don't apply to turbo cars. Turbo Deisel engines can gain 80hp/280lbs of torque from an ECU getting re-mapped. Look up the BullyDog propane injection system. That company also sells chips for Deisel Dodge Cummins engines that produce insane gains and all you have to do is plug it in. Don't expect to ever pick up 30hp in a N/A car from a microchip, though.

I picked up 25hp on my GSX just by hacking parts off of it. "Free" mods. Of course that only works on de-tuned engines like the 4g63. I don't know how anyone ever feels a 1-3hp upgrade on a 100-125hp motor, or whether it's even worth discussing. All I have to say is my CAI on my civic looks great with the hood up. Sounds pretty cool too. As far as faster... eh? Faster than a what? Who am I trying to beat with this thing? Other civics?

 

I was referring to the 1.8T mkiv jettas, it ups the boost up to around a bar and retunes the fuel curve which is why it gains so much power, on a n/a car there's no way you would see gains like that.

 

there was a misunderstanding.

he was referring to the 2.0L na engine.

 

jafro...i like your style man...seriously...with poeple buying mods in a hurry ...you would think that they gambled their lives on a race...take your sweet times...map out your plans on wut to do...shoot....the import scene is here to stay for a while...

 

In my opinion, the bolt on stuff produces little gains, but is a foundation for the bigger stuff...correct me if im wrong, for example, wouldnt a turbo be more efficiant with a 2 1/4 inch exhaust without restricive resonators, rather than the stock peeshooter?
Boltons are for looks and sound, and little amounts of hp...But after all they make up this fun hobby right? I love getting new parts, its fun!