Good summary jaje, but I would add to the list a slight suspension recalibration, maybe steering feedback too. That car has gobs and gobs of torque steer.

 

And to note, Car & Driver also compared a bunch of these hot compacts as well...the SVT Focus, Neon SRT-4, MazdaSpeed Protege and Sentra SE-R Spec V.

RESULTS:

4th Place: Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
3rd Place: Mazda Speed Protege
2nd Place; Ford SVT Focus
1st Place: Dodge Neon SRT-4

 

Those IC should be sufficient for about 10psi of boost. It's similar to size of the stock SR20DET IC and my friend run 10psi on that thing w/ no problem. Mazda has tested those engine, and stock internal can handle mid-200HP with no problem. The problem was the tranny can't handle those power, not the engine.

jaje, I'm surprised that you said it's still no ITR, because SCC tested the MSP and said it dethrone the ITR in handling.

 

Does your friend have SR20...I know when most people install them they get a bigger IC, usually front mount, among other bolt-ons...The MINIs Intercooler doesnt look to useful either...

 

the msp is fast but comes from the factor with racing hart 17x7" wheels with potenza re040 z-rated sticky tires so i'd expect on a stock basis it can hang with an itr...but those who modify suspensions will tell you the itr is one of the few fwd cars that handles like a rwd allowing you to take lines in corners similar to rwd car...now take take the msp and drive it against an itr with large 17x7" with some sticky tires...the itr with its lighter weight and let's face it one of the best suspensions on the market for a car under $40k will walk away on a road track (drag race the msp has a much better advantage with more low end torque)...the fact is the itr's suspension is something of legend

 

The RE040 isn't that sticky of a tire. My dad's TT has a set in 225/45-17 and while they are good, they're not amazing.

As for SCC saying that "the MSP will dethrone the ITR," that's just journalistic rhetoric and not an objective statement.

 

Well, the reason why they say that is because the MSP finish the track they had faster than the ITR. So it has some merrit behind it.

Jaje: I'm comparing stock for stock, and stock for stock, the MSP is cheaper to start out with. If you upgrade the ITR wheels and tires, then how about I upgrade the turbo and IC on the MSP and add even better suspension? W/ these upgrades, I'm sure the MSP would still be cheaper than the ITR, carry 4 people comfortably and have a killer sound system. Stock for stock, the handling of the MSP, lik you said, can hang with the ITR without problem.

 

The RE040 is also on the WRX, and while their decent, the stock size is too small to stick a 3000 pound sedan to the road that well.

 

The last WRX I drove had the RE92 as stock which are total crap. You sure they switched to the RE040?

 

He'll find out soon enough. oh wait he already test drove one so...

but I find that manufacturers will use a couple of different brand/model of tires for any particular model. they might introduce a car with X tires then use Y tires due to availability or to reduce cost (more profit).

for example with the M coupe you could get either Michelin, dunflop or continental.

same goes for the E46 M3.