Mods worth the money?

[urbanphenom]

I recently bought an 08 tC auto. List of mods to do already contains Injen CAI and Megan Drift Spec Exhaust.

I was wondering if it would be worth the time and money ($150-$200) to put in a throttle body spacer and a light weight pulley. some have told me you gain almost 15hp with both, some have said you gain nothing. Anyone know what the deal is? thanks for the help

[urbanphenom]

also.... does anyone know the hp gain for the CAI and Exhaust (cat back)?

i heard 20-30hp for both

[JoshCrane1]

tb spacer no, pulley yes.

[hawgs74]

I agree with the no on the spacer. But might I add lowering springs and sway bars to the list. Probably some of the best mods you could do to improve the feel of the car.

[Hotokuken]

if its under 200 bucks then its probably not worth it anyways. I mean list of things under 200 bucks:

WORTH IT
Weight reduction (Free)
22mm+ Rear sway bar
Hawk HPS Pads (Axel set X2)
slotted brake rotors (2)
stainless steel brake lines and MOTULRBF600 fluid
High Flow fuel rail
Adjustable fuel pressure regulator

JUSTIFIED
Front splitter
Solid aluminum rear motor mount OR engine dampener
Intake
Pulley kit
Strut bars - Front or Rear
Lower Rear Tie bar
Front lower stress bar/ Traction Bar
Under panel

DEFINATELY NOT WORTH IT
A gauge of your choice - At your cars level of performance this isnt necessary at all.

maybe a tach - its bigger, its better, it does the same shit as the stock one plus your auto so its got NoOb written all over it.

Tow hook - This Isnt a race car, keep it on the track

Throttle body spacer - Why not get a tornado for your intake while your at it

Bushings - Your car is new so WTF

Short throw shifter - wont need your auto

A Pair of wheel spacers - unless you want the ass end to look wider then the front like a plymouth prowler no need untill you can afford all 4 and the car is lowered.


Just my $0.02

Buddy

[Krdshrk]

TB Spacers are WORTHLESS AND USELESS on EFI cars.

[urbanphenom]

ok, thanks guys.

does anyone know what pulley would benefit me more?

agency seems to make the best one.

[Krdshrk]

Agency is a good pulley.

[hawgs74]

Id have to say Non Stop Tuning -- I have been very impressed with them.

[Krdshrk]

NST is good too yes.

[toyota_scion_tc]

Don't put a pulley on your car, get intake (short ram or cai both help), header, if you don't get a full exhaust at least get a header, s-pipe, and rear section.

[urbanphenom]

I already have an Injen CAI on my list as well as the Megan Drift Spec Exhaust. The pulley would be in addition to those items. I dont want headers as of now. Ill prob put a s-pipe in when I get the headers. ill be fine with close to 200hp for the time being. im also saving up for some nice 19 inch rims for next summer so i dont wanna blow it all on performance mods

[toyota_scion_tc]

I already have an Injen CAI on my list as well as the Megan Drift Spec Exhaust. The pulley would be in addition to those items. I dont want headers as of now. Ill prob put a s-pipe in when I get the headers. ill be fine with close to 200hp for the time being. im also saving up for some nice 19 inch rims for next summer so i dont wanna blow it all on performance mods

You will need more than that for 200hp.

Intake
Header
Full Exhaust
Engine work (internals)
Engine Management

[urbanphenom]

really? idk, sounds like you know more so I guess so, lol

I figured the CAI would go from 161 to 173
the Cat Back would make it go from 173 to 183-187
and the pulley system would gain an additional 10 (183-187 to 193-197)

not gunna lie, im a noob so im prob wrong lol

[AceStyle]

aftermarket parts are calculated in wheel horsepower (whp) the selling sticker for cars advertise Crank Horsepower.

What matters is wheel horsepower because thats how much power you are putting to the road.

a stock tc with an auto is probably putting down about 130 whp or so, I've seen manual numbers around 140 to 150, It all depends on the dyno.

So go from 130 or so when trying to calculate horsepower, but you also have to know that aftermarket parts are usually tested on manuals as well, so your performance gain will be lower

[toyota_scion_tc]

Correct but if they are the true dynos listing SAE corrected HP not STD then most tC's will put down 137-141HP and 147-152 FT Lbs of TQ. When it comes to mods it a combination of mods that help you achive higher power levels. One mod will give you a few HP but honestly I/H/E will net on average 12-20hp and 5-10Ft Lbs of TQ. With just I/H/E I dynoed SAE power at 158WHP and 157 Ft Lbs of TQ with a CEL on. The CEL could have made a diffrence and then again it might not have made a diffrence. If you have I/H/E and 11.0-1 CR Pistons, Resleeave 89MM, Rods, Titanium springs, retainers,Stainless valves, Port and Polished head, and engine management you should see close to 200 if not just a little over, top it off with an agressive cam and you should see over 200 for sure. These parts are assuming you are staying N/A and not boosting though. If you are boosting then you need lower compression pistons.

[urbanphenom]

yeah, im eventually going to hook it up to a turbo and run a intercooler too

[JoeSchizo]

Since you're an auto tC, and if you are looking spend a bit more money, you could invest in a performance torque converter along with some transmission work, which has the possibility to give you some more performance gains, especially considering that you said you intend to eventually go turbo with an intercooler. Auto transmissions for our tC are said to slip once you get into the area of 250 hp. Lay down some ground work with the tranny and you'll be set for turbo, and benefit regardless until you do have a turbo application.


Edit: The most Hp gain I've read in any forum for a N/A tC with full engine work, short of stroking it out, and extensive tuning and a fair amount of time (not to mention a pretty penny) was just about 190 hp. And the guy know's his engines. I have yet to see a higher Hp N/A tC.

[Kendrick]

yeah, im eventually going to hook it up to a turbo and run a intercooler too

You have alot of plans, i'd suggest stretching it out alittle and making your after market parts be more affordable.. That is unless you have the money go for it.

Ps Megan Drift exhaust probably one of my more favorite exhaust so invest in some Megan Headers.

[yaboinick]

if you get a pulley , doesnt that void your warranty ?

[fightinsk8ers]

no

[TheFantasticG]

I'd have to say a manual swap MIGHT be cheaper than a built auto tranny. But, that depends on who builds it and whatnot.

Sounds to me like the OP needs to do A LOT more reading about F/I in general before he heads down that road.

My list:

Hotchkis rear sway
Turbonetics kit or Dezod kit or Greddy kit (or PTuning kit when it comes out)
NST pivot point mover a.k.a. short shifter
Comp. Clutch/Flywheel
Good tires

Just go here, and see my mod list: http://clubsciontc.com/TheFantasticG

Every mod I have is worth the money.