Hey guys, some of you may/may not remember me. I was never a frequent poster, hardcore modder, but I was an owner of one of these beautiful cars for a year and a half. I sold it last June...something which I still regret even a year on and I think the only way forward is to buy another one but do it even better and this time - with some engine mods that I really wanted to do last time but didn't.

Here are some pics of what I had previously:

















It was a fully spec'ed pristine example...something that I know all too well because I can't find another one like it and I am resigned to 'downgrading' on the oem spec list that I had before.

I'm going to be in the market for one over the next month so will make another thread when I do finally pull the trigger.

My plans for the new one will be to keep it similar to what I had before/above, but with the facelift front and rear and although I'll have the same rims again, i'll do them in 20" size.



The important bit:
So...the goal for this car is for it to be something beautiful to look at and nice to drive. I would like some extra power though but I won't be looking to drag the car. It's mostly going to be detailed and driven around with the Mrs.

From what I see...for a $2kUSD budget, the best I can get is the ~172mm equivalent supercharger pulley and BWK plus a tune.

Is there anything else I can do in addition to that to make power, but without having to resort to buying bigger injectors, fuel rail etc ? I really wanted to feel the wrath of a 180mm crank pulley/tune, but not sure if I'm brave enough. If I have the pulley pinned to the crank, there's no way it could wobble off, is there?

I don't think I'll need additional cooling beyond a Bosch 010 pump. It's always miserable and cold here in the UK and I wouldn't beat on the car repeatedly, so I don't think the quicker heat recovery times would necessarily make my life all that much better.

I don't think I'll be able to afford headers anytime soon, but I will more than likely do a 3" mandrel bent exhaust system and bypass the....secondary or primary cats? I can't remember which one is supposed to be removed. I can get the cel removed by a star specialist, right?

I remember the K&N filters to be a waste of time on my last set up...worth adding them back in, bearing in mind it'll be with a tune and pulley?

I did like my stock ported TB shaft mod...butt dyno seemed happier after it was done. Would a 78mm TB push me into the larger injector zone?

 

You can go about 500-510 on stock injectors , based off of all the cars that have been built. Smaller SC pulley, BWK, tune, headers and cooling mods should have you in that range. TQ Converter and cooling mods are nice ways to go faster by using the power the engine has already.

 

Awesome, thanks Exotic. That's perfect. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the right parts when they pop up for sale.

I'd also really like to fit the 3.55 final gear, but not read enough reviews from happy customers from the TCU tune to convince me.

 

You should consider Koru Kirushi's E55 that he has for sale in the for sale forums. $19k for it, with some mods, and recent maintenance. Only thing would maybe check the fuel system for the leaks and replace both sides units

 

I don't think he is in the USA...