Stock engine more power

rhturbo

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2018
Hello everyone,
What are the best mods without going crazy for a stock 1987 GN engine besides a chip. Looking to gain approx 50 -100HP over stock
 
Make sure it's perfect first.

Get a scanmaster first if you don't already have one, to help you get it dialed in.

Once dialed in you'll have to think about your goals long and hard.

You'll have to figure out what fuel works best for you, either high octane race gas, 93 octane w/ alky or E85.

More than likely you'll want a set of injectors to match the new chip for your goal.

You'll want a fuel pump to supply fuel for your goal, a fuel pump hot wire kit to ensure strong voltage at the pump (the factory wiring was barely adequate for a stock car 30 yrs. ago).

An accurate boost and fuel pressure gauge are on the list as well.

Boost is what will give you the power. The stock turbo is good for 22-23 psi boost.

Use the scanmaster to ensure there is no knock when the boost is turned up, go slow and look for no knock.
 
aaahhh you want more gains but don't want to charge much ??? not happening , most important all round up grade is a hot wire kit for fuel pump , then LTI maF sensor and a chip Eric's at turbo tweak recommended , then you can go from there , research on this site is a valuable tool as many of these things have been discussed to no end before , scan master a must even though I didn't want one but have to see whats going on , so many factors once you change one thing you have to change another you want more boost more fuel required then your on to the tranny it snowballs so read read read on here these guys are the masters of it all and have broke it all LOL
 
They're all right. Make what you have perfect 1st if it isnt already. What exactly are you starting with? Is it completely stock? How many miles? Ever rebuilt? How old are your vacuum hoses? Ever done a leakdown test? Has the fuel filter ever been changed? I could go on and on. As your level of horsepower rises your margin for error shrinks exponentially. But to kind of answer your question start with the fuel system. Pump, filter, hotwire, adjustable pressure regulator, injectors (if they've never been changed) new injector harness, and a gauge whether mounted permanently or temporary where you can monitor fuel pressure under boost. Good luck
 
The one mod that would help now and for future upgrades is a good free flowing exhaust and test pipe.
 
Hello everyone,
What are the best mods without going crazy for a stock 1987 GN engine besides a chip. Looking to gain approx 50 -100HP over stock
fuel pump,volt booster,scanmaster/wideband to monitor afr,alkycontrol single nozzle,shift kit/and a transcooler,drag radials,gapped down plugs 1 range cooler,boost increase to 23/25psi.thats just about all we used to run 11s easy 100/150hp in one afternoon
 
I'm not an expert, but I CAN tell you the head gasket will blow if you run it hard and don't upgrade the fuel system as mentioned above.

I would absolutely start with making sure your getting enough fuel before you do anything else!

JMO
 
The first 'mod' you have to do is all the preventative maintenance. And you have to replace the parts that have timed out.

Vac hoses, check valves, plugs, wires, timing set, oil pickup, fuel pump (and hanger mods), hot wire kit, valve springs, VC gaskets, fluids, modern MAF and Translator, 60's and a matching chip, manual boost controller....


And do all the free stuff like cleaning out the intercooler, zip tie on the accelerator cable at the gas pedal, oil pump mods while the timing cover is off.....


THEN when you have a ''stock'' car (that's over 300hp at the wheels) you can start doing actual mods. If you build a house on a crappy foundation, it sinks into the swamp. Same thing with modding cars.

...or you can think about stuff like your 30+yo rubber brake lines, lower ball joints, wheel bearings, and a powermaster that's going to fail soon...
 
The first 'mod' you have to do is all the preventative maintenance. And you have to replace the parts that have timed out.

Vac hoses, check valves, plugs, wires, timing set, oil pickup, fuel pump (and hanger mods), hot wire kit, valve springs, VC gaskets, fluids, modern MAF and Translator, 60's and a matching chip, manual boost controller....


And do all the free stuff like cleaning out the intercooler, zip tie on the accelerator cable at the gas pedal, oil pump mods while the timing cover is off.....


THEN when you have a ''stock'' car (that's over 300hp at the wheels) you can start doing actual mods. If you build a house on a crappy foundation, it sinks into the swamp. Same thing with modding cars.

...or you can think about stuff like your 30+yo rubber brake lines, lower ball joints, wheel bearings, and a powermaster that's going to fail soon...
Yes. All this stuff. And maybe some other stuff. And now you can begin.

Adjustable fuel pressure regulator.
Fuel pressure gauge.
Boost gauge.
Oil pressure gauge.
Scanmaster.
Wide band A/F monitor
Adjustable wastegate and/or boost controller and ported puck hole.
Loose or gut the cat.
Exhaust system.
Downpipe.
Alcohol injection.

Learn how to read/use/and tune items above.

Turn up the boost. Make 400 horsepower. Buy tires.
 
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