Important first mods

[NathF]

Well as ive put a deposit down on the spec r s15 that torque gt advertised the other day im on the market for a couple of upgrades. The car is pretty much stock apart from nismo suspension and non aero bodykit. Are there any parts that are worth buying first, brakes, coilovers, fmic, aero bodykit?
I already have a new japspeed carbon fibre spoiler but will look silly without a bodykit on it IMO
Cheers guys

 

[spoonman]

if its completely stock, then look at what power you want to achieve and what you can spend. then work from there.
if you are sensible mod the car in this order, Brakes - Suspension - Power

 

[Jaydej]

I posted a similar threat when I first joined, I came down to the conclusion it depends what your plans are, if it's power start doing stuff to gain bhp ending in mapping last, if it's handling/stance-ing start with coilies. I've gone for exhaust and induction to start, I'm aiming for a good track day car so I will be doing all sorts of mods

 

[NathF]

For the first few years i'd be happy if the car had around 300bhp with immaculate bodywork. Currently looking to order some XXR 527's in either bronze or chromium black, k sport 330mm 8 pots and possibly a new intake as i love my turbo induction

 

[JDM_virgin]

What car did you have previously and have you had any experience with rwd cars? As for mods a full turbo back system with decat is a good start.

 

[Chriscooke]

Fuel pump, Arb's, brakes (check they are working as they should with good pads) grade 7 spark plugs, fmic, remap

 

[dave_t]

Nath - great shout on brakes being a first mod, a lot of people overlook this. I have the K-Sport 330mm kit with EBC yellow stuff pads, along with a BM57 (300zx TT Master Cylinder) And R33/Z32 Rear brake setup, and the brakes are just incredible - just amazing. the pedal feel, the braking performance and they just never, NEVER fade, either on track (i have ran them at the Nurburgring and Oulton Park) let alone street use. I am yet to out-brake myself into a corner.

Power mod's i would tick off all the usual bolt-on's - uprated elbow, downpipe, cat-back - intake - FMIC, fuel pump and an Electronic Boost controller to safely turn up the boost.

 

[spoonman]

you will be able to reach 300 at the wheels with the stock turbo, tuned on 98oct at about 1.2 bar boost, providing you have all needed supporting mods but after that a bigger turbo will be needed

 

[NathF]

What car did you have previously and have you had any experience with rwd cars? As for mods a full turbo back system with decat is a good start.

Just sold my astra sri turbo with a stage 1 map running about 230 bhp, never driven a rwd car before so slightly nervous totally forgot about an exhaust lol. Definately something to consider as i imagine it will sound pants on the standard system

Fuel pump, Arb's, brakes (check they are working as they should with good pads) grade 7 spark plugs, fmic, remap

Any recommended cooler kits? Do you have to drill the chassis and mount the battery sideways to fit a front mount?

Nath - great shout on brakes being a first mod, a lot of people overlook this. I have the K-Sport 330mm kit with EBC yellow stuff pads, along with a BM57 (300zx TT Master Cylinder) And R33/Z32 Rear brake setup, and the brakes are just incredible - just amazing. the pedal feel, the braking performance and they just never, NEVER fade, either on track (i have ran them at the Nurburgring and Oulton Park) let alone street use. I am yet to out-brake myself into a corner.

Power mod's i would tick off all the usual bolt-on's - uprated elbow, downpipe, cat-back - intake - FMIC, fuel pump and an Electronic Boost controller to safely turn up the boost.

I upgraded my brakes on my sri turbo to astra vxr front brakes and even tho they were bigger, they just didnt feel as responsive or powerful as my standard brakes. Can get the k sports kit for around £999, is that a good price? The 300zx MC essential for the bigger brakes?
Luckily i have a mapper than lives down the road from me that maps supra's and he will be mapping my mates supra's, one will be using a standalone ecu so he knows his stuff Whats a recommended turbo upgrade, gt28rs?

Thanks very much guys

 

[NathF]

you will be able to reach 300 at the wheels with the stock turbo, tuned on 98oct at about 1.2 bar boost, providing you have all needed supporting mods but after that a bigger turbo will be needed

Thats good to hear What mods will be required for that power? Fmic, exhaust, fuel pump? Thanks buddy

 

[JDM_virgin]

If you've never driven rear drivers before then I think the standard power will be fine for now as you don't wanna wrap it before you get a chance to enjoy it! S15s are notoriously oversteery which adds a new dimension as a first timer- I've had quite a few moments in mine. Another thing to also consider and not skimp on is good tyres. Doesn't matter whatpower suspension setup or brakes you run, if you got naff tyres it will all end in tears

 

[NathF]

If you've never driven rear drivers before then I think the standard power will be fine for now as you don't wanna wrap it before you get a chance to enjoy it! S15s are notoriously oversteery which adds a new dimension as a first timer- I've had quite a few moments in mine. Another thing to also consider and not skimp on is good tyres. Doesn't matter whatpower suspension setup or brakes you run, if you got naff tyres it will all end in tears

Your right about the power. 230bhp was more than quick enough for me in my astra so im sure, 250bhp i believe the spec r's are standard, will be more than exciting I was always told i drove like an old woman so im not gona be silly with it lol. Im not one to put ditch finder on my cars. Ran yoko parada's on the front of the astra and falken's on the rear. Will look at either toyo t1 sports or goodyear eagle f1's if i get the xxr 527's

 

[JDM_virgin]

Driving a 15 Definitely promotes hoonage. Yeah because they are relatively light and the boost is not progressive like in modern cars it just wants you to keep your foot in. For mapping most people on here either use jez at Horsham developments or Steve at fctuning. I'm getting a nistune from him this summer if funds allow it as my stage 1 mods are nearly complete. Yeah don't forgot the exhaust- arguably the most important bolt on mod as back pressure is the arch enemy of turbo power haha! When I fitted my decat and 3" system the difference was quite astounding for a 35 quid bit of stainless pipe with 2 flanges on it

 

[NathF]

Driving a 15 Definitely promotes hoonage. Yeah because they are relatively light and the boost is not progressive like in modern cars it just wants you to keep your foot in. For mapping most people on here either use jez at Horsham developments or Steve at fctuning. I'm getting a nistune from him this summer if funds allow it as my stage 1 mods are nearly complete. Yeah don't forgot the exhaust- arguably the most important bolt on mod as back pressure is the arch enemy of turbo power haha! When I fitted my decat and 3" system the difference was quite astounding for a 35 quid bit of stainless pipe with 2 flanges on it

is the boost quite agressive then even on standard boost? I'll probably use the guy mapping my mates supra's as he is about a couple of miles down the road. Where are those mappers based?
Any recommended brands of exhaust? Blitz, HKS? John Ashley exhausts isnt far from me and he is a very good exhaust fabricator

 

[dave_t]

For mapping, i can't recommend Greg@PROTUNER highly enough, he's the best iv'e ever dealt with - his reputation is well deserved as an SR20 specialist.

And he's only the other side of Birmingham

 

[2fst4u]

If it's your type of thing and the direction you want to go - relocate the battery to the boot.

Reason being, yes generally you need to drill a hole in the battery tray and fit a smaller battery to get the intercooler in. Relocate the battery, take out the tray and then you have more room for oil cooler etc later

 

[Auss15]

What I started with, exhaust, FMIC, sway bars and better brake pads....then get used to the extra power and how the car drives before you move to the next level

 

[LiamB91]

For 300 @ the wheels, youll need stage 2 atleast

Elbow
Downpipe
Decat
Exhaust
FMIC
Boost Controller
Walbro 255
Nismo 555's
Exhaust Mani

 

[JDM_virgin]

For 300 @ the wheels, youll need stage 2 atleast

Elbow
Downpipe
Decat
Exhaust
FMIC
Boost Controller
Walbro 255
Nismo 555's
Exhaust Mani

And also a Z32 AFM and some kind of induction kit/air filter. I think the standard injectors start to lean out at about 320hp but thats at teh flywheel, dont know what the equates to at the wheels.

and yeah the boost is quite aggressive- seems to have more lag than other turbos ive driven but with the map you can smooth this out and have the boost come in earlier.

I think pegliobagio wrote something in the useful thread section detailing exactly what you need for each stage of tune so from like stage 1 300 right up to about 500+ with forged pistons etc

 

[spoonman]

Taken from STHitec website, (the best RB/SR tuner in NZ)


Power Up Guide – SR20

SETUP STEP #1:

-Air Filter / Our Recommendations:Apexi Power Intake Kit

-Turbo Outlet / Our Recommendations:HPI

-Front Pipe / Our Recommendations:GP Sports

-Catback Exhaust / Our Recommendations:Apexi N1, Kakimoto N1, FGK, Ganador

POWER INCREASE: 160-170kW @ wheels



SETUP STEP #2

-Completion of STEP 1

-Electronic Boost Controller / Our Recommendations:HKS EVC 5, Trust Profec B, Blitz SBC R

-ECU Upgrade / Our Recommendations:HKS FCon IS, Apexi Power FC, Link G4

-Upgrade Fuel Pump / Our Recommendations:NISMO

-Intercooler Kit / Our Recommendations:HKS, Trust, Blitz, ARC

POWER INCREASE: 200-210kW @ wheels



SETUP STEP #3:

-Completion of STEP 2

-Bolton Turbo Kits / Our Recommendations:HKS GT-RS

-Camshafts / Our Recommendations:HKS, Tomei, Toda, JUN

-Rocker arm Stopper

-Upsized Injectors (x4) / Our Recommendations:NISMO 740cc

-Fuel Pressure Regulator / Our Recommendations:SARD, NISMO, Apexi

-Headgasket

-Clutch Kit / Our Recommendations:NISMO, EXEDY, ORC, OS GIKEN

-Dynotune (1.2-1.3bar boost)

POWER INCREASE: 220-250kW @ wheels