Quote:
Originally Posted by strat61caster
Adding power will reduce the lifespan of the car which is why many people are avoiding it and advising it against it (especially since it's your primary vehicle), but if that's what you want the forums I linked are a better place than this.
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I don't think adding a Vortec or a well maintained and tuned turbo install is guaranteed to lower the lifespan of the engine. People used to say the same thing about the KA24 in the 240SX, never proved to be true. And now with the advanced tuning of the stock engine management things are much better.
This OPer is pinpointing the Achilles heal of this car : 3rd gear torque dip lack of acceleration. A true drivers car does not get stuck at 4k rpm going up a hill in 3rd gear, just doesn't define a drivers sports car. I notice it every day on a steep hill coming home from work.
I/H/E tune aren't going to help with this issue.
Swapping 18 or 19" rims is only going to make the problem worse. Better to look for the lightest weight 16" rims you can find.
Or better swap the rear differential to a shorter gear, that and better tires make this a true sports car. I am also of the opinion that the stock struts and springs aren't stiff enough, unfortunately there is no good upgrade for this yet, (I'm not carving my stock struts for inserts.).
Smartest thing is to wait for better aftermarket solutions to the suspension, see how reliable the superchargers are a year from now and then tackle that one thing keeping this from being a top street sports car (the torque dip in 3rd.)