knowledge_is_power
Quest for Cognition
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- VT SII V6 A4
Simple Mod List
Here is a list of popular mods that can be done to the Ecotech. I’ll try to list some of the known options.
Please remember while each mod might not increase your peak Horse Power (as measured by a chassis dyno for example) they can and do improve on road characteristics (ie mid range power).
I don’t know the prices for each product but if others know post it up and I’ll add it. Prices are only given as a guide and may be different in each area.
I have included a Difficulty level as rated by myself:
1 Anyone who can open the Bonnet / Hood
2 If you can use a screw driver & spanner
3 If you know what it is and were it goes
4 If you have more tools then playboys
5 Your A Mechanic
CAI (Cold air induction)
Advantage: Increased throttle response, improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: Good improvement
Options:
SS inductions: $ , 1 hour DL=3
Angular: $ , 1 hour DL=3
FIT Type S: $295, 1 hour DL=3
DIY: < $50, Time 1-2 hour DL=2
Most popular: DIY best bang for buck, cheap and easy to do with plenty of how to's on this forum
Aftermarket filter
Advantage: Increased throttle response, improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: small improvement
Options:
Panel filter (King Dragon, Split fire, Redline, etc): $100 - $150, 1-2min DL=1
Pod filter: $100 - $150, 2 hours DL=2
Most popular: Panel filter, can install yourself in less then 2 mins, looks stock to the authorities, pod require heat shielding to gain decent advantage.
82` Thermostat
Advantage: Engine runs cooler, Increased throttle response.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: OK improvement
Options:
Purchase from local auto supplier: $10 - $45, 30min [DL=3]
Note: Good to do a coolant flush at the same time. Can increase fuel usage.
Exhaust heat shield (Passenger Side)
Advantage: Cooler engine bay temps, cooler intake resulting in increased throttle response & fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: Good improvement
Options:
FIT: $98, 30min DL=2
DIY: $50 1 ½ Hours DL=3
Most popular: FIT's product is a simple bolt on. DIY requires making up a template then cutting out the metal. Good fun if you like a challenge.
Low resistance ignition leads
Advantage: Reliability, less chance of a misfire resulting in increased throttle response and improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Road: improvement not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Options:
Purchase from local auto supplier (Top Gun, MSD, QLD Ignition, etc): $100 - $200, 30min DL=2
Most popular: Top Gun, although I believe this to be due to the ease of availability rather then performance.
Hi Performance Spark plugs
Advantage: Reliability, less chance of a misfire resulting in increased throttle response and improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small, unless previous part was defective
Road: small improvement, unless previous part was defective
Options:
Purchase from local auto supplier (NGK Iridiums, Bosch Super 4’s, etc): $15 - $25 a plug (Require 6), 30min DL=2
Most popular: NGK Iridiums seem to be the most popular choice for the Ecotech.
Replacement ignition coils
Advantage: Mainly Reliability, less chance of a misfire resulting in increased throttle response and improved fuel economy
Dyno: Increase in peak HP not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Road: improvement not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Options:
Genuine: $75 per coil (require 3) 1 hour DL=2
MSD:$76 - $85 per coil (require 3) 1 hour DL=2
Most popular: Personal choice. Depends if you like MSD red or GMH black.
Oversized Throttle body
Advantage: Increased throttle response.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP not noticeable.
Road: OK improvement,
Options:
Unknown Brands: $200 - $300, 45mins DL=3
Notes: Personal choice. There is increased fuel usage and is no point if you don’t have other performance modifications to complement.
Hi Ratio Roller Rockers
Advantage: Increased throttle response and increased fuel economy, increased overall performance.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP Good.
Road: Excellent improvement
Options:
FIT (1.9:1) $795 - $895, 2 hours DL=3
Yella Terra (1.8:1, 1.9:1) - $ , 2 hours DL=3
Most popular: the ratio of 1.9:1 is the most popular. Short of changing the cam this is one of the best bolt on mods that can be done. Extractors and free flowing exhaust will increase the effectiveness of this modification.
Cat back exhaust
Advantage: Increased throttle response and increased fuel economy, sportier exhaust note.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: small improvement
Options:
Many brands,
2 ½” exhaust pipe and muffler, $200 - $250 [done by exhaust shop]
Twin 2 ¼” exhaust, twin catalyst converters and twin muffler, $600 - $1000 [done by exhaust shop]
Most popular: 2 ½” single system due to price. A twin 2 ¼” system is over kill for a lightly modified Ecotech. A resonator should be used to reduce exhaust drone, around $80 extra.
Extrators / Headers
Advantage: Increased throttle response and increased fuel economy, sportier exhaust note.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP noticable when used with free flowing exhaust system.
Road: good improvement when used with free flowing exhaust system.
Options:
Many brands (Pacemaker, Genie, HM, Wildcat, etc), $400 - $600, 3 hours DL=3 Best to have exhaust shop fit.
Most popular: Pacemaker mainly due to build quality and reputation.
Notes: Get Free Flowing Exhaust System done at the same time to increase performance effectiveness and to reduce cost (compared to doing each component individually).
“Performance Chip”
Advantage: Increased throttle response, faster acceleration.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small depending on author.
Road: sometimes good improvement depending on the author.
Options:
Many brands $250 - $1000, 15mins DL=2
Notes: VS – VT only. Do your research. Keep your wits about you there are better chips then others. A lot of money for a relatively small gain, best used with at least extractors and an exhaust system. The better option is to have it properly dyno tuned to suit your application.
Dyno Tune
Advantage: Increased throttle response, Can tune to increased fuel economy, increase the effectiveness of all modifications, reduce the risk of modifications causing engine failure.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP good when used with other modifications.
Road: good improvement when used with used with other modifications.
Options:
Unknown Brand: $1000 - $1500, can take all day.
Most popular: Kalmaker Tuners are popular because they use the Factory Delco unit saving you $1500 - $3000 for a new computer and install.
If there is more go fast mods let me know and I'll add to this post.
Jezz
Here is a list of popular mods that can be done to the Ecotech. I’ll try to list some of the known options.
Please remember while each mod might not increase your peak Horse Power (as measured by a chassis dyno for example) they can and do improve on road characteristics (ie mid range power).
I don’t know the prices for each product but if others know post it up and I’ll add it. Prices are only given as a guide and may be different in each area.
I have included a Difficulty level as rated by myself:
1 Anyone who can open the Bonnet / Hood
2 If you can use a screw driver & spanner
3 If you know what it is and were it goes
4 If you have more tools then playboys
5 Your A Mechanic
CAI (Cold air induction)
Advantage: Increased throttle response, improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: Good improvement
Options:
SS inductions: $ , 1 hour DL=3
Angular: $ , 1 hour DL=3
FIT Type S: $295, 1 hour DL=3
DIY: < $50, Time 1-2 hour DL=2
Most popular: DIY best bang for buck, cheap and easy to do with plenty of how to's on this forum
Aftermarket filter
Advantage: Increased throttle response, improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: small improvement
Options:
Panel filter (King Dragon, Split fire, Redline, etc): $100 - $150, 1-2min DL=1
Pod filter: $100 - $150, 2 hours DL=2
Most popular: Panel filter, can install yourself in less then 2 mins, looks stock to the authorities, pod require heat shielding to gain decent advantage.
82` Thermostat
Advantage: Engine runs cooler, Increased throttle response.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: OK improvement
Options:
Purchase from local auto supplier: $10 - $45, 30min [DL=3]
Note: Good to do a coolant flush at the same time. Can increase fuel usage.
Exhaust heat shield (Passenger Side)
Advantage: Cooler engine bay temps, cooler intake resulting in increased throttle response & fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: Good improvement
Options:
FIT: $98, 30min DL=2
DIY: $50 1 ½ Hours DL=3
Most popular: FIT's product is a simple bolt on. DIY requires making up a template then cutting out the metal. Good fun if you like a challenge.
Low resistance ignition leads
Advantage: Reliability, less chance of a misfire resulting in increased throttle response and improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Road: improvement not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Options:
Purchase from local auto supplier (Top Gun, MSD, QLD Ignition, etc): $100 - $200, 30min DL=2
Most popular: Top Gun, although I believe this to be due to the ease of availability rather then performance.
Hi Performance Spark plugs
Advantage: Reliability, less chance of a misfire resulting in increased throttle response and improved fuel economy.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small, unless previous part was defective
Road: small improvement, unless previous part was defective
Options:
Purchase from local auto supplier (NGK Iridiums, Bosch Super 4’s, etc): $15 - $25 a plug (Require 6), 30min DL=2
Most popular: NGK Iridiums seem to be the most popular choice for the Ecotech.
Replacement ignition coils
Advantage: Mainly Reliability, less chance of a misfire resulting in increased throttle response and improved fuel economy
Dyno: Increase in peak HP not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Road: improvement not noticeable unless previous part was defective
Options:
Genuine: $75 per coil (require 3) 1 hour DL=2
MSD:$76 - $85 per coil (require 3) 1 hour DL=2
Most popular: Personal choice. Depends if you like MSD red or GMH black.
Oversized Throttle body
Advantage: Increased throttle response.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP not noticeable.
Road: OK improvement,
Options:
Unknown Brands: $200 - $300, 45mins DL=3
Notes: Personal choice. There is increased fuel usage and is no point if you don’t have other performance modifications to complement.
Hi Ratio Roller Rockers
Advantage: Increased throttle response and increased fuel economy, increased overall performance.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP Good.
Road: Excellent improvement
Options:
FIT (1.9:1) $795 - $895, 2 hours DL=3
Yella Terra (1.8:1, 1.9:1) - $ , 2 hours DL=3
Most popular: the ratio of 1.9:1 is the most popular. Short of changing the cam this is one of the best bolt on mods that can be done. Extractors and free flowing exhaust will increase the effectiveness of this modification.
Cat back exhaust
Advantage: Increased throttle response and increased fuel economy, sportier exhaust note.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small.
Road: small improvement
Options:
Many brands,
2 ½” exhaust pipe and muffler, $200 - $250 [done by exhaust shop]
Twin 2 ¼” exhaust, twin catalyst converters and twin muffler, $600 - $1000 [done by exhaust shop]
Most popular: 2 ½” single system due to price. A twin 2 ¼” system is over kill for a lightly modified Ecotech. A resonator should be used to reduce exhaust drone, around $80 extra.
Extrators / Headers
Advantage: Increased throttle response and increased fuel economy, sportier exhaust note.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP noticable when used with free flowing exhaust system.
Road: good improvement when used with free flowing exhaust system.
Options:
Many brands (Pacemaker, Genie, HM, Wildcat, etc), $400 - $600, 3 hours DL=3 Best to have exhaust shop fit.
Most popular: Pacemaker mainly due to build quality and reputation.
Notes: Get Free Flowing Exhaust System done at the same time to increase performance effectiveness and to reduce cost (compared to doing each component individually).
“Performance Chip”
Advantage: Increased throttle response, faster acceleration.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP small depending on author.
Road: sometimes good improvement depending on the author.
Options:
Many brands $250 - $1000, 15mins DL=2
Notes: VS – VT only. Do your research. Keep your wits about you there are better chips then others. A lot of money for a relatively small gain, best used with at least extractors and an exhaust system. The better option is to have it properly dyno tuned to suit your application.
Dyno Tune
Advantage: Increased throttle response, Can tune to increased fuel economy, increase the effectiveness of all modifications, reduce the risk of modifications causing engine failure.
Dyno: Increase in peak HP good when used with other modifications.
Road: good improvement when used with used with other modifications.
Options:
Unknown Brand: $1000 - $1500, can take all day.
Most popular: Kalmaker Tuners are popular because they use the Factory Delco unit saving you $1500 - $3000 for a new computer and install.
If there is more go fast mods let me know and I'll add to this post.
Jezz
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