Like the title says, i need some ideas. This is my first non vtec motor, and from what i have gathered, they are a ton different, lol. I considered the whole intake header exhaust deal just to start off, but have been told by a couple people it wouldnt even be worth the money.
I guess what i am really wondering, is what are these engines most responsive to?
The motor is out of a 99 teg gs, it has a type r replica tranny, tons of suspension work, cold ac and hot heat, and the engine is bone stock, down to the heat shield still on the exhaust manifold.
I dont want to spend a ton of money right now, and as it is MY daily driver 9my wife drives my 05 explorer) i need it to not be down for more than a day or two. What kind of bolt ons or intake mani swaps or whatever can i do on my engine to make more power?
I dont want to do an ls/vtec, and i dont want to spend the money for a turbo setup right now. And no nitrous.
Im not expecting MASSIVE gains or anything, but some extra get up and go would be nice.
Thanks in advance...
Kyle...

 

First off you have to spend money to make power, second the only way your going to get power out of your ls is to boost it or go lsv, maybe your best bet would be turn around sell the ls and use the money you wanted to spend on intake and header to buy a gsr?

 

^trust me i want to do that, but i cant really spend that money right now. im putting my wife through college, and money is kind of tight with us right now. I COULD do that, but im trying my hardest to avoid it. im trying to do the most that i can the best that i can with the situation i am in. And im not doing an ls/vtec.

 

Before You spend any money do a compression check on your motor so you know where you stand.
I understand you said No Vtec but...it was the best money I ever spent and was done in a day.

 

Only cheap power that you will even notice is nitrous, just do a small shot

 

Don't do anything to the engine.

 

Wanna degree some toda cams?

 

Do a compression and leakdown test. Make sure the engine is healthy.

After that, a good Cold Air/Tuned Length Intake, with a good header (DC w/2.5" collector mod or a Type-R), a good high flow cat, and a 2.5" exhaust. If you pick good components and research the parts (aka, not on here), you can pick up a good 10whp, atleast. After that, you can get a chipped ECU and do some tuning and maybe pick up more power. A decent set of cams (Crower makes popular cams for the LS, but get cam gears too) and a proper tune and you'll be good. Cams, I/H/E, a good intake manifold (matched to your set-up) and PROPERLY sized throttle body, and a proper tune, you can probably pick up a good 20whp+. You'll certainly feel that through the entire RPM range.

You're not gonna see huge power gains from bolt-ons, but apart from swapping, boosting it, spraying it, or doing a proper NA/Non-vtec build, that's about as good as it gets. But the key to making good power is choosing parts that compliment each other and getting a GOOD tune.

If you want to discuss build theory and shit, feel free to PM me.

 

^thanx for the good answer. Thats more what i was looking for.
I am going to do a comp test when i get home, and if it is in fact needy, i think i will just end up getting a swap for it. I really wanna do an h22 swap. I had a buddy that did one and that car was amazing.

 

If I had the time...