S/R mods?

[S/R-71]

No, I'm not asking what an S/R has done to it. I already know what's done. I'm a proud owner of a 2000 S/R.

I was wondering what mods people have done that made big/noticable improvements? I saw the phantom grip unit was mentioned in the newbie thread. How much does this help with drivability in general and when you start to push it?

I'm also looking to get a set of wheels to get for the summer. I really like the SSR comps, but I've heard some bad stuff about them. I have no clue what size to even go with, and what will fit and won't without rubbing. I know that I have 205/55-15's on it at the moment. I don't know 16, 17, or 18's? One of my big concerns is my speedo being off. I know there's a company that makes a device to fix the error, but I'd rather not have to deal with that. I guess that's all for now. Thanks for reading.

[ZX2 S/R Black]

If you get 17" rims... you can use 215/40/17 tires and the speedo will be the same... I'd go 17"... nice size and isn't really too big for our car. As far as good mods... that depends on your budget... and if you go NA or FI.

For NA you can do UDP, Header, Exhaust, cams, and Nitrous... I'd do it in exactly that order...

PG will definitley help... I don't see a real need unless your going FI... unless you like flooring it around corners... Or if the tranny just doesn't like u...I already have PG in a tranny waiting to be dropped in... and I might be able to drive a PG equipped ZX2 soon... so I'll let you know the difference.

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Here is a link to a thread in which I posted what size tires will work with what rims... just have to scroll down a few posts... you'll see it...
http://www.teamzx2.com/showthread.php?p=5322#post5322

[S/R-71]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yeah, I actually just saw that tire calculator in another thread and saw that using that combo will result in zero change in the speedo.

A turbo set-up would be nice, but for the time being i'm satisfied with the stock setup. Maybe some small mods down the road, but nothing to crazy at the moment. I was looking at getting new shifter bushings to help with some of the slop in the shifter. I want to work on getting the car in like-new shape before I start doing anything major. It has pretty low miles so it's really not that bad to begin with. One owner too (relative of mine).

I'm basically looking into some little maintenence work here and there. I'm really curious about that PG though. I guess some synthetic fluids wouldn't hurt either.

[ZX2Fast]

I'll be putting the PG install how-to up soon. That'll give you an idea of how to install it. I've noticed I don't have near as much wheel hop or torque steer with this PG in the tranny.

[mechtech]

Unplug the knock sensor .

Get a UDP.

A header is great. Think twice about noise,and using the stock cat converter. You may get a shorty or a full length. Full length is better, but you need a new cat.
2.25" exhaust pipe or 2.5" for a lot of engine mods - Trubenz is great, but costs $ A resonator is worth it in line.

Cams next.

Electronic tuning, like SCT.

A 19mm rear sway bar should have been standard. They are wonderful. Don't think this won't help a lot - it makes driving the car much more enjoyable - ask anybody. Whether you go fast or slow.

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Unplug the knock sensor .

Get a UDP.

A header is great. Think twice about noise,and using the stock cat converter. You may get a shorty or a full length. Full length is better, but you need a new cat.
2.25" exhaust pipe or 2.5" for a lot of engine mods - Trubenz is great, but costs $ A resonator is worth it in line.

Cams next.

Electronic tuning, like SCT.

A 19mm rear sway bar should have been standard. They are wonderful. Don't think this won't help a lot - it makes driving the car much more enjoyable - ask anybody. Whether you go fast or slow.

Probably the best mod out there...lol
Best mod I've ever done for the price... and yes it definitley should've come stock

[iceracer]

No single bolt on will give you a BIG increase. Putting things together, UDP,K&N filter, some type of header, cat back exhaust, Cam gears etc. will show a modest gain.
The Phanton Grip does help.

[mechtech]

Do you get a 'Phantom Grip' when you bend over to pick up the soap bar in prison?

[Beodude123]

A PG isn't really needed unless you have a lot of power. I take my Z around some swift turns. The one time I have lost any traction was on some dirt. I'm running 17" Rotas with Nitto Neo Gens. Good ride, great grip.


As for good mods, Mech hit it pretty well. Under drive pulley, and the knock sensor. The UDP is cheap, and the knock sensor is free! The rear sway bars really are that good.

[sunshine198905]

that knock sensor you guys are talkin about, aint that the green plug on the back side of the engine closest to the firewall? lol. and does it throw a code?

[DaviDawg]

that knock sensor you guys are talkin about, aint that the green plug on the back side of the engine closest to the firewall? lol. and does it throw a code?

you got it and no it does not throw a code

[S/R-71]

Thanks for all the info so far. I'll have to look into everything and see what I want to do.

I'm going to search, but I'd thought I'd ask while I'm here. What exactly does unplugging the knock sensor do?

Exhaust wise, I definitely don't want that ricey sound. I like the stock throaty tone of my s/r. How does a header affect the sound? Thanks for the input.

[iceracer]

Do you get a 'Phantom Grip' when you bend over to pick up the soap bar in prison?

Don't know since I have never been in prison or are you speaking from experience ?

[DaviDawg]

Thanks for all the info so far. I'll have to look into everything and see what I want to do.

I'm going to search, but I'd thought I'd ask while I'm here. What exactly does unplugging the knock sensor do?

Exhaust wise, I definitely don't want that ricey sound. I like the stock throaty tone of my s/r. How does a header affect the sound? Thanks for the input.

unplugging the knock sensor allows your advance to stay where it should be because the knock sensor is over sensitive like an 8 year old brat.
i dont have a header so ill leave that ? to somebody else

[S/R]

there is nothing bad with the SSR comps. except the price. their pretty salty. but one of the lightest wheels you can buy. i have 17x7 Konig Heliums on my S/R and love them. 205/40/17 tires and have had them for years.

as far as other mods. a underdrive pulley and a header gives a noticable gain. The 2.5' resinated borla trubendz with the header sounds great, ZX2fast had it on his car before he installed the turbo. i liked it more than my S/R's borla.

also a rear sway bar really helps with the understeer. ford should've installed a bigger bar with the S/R package to complement the other suspension mods.

[S/R-71]

I just looked on Trubendz.com and they have some nice exhaust kits on there. Not too many sound clips though. I'd like to hear some of them. I wouldn't know which one I'd want.

Like I said I like my stock sound, but an upgrade would be nice as long as it's not too loud. I saw they have them with and w/o cats and resonators. I'll have to look into that too. Obviously, I'll have to go with the cat for emissions. That SS AeroTurbine looked pretty sweet.

[DaviDawg]

look up zx2 on youtube.com for sound clips

[S/R-71]

I'm still debating about which wheels. There's way too many out there. I really dig the anthracite SSR comps, but I read that some were bending/denting too easily, especially for being a forged wheel.

I saw a set of BBS wheels I liked too, but for $600+ a wheel they can keep em. How is it with the 205/40-17 tires? I think the sidewall would be really small on them and it would be a pretty harsh ride? I'll have to keep looking.

[S/R-71]

From what I've seen/read here's a list of engine mods that I'd like to eventually do.

-Trubendz exhaust
-Header
-UDP
-TWM short throw (is this a lot better than the stock b&m)?
-PG diff
-Chip/tuner

That's all I saw that interests me for now. It seems like a good start anyways. Thanks again for everyone's input.

[Beodude123]

I wouldn't bother with another SS. You already have one, and it does the job well enough.

[mechtech]

Dude, that rear sway bar can be obtained from a boneyard from older Escort GTs and wagons. Paint it if you like.
Then you get new links and rubber or urethane for a few bucks more.
Or buy new for $100 or so.
You will love it as much as any of your individual power mods - no BS.

[Beodude123]

When I put it on my ATX, it was like driving another car. It handled so much better. Best thing is, they don't decrease ride quality at all.

[mellowness65]

I powdercoated my 19 and bought the es kit for it for well under $100, and the decreased body roll is readily apparent. I can bow the 13mm, and I don't have nearly as much force as a car on a sharp turn. Just be sure you order the es kit early, mine was special ordered and might be here by mid may

[S/R-71]

I think suspension wise I'm satisfied for now. The S/R package's larger rear sway bar, shock, and spring set-up help handling a lot. It's like there's no body roll when compared to my 98. It does ride rough though, but that's the compromise for handling.

[mellowness65]

The sway bar is the same 13mm one found in all zx2's

[S/R-71]

Really? I guess I ought to check into getting that 19mm then.

Is there only certain years that fit? Older escort GT's and wagons? I'll have to check it out. Poly bushings seem like the way to go. Thanks for the info.

[S/R-71]

I apoligize for the question. I wasn't thinking about which section I was in. I just checked under the "handling and braking" section and seemed to have found some of the answers to my question.

[Beodude123]

Are the S/R Eibachs really progressive, or are they static?

[sunshine198905]

the knock sensor gives you a little bit of a noticable gain. small, but i felt it. and a header, as far as i know, opens it up more, gives more flow, makes your shit louder, and gives ya more power. pretty basic.

[Jhillsd]

Running a 98 with just a Keman Mod and a JBA header works great. Longer headers give you more power but I opted for street legality (carb emissions) I love it with the two mods I've noticed a definite increase in throttle response and the rpm needle moves smoothly through the gauge. Not to mention it sounds like my car has power now (I'm lucky if I broke 135 hp lol).

As for the knock sensor (I read somewhere before the site went down that Ford would remove it if you took the car in for anything) that will help and its free so that doesn't hurt.