Speed questions

[brianhalv]

I just bought a 2000 zx2 a couple weeks ago. It's all stock right now and has an automatic transmission. I don't have much money to put into the car, but would like it to have a little more giddy up (as it's pretty slow right now). I don't need the car to be racing fast, just be able to feel confident at stop lights lol. How much money would I have to put into the car to accomplish this?

[gold_member]

http://teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=129

[carguy07]

you could make it alot better using less than 50 dollars

the keman mod and pulling the knock sensor are really cheap. look them up in the how to section.

[brianhalv]

Wow, why so cheap? I'm looking at spending like $200-$400 for this.

[carguy07]

use the link gold_member put up. the $500 group of parts will definitely make you happy.

[gold_member]

Wow, why so cheap? I'm looking at spending like $200-$400 for this.

if you're looking to spend that much i'd say underdrive pulley, catback, and what car guy mentioned and you'd probably have some spare change

[brianhalv]

Just curious, how much money do you guys put under the hood?

[gold_member]

Just curious, how much money do you guys put under the hood?

every spare penny i can, but personally i'm more in the installation process than the results most of the time. i probably have about a grand in including car audio and what not. and compared to others on here thats nothing

[carguy07]

i don't even know. i'll add it up real quick (with some estimation)

intake: 150
header 350
exhaust: 300
pulley: 120
wires: 40
total: somewhere around 960

[peter-vz]

its not about the money, this car has a few cheap mods but if you want to spend around 400 get this.

Intake MMI intake of something better if you can find it.
Header Hotshot (Hard to find), OBX, or JBA SHORTY. you have many and
more choices.
Exhaust 2.1/4 is ok but 2.5 is better in case you turbo.

this is what i would get if i were you, not exactly 400.

[brianhalv]

I see. I put 300 into audio and am getting my windows tinted for about 250.

[peter-vz]

Stereo and no speed boost, God help this guy.
You are vulnerable to Ricers, n till you get some performance parts they will own you.

[gold_member]

250 for window tinting seems a little steep. i got mine done for 125. i'd do some shopping around or hell for that much i'd try it myself first

[peter-vz]

I see. I put 300 into audio and am getting my windows tinted for about 250.

lol. windows tinted for 250, better to go to another town and let some experts do it for half the price.

[brianhalv]

Yeah it is a little expensive, but that was the only professional place around that does tints.

Any other suggestions? And goldmember/carguy do you agree with Peter?

I dont know much at all about performance so whatever info I get from you guys will be what I listen to.

[peter-vz]

If i were you i wont tint my windows, 250 sounds too much for that and you can get some bad @$$ intake whit that kind of money and you may even get an used header and new intake for 250 usd could be 300.

[brianhalv]

I see. I think I'll take that advice and then maybe get them tinted when I move in August.

Lets say my budget is $500 now (I'm gonna have to pay to have this stuff put in, not 650). Same suggetions?

[Connal]

Ok, you are an auto. First thing is first. Get a tranny cooler. You don't get one, you won't be going anywhere at all.

For 500 here is what I would buy.
Knocker Mod (free)
Kemanize the intake (ten bucks tops)
Powder Pulley (85-100)
Exhaust (Shop might get you for 150-175)
Sct (around here you might get used or an xcal for 200-up)
You can also find rewelded headers floating around for as low as 50.

So that would be 500 give or take depending on finding some good deals (not including the tranny cooler)

That would give you some pep.

[carguy07]

the only thing about a header is they make your car a lot louder. i have one and love it, but i did have to add a resonator to the exhaust to quiet it down.

i agree with Connal.

[peter-vz]

In my opinion this is the way to go for now, then after you get more money you get more stuff http://www.zxtuner.com/category.sc?categoryId=17

Pulley I'm getting this my self asps from zxtuner.
Intake
Header
Exhaust

Knocket mod etc used or new its up to your budget wherever you choose if its about performance you will be fuc king happy how you car runs

[brianhalv]

My friend who owns a civic said "why would you do that to an escort?" and when I said becuz its slow and i want it to be faster he said "your wasting time and money."

Eh?


And what is an sct?

[peter-vz]

My friend who owns a civic said "why would you do that to an escort?" and when I said becuz its slow and i want it to be faster he said "your wasting time and money."

Eh?


And what is an sct?

SCT more power less fuel
http://www.sctflash.com/
Your friend doesn't know anything, why? how can some one say something like that whit out facts? he doesn't know about zetec engines so hes opinion doesn't count. He would be happy if he could run 15 sec 1/4 mile.

[brianhalv]

You think I'd be fine without that?

How fast would do you think my car would do the 1/4 in with what you say to get

[gold_member]

being a atx i'd say low to mid 16s

[JC'szx2]

Just curious, how much money do you guys put under the hood?


well i spent a lot on goodies ($4007 i think)

$1450 Gude head package
$190 on obx header
$175 on Weapon-R intake
$250 on cat back exhaust
$150 on 3/4 rsb
$180 on struts
$260 on springs
$52 on camber bolts (all 4)
$1300 on rims and tire
all this no counting s/h, install time and a few extra days off work cause i broke a sensor that wasnt in stock anywhere. thats just mechanical:chili::chili:

[peter-vz]

If your and my car were MTX i will say a nice bold on could get us around 15sec 1/4 , lets ask some other people who have MTX.
MTX is 10% faster then ATX . If you install what we tell you your car would be running like an MTX S/R i think or im wrong?

[brianhalv]

If anybody is bored, finding good deals for these items would be really tight.

Powder Pulley
Keman Intake
Header
Exhaust
Knocker Mod

[Connal]

With those things, it might be mid 16s.

Autos stock run high 17s to 18s IIRC.

And as for the SCT. Yeah, you would be fine without it. But they have been proven to get upwards of 12hp. I believe Vit had mentioned that on the old board.

And as for the friend. Yes. Modding an escort is a waste of time and money. For that matter modding any car is a waste of time and money. Why not just spend the extra money on a faster car?

But hey, if we want to polish a turd, more power to us.

[TTFOWIA]

Just curious, how much money do you guys put under the hood?

hum.. lemme think... when Im done, about 15k

[TTFOWIA]

hum... lemme think again. maybe more 20k.

[brianhalv]

Crazy.

[brianhalv]

If anybody is bored, finding good deals for these items would be really tight.

Powder Pulley
Keman Intake
Header
Exhaust
Knocker Mod

[JC'szx2]

hum... lemme think again. maybe more 20k.


20K canadian, hold on (currency exchange)..........

$700 usd not to bad:lol:

[TTFOWIA]

hm... last time I checked, canadian $ were = to US $... what do they call that again? recession?

[TTFOWIA]

Crazy.

NOT! for a grand total of 25k I will have 300ish whp in a 1000kg car.

[peter-vz]

Our cars have the potential to become 12s car, too bad they don't make a lot of after market parts for our cars.
When i bought my car I was trying to buy something rare, something most people would be like "what" when they see the car now i have it and the bad thing about been rare is that it takes time to mod or fix and to me is fun to mod the car, why it takes time? Many mechanics don't know a sh it about zx2 and many parts have to be custom made.
Many focus zx2 parts and turbos can be easy be mod to fit in our cars.
Be unique and don't be a Honda ricer. Honda is ok but the drivers make honda look like shi t.

[JC'szx2]

hm... last time I checked, canadian $ were = to US $... what do they call that again? recession?


my bad forgot about that, long time since i was in canada lol, 20k is alot o'$ good luck in your venture btw

[JC'szx2]

If anybody is bored, finding good deals for these items would be really tight.

Powder Pulley
Keman Intake
Header
Exhaust
Knocker Mod

read here first!!!!
http://www.teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=129

http://www.teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=812
Powder Pulley- he said sometime in june IIRC
Keman Intake-see first link
Header-ebay OBX or pacesetter (blew my pacesetter up)
Exhaust -ebay
Knocker Mod -unplug knock sensor

[Connal]

If anybody is bored, finding good deals for these items would be really tight.

Powder Pulley
Keman Intake
Header
Exhaust
Knocker Mod

For powders, the last buy was over just shortly. There "might" be another one later on. If there is, jump on it. If not, look in the for sale section and keep looking.

Keman has already been covered.
Header, I know someone just sold a re-welded pacesetter for $50 recently. Keep your eyes there.
Exhaust. Call around to local shops. Crush bent isn't great. But it is better than stock.
Knocker mod takes five minutes if you have small hands. Ten minutes if you don't.

If you need anything, hit me on AIM. connal84

[mechtech]

I agree with Connal for that automatic trans car and your immediate goals. Only that there are other pulleys available, like Esslinger.
So re read his post.

[brianhalv]

Does getting this stuff have any negative effects on the engine/transmission?

[peter-vz]

Header, intake, and a power pulley gives you more hp and tq so it will be running faster.
you call that damaging the engine? modding the engine or bold ons could be risky if you don't do it right, whats why we are here to help you.

[ZX2guy19]

Jesus dude I could fly out to your house and tint your windows for cheaper then $250 LOL

[ZX2guy19]

I don't see why anyone would actually buy a pacesetter. Seriously. Wow, re-welded, and it'll just happen again. They really do suck. I owned one. I know A FEW have had some success, but it'll happen, it's just a matter of time.

Don't even waste your time with the pacesetter. Piece of shit. There's a reason they call it the paceSHITTER

[ZX2Fast]

Yeah it is a little expensive, but that was the only professional place around that does tints.

Any other suggestions? And goldmember/carguy do you agree with Peter?

I dont know much at all about performance so whatever info I get from you guys will be what I listen to.

Then read the link that was already posted:
http://teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=129

Every question you've asked has been answered in there. If you don't understand something in that thread then ask about it. But, we would be more willing to help you if you would so something to help yourself.

[Bos Engel]

With an ATX, you WILL WANT TO INVEST IN A TRANNY COOLER. If you don't, it will die. Trust me, I know. Putting off installing mine is what made me end up trading the ZX2 in for the Focus. It was going downhill fast.

[random_hero]

For $400 I don't think you're going to make any ground breaking improvements. good luck though, like Bos said...invest in a tranny cooler since you're ATX. As far as window tinting, I paid about $250 to have it professionally done as well. Lifetime warrenty - well worth it.

[brianhalv]

With an ATX, you WILL WANT TO INVEST IN A TRANNY COOLER. If you don't, it will die. Trust me, I know. Putting off installing mine is what made me end up trading the ZX2 in for the Focus. It was going downhill fast.

I already have 90k miles on it and the transmission is not the best. Is it too late? lol.

[peter-vz]

It the transmission is not the best think about doing the ATX to MTX swap.
My car has 60k miles and is ATX so i will wait a year then do the swap, In a year can look for the parts and study the ATX to MTX bible. To me this shi t is difficult so i need to see how is done.

[jdrzx2]

The best choice you're going to have for a header would be a Kami 4-1 header. It has more high end hp than the hotshot and can be found new around $100 less than a used hotshot. It'll also hold up a lot better than a paceshitter.

If I were you, I'd do the knocker and keman mod to start with because they are free. The trans cooler is a very good idea so spend the little money it would take to buy it.

The next thing I would do is buy a new or used Kami header then Powder's pulley. You can probably find those pretty cheap around here if you look around and ask for them in the for sale/wanted section.

Other than that, look into weight reduction. That'll be your biggest bang for the buck right now other than the header. Anyone can take weight out of their car if they have a basic knowledge of hand tools and some common sense.

[Hypnose Zx2]

automatic
got MTX then you will be fine!

[brianhalv]

I am not interested a manual. There are too many convience issues, so yeah I'm for sure keeping an ATX. How much does it cost to replace a tranmission in these cars if, infact, it does go?

And again, will these speed upgrades affect it (the transmission) at all?

Thanks for all the relplies btw.

[mcar451]

.

[joshalabama]

If you didn't have an atx I would recommend the Kami header...

Intake, you can buy an ebay 3' accord or zx2 cold air intake for 30-60 bucks shipped. It will come with a filter and be functional. Best intake right now is probably the MMI which is around $175-$200.
Header: Kamikaze is 255 shipped from ptuning with zx2.org discount., or you can buy an OBX 4-2-1 header which will be of less quality then the hotshot but act the same you can pick this up for $150, it will work better since you are atx.
UDP: Go with either esslinger, or powder. Looking around $75-100. This isn't a mod you will regret.
Knock Sensor: FREE! Makes your powerband a lot smoother.

Maintance!!!: Replace spark plugs with motocraft, Replace fuel filter, PCV Valve, And put a good synthetic in your car asap. 5w-20. You can pick up a Motocraft 5w-20 syn blend for 12.94 at O'reilleys or buy Mobil1 in a jug for $22. Doing these things will make the car drive smoother and faster. Get that tranny fluid changed when you get a chance too with a good ATX Fluid. Your looking at $50 here before adding in the atx fluid. Not bad with huge gains in comfort and performance.

These things will make your car feel brand new; Power wise.

It is another ball game with suspension stuff.

[joshalabama]

~$500 for a great upgrade.

[ZX2Fast]

I am not interested a manual. There are too many convience issues, so yeah I'm for sure keeping an ATX. How much does it cost to replace a tranmission in these cars if, infact, it does go?

And again, will these speed upgrades affect it (the transmission) at all?

Thanks for all the relplies btw.

Convience? Like, holding your purse? lol Put the purse down and shift. :goofy:

Any upgrade in power on any car every made will reduce the reliablity of the drivetrain. Doing some of the free and light mods won't hurt the car too much. The stock tranny cooler is very inaduquate, you should add another one ASAP.

The only person that can tell you how much they'll charge to replace the tranny is the person you are going to pay to do it. Get the phone book out and start making calls. Of couse, finding your own parts is usually cheaper then paying them to find the parts for you.