200hp I4 Solara.....is it possible?

[modaman369]

I have a 2004 solara. I wanted to get one in manual but I was getting a steal on the auto one so I bought it. Since its auto, theres no point to turbocharge it and I will save my money for a faster car in the future. Although, is it possible for the car to achieve 200 hp from the 157 stock hp if the engine is normally aspirated? If so, what kind of mods are we looking at? Also, does anyone know if the stage 0 ported head made by ZPI racing really works??????

[jhenty]

its technically possible but not worth it. Turbocharging is still a good idea. Turbocharged automatics hold boost between shifts and can have some advantages. Plus for the price they sell the TC kits at its worth it, and you'll have a 300hp car that remains pretty reliable.

[modaman369]

True. I was thinking about turbocharging but the labor to put on the kit is ridiculous. Also, not to mention, the ecu is different from the tc's and the piping will have to be modified. In other words, tuning is a bitch. I've tried some local shops and theyre all giving me an estimate of 6-7 thousand including the cost of the kit. I was wondering if anyone could give me a list of mods ( not including exhaust, intake, and headers) which could possibly bring the hp anywhere close to 200.

[sahuddleston]

richard has a turboed 2az and i had my turbo kit taken off a few months back, its fun but not worth it in the long run. just make it look good and enjoy having a car that is relatively maintanence and problem free.

[woa_its_j3ff]

richard has a turboed 2az and i had my turbo kit taken off a few months back, its fun but not worth it in the long run. just make it look good and enjoy having a car that is relatively maintanence and problem free.

exactly. you guys need to do a little research first before asking these questions.
How much money do you even have. custom turbos are a lot of money invested.

think think.

[modaman369]

Well...Im definitely no out to spend 6-7 thousand. Im hoping to spend half that maybe around 3 thousand. I know I can do basic mods and probably put in larger fuel injectors and get a lightweight pulley. The point is that I want to know if there are any other mods out there that will allow me to gain more hp. Also, again, does anyone if the stage 0 ZPI racing ported head is effective or not?

[ThatVietGuy]

richard has a turboed 2az and i had my turbo kit taken off a few months back, its fun but not worth it in the long run. just make it look good and enjoy having a car that is relatively maintanence and problem free.

exactly. you guys need to do a little research first before asking these questions.
How much money do you even have. custom turbos are a lot of money invested.

think think.

Don't get all high and mighty now


Ported heads are a good investment (at least it was on my friend's GSR), but I dunno about ZPI or whatever.

[RDKamikaze]

Holy cow, since when are there more things to do to the car other than the bolt-ons? I thought all you could do to these things were exhaust, header, intake, and pulleys?

This leads me to another question. What about boring the heads, is that an option? If so, how much does that usually cost?

[orlin03]

Ported heads are a good investment (at least it was on my friend's GSR), but I dunno about ZPI or whatever.

I agree; porting the head on an I4 is a nice way to make power, but don't be tempted to go all out with it. The job, especially on the Solara with its relatively large engine bay, shouldn't be too expensive, and it will be easy to do other mods at the same time (this will save you in labor costs). Do some research; find out what three or five angle valve job works best, grab some lightweight valves and valvetrain components, and try to find a cam to put in while you have that one out. Shave the head as much as tolerances will allow; you need compression since you won't be force-feeding the engine. A header is a must at this point, and have your intake ports matched (almost all imports I've seen have large runners meeting much smaller ports at the head, and this is an easy fix). 200 hp should be well within your reach now, but you may go over budget when you complete the exhaust, add an intake, and program the computer to make the most of all this. I'll find out the standard labor hours on the head job today so you'll know what you're looking at for the removal/installation; that won't include the headwork though. Good luck!

[RDKamikaze]

Holy cow orlin, you lost me in all that technical stuff! I understood most of it, but near the end you spoke Latin (3 angle, 5 what?). I already have the header, intake and exhaust, so you're saying all that's left is engine work? Thanks a ton for that writeup, and please do check out the price for labor, thanks!

[sahuddleston]

ZPI is a bunch of douchebags.... i have first hand experience

[Jackass-Jeff]

The valve train gets removed during porting right? If so... $$$

The cheapest way to power is a turbo kit. $3000 is very tight to get a kit retrofitted for the Solara.... and installation is a whole other story ($500-$1500, depending on the shop's reputation and tuning history)

[crispone]

ZPI is a bunch of douchebags.... i have first hand experience

What does ZPI stand for? (Zippy, perhaps? HA HA HA!)


RDK, you need to do a little research before you start many serious mods... no one should be making ENGINE mods if they are "lost" by 3/5 angle valve-job terminology.... this is actually VERY BASIC stuff. (even if you aren't a "techie", still should have some familiarity with it... imho.

Also, the "pulleys" etc... and some past post comments you have made are specific to SUPERCHARGERS, which means NOT for gen 2's. Be sure you are clear on which mods ARE applicable for you, and which are NOT.

Engine modding is a matter of BALANCE, and all too often, eager early learners will be tempted to "jump on" a concept, and then LATCH onto it without regard for the mechanisms at play... an example would be:

If you are going to BOOST or PRESSURIZE your car with TURBO or S/C, then you don't want BUMPED compression... rather, you would go the "other" way, if anything, and REDUCE compression through engine work or a thicker head gasket designed to lower compression. If you are wanting MORE power in a NORMALLY ASPIRATED application, you want to INCREASE compression, as the INDUCTION will not be there to "pressurize" the charge for you... etc...

I'd recommend reading up on general turbocharging, supercharging, and basic engine performance modding... learn what/how the different methods are applied, and then begin to build a plan of action for YOUR application. Part of this process should be taking inventory of what you have and what is possible, and then sitting down to create a BUDGET that you are willing to expend in the process. It's very important to know both your limitations, as well as your opportunities to help facilitate both technical success, and emotional/financial/and mental stability in the process...

Anyone want to comment on a past project that was BIG on visions of grandeur, and SHORT on planning that resulted in the proverbial "it wasn't worth the effort"? THAT, my friends, is what you want to avoid at all costs!

(This is probably the best argument for STAGED upgrading... based on a doable plan that you set up with your goals up front. Case in point, I am RIGHT ON TRACK with my project... and it is EXTREMELY rewarding so far, and continues to drive my vision toward FUTURE mods that will slip nicely into the BALANCED ATTACK that I have already initiated... growing ever more complex and extreme as I go, without ever sacrificing the drivability, praciticality, and reliability of my car....)


GOOD LUCK!


-crisp

[Fletch]

You could hook up a 50 shot for $500.

[sahuddleston]

ZPI - zero point industries. they are out o louisville, kentucky. richard and i both have worked with them. DO NOT let them work on your car. they messed mine up and are very dishonest. if you really want a custom kit, call charles gordon at automotion. i mean it man, dont get in with ZPI.... i dont want the same thing that happened to me to happen with you.