jpandes

I just got my car back from Newtech Performance (I NO LONGER USE THIS SHOP) for my latest batch of mods. Nick & Josh just installed some AFR's & FAST 90/90 on my car. I think I am done with modding my car for a while...I just thought I'd share my cost breakdown with you guys. I was able to pick-up most of my go fast parts used off the forum and/or craigslist. All the installation & tuning was done by Nick @ Newtech Performance(I highly recommend these guys!)

Anywhoo, here's the breakdown...

I don't have a base line dyno so I have assumed that my stock 2003 Z06's RWHP /FT.LBS = 344 rwhp (405BHP / .85=344) / 340 ft.lbs (400/.85=340)

• Vararam ($275)
• American Racing 1 7/8" Long Tube Headers w/ catted x-pipe ($1,000)
• 170 Degree Thermostat
• Installation & Tune, plugs & wires, plus misc gaskets etc.
  • Cost parts & installation= $2,200
    • Dyno'd 388 rwhp / 378 ft.lbs
    • Gains 44 rwhp / 38 ft.lbs
      • Cost per rwhp $50

• Cam 228/232 115LSA - emissions sniffer legal
• Underdrive Pulley
• High-Volume Oil pump
• Injectors
• LS2 Timing Chain
• Installation & Tune, plus misc gaskets etc
  • Cost parts & installation $2,300
    • Dyno'd 429 rwhp / 394 ft.lbs
    • Gains 41 rwhp / 16 ft.lbs
      • Cost per rwhp $56

• AFR 205 Heads ($1,875 for the Heads, FAST 90/90, breather & Catch can)
• FAST 90mm
• Throttle Body 90mm
• Hi-perf. Lifters
• Installation, porting/paint of the FAST & Tune, plus misc gaskets etc
  • Cost parts & installation $3,600
    • Dyno'd 451 rwhp / 405 ft.lbs
    • Gains 22 rwhp / 11 ft.lbs
      • Cost per rwhp = $164

Average cost per rwhp gained = $76 [$8,100 (total cost for performance mods/install) / 107 (gained rwhp) = $76 per rwhp]

enigma94

That 8 grand is a scary number when you lay it out there like that! Im sure it could be cut down considerably if the work was done yourself though

jpandes

I could have saved a lot. But I have opted to leave it to a professional this time. On my last car, 93 rx7tt, I did almost all of the work and street tuning myself. That was fun, but paying a professional is faster & much less frustrating for me

I also saved some serious cash by buying my heads, vararam, LT's & FAST 90/90 used.

enigma94

I dont blame you in going the professional route after a TT rx7, those things can be a nightmare! You should calculate how much the labor was for each power addition to see how much labor per HP it cost

1slo6

put a set of gears in it with a good sticky tire and no one will touch u.....

VIPERBLUELX

You only gained 22rwhp swapping from 243's to AFR's AND a FAST? Wow.

Quick Silver Z

Thanks for that breakdown John, very interesting!

Ryan L

In that case, I am keeping my stock heads and intake forever.

By the way jpandes, most Corvettes only lose about 13% through the driveline, so use 405 / .87 if anything.

jpandes

Yeah, keep your LS6 Heads/Intake Manifold.
Had I known that I would only gain 20+ rwhp "under the curve" as well as peak rwhp, I wouldn't spent the cash on the AFR 205's and the FAST 90/90. I was hoping for more "oompf" under the curve

Sucks, huh?

I had three motors in ten years with that car and I was always working on it. That car was a blast to drive...when it ran.

QUIKSILVERZ

wow makes FI look like a better option. I really thought you would make more power. I had the same thing happen with my 00 lightning. Whipple s/c and supporting mods and it made 450hp/500tq at the wheels with a safe tune. Given i told the tuner i wanted a very safe tune but still i had hoped for more power. Oh well man if you ever add a 400+ci short block you have all the supporting mods.

whatsgrip?

your Cam 228/232 115LSA is emmision legal in Cali? Coooool

marvinseah

I had the same situation happen to me. Cam only I made 440/399. Tfs "as cast", fast 92/ls2 t/b I made 461/410 so I know how you feel. Would of saved my money for bigger cube motor instead of trying to make big power with a 346 if I was going to do it all over. I, too have an rx7 FD. After 2 blown motors I decided to put an ls6 in it. Cam only I made 418/373 and what a blast it is to drive. I also had newtech do all the work to my cars.

jpandes

I'm glad that it's not just me. I'd love to have an LS6 in an RX7! I originally called Nick about doing the conversion three years ago. I ended up going with the Z06 because I needed a reliable DD and couldn't be without a car while I was out sourcing all the parts for the conversion. I sold my RX7 shell to Mark(GNRX7) and he was dropping a built-LS7 into it....

marvinseah

I had read that you were planning on installing an ls7 clutch setup on your car. I run this setup and although it's been flawless for 22,000 miles so far it does add about 9 lbs. compared to your stock clutch so you will lose a few hp. I am currently running an ls7 clutch with a fidanza flywheel on my rx7. So far it feels really good not to mention I lost about 7 lbs. from the stock ls1 clutch. The lighter clutch setup makes the car "feel" lighter as well instead of sluggish. Just wanted to share my experience with that clutch.

jpandes

Thanks! Nick also mentioned that I should ditch the LS7 F/W and go with the Fidanza flywheel. I'll do that. I had a lightened F/W on my Rx7 and liked how quick it revved up and down.

VetteHunting

The 20whp gain from heads and fast really blows my mind. Doesn't seem right.

ZEEEEOOOOSIC

Seems like the baseline dyno is low what kind of dyno was it on ?

0Tony Mamo @ AFR

The gains from the heads and intake is waaaay off.

What condition were the heads in (you mentioned used obviously).....who ported the intake?

The heads alone should have been at least what you mentioned and the intake should have doubled that if it was ported properly.

I know of a few "ported" intakes that make alot less than out of the box versions (not kidding). Something was up with the heads, intake, or both to only see the gains you quoted.

Obviously there is a huge amount of previous supporting data to prove the gains you saw wasnt very typical....I have a hunch some of it stems from the fact the heads were used (unqualified) and we dont know who was weilding the grinder on the FAST. The cam you have is plenty big enough to allow both of those mods to work effectively. Hell my first combination with our 205's and the FAST intake only had a 224 cam and put up huge numbers in an optimized well thought out package.

Call me and fill me in on some of the details.....maybe I might be of some assistance concerning your power results or at least shed some light on why they might be lower than expected.

I would throw an LS6 intake on their just for grins and see what happens....if you make the same or more power you know you got a bad intake....if you make alot less power the problem may be in the heads (slightly bent valves....someone tried to "make them better" and hurt the flow....who knows). At least the intake swap which is pretty straightforward will give you some direction.

(661)257-8124 Ext. 109

Thanks,
Tony

jpandes

Thanks Tony. I just left a voicemail.

John
415-609-2341

zeevette

I really liked the way you did your mods sequentially, and broke down the results step-by-step. I wish I'd done the same thing, just for getting all the data. I wouldn't be disappointed with your numbers, they're not out of line with MOST of the H/C AFR combos, some with, some w/o FAST. Dynos/operators lie, especially if there's expectations/$$ involved. I bought some stuff used when I did my mods, too. I did splurge on my heads, though, and got all new at the time TFS heads, custom massaged by TEA, for $2400. Mine has recorded 477/432,(SAE corrected) and several variations as low as 432/400 (Mustang dyno-slipping clutch), so you can see numbers don't tell the whole story. Enjoy you new found tire shredding ability.