Re: poor man's hot rodding

["Joe Doty" <rocco2nr@hotmail.com>]

TBerk gives good advice.

Dont even bother with the injectors.  Like TBerk said, run injector cleaner 
through them and be done with it.  There are performance CIS injectors out 
there, but I wouldn't imagine that they give you more than 1-2hp on the top 
end.  Only on a highly modified engine would this matter.  Most of the mid- 
to high-power 8v and 16v guys I know use stock injectors.  I wouldn't even 
bother getting them flow balanced or what have you, I don't think it's worth 
the wait or the money.  Your money is better spent elsewhere.

What is considered "budget"?  160hp can be done for under $1000 quite easily 
if you are resourceful.  It would require swapping a 2.0 16v bottom end in 
place.

Getting your car running the way it should can make a huge difference.  
Basic maintenance is essential before getting performance stuff.

As far as your hesitation problems, it most definitely sounds like the 
ignition system.  TBerk mentioned the coil, I would also examine the plug 
wires.  A faulty wire can cause the the engine to misfire at certain rpms 
and run smoothly at other rpms.  As with all electrical problems, 
check/improve all grounds and connections.

Whoa...enough rambling...

Joe

>Depends on your definition of 'tuning'. I don't think you are going to
>cheap your way to 160 HP, but you can get on the good side of 125-135hp
>without too much.
>
>Better breathing will be key; getting the air in and then out of the
>engine. The 16v is not as moddable as the 8 valve (at least for no other
>reason than it being a smaller segment of the market; less development)
>and usually parts are more expensive than the 8 v.
>
>I'm an 8 v kinda guy so I will beg out of the specifics at this time and
>turn my attention to the injectors you mention.
>
>Are yours so shot that they _must_ be replaced? Tried running
>concentrated fuel cleaner through them? Tried soaking in one of those
>ultrasonic cleaners?
>
>If you do end up replacing them you might consider getting a set that
>has been 'blueprinted'- a process that measures & matches four that
>spray the same and flow the same for balance performance.
>
>I don't see how a different brand will add performance unless you are
>running a turbo or something. Just getting back to normal performance is
>a good thing- I'll bet the flow enough for your needs.
>
>If the injectors flow good (conical spray, fine mist) then I think you
>should be sure your spark is up to snuff. This type of failure can cause
>the low end missing you describe- it sometimes goes away at mid to high
>revs because the dist is spinning faster. (Had an old Audi 100 that died
>when idling down but ran great on the freeway, shot dist seal/bushing.
>Allowed shaft to wobble around.)
>
>Besides the dist (you _do_ have the 16v) the coil may not be getting a
>good source of 12v going in. I have seen a lot more 'the trouble was the
>12v running from my fuse box to the coil' type troubles lately.
>
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