what now?

[sc2quick]

OK as of know my 01 sc2 has cat-back exhaust, OBX headers, WAI, MSD coils, NGK plugs, SDA Throttlebody and intake manifold, short throw shifter, Urethane motormounts, and a set of 2" drop springs. i wanna get some more power out of my motor but dont know which way to go. i would kinda like to maybe go with some matching MSD wires a bigger fuel pump and some SDA cams. anyways anything you guys have to say will be takin in so help. im running out of ideas.what would i have to do to make my car hold a fifty shot. Ive read the forums but i wanna know where to go from where i stand now.

[Psyco88]

all i can say is props so far, and take your time, think each move over slowly, and dont blow cash on useless junk, hell you could always go for a easy way of a weight reduction as u ponder :)

[LUNCHBOX]

Header! That drives me nuts.

As for the nitrous, a stock engine can handle a 75 shot with a good quality (NX, Zex, N.O.S.) WET kit. As long as you don't get cheap on some of the safety items, nitrous is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to get a great amount of increase for your dollar spent. (I have been spraying on a stock top/bottom end with 315K on it now, for two years)

I personally have an NX GM EFI wet kit with a 75 shot and purge.
- I also have a bottle warmer, a must for good performance from the kit.
- MSD digital window switch, keeps you from spraying too low (under 3K is VERY bad) or too high (spraying into the limiter is VERY bad).
- WOT (wide open throttle) switch, none of that F&F button stuff.
- Fuel pressure safety switch, not a bad idea. Shuts off the system when low fuel pressure is detected.
- NGK BKR7E-11, two step colder plugs and 93 octane are a must to help against detonation.


Also another great mod (bang for the buck) is an Apexi SAFC II, works well with n/a and nitrous tuning.

Weight reduction is definately the cheapest mod out there unless you are going for a showcar kind of look. My old crate could care less, so it's all gone.

Anyway, just my .02 on that. Spray is addictive as hell and I have enjoyed every bottle lol. I have begun a better engine build to go turbo now as I want that fun all the time.

[quiksc2]

I agree totally with Lunchbox. The only other thing you could do is go turbo, I guess.

[sc2quick]

yea header i know. sorry im building an RX-7 with a 350 right now so HEADERS is all ive been typing. how do Saturns take to nitrous? i mean i really dont want to take any chances with my motor. with the colder plugs will i be able to have good response on just motor? a lot of guys wont race around here unless its on motor but i also wanna play with some mustangs and some other things i cant touch with N/A. the turbo thing is a little too much green for me right now so thats for later plans maybe. i want a bullet proof bottom end later before i do anything crazy. but for now as far as i want to go internals is cams.

[xupthree60]

nitrus is what i would say but if u wanna stay all motor then...

ur car sounds like a perfect canadent for the deebs engine thingy...
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?p=364830&highlight=deebs#post364830

all u need to get is
99 rods and pistons,
pre-99 crank,
91-93 valves
98 valve springs

that should be all u need, if u wanna do the full mod then u would get a 92-98 head but then u would need new a new header and sri aswell. i think u should get a good gain without the head tho.

[quiksc2]

Ya, the Deebs rebuild would get you some more power. I'm planning on doing it a little later down the line.

[sc2quick]

ok say i go with this rebuild setup. what kinda gains you think i should expect. quarter mile guesses? just asking.

[LUNCHBOX]

yea header i know. sorry im building an RX-7 with a 350 right now so HEADERS is all ive been typing.
I have a Mustang, so I understand. It just drives me nuts when people with four cylinder cars say headers.
how do Saturns take to nitrous? i mean i really dont want to take any chances with my motor.
Honestly, the LLO responds well to nitrous, our cars run rather rich normally. I dont' believe the narrow third gen head has as much flow but that should not make much difference. If you are really worried about engine damage, than stay away. You can be careful but crazy stuff can also happen. I cooked a valve last year, it got a hot spot and took a chunk so I put new valves in the head. If you have built V8's, you now there is no garantee in any of this stuff.
with the colder plugs will i be able to have good response on just motor? a lot of guys wont race around here unless its on motor but i also wanna play with some mustangs and some other things i cant touch with N/A.
I honestly don't notice any difference in the car on the colder plugs when I am not spraying, I have a lot of other mods as well. Of course I have had those NGK's in for a long time. I love that all motor stuff and when people say nitrous is cheating. A guy with a turbo wants to race but I can't spray lol. It's all boost in one form or another. People will say "don't spray" and I will say "pull off the turbo", you race what you got (on the track of course).
the turbo thing is a little too much green for me right now so thats for later plans maybe. i want a bullet proof bottom end later before i do anything crazy. but for now as far as i want to go internals is cams.
Agreed. The nitrous was a good stepping stone and learing experience and sure is alot of fun but I am ready for a turbo now. A forged engine is a smart way to go for a safer setup..........and more boost.

[sc2quick]

very well put. ive been in the scene and racing ( at the track ) since i was 14. ive heard it all, seen some nice nitrous set-ups but not on any saturns. what is known about SDA? i havent had a lot of time to research, are there parts good? i mean i have the throttlebody and intake which i am happy with. still when it comes to internals are they good?

[LUNCHBOX]

ok say i go with this rebuild setup. what kinda gains you think i should expect. quarter mile guesses? just asking.

An all motor Saturn is gonna get expensive and in my mind, it's all about bang vs. buck.

The nitrous kit will cost a lot less in the long run and you can start building a better engine for the turbo down the road. That is what I decided to do. Running the stock DOHC swap in mine with the spray and usual bolt-ons/weight reduction. The new motor is in the garage and slowly getting built up with forged rods(SDA)/pistons(8.5-1), 99 block (honed/decked), 93 crank (balanced to 10K), '01windage tray & oilpan, '93 head (turbo port/polish), etc... To me that money for that motor is better spent for a turbo setup that will be faster and more fun.

In the end, it's your money but I have known guys who went into all motor builds and lots of money but still run the same or less as my stock motor on the bottle. Most of them have gone on to boosted setups now.

Of course, this is just my .02

[sc2quick]

i know what i need for bottom end. what would i need for a nice nitrous set-up as far as the head goes? my goal is 13's. thats all. im easy to please right?

[LUNCHBOX]

what is known about SDA? i havent had a lot of time to research, are there parts good? i mean i have the throttlebody and intake which i am happy with. still when it comes to internals are they good?

Yes Mike (SDA) is a good guy who is really trying to put forth good parts for our weak (S-car) aftermarket. For cams, I would go to SDA or qksltwo.com (Ian is a great guy that really knows his stuff on these cars, if you have never been, check out his site). I always support the guys who are really trying for our community.

[sc2quick]

i agree. im down for anyone whos willing to build our credibility. im only 19 but this is my second saturn already. i had other things but nothing like my saturn. always nice to see the look on peoples face when they hear you are running a saturn. priceless really. i read something on sixthsphere about a auto computer to eliminate the rev limiters. will that work with my car or just the 1gen?

[LUNCHBOX]

i agree. im down for anyone whos willing to build our credibility. im only 19 but this is my second saturn already. i had other things but nothing like my saturn. always nice to see the look on peoples face when they hear you are running a saturn. priceless really.

haha, this is about my seventh one that runs, I have a few parts cars behind the garage lol.

The look from people is fun, that is one reason I am searching for a 93-94 Wagon for the forged engine/turbo setup.

I also forgot to mention, on the 75 shot and a stock clutch you are gonna notice it slipping. It might not be too bad at first but it will be. Toward the end of my last stock clutch, it was funny. I installed an ACT 6 puck and she slips no more............. so of course now I have lots of wheel spin if not launched properly (make sure you get that diff pin welded!!!!!)

[sc2quick]

only bad thing about my putting in a clutch is everything i have to remove just to take the tranny out. pain. shop would charge around 800 to do it.

[xupthree60]

i read something on sixthsphere about a auto computer to eliminate the rev limiters. will that work with my car or just the 1gen?

yeah the autopcms done have revlimiters, but y wouldnt u want revlimiters? they keep ur engine from going poof!

[DasPirate]

Auto PCMs do have a rev limiter, it's just ridiculously high. And the reason someone might not want one as low as the stock manual PCM's limiter is because the way to make NA power on a small engine is to rev it high.

Honestly mate, if you want NA power and you're going to do a rebuild, I wouldn't bother with the "deebs" stock part special. Raising compression would be where it's at, and you'll want to be able to rev the engine higher, but more importantly, make enough torque up there to make it worth your while.

Having the rotating assembly balanced is a must, and you'll need some different cams. For high rpm applications, you'd probably have to have some custom ground 'cause the SDA ones run out of steam at about 6500. You'll probably also want a full standalone like a MS so that you can control both fuel and spark.

Or you could just go turbo and make more power for less money.

[xupthree60]

our engines dont make much power at high rpms

[DasPirate]

our engines dont make much power at high rpms

I know.

and you'll want to be able to rev the engine higher, but more importantly, make enough torque up there to make it worth your while.

It's possible to make power up high on our engines.

[LUNCHBOX]

Or you could just go turbo and make more power for less money.

Exactly.

[sc2quick]

decision is final. i will just have to build a turbo motor. guess i will buy my old saturn back for 150 and put another motor in it for 200. but it needs a muffler and some wheels and shocks too. o well. ill make it. thanks for the info and ill keep some updates.