NC Engine replacement

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12-07-2009, 04:28 PM
Titus

IIRC, this will throw a code unless you update the OT sensor locations by swapping out the midpipe or adding O2 bungs to the stock midpipe. If you are throwing a code, then you won't pass inspection. Unless you are willing to do the extra work to prevent a code, I wouldn't do it.
12-07-2009, 04:37 PM
trickyrix

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geckotek

Gary is suggesting changing out the header (removing the pre-cat). My buddy says it's not worth the minimal (if any) performance gain I'll see unless I go FI (and I have no plans for FI...maybe CAI). If I did it, mid-pipe and muffler would have to come later as I just don't have the budget for it all right now. And still need to do suspension (which in my mind should be done first.)

Thoughts??

Paging NC Eunos... he's done the full exhaust from header on back, and I hear the power boost is noticeable - haven't driven it yet though. He's not running any FI.
12-07-2009, 04:38 PM
Nails

The header is the single biggest hp increase you can make to an NC without using FI. It makes it noisier though and you do need to move one Oxygen sensor behind the second cat to avoid codes. Look me or NC Eunos up if you'd like to hear it. He has Roadstersport and I have Racing Beat.
12-07-2009, 04:38 PM
Geckotek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

IIRC, this will throw a code unless you update the OT sensor locations by swapping out the midpipe or adding O2 bungs to the stock midpipe. If you are throwing a code, then you won't pass inspection. Unless you are willing to do the extra work to prevent a code, I wouldn't do it.

The plan would be to extend the O2 sensor to the stock midpipe behind the 2nd cat.
12-07-2009, 04:40 PM
Geckotek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nails

The header is the single biggest hp increase you can make to an NC without using FI. It makes it noisier though and you do need to move one Oxygen sensor behind the second cat to avoid codes. Look me or NC Eunos up if you'd like to hear it. He has Roadstersport and I have Racing Beat.

I'd love to hear how it sounds. I see you're in Allen...work anywhere near downtown by any chance? ;)
12-07-2009, 04:41 PM
Nails

NC Eunos has CAI too. He's full Roadstersport with the single sport exhaust. His is louder and faster than mine. His car compared to a stock NC is like a stock NC compared to a stock NB.
12-07-2009, 04:49 PM
CraiginTX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nails

NC Eunos has CAI too. He's full Roadstersport with the single sport exhaust. His is louder and faster than mine. His car compared to a stock NC is like a stock NC compared to a stock NB.

Loudest NC at Hallett by at least an order of magnitude. I'd imagine most of the volume is related to the muffler choice, but not sure I'd want to daily drive a car that loud. My NA didn't get much louder with header and high flow cat, but I'm still running puny stock exhaust.

NC Eunos did look (and sound) quick at Hallett though... :burnrubr:
12-07-2009, 04:54 PM
Geckotek

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraiginTX

Loudest NC at Hallett by at least an order of magnitude. I'd imagine most of the volume is related to the muffler choice, but not sure I'd want to daily drive a car that loud. My NA didn't get much louder with header and high flow cat, but I'm still running puny stock exhaust.

NC Eunos did look (and sound) quick at Hallett though... :burnrubr:

It IS my DD, do have to consider that. Is NC Eunos = Eunos Roadster?
12-07-2009, 05:15 PM
miataspeedracer

Gary is probably also suggesting you do it now since he has easy access to your exhaust system since the motor is out. Makes sense to me.
12-07-2009, 05:31 PM
Geckotek

Quote:

Originally Posted by miataspeedracer

Gary is probably also suggesting you do it now since he has easy access to your exhaust system since the motor is out. Makes sense to me.

Oh, of course. My only real dilemma is determining if the investment is worth the results. I'm not the type to spend a lot of money tuning my car. Need to start considering saving money for other things so any upgrades will be scrutinized.

Edit: it's not a question of now or later after I do suspension...it's a question of do I do it at all....is it a good investment?

Edit2: Did either of you Dyno before & after?? Or perhaps see improved track times? (yeah...not so accurate but better than nothing) I'm not willing to pay for more/improved sound. ;)
12-07-2009, 06:10 PM
miataspeedracer

What are you after? A more fun daily driver/street car, or a dual purpose street/track car?

If you're looking for faster track times, the best way to spend your money:

1. Driver improvement
2. Driver improvement
3. Driver improvement
4. Tires
5. Suspension
6. Brakes
7. CAI, header, exhaust

If you want more fun on the street, go with noise/HP (#7) or suspension first.

YMMV...
12-07-2009, 10:53 PM
NC Eunos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geckotek

It IS my DD, do have to consider that. Is NC Eunos = Eunos Roadster?

For a DD my set up is a horible choice, but in the words of brian goodwin "one man's loud is another man's quiet" Craigintx is right all the noise is due to the muffler. i had bought that muffler because it was the cheapest muffler for the exhaust setup, and i think has the biggest of power gains and the lightest of all of them. If you want the performance but not all the noise, the goodwin roadster Q is a good recomendation compared to mine it sounds like an empty library but the downside is that its like 200 more. I have been told by someone that my setup will yell out 95 decibles or so.

Pros: light, semi-cheap, and ridiculously easy to install.

Cons: loud,loud,loud,and sorta sounds like a propeller plane while tunnel blasting and will have your neighbors doing this ::Rant::when you roll up to your house in the middle of the night
12-07-2009, 11:04 PM
Geckotek

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Eunos

Cons: loud,loud,loud,and sorta sounds like a propeller plane while tunnel blasting and will have your neighbors doing this ::Rant::when you roll up to your house in the middle of the night

Yeah, I live in a community of Townhouses full of empty-nesters. They REALLY won't appreciate it and I'll probably catch a bunch of crap from the HOA. :burnrubr:
12-07-2009, 11:04 PM
NC Eunos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geckotek

Oh, of course. My only real dilemma is determining if the investment is worth the results. I'm not the type to spend a lot of money tuning my car. Need to start considering saving money for other things so any upgrades will be scrutinized.

Edit: it's not a question of now or later after I do suspension...it's a question of do I do it at all....is it a good investment?

Edit2: Did either of you Dyno before & after?? Or perhaps see improved track times? (yeah...not so accurate but better than nothing) I'm not willing to pay for more/improved sound. ;)

I have'nt dyno-ed yet but others with my same setup (CAI,header,midpipe,and single tip and rs Q) have been averaging the 165~160 mark.
12-07-2009, 11:19 PM
Geckotek

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Eunos

I have'nt dyno-ed yet but others with my same setup (CAI,header,midpipe,and single tip and rs Q) have been averaging the 165~160 mark.

I forget, what is stock HP @ the wheels?
12-07-2009, 11:20 PM
Nails

160~165 wheel hp whilst stock is ~135 wheel hp hence my NB/NC comparison.

You asked about downtown but didn't specify what city. I'll meet ya downtown Allen but not Dallas. I'll be at next weeks gtg but not tomorrow's; I'm out of town right now.

If you aren't tracking or autocrossing I would suggest skipping the header. Miataspeedracer's post on seven steps is spot on IMHO.
12-07-2009, 11:22 PM
NC Eunos

Quote:

Originally Posted by miataspeedracer

What are you after? A more fun daily driver/street car, or a dual purpose street/track car?

If you're looking for faster track times, the best way to spend your money:

1. Driver improvement
2. Driver improvement
3. Driver improvement
4. Tires
5. Suspension
6. Brakes
7. CAI, header, exhaust

If you want more fun on the street, go with noise/HP (#7) or suspension first.

YMMV...

Here's my thinking

DD,and occasional autox and track days:

eibach springs
tires....and well thats about it Nails has that setup and the ride is amazing.

Agressive DD,and a little bit more invest in the car.

springs
sways
tire
exhaust (roadster Q to keep noise to a min.)
brakes
CAI.......this in my opinion would be an option if you wanted to hit the track more often and wanted more performance.

Track car/recent lottery winner.

Call up brian goodwin and tell him you want every thing that he sells for the NC.
Then call up Cosworth and tell them that you want their $12,000 fully built motor.
Slap a cage in it, sit back open up a beer and drool all over the car. lol
12-07-2009, 11:24 PM
Geckotek

Thx...yeah, I meant downtown Dallas. I haven't tracked or autocrossed in the past, but I would like to at some point...but I don't see it being a regular thing. Mostly it will be a DD and I will be attending the occasional event including another visit or 2 to Deals Gap.

Edit: Yeah...I'm an agressive DD. ;)
12-08-2009, 12:07 AM
NC Eunos

just remember the miatas are known for fun factor out of the box. and that you don't nessarily need more power or money to invest in the car to have a great peformance ride car. for instance a Mazda R&D department made this NC reach 1G with nothing but shocks,springs,tires,swaybars, and alittle more bracing(but in my mind I think the nc would probally hit 1g with or without the bracing,and even the mazda R&D group said that they had done bracing to the car so it would ride more comfortably)
12-24-2009, 01:30 PM
Geckotek

Ok, I went with the RB header, Gary has it installed.

We have concerns about it's proximity to the alternator. Gary wants to put on his Heat Shield.

Did you guys put on a new heat sheild after changing your headers or did you leave them exposed and show off the SHINY SHINY? ;)

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0045_large.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0047_large.jpg

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