TazioNYC

Hi Everyone,

What's the best way to get to ~300hp from stock, and in what order? Any recos on specific manufactuerers, etc.., would be appreciated. I'm thinking about a C4, but would like to have the surefootedness in slippery condiction for the Northeast US weather, but with a much improved pwoer-to-weight ratio

joey bagadonuts

Instead of bumping the hp, why not decrease the weight? Keep in mind, there are no inexpensive means of gaining significant hp in these naturally-aspirated cars. If money is no object, however, I'd recommend a 3.8 liter upgrade.

Strega(UK)

I have a C4 that has dynoed at 300 bhp, it has a hotfilm conversion, k&n filter, cat by-pass and had the primary silencer removed. All that lot will cost about £1500-£2000.

TazioNYC

I suppose I could do both, but I do like things like performance parts as well. I had a 300ZX NA that I was able to coax into 50 or so more hp, and it was just so much more fun to drive, not only because of the increased HP, but also because of what the parts did to the way the car responded.

How would you suggest getting rid of weight? Chuck the seats for lighter ones?

TazioNYC

hotfilm conversion? And did you get a whole new exhaust system or just threw away the cat?

joey bagadonuts

Have you driven a C4, yet? Nice cars out of the box with plenty of torque. Some simple intake/exhaust options might be all you need to give it that racey edge.
Here are some options:

Replace 58-lb Factory seats with 22-lb Recaro SPGs
Replace either primary (16 lbs) or secondary muffler (20 lbs) with bypass pipe
Replace catalytic converter with bypass pipe
Remove engine undertray
Engine sound pad
Use lightweight wheels
Remove jack and tool kit
Empty 5-liter wiper fluid reservoir (unscrew the warning light)
Replace foglights with intake scoops
Remove car phone
Remove floor mats
Remove rear lap belts
Replace stock airbox with cone filter
Remove Factory tool kit
Remove owner's manual
Replace Factory door panels with lightweight RS panels without speakers
Remove spare tire
Remove rear seats
Remove interior sound padding and carpeting and replace with lightweight RS carpets
Replace rear heater blower with bypass pipe
Remove rear speakers
Remove trunk carpet
Replace power sunroof with lightweight panel
Remove A/C and all associated plumbing
Convert power windows to manual variety
Remove passenger airbag
Remove rear wiper and motor
Replace bumpers and mounts with lightweight alternatives

TazioNYC

I haven't actually, but I'm thinking of getting one. Just wanted to see how much I can push it -- everyone's got to have some kind of project, right? I also used to have a Surbaru WRX STi, which was quite fast...wouldn't mind getting it thereabouts.

rodtds

many of us could just lose 50 lbs!

joey bagadonuts

Sounds like fun. There's another thread out here about C4 PPI's and checklists which you should carry with you.

A lot of these cars have been very well-maintained and treated with TLC. If you can find a good example, I think you'll be amazed at how well-built and utterly reliable they can be. We're talking bulletproof!

To me, the last thing you want to do is tweak the motor on these cars. Intake/exhaust mods are fine but don't sacrifice reliability and longevity for a few extra hp. $0.02

TazioNYC

Seats might not be a bad idea. Any exhaust recos, then?

joey bagadonuts

There are three exhaust pieces which represent simple mods: the catalytic converter, pirmary muffler and secondary muffler. All three can be bypassed with a straight pipe.

Most folks will start with one bypass (primary or secondary) and then add a cat bypass if they want a bit more sound. These items run $200-$300 each but there are, of course, high-dollar stainless alternatives which can set you back a few hundred more. Do a search--the merits of one option over another is an oft-debated topic.

Ritter v4.0

Sell C4 and buy C2 and lose 200 lbs ; )

Strega(UK)

It replaces the restrictive airflow meter with the MAF off of a 993, this combined witha tuned chip gives a very usable gain and looks neat.

Tom W

I got to 300 hp by switching to MoTeC with a free flowing exhaust and time on the dyno to tune it. My race class requires the stock intake system and that limits it to about 300.

Steven C.

My car dynos over 300 hp.

95 993 intakes and MAF
Fabspeed dual out
Fabspeed cat bypass
Webcam 993 super sport cams
adj. fuel pressure regulator
custom chip

and a 7.5 lbs. LWF to make it more fun.