[ifourni]

Hi everyone, I wanted to use this opportunity to introduce myself and specify that I'm new here. Just picked up a 2007 2.4L Convertible last Saturday and wanted to get involved with a community that's helpful and friendly as far as modifications go, so here I am!

First off I have to say for a stock 4cyl, this thing exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect it to let off the power it did on the test drive. Afterwards I was sold. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for some quick cost effective performance mods? I don't have a lot of money saved up so turbos and superchargers are out of the question, but I've read a lot of debates about CAI and some people say they help, some people don't. Can anyone clarify if you get a HP gain/Fuel Economy gain from one? I imagine I'd have to find some way for cold air to actually enter the intake but I'm kindof a noob at this.

Anyways, glad I'm here, and can't wait to meet all of you!

 

[TX08manualGXP]

hey bud, welcome aboard. you're not going to get any significant HP gains from a CAI. I'm going to get a high flow cat and a tune for my 06NA which if anything, will increase low end and throttle response which is all I'm looking for. still, I don't expect the gains to be over 20HP but for a light car, that should do the trick for me. Enjoy your new car.

 

[BellaVerde]

Welcome to the four-em! Keep the mods balanced...some power, some chassis. This place is loaded with opinion, how-to's, reviews, sponsors, and Kappa-Krazies. So browse and keep a pad with dollar totals on it. It May(?) help keep things in perspective.

 

[RedDevil]

All the engine mods in the world won't help if you don't have an engine retune to tell the CPU that they are installed. So do you basic bolt-ons and have fun with it, but you won't see any real power gains until the tune is done and programed to take in account the new parts you added. I did headers, high flow cat, exhaust, CIA and last the tune on top and only then did I see and feel a noticeable change in HP and performance. You won't gain more than 20hp at the most with all the basic bolt on parts. Start saving your money for a Supercharger. Or just trade it in one day for the GXP like I did.

 

[LatinVenom]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[King-Oka]

Welcome aboard ! We have several stock 2.4's in our running pack. They manage just fine, to stay with the GXP's and modded cars. For the most part, the highways and speed limits are the biggest constraint.

That said, I'm kinda liking my car better since I doubled the HP. There are often used Superchargers available here on the forum, and also through DDM. Be warned, if you hang out here, you WILL get the mod bug.

 

[chickenwire]

Welcome ifour! I have a 2.4l N/A - 2007 also, as a matter of fact. I've only done some cosmetics on it and the high flow cat was because of a delay in getting the factor cat replaced under warranty. The high flow did make a noticeable change in performance, but not much more than noticeable.

As others above have stated, the tune can make a difference, mostly just removing the nanny controls on the throttle. I've yet to do it, but I think this summer it's on!

 

[2.4solstice06]

Welcome to the forum. You'll find the LE5 (2.4L) is a perfectly capable power plant and there are several members here that can help with anything you may need!

 

[redcoats1976]

Welcome ifour! I have a 2.4l N/A - 2007 also, as a matter of fact. I've only done some cosmetics on it and the high flow cat was because of a delay in getting the factor cat replaced under warranty. The high flow did make a noticeable change in performance, but not much more than noticeable.

As others above have stated, the tune can make a difference, mostly just removing the nanny controls on the throttle. I've yet to do it, but I think this summer it's on!

what nanny controls are you referring to?im thinking this would be more a top end limiter than limiting horsepower at low RPM?

 

[chickenwire]

It is my understanding that since this car is throttle by wire, the computer "ramps up" the fuel when you jump on it, thereby restricting how quickly you get to WOT. I've spoken with a few owners that have said it makes a big difference getting the tune, even though it doesn't increase top HP much at all.

 

[DaveOC]

what nanny controls are you referring to?im thinking this would be more a top end limiter than limiting horsepower at low RPM?

Here's acouple of threads from the way-back time when we were all searching for performance out of the 2.4 engine:

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f64/nanny-controls-gone-18279/

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f42/lack-performance-but-its-not-engine-18251/

 

[ifourni]

Wow, thanks for all the quick responses! With my experiences on forums usually I don't get this quick of a turnout for some answers. I did have another question though, and the search function didn't get me very far. I noticed after I bought it that the suspension is kinda creaky, if that is the right word for it. It's more noticeable when the car is cold, shortly after I just started it, but it sticks around even after it warms up. Is that a sign I should start thinking about new suspension or could it just need to be greased?

 

[TX08manualGXP]

yeah, from what I understand, the nanny control limits throttle response below 3000-3500 RPM. with that gone and the fact that the tune advances the timing, allowing the engine to rev faster, it gives you the "feel" of a major increase in horsepower. On the dyno, it may not be that much of an improvement but by the seat of your pants and the grin on your face, the difference is huge.

I'd get a CAI for sound and looks and maybe, just maybe a little more top end and trifecta's budget tune and call it done........ for now

 

[ifourni]

Thanks for the quick responses. I didn't expect this much of a turnout! Haha... For now I ordered the K&N 69-8432TS CAI along with a JET 69143 MAF sensor. I'll be receiving/installing them tomorrow, and from what I can tell when I bought my car it already had an aftermarket exhaust, so I think that's taken care of. Can anyone give me some insight on how to tell if it is in fact aftermarket? I measured at the tip and it was 3.5" in diameter, just not sure if that's exactly where you're supposed to measure it at. I know it tapers down about 1/2" headed towards the muffler, and from there it doesn't look like it gets any smaller. I tried a simple Google search to find out the stock exhaust size and from what I found I think it's 2 1/2". Thanks for all the help!

 

[Sting Ya]

Stock exhaust is one piece from cat back ,Magnaflow which I run has a clamp just up from the muffler and a stamp "Magnaflow "on the exhaust tip.Your best bang for the buck is an exhaust ,high flow cat,header,CAI then a tune to put all the pieces together. Save your bucks and go with a turbo or supercharger and you will be amazed at the difference,watch the classifieds on this forum as many of us are always upgrading and have parts to sell at a decent price .Have fun with it and welcome to the forum!

 

[TX08manualGXP]

The stock exhaust is 2 1/2 in and the pipe enters the muffler in the right hand side of the body rather than at the end like the aftermarkets do.

 

[SolNut]

Thanks for the quick responses. I didn't expect this much of a turnout! Haha... For now I ordered the K&N 69-8432TS CAI along with a JET 69143 MAF sensor. I'll be receiving/installing them tomorrow, and from what I can tell when I bought my car it already had an aftermarket exhaust, so I think that's taken care of. Can anyone give me some insight on how to tell if it is in fact aftermarket? I measured at the tip and it was 3.5" in diameter, just not sure if that's exactly where you're supposed to measure it at. I know it tapers down about 1/2" headed towards the muffler, and from there it doesn't look like it gets any smaller. I tried a simple Google search to find out the stock exhaust size and from what I found I think it's 2 1/2". Thanks for all the help!

Pictures, Grasshopper, Pictures !
:thumbs:

 

[ifourni]

That's the only image I have for now, pics of the exhaust will go up tomorrow

As much as you all say you don't notice much of a difference, I feel like the power was upped a good amount and I love the sound it puts out! I'll have more pictures tomorrow.

Not to mention it's very aesthetically pleasing

My buddy is trying to convince me to drop a LS3 engine in it but I'm not prepared to spend that kind of money just yet. Haha.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Looks good. Nice and clean. Makes a huge difference not having the baffle box in there. I want to drop an LS3 in mine too and am saving my pennies. the sound with the hot cam is very impressive and it makes me want to do almost anything to get my hands on one. for now though, I love what I have. I think I took photo's of my stock muffler when I cut it open. I'll see if I can find them.

 

[Hubert]

I also have a 2007NA The very first thing I installed was a Borla Exhaust. The second was a K&N CAI. Now, I'm not going to tell you you're going to get some big, bad HP out of it. BUT, the sound when u stick a toe..... Worth it, baby, worth it....
{If you are old enough to remember the sound of a pair of double pumper Holley's when all 8 butterflys pop open and there ain't nothing in the way except a wire screen.... Well, maybe not that loud, but oh my...}