Hi-

First of all, I have a 98 GS-R and I just barely installed my AEM CAI (soon to get a bypass valve). I am more than likely now going to go All-Motor as this car is meant to be a reliable car for school and work, so I don't want to take too large of risks with the engine. I was wondering what everyone here would recommend as their next upgrades? I don't know too much about cams or what is involved with them (installation fees), but I was wondering if it would be cheaper for the HP/Torque to purchase cams, or something other than cams instead of buying the next obvious modifications which would be header and exhaust? Worse case, if I just upgraded the header and exhaust for now, which would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

i would get a JDM 4-1 Type R header and a ITR back back exhaust (only cuz i hate big tips). If your looking for a little more power, you could try a CTR intake and ITR exhaust cam or some Skunk2 cams. Just me 0.02c

 

Thanks for replying-

I've read about the JDM 4-1 Header with the 2.5 collector right? I was wondering how much they typically cost and I remember reading that other modifications are needed to use the header, and how hard would the install be because I do not have the funds I would like to have (like anyone does) and I would want to install it myself. Also, about cams, how much do they run and how much would one expect to pay for installation?

Thanks Again!

 

you honsetly don't really need an exhaust unless you're gonna be pushing a whole lot more through your exhaust then you do now. You may even lose a little bit of low end power if you put one on before any real engine mods. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that thinks all motor is the way to go. You may want to look into a lightened flywheel and a some other lightweight/durable stuff that be able to handle a higher compression ratio. I suggest looking into new cams....and check out skunkworks stuff...maybe a new intake manifold...power pulleys...etc..have fun with it...oh, and don't cheap out..the good stuff costs more for a reason.

 

You made the right move by getting the CAI for your first mod. It is the best bang for the buck out of any mod you can do. Average priced header/exhausts will not give you much hp. Want 8 free hp to the wheels?
Take off your power steering belt and advance your timing to 18-19 degrees. At first you are going to hate no power steering but after a while you will get used to it. After that I suggest getting Type-R intake cam, cam gears, exhaust, & dyno-tuning in that order. If you wanna go further after that then you are ready for real hp and be prepared for big $ spending For now since you are on a budget, get a factory service manual and try to do all maintenance and mods yourself. Good luck since even the all motor route is not problem-free.

 

i've got an ls.... what kind of power gain would i see from just getting the itr cams? would i be able to put them in myself? would it be a direct bolt in? thanks!

 

The Type-R Intake Cams, what is it that they do? (Dumb questions from a newbie, so excuse me..) Why not get the ITR Exhaust cams as well? How much do they cost generally? How much would installation be, and what gains are to be yielded? What are good cam gears, and prices? Lastly, I've been reading about the Skunk2 Intake Manifold, but you apparently have to purchase a ITR Throttle Body, and anything else I'm not aware of as of yet. Good Idea? Hard to install, etc, etc? So many questions!! Haha......Thanks Again!

 

type r cams have a higher lift duration for vtec( more potent) than stock gsr cams. getting just the intake cam is ok...but i suggest getting them both. then slap on some cam gears and watch ur hp grow

 

sorry u cant put ITR cams in ur LS

 

i agree, u should get both ITr cams then some cam gears to get them dialed in. skunk2 mani u can use stock GSR t/b like me but recommend ITR t/b when u can afford it.
but since u got the intake, i would finish it off with JDM 4-1 header (jdmhondaparts.com has a sale $440 and it includes gasket,flange, and extension piece. then u need the cat) and exhaust. u can use ITr exhaust w/ some modification if u dont like the big tip look and want to keep it stock

 

oh my bad!..i didnt read that u had an LS. yea..they wont fit

 

You may only be interested in power, but you might also want to think along the lines of your suspension.

The stock michelons suck long, and they suck hard. You might want to ditch those.. if you have the dough shocks and/or springs, and an ITR rear swaybar. What's the point in going fast if your car can't handle it?

Good luck in your decision!

 

I just bought some Tanabe Sustec Super H springs from "IN_VTEC" for an amazing $45 shipped! Shipping was just a tab bit over $20 so I definitely got a steal on those. I'm waiting for shocks and as far as that goes, that's my plans for suspension. I was looking at the Type R Swaybar, but looks expensive with the mounting kit, etc, etc and I want to purchase items I can install myself because I definitely don't have the money currently to pay bogus installation fees to a mechanic. I searched and read every ITR/CTR/JUN/Spoon/Skunk2 Cam post and I'm still unsure so if you could help me it would help, definitely. (Weird Sentence) My number one priority is reliability, because this car is for daily driving only with a side of fun. Second is cost because I can always wait. CTR cams have a different intake lobe I'm guessing, but which would be better, what needs to be upgraded and how much in general is everything that is needed to accomodate new cams. Also, how much would installation be? After installation of cams, what else is recommended?

Thanks Again!

 

I assumed you were on a budget and just wanted to get the most for your money. If you wanna spend more then go ahead and get the others parts mentioned. I suggested a setup that will give you a good hp gain but not break your wallet. Lemme elaborate...first of all with Type-R cams, if you get the intake cam you can gain 7-8 hp w/ tuning. You will only get an extra 2-3 hp w/ the exhaust cam. The in/ex cams cost the same ($250). Another thing is if you get both cams w/o moving the vtec point you will have a big dip in hp on the midrange. Get a V-AFC/SFC-VTEC to remove this dip but that's another $300+. So do you wanna spend $550+ ($250+ $300+) for 3 hp? If you just get the intake cam there will be a much smaller dip which can be compensated for by the cam gears. As for the other parts I listed: cam gears $200 a pair, $250 for a custom 2.25-2.5 in exhaust, all affordable stuff. I'm not saying don't get the JDM header, Skunk2 manifold, ITR exhaust cam, Skunk2 manifold, V-AFC, etc. They will definitely complement your other mods. I just don't think they are what you should start out with especially if money is a concern.

Difference between CTR vs. ITR cams: both exhaust cams are the same. The intake cam is where it gets tricky. CTR intake cam has 3 degrees more duration than the '97-'99 ITR intake cam and only 1 degree more duration than the '00,'01 intake cam. ITR intake cams cost about $250 ea. and CTR intake cams cost about $310 ea.

 

I definitely agree with WOT, take the PS belt off. You will get a little more power, better feedback from your steering, and it doesn't cost a dime. As far as the ITR rear bar goes, I say go for that at least sometime. It will do a fine job of balancing your car and with the mounting kit, hardware, and swaybar it only costs about $140. It is easy to put in as well. I put mine in and I'm an idiot. As far as power modifications go, I would wait untill you knew what you wanted out of your car when your all done (besides being more powerful than now, all motor, daily driven). The thing about engines is you can't just start swapping in parts without first looking into what works together and what doesn't. Well I guess you can, but you definitely wont get the same results as a well thought out setup. The main determining factor? *How much money will you have to spend on your motor in the next couple of years* Not trying to confuse you, just trying to make you think more deeply into it. Hope some of this babbling helps.

 

I would just save up some money, and keep reading around to see where you want to go..

 

Thanks everyone for helping me out here. As of now, I will look further into the Type R swaybar since everything will accomodate that. I will just continue to read about cams/FI/etc etc, and eventually come to a conclusion, because my other thought today at work was if it is worth it to pay for cams, etc, etc or just save a little bit more and get a JRSC! Vrrm Vrrm!

Thanks!