[Leviathan]

The following questions are aimed at those of you who have done a reasonable amount of power related modding and tuning to your FN2's. Having already fitted a GM intake and Martelius exhaust I'm a bit torn as to what route I should go down tuning-wise for a real difference in performance on the road. Obviously the popular route of exhaust header, intake manifold, big TB and more aggressive cams with a custom tune yields good results on dyno's, but it's also very expensive.
Those of you who have gone down this route or similar, would you say it's been worth it? Would you do it all again? Does it really make that much difference that you'd feel confident taking on cars that a stock FN2 couldn't? At the minute I'm thinking of just getting a racing header and a custom tune along with lightweight alloys. How would this kind of set-up compare, on the road, to a 230-240bhp FN2?

A lot of questions I know lol, sorry, I've trawled through all of the mod threads and there are a lot of varied opinions on this subject so I'm just trying to get a consolidated source of opinions, especially from guys who've been running performance modified motors for a while.

Cheers opcorn2:

 

[pulpmelon_r]

Everyone will tell you something different.

I think you would have to drive a charged FN and a Tuned NASP car back to back to really understand the score.


But IMO theres nothing like the sound of an NA engine at 9000RPM

 

[bananas_33]

I'm so jealous that you have so much options to choose from. I would keep it NA

 

[Leviathan]

Ha, yeah that's it, so many different opinions on the subject. I think peoples experience with powerful cars has a lot of influence on it. I've been in Leepie's car which has a Rotrex SC but never been in an extensively modded NA one to compare mine to. Charging isn't really an option for me anyway, I'm not good enough at saving money.

 

[Leviathan]

I'm so jealous that you have so much options to choose from. I would keep it NA

Having so many options is great but it also does your head in a bit lol. I'm indecisive at the best of times.

 

[stoney]

I've done a fair bit, the biggest gain I got was from a race header, ( Tegiwa Toda and CPL are examples) and Flashpro of course, I also got a good gain with the RRC inlet manifold shortly after.

Smaller gains to be had from larger ( fd2 ) throtle body etc, after this point it is diminishing gains, If you can stretch to it, FD2 cams are a good drop in alternative needing no valvetrain work- only a tune with flashpro.

The other weak points in the FN2 are suspension and Brakes, Eibach springs are excellant and combined with 15mm Eibach spacers and a FRS transforms the handling.

Braking wise most people on here with Rs run Ferrodo DS2500, goodridge,doluck etc brake lines and good fluid.

Theres more to going fast than powaaahs I find.

I have driven a charged Ep3 ( rotrex) and imo its not a fast day to day car, in that application grip was a massive issue

 

[yarters]

I'd definately get a manifold and custom tune everytime. Makes such a difference.

Inlet manifold and cams etc will bring further results but cost much more in terms of labour so start with the mani and tune and decide from there. As said it's good to have a go in a car that's had similar mods to what you are thinking to get an idea..

 

[Leviathan]

I've done a fair bit, the biggest gain I got was from a race header, ( Tegiwa Toda and CPL are examples) and Flashpro of course, I also got a good gain with the RRC inlet manifold shortly after.

Smaller gains to be had from larger ( fd2 ) throtle body etc, after this point it is diminishing gains, If you can stretch to it, FD2 cams are a good drop in alternative needing no valvetrain work- only a tune with flashpro.

The other weak points in the FN2 are suspension and Brakes, Eibach springs are excellant and combined with 15mm Eibach spacers and a FRS transforms the handling.

Braking wise most people on here with Rs run Ferrodo DS2500, goodridge,doluck etc brake lines and good fluid.

Theres more to going fast than powaaahs I find.

I have driven a charged Ep3 ( rotrex) and imo its not a fast day to day car, in that application grip was a massive issue

My god yeah the brakes are shocking. I have Tein springs already that I'll get fitted along with better pads and lines etc and FRSU when I have the money to do it all in a oner.

 

[stoney]

Get a run in a nicely sorted NA motor with the sort of mods you had in mind and decide from there.

On paper boost makes sense for the outlay when you compare the BHP figures, but putting it down is another thing

 

[Leviathan]

I'd definately get a manifold and custom tune everytime. Makes such a difference.

Inlet manifold and cams etc will bring further results but cost much more in terms of labour so start with the mani and tune and decide from there. As said it's good to have a go in a car that's had similar mods to what you are thinking to get an idea..

Yeah I think you're right mate, I'll get the manifold and a custom tune regardless and then try to attend a meet where someone with a more extensively modded NA set-up might be kind enough to take me for a quick spin olice:

 

[yarters]

Yeah I think you're right mate, I'll get the manifold and a custom tune regardless and then try to attend a meet where someone with a more extensively modded NA set-up might be kind enough to take me for a quick spin olice:

Good plan!

Beware though it's a slippery slope and original budgets etc can soon disappear! I think it also depends on how long you see yourself keeping the car for. I'm certainly planning on keeping it for several years so hope to get my money's worth out of the mods!

 

[Leviathan]

Good plan!

Beware though it's a slippery slope and original budgets etc can soon disappear! I think it also depends on how long you see yourself keeping the car for. I'm certainly planning on keeping it for several years so hope to get my money's worth out of the mods!

That's it yeah, don't want to get in over my head and start paying hundreds of pounds for small gains just for the sake of it. I'm wanting more power but also ICE upgrades.
I love the car and would keep it for a few more year if it wasn't for the amount of money that's required to keep it up to speed with some of the turbo hot hatches.

 

[hagan71ctr]

If you want to come meet somewhere I will take you out in mine so you can feel the difference in a supercharged car !! Then you can get someone with an mods so you can compare to what you are after & I have no problem keeping the power Planted !! It depends on your driving style ;-)

 

[Leviathan]

If you want to come meet somewhere I will take you out in mine so you can feel the difference in a supercharged car !! Then you can get someone with an mods so you can compare to what you are after & I have no problem keeping the power Planted !! It depends on your driving style ;-)

Alreet mate, cheers for the offer I'm all the way down near Bristol with work until April though unfortunately
I've actually been out in a Rotrex SC FN2 before so I already know how mental they are lol. If I had the discipline required to save up the money I would have one, I think the difference is unreal. I bet you've surprised a few people!

 

[Lunar Tick]

Hi matey. I have an NA FD2, which has been taken pretty much as far as you can in terms of tuning without lifting the lid off (toda A3 cams, manifold and exhaust, oversize 72mm throttle body with enlarged air intake, Mugen air box) and of course Hondata mapped. It makes around 230bhp at the hubs (around 260 fly), and is quick but not 'supercharged quick'. I've driven 3 supercharged FN2s and there's no doubt that supercharging does make a night and day difference. If it's a really 'blow your socks off difference' you're seeking, you'll need to go supercharged or bigger capacity NA. Having said that, there's something very satisfying about wringing out power NA

I'm not too far from you so if you wanted to meet up (perhaps get Hagan along too) you could see for yourself?

 

[Leviathan]

Hi matey. I have an NA FD2, which has been taken pretty much as far as you can in terms of tuning without lifting the lid off (toda A3 cams, manifold and exhaust, oversize 72mm throttle body with enlarged air intake, Mugen air box) and of course Hondata mapped. It makes around 230bhp at the hubs (around 260 fly), and is quick but not 'supercharged quick'. I've driven 3 supercharged FN2s and there's no doubt that supercharging does make a night and day difference. If it's a really 'blow your socks off difference' you're seeking, you'll need to go supercharged or bigger capacity NA. Having said that, there's something very satisfying about wringing out power NA

I'm not too far from you so if you wanted to meet up (perhaps get Hagan along too) you could see for yourself?

Hi mate, that would be great yeah. Next time I'm up home I'll get in touch and maybe we can sort something out
I guess with the amount of money it costs it's that 'night and day' difference I'd be looking for out of an extensive NA build.
Do you have any experience with lightweight alloys and the difference they make?

 

[Lunar Tick]

If you stay NA, weight loss will help performance no end. I run Rota P1 alloys, which are 8.1kg per rim. OEM FN2 rims are around 11.8kgs I think. I read posts on here that changing to lighter rims on the FN2 really helps handling. Yeah, let me know when you're about and we'll sort something

 

[Leviathan]

If you stay NA, weight loss will help performance no end. I run Rota P1 alloys, which are 8.1kg per rim. OEM FN2 rims are around 11.8kgs I think. I read posts on here that changing to lighter rims on the FN2 really helps handling. Yeah, let me know when you're about and we'll sort something

Nice one, cheers mate. It's the Rota P1's I was looking at as they seem to be excellent value for money.

 

[hagan71ctr]

Alreet mate, cheers for the offer I'm all the way down near Bristol with work until April though unfortunately
I've actually been out in a Rotrex SC FN2 before so I already know how mental they are lol. If I had the discipline required to save up the money I would have one, I think the difference is unreal. I bet you've surprised a few people!

No bother bud, yeah surprised a few the look on there face when slow down & they pull up next to me is priceless ;-) I have been called a lot of words & the hand gestures if you know what I mean can't say on here swear filter would have a field day !! I just laugh at them but it's all good fun hope you get sorted whatever you decide to do ;-)

 

[Leviathan]

No bother bud, yeah surprised a few the look on there face when slow down & they pull up next to me is priceless ;-) I have been called a lot of words & the hand gestures if you know what I mean can't say on here swear filter would have a field day !! I just laugh at them but it's all good fun hope you get sorted whatever you decide to do ;-)

Haha, yeah I bet mate! Would you be up for meeting up with LunarTick with me next time I'm up? If you're available of course.