Brand new to the forum and picking up my XB on Monday. Loved everything about it on the test drive (and test cargo pack - i'm a drummer) except the midband power.

All I'm looking for is a way to increase midband power in the 40-80mph range -- basically merging and passing.

I'm not super concerned with loosing a few MPG to do this, but would like to know the most efficient, affordable way to do so with say $500.

Thanks!!!

 

A K&N Air filter will boost you up a notch... and will only cost you 40 bux.

 

4-1 design header.
strup and dc sports are the 2 most popular brands on here.

 

Check out the engine mods in my profile, My Xb pulls inceredibly good in the 40 to 80mph range. I lost alittle in the "Really illegal" speed range. The dead stop to 40mph seems the same, and my mpg seems to hold in the 30 to 27mpg range depending on how and where I drive it. Mostly spirited driving around town :D

 

oh also, get a lightened pulley, AgencyPower, Perrin, or ZPI are the big brands here too.

 

Sorry forgot that , mines in the mail, should be here in a few days.

 

Shift down and stomp on it, at least with a manual.

 

i second the the 4-1 header along with a axle back muffler thats some incressed power right there!!!

 

An intake or header is your best option in that price range. Don't get the auto if you are concerned about passing or going up hills...............

 

Thanks for all the replies!

My XB is an auto, however, I live in central Indiana and we don't have much in the way of hills around here.

I think I'm gonig to go with the header, exhaust and air filter. Will any of those (not TRD) void my warranty? Does TRD even make a header for the XB or is that a strictly aftermarket part?

Thanks again!

 

TRD makes a header, but it is very expensive (around $500) and are very hard to source. *Ghostrider... (don't remember the full SN) actually has one that he is/was selling.
Strup and DC headers will run you around 200-300 dollars.

as for warranty, the parts will not void your warranty. a dealer may refuse to do service under warranty if a problem can be verified and connected back to an aftermarket part installed on the vehicle. however, your warranty will not be voided forever, just for that service. the dealer needs to PROVE a direct link between the part and repair to claim service without warranty.

 

i have 2 xB's 1 auto and 1 manual , the best money spent was on my Strup headers and axle back exhausts , you can feel the difference for sure and they sound great as well .

http://www.strup.us/

 

I installed a Strup axel back, and a K/N CAI
It made a noticable difference!
Unfortunately I took my XA back to stock so both are for sale
rodanya@yahoo.com

 

I didn't really wanna start my own thread to ask this question.. so basically: Why are the 4 - 1 design headers more popular with ppl on SL? I was trying to decide (still am) between a DC header and an OBX (4-2-1) one so I checked the DC website:

Soooo... what's, shall we say, "better" about a 4-1 than a 4-2-1? Wouldn't you want power throughout the power band? (Or did I just answer my own question? It's just up to what you want/need? But if that was the case, why would DC only make a 4-1 for us?)
Please give your $.02 cause I'm getting really close to buying a header and don't wanna spend $215 and regret it...

 

the reason 4-1 is more popular is because it is more widely available from bigger companies for our xB. the reason that i have heard and deduced from researching before buying my own strup header was that 4-1 designs for our xB are what the big companies felt would be the most cost effective and most performance effective for our engines in terms of end result. they felt that 4-2-1 cost too much money to develop for whatever power gains would result. also, since our header is so small/short, it's hard to do a well laid out 4-2-1 design without a lot more funding going into the project.

you won't regret anything. it all depends on what brand loyalty you have and what you really feel is your personal need for your car. if you want more highway speed, get a 4-1. i can't vouch for the 4-2-1 designs, as i have only seen MMW and OBX do those, and from people's experiences, they either work like magic or crap out.

neither one is "better". but from a reliability standpoint and seeing how TRD goes with a 4-1 design, i personally would stick with 4-1.

 

evosky:

Thanks. I hadn't even considered that about TRD but thats a great point. I just got a Megan strut tie bar on eBay ($45!) and it works 'like magic' ... guess I'll stick with the Megan 4-1 header that I got quoted at $130 shipped

 

yeah, it's just like everyone says: research the parts before you make any decisions to find what will work for your personal needs. i was tempted to go with the 4-2-1 but in the end switched over to the 4-1 design.

good luck with the Megan header.

 

why go back to stock? Selling the xA?

 

While you're considering power upgrades, don't reduce your performance through other changes.

Any weight you add will reduce perceived power. Junk, big sound components. A racer once said, "You need to add lightness".

Wheels and tires that are heavier than stock or move the weight out from the axle will reduce horsepower at the wheels.

 

Beware the Megan header. Install is a biizzzach compared to others. I have the Megan, and wish I'd gone with Strup or DC. But, you can't beat the price and there is a dfference in the before & after butt-dyno.

Good luck and happy modding!!