I have an 09 RS tC automatic and I'm looking to make some more power out of the engine. I'm sure many people ask but I'm looking for a good place to start. I'm looking to spend $500 as of right now for engine mods. The only power mod on the car is the TRD axle back exhaust. Obviously an intake is the best place to start. So here is a small list of what I was thinking of doing first. All suggestions welcome.

1. HPS Short Ram Intake - $180 (Wanna go short ram cause I wanna go lower with the car and don't wanna risk hydrolocking the engine. Currently have TRD springs)

2. Agency Power Pulley - $130

3. Jet Throttle Spacer - $80

4. Megan's Midpipe (Maybe?)

That's all I could think of besides a header but then my car won't pass emissions so thats out. Won't go turbo either cause my car is an auto and I know these cars don't do well with a turbo transmission wise. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

any bolts on dont do much at all.....but maybe let the car breath a little better,trd axle back wont give you any power,just sound,i wont even bother spending money for power since you have auto,i would focus on suspension and what not,

the way i see it,theres no point in making power from and auto,yea you can do and exhaust and intake but thats about it,

 

It's good that you are aware that it would make sense that a CAI will hydrolock if your nose is to the floor. But it won't, you will only hydrolock if your entire filter is submerged in water (unlikely) So, you should go CAI if you can. But if you are still worried about it, they make socks for the filters (they don't sacrifice power) and they make shields as well that fit around the filter.

But yeah, exhaust and intake is a good start for power (getting air in/ getting air out)

I don't recommend pulleys. Yes, you will notice a little difference, but a lot of people will tell you that it will shorten the life of your engine, and since you are worried about turboing your automatic transmission, it shows that you care about the unnecessary wear and tear on your car, so you should also consider the pulley as being harsh on the engine.

throttle body spacer will do vertually nothing.

Mid pipe will help out that crappy cat back you got, so i'd recommend that.

All in all, like I always say, Intake/Header/Exhaust (real exhaust system) and then work on lookin good. Get rid of those springs and get a real drop, then you'll be looking good and sounding good.

 

How is the TRD axle back crappy? I think it sounds very good. Maybe you guys are right and I shouldn't invest money into the engine. I guess I will hold on to that money and get me some Tein S Techs when spring rolls around.

 

Throttle body spacers do NOTHING besides waste your money. Pulley's only free up a little power and you'll notice a bit of throttle response.

 

A little searching would have told you that with every possible bolt on besides FI, you'll gain maybe 10hp. And that's probably being generous.

 

^ Not true. lol. You're looking at about 15whp. The xB2 was dyno'ed and actually had a really cool article at Import Tuner that broke down the gains. I suspect your tC will be slightly higher since it is geared better:

http://www.importtuner.com/powerpage...arb_legal.html


But if you do it properly, you can get higher gain. There have been some people all over these forums that have gained close to 25whp. But that usually requires engine management, ported throttle bodies, etc. They're not just throwing on parts, they're actually doing heavy tuning. Do a search.

 

Oh yeah because 5hp out of a 4 banger is a monumental difference.

 

The TRD axle back is a work of art.

It just doesn't look like all the other fart cans out there...

You're treating your tC like a Camaro. Don't forget the tC has outstanding handling.

I don't recommend buying any off-brand parts. Spend the extra money for an AEM or Injen intake. I've use Injen's RD convertible intake with no problems, and half my fender liner was missing. You just have to use your head.

So, buy a decent intake, leave your exhaust alone, be emissions-legal. Taking off your cat won't make that much of a difference.
Go buy a good rear sway bar- either a Hotchkis Sport or a DG Spec.
That was the very first mod I did for my car. With just the rear sway bar, good tires, and free-flowing exhaust, I had a very competitive daily-driven auto crosser.

 

I already have a TRD rear sway bar. Maybe I will just throw on an intake or something and call it a day. This car is my daily driver so I don't care about making serious horsepower and I'm not gonna get proffesional tunes or anything like that. Just looking for some parts that I can throw on and notice a difference out of.

 

Keep with the TRD theme, and use their intake, AEM (that may make TRD's), or Injen. Just don't cheap out.

 

Swap in an LS1

 

get a nirtous kit. seriously. learn how to use it, and enjoy. Just stay at a 75hp shot , and you wont have any problems if used correctly. do some research on it, find out how it works, how to use it, and what not to do. you will come to find out its not scary at all. its only as scary as you make it

 

Honestly, I would suggest a 5 speed swap.

All the parts for my xb2's swap cost around $1200, and that includes a quaife lsd.

I'm using a camry trans though, it would have been cheaper if I had used an xb2/tc 5 speed.

 

5 speed swap wouldn't happen cause I payed the extra money for a little more convienence while driving. If I wanted a manual I would have bought one instead. Plus I can't give up my RS 5.0..... I still love the car. I probably won't put anything into the engine at all. Everything I can afford won't do me much and I think it's silly to invest about $500 into the car and not be able to feel the difference. I guess I'm just gonna deal with what I got.

 

Well...if you wanted a "quick" car....the auto will really hinder that(minus nitrous or F/I).

If you aren't going to put anything into the engine, why are you asking about power?

An ebay header and intake will do a world of good for the 2azfe, I have an entire thread devoted to it. I spent less than $300 and got a CAI and header, really livened up the engine.

Both still work flawlessly.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=200725

 

Wanna race my auto XB? Drag, autoX, road course, wherever.

You're being a MT snob, don't do that. There's nothing wrong with adding some power to an auto trans car. My auto XB started out 1/2 second slower to 60 and 1/4 mile than a stock MT TC but now it's 2 seconds faster in both and a very fun car even with the AT.

To the OP: You should consider a good CAI. It will add almost 10whp/wtq, enough to feel and it also sounds great. You might also double-check just how tough your state's emission testing is. I passed with a header, CAI and axle-back installed the first time and last year with a turbo, 3" LOUD exhaust and no cats. In MD they simply plug into the OBD2 port and check for codes. No codes and you pass. They don't even lift the hood or look under the car here. YMMV.

 

Also, there ARE a exceptions to the "you can't have a fast auto" rule (such as fred)....but they usually require a giant hairdryer , and about $4k !

Hopefully I will be there with you one day fred

A CAI on these engines DOES sound pretty good.....

 

Thanks Brother. I'm looking forward to your boost thread some day. You know what you're doing and hopefully you get a nice fat tax return this year!

BTW, it's unlikely but I'm toying with the idea of getting a 2012 Focus ST next year. If I do I may sell my complete kit for $2000.

 

Well..if that does happen....you can bet I will send you the $$ for that kit faster than you can post it up for sale .

I wasn't planning on boosting until mid next year....buuuttt...if you happen to sell it, I would love to give it a good home.


/threadjack

Sorry OP!