I had a few questions about how to take my car to the next level...

My current set-up is a '97 GS with a Hahn stage 2 kit w/ FMIC, currently running 8psi.

?s
1) How much boost could i run with only upgrading my pistons & rods?
2) With only doing #1, is tuning software a must?
3) Is #1 worth it? or should i go all out at once and also do some BC 272's, ECMlink, Clutch, Flywheel, LSD, bigger injectors, etc?
4) Y did Hahn delete their stage 3-5 kits online? r they even available any more?
5) Is there anything in #3 that I missed for a pretty powerful car? 400+ hp?

Any and all feedback welcome,
Thanks,

Originally posted by zrb16
I had a few questions about how to take my car to the next level... My current set-up is a '97 GS with a Hahn stage 2 kit w/ FMIC, currently running 8psi. ?s 1) How much boost could i run with only upgrading my pistons & rods? 2) With only doing #1, is tuning software a must? 3) Is #1 worth it? or should i go all out at once and also do some BC 272's, ECMlink, Clutch, Flywheel, LSD, bigger injectors, etc? 4) Y did Hahn delete their stage 3-5 kits online? r they even available any more? 5) Is there anything in #3 that I missed for a pretty powerful car? 400+ hp? Any and all feedback welcome, Thanks,

1. you can go as much as you think you can handle. Although eagle rods are rated at 600hp unless you get the extreme's (1000hp). obviously fuel components must be added so you dont blow it. It's not so simple as to just throw in rods/pistons.
2. Not necessarily. if you keep it below 15 psi, most of the time ignition retard is not necessary. An SFMU and some injectors will suffice.
3. if you mean worth it like "fun", then yes, totally. Money wise, you might as well do some more things like crane/crower valve springs to combat valve lift.
4. don't know. overpriced anyway.
5. other than pistons/rods and a good fuel/ignition setup, like MSnS, or PF & dis2, you're on the right track.

Thanks for the help man, i really appreciate it...

One more question: Is $755 a good price for wiseco pistons and rings w/ eagle rods combo?

Thats definitely a good price

There's a guy thats been selling the combo on Ebay for a long time who is a little cheaper too. He also sells JE combos for like $800

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Wiseco-Pistons-Eagle-Rods-Dodge-Neon-Eclipse-RS-420A-2g_W0QQitemZ270415981110QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ef60c6a36&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171%7C240%3A1318

Ok great thank you :thumbsup

One last question though sorry... I've always been a little confused on what compression ratio to choose, could you help me out?

thanks again,

Compression ratio; Every 1 point you increase in compression gives you a 4% increase in horsepower. 9.0 to 10.00 on a 100 horse engine will yeild you 104 horse engine if everything else remains the same. And the same holds true for every point you increase. That is why a 12.5 engine runs better than a 9.5 engine. Now that holds true no matter what atmospheric pressure is. So a 12.5 to 1 engine will make more power than a 9.5 to 1 engine at 7 pounds of boost, at 14 pounds of boost and at 30 pounds of boost. BUT... the increase cylinder pressures require you to control detonation. As long as you can control detonation, you can run these boost levels.

Lets make this simple. We have a 100 hp engine with 8.5 to 1 compression. We put 15 pounds of boost on it, now we have a 200 hp engine. Now lets build a second engine with 12.5 compression. The first jump we goto 9.5 and get 4% to 104 hp, now we got to 10.5 anf get 108.16 horse, now to 11.5 and 112.48, and finally 12.5 we get 117 hp, now we add our 15 psi of boost and we got 234 horse power engine. So at 15 psi a 12.5 to 1 engine will make ruffly 17% more horsepower. That wins races.

Now because of detonation you may need to pull more timing out, and may loose part of that horsepower at high boost levels, but you will get there quicker, and on the bottom end of the race track you should make enough of a difference that the low compression car can't run you down on the big end of the track. With the electronics in timing we have a 12.5 to 1 15 psi street motor is a reality. Now if you go all out on a race engine. the 12.5 motor may be limited to 28 psi, where a 8.5 to 1 may be able to go to 30 psi without detonation, but I would put my money on the 12.5 engine.

an excerpt taken from http://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=5&topic_id=10494&mode=full read that.

Originally posted by 420agreenvilleSC
Compression ratio; Every 1 point you increase in compression gives you a 4% increase in horsepower. 9.0 to 10.00 on a 100 horse engine will yeild you 104 horse engine if everything else remains the same. And the same holds true for every point you increase. That is why a 12.5 engine runs better than a 9.5 engine. Now that holds true no matter what atmospheric pressure is. So a 12.5 to 1 engine will make more power than a 9.5 to 1 engine at 7 pounds of boost, at 14 pounds of boost and at 30 pounds of boost. BUT... the increase cylinder pressures require you to control detonation. As long as you can control detonation, you can run these boost levels. Lets make this simple. We have a 100 hp engine with 8.5 to 1 compression. We put 15 pounds of boost on it, now we have a 200 hp engine. Now lets build a second engine with 12.5 compression. The first jump we goto 9.5 and get 4% to 104 hp, now we got to 10.5 anf get 108.16 horse, now to 11.5 and 112.48, and finally 12.5 we get 117 hp, now we add our 15 psi of boost and we got 234 horse power engine. So at 15 psi a 12.5 to 1 engine will make ruffly 17% more horsepower. That wins races. Now because of detonation you may need to pull more timing out, and may loose part of that horsepower at high boost levels, but you will get there quicker, and on the bottom end of the race track you should make enough of a difference that the low compression car can't run you down on the big end of the track. With the electronics in timing we have a 12.5 to 1 15 psi street motor is a reality. Now if you go all out on a race engine. the 12.5 motor may be limited to 28 psi, where a 8.5 to 1 may be able to go to 30 psi without detonation, but I would put my money on the 12.5 engine. an excerpt taken from http://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=5&topic_id=10494&mode=full read that.

Very help, almost answered my question about compression as well.

If you do high compression with boost. on pump gas you will be limited to how much psi you can run before you start to detonate.

But i would go with 10.5:1 and boost on a street car.

I agree with Zero, I decided to run a 10.5 comp ratio after not liking the 8.8. Just driving around there is a huge difference and if you go with something like MSnS for tuning its fairly easy to run E85 so you can get away with the higher comp ratio's and boost and not worry about it.

Ya thank you guys for all the info, it was needed lol...

I think i am going to go with 10.5/1 and i'm def going to get MSnS. I just need to save up a bit for all the parts first then when im ready to start the build i will keep you updated and add pics ASAP

Thanks again,