Basic StarQuest Mods
~Airbox / Mass Air / K&N / Steel Tube a must!
~Remove & clean intercooler (you'd be suprised how much this can help!)
~Tune-Up (HP cap & rotor, 8mm+ wires, Bosch/MSD coil, Rapidfires) Key to all HP gains!
~Replace U-Joints (very important!) The Super Alloy ones are great. These are a key safety item to prevent torque tube faliure
Engine performance views
Pistons: Hypereutectic or Forged?
Hypereutectic Pistons use a high silicon (10-18%) content & are CNC machined to make a stronger casting (People used to call it "Forged Aluminum") They are more than enough for all, save serious race applications. Plus they are lighter, have better ring seal, & less thermal expansion. All things that turbo-charged cars like.
Depending on your HP goals, these pistons will hole more HP than the stock F.I system can handle
(About 315-325 HP with FPR & Fuel Pump upgrade - 88/89 model)
If Nitrous, increasing C.R., or the 20G (650 cfm) or bigger turbo are in mind, I would reccomend the forged.
Balance Shaft Eliminatior
~15-18 HP Gain
~30 lb weight loss
~increased redline & rev speed
~bullet-proof bottom end with rod's shot-peened
Jeg Valves Eliminated
~17% Increase in AirFlow on the Intake side (This is HUGE on a turbo)
~less parasitic drag on the valvetrain
~guaranteed not to fail in the open position causing engine to lean out and detonate!
My Head's cracked, should I repair it?
If the head is cracked just get a maranal HD non-JV head. It's well worth the money if you need to replace your head anyway. I advise against repairing cracks as "again" this is a turbo-charged car and the dynamic
compression is near 15:1 at 15 psi. Cracks usually fail again or crack next to the weld. If you're not going high performance, A good secondary choice is getting an early model Dodge Caravan head (prior to 88 with 2.6l) You'll need to swap over all your valvetrain and yor cam, but it doesn't have any jet valves!
Where should I take it to get the work done?
Most experienced machine shops can do the work. Just make sure to tell them everything you want them to do. The shop I went to was suprised I knew about both eliminator kits and said he did it to all the 2.6l's he rebuilt. That eased qute a few of my concerns right there.
Go quality parts all the way. I chose Federal Mogul/Sealed Power (SP) components and they are great. Others are as good as well. They used the dealer gasked set with the HD head set. (I bought the head set myself) Plus ARP studs.
Block work: (ask prices and make a list)
