While I have no record breaking 4 digit numbers to show for, I wanted to share my experiences and the results of my recent N/A build. I initiated the process over a year ago and finally got around to having everything installed/tuned this month.
After the initial decision to go the N/A route for increased performance, I started the process by first spending time researching what I wanted to do by reading a lot and speaking to many. During the same time I was reviewing various part options and acquiring what I needed.
As a little background, I had a very costly and nightmarish experience with the shop I used for my previous car. So while I wasn’t going to be turning any wrenches this time either, I wanted to take more ownership in the process this go around. That included a better understanding of the processes, anticipated costs, potential complications and realistic performance outcomes.
Before the build my GTS mods were very basic and limited to filters, smooth tubes, cat delete and a Borla cat back exhaust. For my N/A build, I incorporated the following:
- Greg Good hand ported and upgraded heads, roller rockers, etc.
- Greg Good spec’d cam
- VECII
- M&M 1 ¾” headers
- Corsa Exhaust (prefer the sound of the Borla, but not the drone)
- SVS shifter
- AB spark wires
- 180 thermostat
- All new gaskets and misc. items needed
As many know, there aren’t a lot of “one stop shops”, so I chose to enlist the help of several vendors. Every vendor/seller I dealt with was helpful and provided a hassle-free buying experience. Therefore, I want to acknowledge and thank Greg Good, Joseph Dell, mbccenter (Matt), David Weaver, SVS, AB and of course The Wizard! We are lucky to have so many options when it comes to knowledgeable and helpful people.
For the installation and tuning I really wanted to use a shop within driving distance combined with a long track record of success. With this in mind I selected Sound Performance in Illinois to do the work. I, like many on here will recognize them for their great work in support to the Supra community over the years, but they also know there stuff when it comes to domestics. Chris, Lar, Jerry and rest of the crew provide excellent customer service and quality work. For Viper owners in the Midwest, I would highly recommend you consider them as an option for your build and tuning needs.
When I first dropped the car and parts off at Sound Performance I requested they get some baseline numbers using their Mustang chassis dyno. I really didn’t know what to expect, but was pleased to find out she put down 456rwhp/497rwtq.
While the build was not long in duration, SP proactively communicated with me regularly. It was very refreshing to not have to call or badger a shop in order to get updates on how things were progressing.
One day Chris calls to say the car is buttoned up and Lar was tuning on the dyno. He then asked what I was expecting in the way of final numbers. This was the only time I got nervous as I thought he was calling with disappointing news. I told him I had heard varying figures of similar builds but was hoping for at least 530 hp/tq, but my goal when I started was 550 hp/tq. The other end of the phone was quite for moment before he said “you should be good then as we haven’t done a full pull or added timing yet and hit 550 already”. A bit later he called with the final numbers of 592whp/587wtq. on 93 pump gas. He relayed that Lar thought they could hit 600 or a little more, but the stock fuel system was becoming a limiting factor and didn’t want to risk anything….of course I concurred with their advice
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As you can probably guess, I was very pleased with the final figures, as well as the process in general. Thanks again to all that were involved, your time and participation in my little build was greatly appreciated.
