[Robotech]

I was wondering if anyone here was looking at getting more out of the 2.4L Sky? I wouldn't mind getting somewhere around 200 wheel horsepower (I'm assuming stock we're around 140 hp at the wheels) and wonder what it will take to get there. I mean, upping the car 60 hp is no small feat short of going forced induction (turbo or supercharger).

Anybody have any thoughts? The Solstice forums have conflicting info but I'm still pouring through them on this subject.

 

[seal9]

168-170 Whp

Hi: I have been in contact with 5 different people working on this. The last ones are real 2.4L experts and have, Throttle Body, Headers, CAI, Dual EX and two reprograms for the ECM...The claim is (started with 137.2 whp and after completion 168.6 and 171.2 on different SKYs) I have started ordering the parts to try them on my SKY...We will see...Its a start......Seal9:cheers:

 

[usmc]

I was wondering if anyone here was looking at getting more out of the 2.4L Sky? I wouldn't mind getting somewhere around 200 wheel horsepower (I'm assuming stock we're around 140 hp at the wheels) and wonder what it will take to get there. I mean, upping the car 60 hp is no small feat short of going forced induction (turbo or supercharger).

Anybody have any thoughts? The Solstice forums have conflicting info but I'm still pouring through them on this subject.

I posted below the dyno results of someone who did the common bolt-ons an d ECM tune. I know that results can vary due to different dynos, experience level of the person .... etc.
but this seems to be the accepted results. give or take 5hp.

I don't think you'll be seeing 200bhp without a turbo. But alas! there are afew companies with turbos either out or about to be released. The one I'm eyeballing puts you up around 280-300bhp (240whp) but costs about 4k.

I'll be doing the bolt ons first, then maybe turbo later.

my plan--
shorty headers
dual exhaust
CAI
ECM tuned
about 2k in parts and should put me in the 210bhp range.

stock 143 WHP and 177 BHP
ECM retune, stock between 151 - 154 WHP 192 - 196 BHP
ECM retune with only intake mod 155 - 156 WHP 199 - 201 BHP
ECM retune with only exhaust mod 156 - 157 WHP 201 - 203 BHP
ECM retune with exhaust and header mods 159 - 161 WHP 207 - 211 BHP
ECM retune with intake and exhaust mods 158 - 159 WHP 205 - 207 BHP
ECM retune with intake, exhaust, and header mods 161 -164 WHP 211- 216 BHP

 

[Robotech]

Oh...jeeze...we HAVE to be able to do better than that...Maybe some tweaks to the cam profiles with the VVT or whatever they're calling it at GM.

My issue with the turbo kits is their lack of CARB certification. At least with the GM intake and exhaust I have that...headers...eh...not hard to change out when the time comes.

 

[Gelfling]

I just thought that I'd post in this thread. While I know absolutely nothing about upgrading cars (I'm trying to learn) I found it interesting that both myself and Robotech had 97' Pontiac Grand Prix and now have Sky's. Wierd....just plain wierd.

On a side note, one thing that I really miss from my Grand Prix is the HUD (Heads Up Display). Call me cautious if you want, but I like not having to take my eyes off the road to watch me speed. I live in a small town, and cops are rather intense in their speed enforcement in the town itself. I have a hard time estimating speed in my Sky and a HUD would help a lot. Any after market solutions?

 

[usmc]

Oh...jeeze...we HAVE to be able to do better than that...Maybe some tweaks to the cam profiles with the VVT or whatever they're calling it at GM.

My issue with the turbo kits is their lack of CARB certification. At least with the GM intake and exhaust I have that...headers...eh...not hard to change out when the time comes.

I'm sure you might be able to pull out more with mods like your describing. I personally didn't want to really dig in that deep. Just sticking with bolt ons.

I'm with ya on the CARB, I live in Cali also. I did a little homework and heres what I found.... for now---
Gm CAI - carb
kappa CAI - carb on the way, they will send carb stickers when its approved. Maybe by August. papers are in to CARB, they are just waiting for a response.

Shorty Headers-- no carb... not sure if they will even try.

rksport dual exhaust - (currently for the SOl) -- dunno

The Carb thing is a big issue for me, I don't want to have to swap out parts every friggin time I need to smog.

I hope one of the companies gets a turbo kit CARB'd at some point

 

[Robotech]

I'm lucky with my Grand Prix that I have someone who can smog it for me. It will pass a sniffer test no problem but half the things I've added don't have CARBs and I hate that. I don't want to do that to the Sky.

On the Grand Prix I've done a Blower (whipple), cam, intake, exhaust, headers (only thing CARB legal) and a few other items. I want to go Turbo on the Sky but won't do it without a CARB number. Maybe I'll get lucky and Han will step up with that.

I don't mind digging into the car. Heck, my GP is torn down to the small block just about in my garage right now so I can swap out small blocks...

I also have been reading the GM performance guide for the Ecotec but see nothing on the 2.4...just 2.0 and 2.2...dang it.

 

[carlintexas]

Robotech, usmc is right on! The Solsti owners have progressed in the following order:

#1 CAI (Kappasphere sells the Fujita)
#2 Cat-back exhaust (Magnaflow works fine)
#3 ECM re-flash (Vector)
#4 Shorty headers (Clear Image)

If that doesn't float your boat, the next step would be to go turbo!

A. Sell the CAI
B. Sell the shorty headers
C. ECM re-flash was money wasted
D. Order the Hahn turbo kit ($4,095) You can use the cat-back!

You will have 242hp on the ground with this 'stage 2' kit.:cheers:

 

[usmc]

the turbo really is more bang for your buck. problem for me is shelling out all that buck at once!

maybe in a year or 2, I'm sure I'll be able to sell the other parts on the forum or ebay.

 

[Robotech]

My issue with the turbo is two fold. First is warranty...second is CARB smog issues.

For both trying to remove the Turbo would be a pain in the arse. Whereas with the other options the headers would be the only issue and from what I can see with the Sky a pretty simple swap. Cat back and CAI are both warranty friendly and the ECM wouldn't be a big issue (they'd probably reflash the stupid thing though).

I think I'll go the bolt on route for now. Oh, and so long as there are new Saturn Sky owners no money is wasted. If I went turbo I'd be posting the ECM on this board for sale with core required and find someone in So Cal wanting that ECM. I get some money back on it and put that towards the turbo plus someone here gets a deal on the ECM. Win win.