Adding power to a 1.8 L 04 Matrix

[hang-the-9]

About to drive off with a 04 Matrix but it has some pickup issues especially uphill on hightway speeds with several people.

I'd like to add another 20 hp to it, budget is about $300, suggestions?

I checked on some cold air intake kits and it seems those will add only 4-5 HP to this engine.

 

[Scanlia]

Sorry, Engine was never desgined to handle the increased power output, and even is it does the transmission gear ratios wouldn't make the driving experience right. However since it is an only 20 HP, it wouldn't make that much of a difference.

 

[wip99gt]

I know it's a late post but if you know someone who can weld then a new exhaust would help. I'd cut the cat out of it and offset your o2 sensor in the exhaust. Depending on where you live you'd be fine doing it but if the car needs emission testing it might not pass. You could make your own cold air intake fairly easily which can save you some money. I've done a lot of them. All you'd need to do is find a pictures of one online and copy it. Rubber hoses are cheap and exhaust shops will sell you bent pipe to use. I'd think that both could be done for around $300 to $400 dollars. The muffler would be around $100, Air filter $50, Rubber hose and clamps $40, then the steel pipe. The exhaust pipe is cheap it's the bends that'll cost.

 

[hang-the-9]

I know it's a late post but if you know someone who can weld then a new exhaust would help. I'd cut the cat out of it and offset your o2 sensor in the exhaust. Depending on where you live you'd be fine doing it but if the car needs emission testing it might not pass. You could make your own cold air intake fairly easily which can save you some money. I've done a lot of them. All you'd need to do is find a pictures of one online and copy it. Rubber hoses are cheap and exhaust shops will sell you bent pipe to use. I'd think that both could be done for around $300 to $400 dollars. The muffler would be around $100, Air filter $50, Rubber hose and clamps $40, then the steel pipe. The exhaust pipe is cheap it's the bends that'll cost.

Thanks for the reply, I know that a more free flowing exhaust will add about 10HP to this car, maybe a bit more, but I don't want to sit in the middle of a constant drone. The road noise and wind noise from the car is pretty noticable as is without adding a louder exhaust.

I think I will end up going for a cold air intake for now, from what I have seen that adds about 10hp and get a stage 1 or stage 2 cams later when I save up some more money.

 

[wip99gt]

The cold air intake will add a bit more noise as well. I know a few people who race and they've dyno tested some cars and trucks with cold air intakes and most performance increases are actually pretty low. Look for a more realistic 2-3hp gain, they saw a hp loss with an 05 dodge cummins. I still do it to every vehicle I own because there is a noticeable fuel economy increase. Have you looked at chips for it? Talk to a tuner shop because that car most likely uses an EEPROM or EPROM chip which is easily replaceable. They might know someone who has tuned one of those cars and can help you. I haven't played around with tuning gas engines before but I've done a few diesels and it isn't too hard. I just looked around about your engine. I guess it's hard to gain a lot for power with that engine. Supposedly you can add a few HP by adjusting the timing on those 1ZZs.

 

[wip99gt]

It's actually about 2-3hp peak you'll probably see and maybe 5-6hp max gain at certain rpms.

 

[Psychoteddy]

50 shot of Direct Port Injection Nitrous should do ya.

(/sarcasm)

 

[k7842]

50 shot of Direct Port Injection Nitrous should do ya.

(/sarcasm)

LOL

 

[k7842]

Run a better transmittion ratio.
Better intake.
Better exhaust system.
NOS !
Anything will add a little horsepower. However, i think you have posted for the wrong reasons as with +20Bhp you REALLY wouldn't notice. Turn your fuel pump up or something!

 

[k7842]

(Increase compression rates), more fuel,? Weight reduction? (not BHP increase but potential speed increase

 

[lindseyhunt1090]

wow i never thought i would find this kinda thread on toms hardware lol. you cant add hp to a car unless you are running nitrous or forced induction ( turbo, supercharger) you can only free up hp the motor already could make but doesnt due to the econemy design of things.

an intake, header and exhaust is the most common mods done. because they make the car loud and are in expensive. but sadly the car is not a 6 litre v 8. so you might gain 6 to 10 hp. from all that work and not notice anything..

save you money. unless you are putting a turbo on that thing or some nitrous or a 10 thousand dollar NA build you will not notice anything..

ive been tinking with cars my whole life, trust me lol.