Cheap way to add horsepower?

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Here's all different length sidepipes from JCW:

http://www.market-plan.com/indexes_2/Exhaust_Pipes.htm

[Paintball3r]

So if I use the weapon R I could get water in the engine and well yeah thats bad. IL gets a good amount of rain, especially in the spring. If I got the K&N would I still have to worry about getting water in the engine?

[Paintball3r]

I just looked at the DynoMax SuperTurbo Muffler. It looks pretty nice, but I know it isn't made for the PT, so will it fit without modifications? If so what size would I need and would I need professional installation? Does anyone have one of these on their PT? How does ti sound, notice any HP or MPG gained?

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

You should be OK if you only get the Weapon R. If you add on their cold air intake system, then you have to worry. As for the dynomax, there should be options for inlet size, outlet size, offset, etc. You'll need a 2.25 inlet, and however big you want the outlet, I would say 2.5-3.0. Yes, you will need to have it professionally installed. The muffler shop should be able to make hangers for the dynomax to fit onto your PT. I would say that it shouldn't cost more than $150 to have them install it.

[Paintball3r]

hehehe, you are very helpful. Thanks for all the help you've given me! So if I just get the Weapon R it will be ok with the rain and all? What would happen if I got the cold air intake? What happens that could let water into the engine? What does the size of the outlet hole change? Does it have to do with flow, sound or something like that? Is alot of flow good with exhaust? I know with paintball if you get highflow you have to put something in to keep the regulated so you don't waste energy from the N2. Is there something like that with cars? Thanks again for the help!

EDIT: I heave read on other sites that the WeaponR is cheap, and you get what you pay for. I hear alot about bad plastic pieces on it, and how it looks like a toy, which I agree with actually. Along with parts falling apart soon after purchase and the such. Anyone have this problem? I can't find any reviews where they were used on a PT, so I guess the intake would have to work harder to provide a v8 than the tiny engine in the PT.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

The bigger outlet will give you a little bit better flow, but not a whole lot. Unless you went ahead and got a header, maybe 2.5 inch pipes, and a muffler to fit, you'd have a lot more flow. BUT, I've heard a lot of talk on here about keeping the pipe size at 2.25, which is what it's at currently. I've also heard that using headers provides even more flow, which can REDUCE your horsepower in certain areas of the powerband (the powerband is basically how much horsepower you get through the RPMs, usually, more RPMs, more power.) Paintball and engines are two different matters, although I'm sure you know that. Yes, with paintball, you put two much air behind the ball, and you're either going to waster air, or you're balls are going to start breaking in the barrel (I do a little bit of paintball). Some people on here think that the more flow, the more power, and others think that with maximum flow, you start to lose power at a certain point. I really don't know, and I try to stay neutral.
Onto the Weapon R. I've only looked at what Weapon R has to say about their own goods. If you're seeing actual customer feedback on some other forum that says Weapon R is crap, don't buy it. Most people running Weapon R's are using 4 or 6 cylinder cars. Go K&N. The cold air intake kit for the weapon R is bascially a hose you hook up to the end of the intake, and you place the other end down towards the bottom of the car, you go over a puddle, and you've got several ounces of water starting to come up into the intake, through the throttle body, through the injectors, into the cylinders, and well, it's not a pretty picture. As for an intake having to work harder for a bigger engine, not true, the intake is just the piece that filters the air coming in, nothing more.
I'm glad to help, if you need more questions answered, feel free to ask them. Make sure you post in the right section, there are some old-timers on here that can literally disassemble the PT and put it back together by themselves, make sure you listen to and respect them, they'll help you out a lot.

[Paintball3r]

I've seen atleast 3 intake systems by K&N, which would I need, and what are the differences? I read through them, but it all sounded kinda like jibberish to me.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

You want the K&N FIPK system, it's the only one they make for non-turbo PT Cruisers.

[Paintball3r]

Alot of people before suggested that I try to lower the weight, That made me think. I wouldn't mind getting a new hood, maybe something with a scoop, or something that looked a little more unique. What is the stock hood made of? If I bought one made wit hcarbon fiber, would that give me alot less weight on the car? If I got a carbon fiber hood, would it be less durable than the stock? I know that N2 tanks are made of carbon fiber, but you have to be really careful not to damage them. So, does anyone have one that could give me some info or tips? Any help is appreciated![?]

[Konkeler]

Paintball does not = Cars (I used to play Paintball, I know)

Weight doesn't make that much of a differnce. My friend has a 96 Grand-am, 2.4L, 150hp, ut it weighs 400lbs less then my PT Cruiser. We had a quick race up to 40mph and He had about a length on me (and was still pulling very slowly) However, I'm not sure what the gearing stats are.