Performance

[Bob Tallman]

Thanks for the welcomes. While I'm not yet ready to void the warranty (according to DC I will if Stage I is installed), I would like to do CAT-back and increase air intake. So many CAT-back choices (Borla, BTG, etc.), and BTG/K&N, etc for intake. I also wonder about the "power tower".
CAT-back. Don't want the younger generations/riceeater loud note, deeper driveable is better for me. Must I roll the rear pan to accomodate the dual exhaust?
K&N vs BTG. The idea is to lower the temperature of and increase air flow. Any system do the best job per dyno check?
Again, I'm hooked and will get pics up as soon as I can.
thanks, Bob

[Gary04GT]

Here is a thread that provides some good info, especially on the BTG single axle-back exhaust--a favorite of many forum members: http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/...ms=btg,exhaust

From what I've read, dual exhaust is for "looks only" (on the PT Cruiser) as there are no performance gains on four cylinder engines including the GT Turbo. If you are planning to eventually add the Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade then you may want to just put in a K&N (drop-in) free-flow performance air filter rather than a CAI as members of this forum have indicated that Stage 1 was designed to achieve maximum performance with the stock air-box. Just my two cents. Good luck. [8)]

[Jason_L]

check out the lengthy threads on warranty issues.. the parts by themself can not legally void the vehicle warranty unless they are the direct cause. Some dealers are bigger dicks then others about it. I'm lucky, my dad owns the local 5-star, but if someone tried to screw me on warranty I'd make them prove their point.. If the dealer tried to say a stage 1 PCM was the culprit, I'd make them explain their diagnosis of what went wrong and how the PCM triggered it...
make believe scenerio, pretend I spun a bearing and I have no reason to think it's from the stage 1 upgrade:
them: "it was over boosted".
me: "hmmm - I didn't blow any gaskets or melt a piston, so I don't think so.. Anyways, how could that cause a spun bearing? Did you test the oil pump?"
them: "ummmmm, yeah.. the pump is bad"
me:"and just how did the boost cause that?"
them:"... let me see what i can do..." <well, maybe not so easy!>

[mcruz]

I have the BTG cat/back duals and I think they sound great and not difficult to install.

[COP TZER]

get a custom 3" exhaust bent up at a local high quality exhaust shop, with a straight through muffler design.
As for the intake, the nature of the beast is different to a N/A car. With us, it's not so much how cold the air is, as how much of it there is. That's the beauty of having a nice FMIC. Either way, the air you pull through the intake is gonna get hot once it hits the turbine. That is why you have the FMIC. Get a nice 3" intake with a high-flow filter.

[Bob Tallman]

Thanks for all the input. Will see what a call to my local 5-star says about Stage I.........then do it anyway. I appreciate the "prove it DC" guidance as well.

Exhaust: I'll eventually do "dumps" but until then seems like the single BTG may be the way I'll go, especially if I don't have to cut the rear bumper which it seems is necessary with a dual set up.

Still Plain-jane DCII but working on it.

[bobs turbo pt]

how would the gt run with no other mods than just 3" exhaust??

[SteelBlueGT]

I still love my K&N Typhoon intake lots of noise via the load pedal and not much noise under cruise! Good power increases without other mods! I think I am feeling about 10 to 15 hp but have not dynoed it yet! I do know I was making about 200 hp on the dyno bone stock exept for airbox mods!! Good Luck!