Chris from SoCal
Member
Honestly, you have great points and I know a lot of people that would agree with you. The same is true for a lot of other people who replied to your post on this thread.
You’re absolutely correct about it being nearly impossible to “out engineer” the original engineers, especially with all the computer and emission technology on today’s cars. I would never try to increase this motor’s power more than 20%, unless you’re a bonafide race shop, or it will surely fail to last.
That being said, those of us who just want a little edge have options available to us that didn’t exist in the 70s. I’m convinced that I can add an uncle chip that will increase my turbo boost by a few pounds. But if I do that, I also need to allow more air in and out. That’s not really re-engineering, it’s just basics. In the process, we pick up a little throttle response and some cooler sounding components. Hopefully we get some better track times, and definitely should get a whole lot of pride from our work. I would bet your ‘70 Mach 1 would have generated some drool from the corner of my mouth.
We get the advantage of lots of little shops that have made huge advances in minor modifications and the internet (like this forum), too. It’s well known that adding some boost to the turbo requires an oil-catch can and preferably a more efficient intercooler, and those parts are easily available from shops with more technology at their fingertips than I have.
The downside to all of this is going to be in how KIAs warranty holds out for those that don’t modify their cars. If I can remove 90% of my mods for warranty service or smog in under an hour (like two bolt muffler deletes and uncle chips), is that really honest and fair to KIA? If I (and a bunch of others) blow up my engine at 60k miles and take it back after removing mods, KIA will take some heavy losses. I am personally very respectful to my cars and don’t hot rod them constantly, but I know others aren’t as loving to their vehicles as I am.
Regardless of horsepower increase and engine longevity, customizing cars will always be fun.
You’re absolutely correct about it being nearly impossible to “out engineer” the original engineers, especially with all the computer and emission technology on today’s cars. I would never try to increase this motor’s power more than 20%, unless you’re a bonafide race shop, or it will surely fail to last.
That being said, those of us who just want a little edge have options available to us that didn’t exist in the 70s. I’m convinced that I can add an uncle chip that will increase my turbo boost by a few pounds. But if I do that, I also need to allow more air in and out. That’s not really re-engineering, it’s just basics. In the process, we pick up a little throttle response and some cooler sounding components. Hopefully we get some better track times, and definitely should get a whole lot of pride from our work. I would bet your ‘70 Mach 1 would have generated some drool from the corner of my mouth.
We get the advantage of lots of little shops that have made huge advances in minor modifications and the internet (like this forum), too. It’s well known that adding some boost to the turbo requires an oil-catch can and preferably a more efficient intercooler, and those parts are easily available from shops with more technology at their fingertips than I have.
The downside to all of this is going to be in how KIAs warranty holds out for those that don’t modify their cars. If I can remove 90% of my mods for warranty service or smog in under an hour (like two bolt muffler deletes and uncle chips), is that really honest and fair to KIA? If I (and a bunch of others) blow up my engine at 60k miles and take it back after removing mods, KIA will take some heavy losses. I am personally very respectful to my cars and don’t hot rod them constantly, but I know others aren’t as loving to their vehicles as I am.
Regardless of horsepower increase and engine longevity, customizing cars will always be fun.
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