Looking for some modification guideance. Options

[Bluelightning]

Hello everyone,

I'm a newb here so, I apologize if I ask any stupid questions up front.

My wife and I just recntly purchesed her a Bone Stock 1996 AT200 5-speed to use as a daily driver in place of the 2003 Dodge Durango she was driving. Fuel costs where getting to much for us, so we needed something a bit more economical, plus she wanted something fun to drive.

We where supprised at how well the car responds with only 108 HP. Now we are looking at our options for increasing that.

I have been doing a bit of research here on the site and understand that the 3S-GTE swap is the hands down prefered option for all out power, but I also want to keep an eye on overall cost of ownership as well. IE Mantinece cost, and fuel costs after modification. I need to keep these costs reasonable for a daily driver.

What I am looking for is something that will fit the following requirements post modification.

1: Run well on Regular Unleaded gas.
2: Pass Texas emissions testing
3: I can get replacement parts, and normal maintenance items at a reasonable cost.

My understanding is this pretry much rules out a JDM engine swap.

What about a swap for a 5S-FE from a USDM GT? Is this a reasonable option? Will it meet my requirements above?

Would I just be better off sticking with my 7A-FE and working with it?

I would not be opposed to a turbo kit for the existing engine, but I belive that would require me to run a higher grade of gas. Is that correct?

If that is the case what performance mods would be recommended for a NA 7A-FE to get a few more HP out of it? Would I be pretty much limited to an intake upgrade, and exhaust upgrades? Would that net me much HP gain on the 7A-FE?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations you can make.


This post has been edited by Bluelightning: Sep 23, 2005 - 10:24 AM

[nik]

but basically, there is no real way to make a 7A go fast... at all... unless you are Nik and you can pour 4 grand into a turbo kit....
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my old turbo project only cost me $1500 for a basic turbo kit got good results on small budget 170 whp and 180 torque at 9.5 psi or drop it down to 5-6 psi and still get 140-150 whp and good torque

now if you want a 7age its about the same money as a 4ag swap + a few hundred more but more power or you can go all out a fully build a 7AGTE which i'm in the process of finishing hopefully soon

OK.  it looks like I have a fairly clear picture now..  It sounds like I either need to throw all my reservations out the windows and go all out for the 3S-GTE, or just go with minor mods for the 7A-FE and be happy with what I can get out of it.

Thank you everyone for you time.  It is greatly appreciated.
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or the middle and just put a turbo on with 6-7 psi and have close to or the same power as the 3sgte stock for less it all depends on you go look at my how to tubro your 7afe might give you an idea

just to let you know i started off with bolt ons exhaust intake plugs wires etc
then went low budget turbo and now i went full blown rebuild hybraid built motor big turbo standalone etc anything is possible