VK45 –Stage 1 Headers/JWT cams/TB/intake

Exotich said:
Logan, it's been a while. So is it true that when heads are ported, you lose MPG's by a good bit? I know when you install cams depending on how big the duration it will take away your low end power. The whole benefit of cams is to shift your powerband higher. Since I have fairly high compression as is, going with higher compression pistons would result in possibly having to run a higher octane gas to take full potential of added compression?
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My mileage has indeed slipped, hoping that during my next tune the tech can bring it back a bit. My low end didn't suffer as far as I can tell, Torque is still solid, from a dead start I can easily break the tires loose and I can always get a second gear scratch. Higher compression pistons is definitely another way to go and yes running higher octane gas will most likely be needed. As it stands I always run the best petrol I can get. Make sure you have the right tech to do pistons on the 45, I don't know anyone who has changed them out as of yet.

Still need to install the test pipes to see if the blockage is creating a pulse and affecting power output, been traveling too much to manage my ride needs. for now it still goes and drives very well.
 
Test pipes with ported heads IMO is a great combination. Would love to see DYNO numbers on that. It's crazy how much hp porting heads, running long tube headers and cams make on domestics!
 
Sunday checked diagnostics to see where code on cylinder was coming from again and then removed cats to see how big blockage was. After close inspection both sides appeaared clear and free of any slag. What we did notice was a bit more carbon or soot build up the passenger side bank.

deductive reasoning led the tech to believe that there was small leaks in two of the header connection and the sensor was reading the pulses and compensating. He then wrapped and wired two spots on the headers, wiped the code and it has been fine for a day.
 
Straight up Richard! You know this is all conversation around the pursuit of excellence, looking to see that it runs perfectly, or OE smooth. I drive the FX 30 miles everyday city and freeway combined and it runs very well. And it goes…..the tech's wife just purchased a 2011 FX50 and he said it easily walks away from it off the line, after launch the cams and headers mid/high range effectiveness begin to kick in and it really begins to pull away. His commentary does make me feel like the time and funds have been worthwhile, especially since I'm not quite done yet.
 
Logan said:
...the tech's wife just purchased a 2011 FX50 and he said it easily walks away from it off the line, after launch the cams and headers mid/high range effectiveness begin to kick in and it really begins to pull away...
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That. Is. Awesome.
 
Hearing about you being able to reap the benefits is tremendous! What a road it has been for the Silver Surfer.
 
8 months ago, I had the pleasure to seat in the Silver's driver seat and took her for a spin. Hope I didn't scare my passenger :wink:
I love the way she up shift and flies down the freeway with plenty of power still in reserve. The down shift off the freeway and carve exit curve ram like no others. The exhaust notes were music to my ears. Now my experience with her was that she not even 100% at the time. I can't imagine how she will ride once she all button up. This cam upgrade is something else. Makes me wanted to ship my 45 over, but reality is I can't afford such journey that Lance had taken with Silver. You're one patient man Lance.
 
tchuck said:
That. Is. Awesome.
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You know it brother, I need to drive down south soon.

GEE50FX said:
I would love to see your Silver Surfer some day.
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You are still coming back out right?

aiya said:
Hearing about you being able to reap the benefits is tremendous! What a road it has been for the Silver Surfer.
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Long road, it runs so well you tend to forget it's different and just drive like an ass all the time =)

la_fx35 said:
8 months ago, I had the pleasure to seat in the Silver's driver seat and took her for a spin. Hope I didn't scare my passenger :wink:
I love the way she up shift and flies down the freeway with plenty of power still in reserve. The down shift off the freeway and carve exit curve ram like no others. The exhaust notes were music to my ears. Now my experience with her was that she not even 100% at the time. I can't imagine how she will ride once she all button up. This cam upgrade is something else. Makes me wanted to ship my 45 over, but reality is I can't afford such journey that Lance had taken with Silver. You're one patient man Lance.
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You have got to come out and do the comparison drive Andy, you will be shocked. It is so much smoother and the power is all there now. I still have one more performance mod to tackle THEN I'm done =) got to hit that 320whp N/A mark. After all this I think i have ONE friend in my circle of Seattle friends (not including Nick) that gets this whole deal. people are seriously taken aback and glaze over into the 2nd or third sentence of anything involving speed or horsepower. The best is when you say nothing then go like hell, hit second, chirp the tires hard and they think you broke something. Still pretty much digging the FX after all this. I need to start selling parts now, I have sooooo much extra stuff.
 
Got it Nick :wink:

I have the travelling fever this year. All I have been talking about with Karen are a couple road trips for this year. In June either east coast of Canada or down towards Cape Cod (our Anniversary). In the fall travel across the US again to the PCH and up your way and then into BC and back.
 
@Logan. I'm an old owner/member who is thinking about getting back in to an fx45. Without looking through 50 pages of the thread, did you continue your project and if so how much power did you get from your modifications? Back in 08-09 Time frame, no one had any answers for getting more power out of our 4.5's while the fx35 guys were laughing at us with many choices to increase and surpass our vehicles power output.

Since ive been looking it been hard to find an fx45 with a good color scheme let alone find one in general. It's about a good 120 scattered across the nation now. I remember when I was looking at mine in 07, and got in late 08 it was only 80 something in the nation for sale used. Hard to come by these.

Anyways, I've been through and 07 audi a6 4.2, with little mods, 09 bmw 335i with JB+ and DCI, and currently have an 08 Mercedes c350 with just and x pipe. Something about the fx keeps calling me. Doesn't help my mom has two cars, and audi a5 and an 04 fx45, and a friend of the family has an 09 fx37. Just want some knowledge in the power department before I come back to the brand.

thanks in advance.
 
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Bump

@Logan. I'm an old owner/member who is thinking about getting back in to an fx45. Without looking through 50 pages of the thread, did you continue your project and if so how much power did you get from your modifications? Back in 08-09 Time frame, no one had any answers for getting more power out of our 4.5's while the fx35 guys were laughing at us with many choices to increase and surpass our vehicles power output.

Since ive been looking it been hard to find an fx45 with a good color scheme let alone find one in general. It's about a good 120 scattered across the nation now. I remember when I was looking at mine in 07, and got in late 08 it was only 80 something in the nation for sale used. Hard to come by these.

Anyways, I've been through and 07 audi a6 4.2, with little mods, 09 bmw 335i with JB+ and DCI, and currently have an 08 Mercedes c350 with just and x pipe. Something about the fx keeps calling me. Doesn't help my mom has two cars, and audi a5 and an 04 fx45, and a friend of the family has an 09 fx37. Just want some knowledge in the power department before I come back to the brand.

thanks in advance.
 
Your'e making me ITCH again LOGAN!. Power is very addictive. I used the same philosophy in the GYM as well. :wink: Any chance you can ship the Silver Surfer to Andy's spring meet this year?
 
Update- FX is running extremely strong. Pulse is still there but its not overly annoying. We took apart the exhaust only to find both cats were in stellar condition, so no blockage as both the tuner and tech had suspected. There were small leakage points around headers so we wrapped those to see if pulses were affecting the right bank, didn't seem to make a difference. SES light was reset after wrap but came back on two weeks later after a reasonably hard run. going in for a tune after we pop in two new sensors to see if that corrects the lingering issues.

---------- Post added at 10:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:00 AM ----------
Omegared2 said:
Bump

@Logan. I'm an old owner/member who is thinking about getting back in to an fx45. Without looking through 50 pages of the thread, did you continue your project and if so how much power did you get from your modifications? Back in 08-09 Time frame, no one had any answers for getting more power out of our 4.5's while the fx35 guys were laughing at us with many choices to increase and surpass our vehicles power output.

Since ive been looking it been hard to find an fx45 with a good color scheme let alone find one in general. It's about a good 120 scattered across the nation now. I remember when I was looking at mine in 07, and got in late 08 it was only 80 something in the nation for sale used. Hard to come by these.

Anyways, I've been through and 07 audi a6 4.2, with little mods, 09 bmw 335i with JB+ and DCI, and currently have an 08 Mercedes c350 with just and x pipe. Something about the fx keeps calling me. Doesn't help my mom has two cars, and audi a5 and an 04 fx45, and a friend of the family has an 09 fx37. Just want some knowledge in the power department before I come back to the brand.

thanks in advance.
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Hey Omega,

Welcome back and sorry for the delay in my response, I was traveling and once the thread slipped off the board I missed responding completely. I would say that my build is nearly complete (less a throttle body mod i am still working on). Last WHP/Torque output was 294/303 but I would swear it is pulling harder now after the last tune, could be placebo, not sure if it has picked up some extra power. I'll know more after I get the sensors in and re-tune. If I can do the TB work I am sure I'll net another 10-15 HP and the same in TQ which is where I wanted to be all along.

First mod was the exhaust Invidia or Nismo probably same at 7.5 HP, smaller gains with the fan swap, headers were noticeable, big gains came with all the internal work. Would be interesting to start internal and work backwards on the same build. If I was to do this again I am sure I could save a lot of $$$ now that I know what to do (and what not to do). My tech has also written copious notes for JWT and would be willing to share information with anyone wanting to do the same to a VK45. One of the benefits here is that you will have a real number and you can decide whether or not you want to spend the cash to follow through, for me it was a black hole due to issues caused by unknowns and simple mistakes.

It has been long enough now that I have no memory comparison of what it was like before at 220 WHP but it feels light (and it's very hard to keep your foot out of it).
 
Logan,

Hey I am glad to see that your are getting to enjoy the mods to the FX ...... sounds like most issues have been worked through. I have been enjoying all the work that I did to mine in January .... I love the headers and exhaust note that she produces now .... get stares and compliments everywhere I go.

I would like to get a copy of the JWT notes so I can go through them with my tech ...... in the next few months I will be dropping the motor doing a complete rebuild. I have given up on the stroker kit as I have had some unrealistic price points on crank mod and new connecting rods .... however; I will be increasing the displacement using over-sized pistons, porting and polishing heads and finishing it out with the JWT cam set and valve springs.

Any tech info you can share would be greatly appreciated ...........
 
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