My plan is to get a tune and an intake as soon as I can scrape together the $$$. 2 kids in college tends to re-prioritize spending patterns! I've done the resonator delete pipe for a few more horses, so I think that a tune and intake will probably round out at about 250hp. I think that is about as much as I can prudently go on my DD. I've blown up plenty of engines in my day, I've had a Grand Am Quad 4 that was fun to stomp on all the time, so I completely agree that a small engine pushed to the max is just asking for trouble.
Saw an ST today and got to thinking...
Well, these Ecoboost 2.3 has 48 more horses than we do from their 2.3 motor, that's .7l more displacement than we do but that's not the end of the story. These motors have been known to put out 400HP at the crank. I don't know how much different the Mustang's 2.3 is, but there's talks of those guys making even way more power.
So I was thinking how 201HP is really more than enough useable power around town and passing on the freeway. I was using Torque with my OBDII and really when you see just how much power you're using to get the car going, 201 is more than enough. Cruising around town, I was barely tapping more than 20-30 horsepower at any one time. Couldn't really push it but the gnereal idea is that what we have from the factory should really be more than enough.
So my final thoughts are, I would like to about another 50-100 horses but is that really wise to demand another 35-50% more from this 1.6l motor?
What do you guys think? I would love to upgrade cosmetics before any power add ons so I'll wait until the power train warranty is up.
Please let me know what you make of my rambling.
Thanks
So I was thinking how 201HP is really more than enough useable power around town and passing on the freeway. I was using Torque with my OBDII and really when you see just how much power you're using to get the car going, 201 is more than enough. Cruising around town, I was barely tapping more than 20-30 horsepower at any one time. Couldn't really push it but the gnereal idea is that what we have from the factory should really be more than enough.
So my final thoughts are, I would like to about another 50-100 horses but is that really wise to demand another 35-50% more from this 1.6l motor?
What do you guys think? I would love to upgrade cosmetics before any power add ons so I'll wait until the power train warranty is up.
Please let me know what you make of my rambling.
Thanks
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I think also the stock power is pretty good. I am only upgrading because of what my plans are with the car. I do a lot of twisty mountain driving and that is my get away from all the drama at home. My plan is to do my fmic, downpipe, 60mm tb, and maybe meth injection. Once that's done I am good with the motor and that should be plenty of power for the mountain driving.
I want to mod the crap out of my car but like you said I feel it unwise to push the motor too hard without upgrading internals and head studs.
If you go look up knee's big power build thread you can get an idea of the type of mods that can be done to our car.
If you go look up knee's big power build thread you can get an idea of the type of mods that can be done to our car.
The focus ST has a 2.0 not the 2.3, you wouldn't come close to touching the output on the 2.3. Those are 300hp stock. I have the same 2.0 that's in the ST in my escape and with just a tune that thing is immensely quicker than my forte.
It may be quicker with a tune against a stock forte but I have ran a escape before that a kid was driving with the ecoboost and out ran him quickly. Granted I have a pretty hot tune in my forte but yeah the escape is a quick little suv. Also depends on the driver of each car to.
Back to what the OP is talking about though. 200hp is pretty good for most cars and normal drivers. My suv is 229hp and 225q but now that its tuned its closer to 250hp. It is plenty and I can tow a 17' flatbed with 4 atvs on it with ease. Just depends on what you want in a car. If I want performance I will just get a hellcat and mod that lol. That's only if I can afford one later lol
Back to what the OP is talking about though. 200hp is pretty good for most cars and normal drivers. My suv is 229hp and 225q but now that its tuned its closer to 250hp. It is plenty and I can tow a 17' flatbed with 4 atvs on it with ease. Just depends on what you want in a car. If I want performance I will just get a hellcat and mod that lol. That's only if I can afford one later lol
The thing about a purpose built performance car is just that, it is built for that exact purpose. The only guys going to race a Hellcat are Z06 Corvettes. Now, the guys who think they can take a sleeper DD like the Forte are many. 
I like the idea that I can drive to and fro from work, in the rain and snow etc, with few issues. But when it comes time to stomp on it and have the Red Rocket beat everything short of a WRX STi, that's what I want to have happen...
I like the idea that I can drive to and fro from work, in the rain and snow etc, with few issues. But when it comes time to stomp on it and have the Red Rocket beat everything short of a WRX STi, that's what I want to have happen... 
I do like that about the Forte, it's understatedly aggressive. Very sleeper with mods, and people still don't expect Kia's to be quick. As my buddy said, "Yours shits and gets" lol.
It's never enough for anything I've owned. I always like taking things to the next level, and I also like not losing
With a tune aren't we putting down wrx and evo whp numbers? Awd is awesome, but soaks up some power. I just wish there was a factory lsd option. The one from the veloster should work, but that would be a pretty penny
The VT got a LSD from the factory? Yeah, Kia should have stepped it up a notch and went a little mental with the SX. Would love a bit more aggressive tuning and cosmetics but oh well.With a tune aren't we putting down wrx and evo whp numbers? Awd is awesome, but soaks up some power. I just wish there was a factory lsd option. The one from the veloster should work, but that would be a pretty penny
A video I watched recently of AutoMan interviewed Peter Schreyer and some other bloke who said the new Hyundai Vision GT concept car was the genesis of a new division, possibly a new luxury/sport arm of Hyundai, like M division of BMW or AMD of Mercedes. Let's hope being kins that Kia will also benefit from this and get some of that. It's a good strategy to have one since everyone is doing it now.
Regarding the tunes, you guys know this is grounds for Kia to void your warranty, right? I would love to have a tune done but when I went in for a pretty straight forward warranty claim, they were pretty slow to assist me. Imagine if I went in with problems and they found that I had modified something which could void my warranty.
I was reading a little on 845 Motorsport and their upgraded turbo package. They're claiming 360HP at the crank and something like 285HP at the wheels for roughly around $5,000. These guys worked on the SEMA VT show car but I read on some threads at VT forums that said they're very sketchy and should probably be avoided.
Still no good place to pick up a spare ecu? We need an ecu vendor. They could make a killing hahaha.
I literally just asked about that in the tuning sticky, scoob said they were $400 from Tork.Still no good place to pick up a spare ecu? We need an ecu vendor. They could make a killing hahaha.
For all the extra money some of you plan on dumping into this car you could have started with a VW GTI with a performance pack. They have the factory LSD and bigger brakes. With just a tune they're laying down 265+hp at the wheels. I like this car but I realize the limitations of it. Sure there are some that want to defy the common but I'm betting most of us looking for more power are daily driving these things. $5k for that turbo kit, you'll still need to beef up the engine internals and transmission and your one wheeled wonder won't hook up. Getting all that out of the way...I like how cheap this car is, it gets great MPG (I'm averaging 33 in town), I can toss it around corners, and it has great features for the price range. I think if I get a tune for it, it'll be plenty of power but I mostly want it to get rid of the surging and random not so smooth spots that the factory tune has failed at.
maybe you should of got a gti. i'm sure everyone else is happy with their kiaI literally just asked about that in the tuning sticky, scoob said they were $400 from Tork.
For all the extra money some of you plan on dumping into this car you could have started with a VW GTI with a performance pack. They have the factory LSD and bigger brakes. With just a tune they're laying down 265+hp at the wheels. I like this car but I realize the limitations of it. Sure there are some that want to defy the common but I'm betting most of us looking for more power are daily driving these things. $5k for that turbo kit, you'll still need to beef up the engine internals and transmission and your one wheeled wonder won't hook up. Getting all that out of the way...I like how cheap this car is, it gets great MPG (I'm averaging 33 in town), I can toss it around corners, and it has great features for the price range. I think if I get a tune for it, it'll be plenty of power but I mostly want it to get rid of the surging and random not so smooth spots that the factory tune has failed at.
Why would I want a gti that every kid around in socal has? What's wrong with people being different and wanting something that people are shocked by when you tell them what it is. I also would rather spend less on the maintenance of the car compared to a vw. When shit breaks on vw it's expensive. Not everyone wants something you see on every corner. I understand for what we are putting into it that we could have got a different car.
Everyone has their own taste and their own opinion on what they like and what they want to mod. Shoot I had a 2011 Kia soul 1.6 with custom dual exhaust, h&r springs, diy cai, hids, custom sound system and loved that car. I always had people telling me I spent to much on it but I didn't care because it's different
Everyone has their own taste and their own opinion on what they like and what they want to mod. Shoot I had a 2011 Kia soul 1.6 with custom dual exhaust, h&r springs, diy cai, hids, custom sound system and loved that car. I always had people telling me I spent to much on it but I didn't care because it's different
I think you might want to take your shit talking to another forum. We are more than hospitable here but it's not the place for you to come and flex your ego bro.I literally just asked about that in the tuning sticky, scoob said they were $400 from Tork.
For all the extra money some of you plan on dumping into this car you could have started with a VW GTI with a performance pack. They have the factory LSD and bigger brakes. With just a tune they're laying down 265+hp at the wheels. I like this car but I realize the limitations of it. Sure there are some that want to defy the common but I'm betting most of us looking for more power are daily driving these things. $5k for that turbo kit, you'll still need to beef up the engine internals and transmission and your one wheeled wonder won't hook up. Getting all that out of the way...I like how cheap this car is, it gets great MPG (I'm averaging 33 in town), I can toss it around corners, and it has great features for the price range. I think if I get a tune for it, it'll be plenty of power but I mostly want it to get rid of the surging and random not so smooth spots that the factory tune has failed at.
Judging by your post you sound like you would fit perfectly into a VW. Hell, buy an Audi so your head can fit in it.
Wow, did any of you that are flaming on me actually read what I said? I listed off reasons why I like my KIA and just suggested it was unreasonable for MOST people to be dropping that much into their daily driver. That's a lot of money and a lot of downtime to get to levels easily attained by a different car. I understand the wanting something different thing and that's another reason I like this car. Never once did I bash your cars or mine. Even if you think I'm a troll (not btw) you shouldn't feed into it. Don't be offended by random crap on the internet. If you're insecure with your purchase that's your own business. Once again, I like my KIA. I'll also give respect to those that do want to turn these into monsters, I love unique and I love sleepers. I just want to warn you from thinking this car is an easy road to being fast. This thread was started in comparing to other hot hatches and I merely mentioned a different one.
The 2016 ford focus rs has a 2.3 eco boost engine and that car is not available yet and the starting price is going to be around $36000, the ford focus rs is a all wheel drive car that compeats with the subaru wrx sti and volkswagen golf r its in a totally different class then our carsWell, these Ecoboost 2.3 has 48 more horses than we do from their 2.3 motor, that's .7l more displacement than we do but that's not the end of the story. These motors have been known to put out 400HP at the crank. I don't know how much different the Mustang's 2.3 is, but there's talks of those guys making even way more power.
So I was thinking how 201HP is really more than enough useable power around town and passing on the freeway. I was using Torque with my OBDII and really when you see just how much power you're using to get the car going, 201 is more than enough. Cruising around town, I was barely tapping more than 20-30 horsepower at any one time. Couldn't really push it but the gnereal idea is that what we have from the factory should really be more than enough.
So my final thoughts are, I would like to about another 50-100 horses but is that really wise to demand another 35-50% more from this 1.6l motor?
What do you guys think? I would love to upgrade cosmetics before any power add ons so I'll wait until the power train warranty is up.
Please let me know what you make of my rambling.
Thanks
I don't even know if I posted anything but I will apologize for how inhospitable some of the previous posts are and say some people are just ignorant. Just be proud yours doesn't look like a riced out Honda lol.Wow, did any of you that are flaming on me actually read what I said? I listed off reasons why I like my KIA and just suggested it was unreasonable for MOST people to be dropping that much into their daily driver. That's a lot of money and a lot of downtime to get to levels easily attained by a different car. I understand the wanting something different thing and that's another reason I like this car. Never once did I bash your cars or mine. Even if you think I'm a troll (not btw) you shouldn't feed into it. Don't be offended by random crap on the internet. If you're insecure with your purchase that's your own business. Once again, I like my KIA. I'll also give respect to those that do want to turn these into monsters, I love unique and I love sleepers. I just want to warn you from thinking this car is an easy road to being fast. This thread was started in comparing to other hot hatches and I merely mentioned a different one.
How are you guys getting such good mpg???? Mine has gotten better with the sparkplugs but there are people getting that without the plugs.. What gives??? (This is off topic)
1 - 20 of 44 Posts
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