2002 P5 Do-over

[newcastle]

Hey all.
Posted last night on the new member forum.
Just got my Silver 02 P5 from the wife (after 10 years and 200,000+ miles), and from the kids (after 6 years of beating the hell out of the interior). I've never worked on car stuff before but I am reasonably handy. Target is to restore the exterior and interior to stock condition, and start bit by bit to learn, and add / change / improve the under the skin stuff to improve MPG and performance and keep her running smoothly and efficiently for me. I'm starting with new plugs, leads, filters, fluids and the DIY airflow mod that is explained in one of these threads. Are there any other easy and obvious improvements / refurbishments I can make over the next two - three weeks to take my first steps to restoration / upgrade.

[newcastle]

next question would something like a "MP3 m2 Performance Exhaust Header" (ebay) which is compatible allegedly, actually help in themselves at all or are things like this pointless without engine mods aswell.

[goldstar]

Hey all.
Posted last night on the new member forum.
I'm starting with new plugs, leads, filters, fluids and the DIY airflow mod that is explained in one of these threads. Are there any other easy and obvious improvements / refurbishments I can make over the next two - three weeks to take my first steps to restoration / upgrade.

What you have listed is an excellent start. Additionally, you might want to consider replacing your stock exhaust system with an aftermarket catback design. I highly recommend the Racing Beat cat back exhaust system and you can find more information about it at their website. I have one installed on my own car.

The suspension system can also be upgraded with heavy duty shocks and springs and larger diameter stabilizer bars, front and rear. The P5 is a good handling car to begin with but the addition of aftermarket suspension components will really make it shine.

Happy Motoring!

[goldstar]

Tire Size

The stock wheel/tire size on the P5 is 16 x6", +50 mm offset with 195/50-16 tires. A popular and common upgrade to improve handling is to replace the tires with wider tread 205/50-16 types. According to the tire calc, this results in a speedo error of 1.689% too slow - at 60 mph indicated, actual speed is 59 mph - a fairly negligible error.

I would not advise going to a 205/45-16 tire even though the speedo error is only 1.763% too fast, as this size tire requires a minimum 7" wide wheel acccording to the Tire and Rim Association (minimum wheel width is determined not only by tread width but also by aspect ratio).

Happy Motoring!

[newcastle]

Did a bit of investigation and that looks doable. Can I ask and please bear in mind that I'm now only TWO days into being a car guy, but how does the improved exhaust system improve performance and / or economy? Is it simply a factor of the imporved flow means the engine is not having to push the gasses out so hard?

[goldstar]

Did a bit of investigation and that looks doable. Can I ask and please bear in mind that I'm now only TWO days into being a car guy, but how does the improved exhaust system improve performance and / or economy? Is it simply a factor of the imporved flow means the engine is not having to push the gasses out so hard?

The short answer to your question is that an improved exhaust system increases performance and fuel economy for two reasons: it increases the volumetric efficiency (VE) of the engine and reduces pumping losses (a component of friction HP). Since you're new to the game, for a complete technical explanation of how an improved exhaust system as well as other mods can increase BHP output, check out:

http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?47067

Happy Motoring!

[newcastle]

There is obviously alot of knowledge round here. Glad I found this website. Thank you.

[goldstar]

We're glad you found it, too. Thank you for joining.

Happy Motoring!

[newcastle]

So i was super keen to get started but after reading alot on here I realized that half the point of improving is actually noting the amount of improvement. So I have to wait until I can accurately judge existing MPG performance before changing anything. Measured 0 - 60 today in a haphazard manner with tank about 3/4 full but that came out at 11 seconds flat, which, while it isn't a super car, isn't that bad for a jalopy with 200k miles on it. It will however, take a couple of weeks before I have an accurate economy figure so I'll just have to wait before starting anything. Aaargh!