First Glanza V - strategy for modifications

[13Beast]

Hi guys,

I'm living here in Yokohama, Japan. This is my first post as I'm new to the forum, so hello everybody!

I'm looking at a Starlet Glanza V to buy locally here. I have just sold my 400ps MR2, and will be buying an Evo 9 to build as a weekend track-car for Tsukuba/Fuji, with a Glanza V as my daily driver.

I have been scouring the web over the last two weeks collating information as to the best plan of attack of mods to this car.

First of all, I plan to stick with the CT-9. I also want good bang-for-your-buck performance, without breaking the bank, nor without shortening the lifespan of the car in any way. It will be a daily driver, but I'd like to make it a tad more nippy

I was thinking MUST HAVE mods to get done should include:

HKS Actuator - to hold boost without creep

JAMS/Mine's/Blitz ECU - not willing to go to the expense of a standalone due to me sticking with the CT9. These ECU's remove the speed-cut, boost-cut and fuel-cut, not to mention give quite good mapping on light to moderately tuned cars, whilst retaining all the versatility of the standard ECU. Sounds perfect to me. Also, Mine's headquarters are about 5 mins walk from where I work, and my colleague's friend works there - so might just take it there!

WEPR/Autobahn manifold - given the design problem with the standard manifold, this is as much as a precautionary measure as it is a performance one. Do the WEPR/Autobahn manifolds ever crack? Or are they reputable?

FMIC - Japan gets HOT in summer not to mention killer traffic. I will drive this car every day, so it's a good idea for me to get the FMIC and keep those intake temps down. I want an off-the-shelf kit that I can bolt in on a weekend, with (hopefully) no modifications required to get it in there. What are the best off-the-shelf kits that can easily be plumbed in with NO extra modifications/fabrication/arsing about required? I've heard the WEPR model and the Greddy model is best for ease of fitting. Can anyone else confirm this?

Exhaust - Will I need a full TBE? Or will a cat-back exhaust flow enough for the mods I have listed without any serious bottlenecks? This is something that after all the research I have done, hasn't really yielded much info as to exactly how well the standard exhausts flow. I understand the de-cat is required and is a must. Can I fit a de-cat and simply a cat-back exhaust and bolt it all to the standard dumps/mid-pipe? Or is a full TBE required?

Boost gauge - 'nuff said. Keep an eye on any potential boost spikes/creep.

I plan to run the CT9 at a safe 1.0 bar with that setup. Should I need any additional fueling such as an FPR, larger fuel pump etc? I have read on these forums and others about how the Blitz/Jam/Mine's ECU tend to run the injectors at >80% duty cycle, and factory is around 60%, so considerably more fuel is given to easily compensate for the extra boost given in the maps on those ECU's. At 1.0 bar on a CT9, I wouldn't be in need of any more fueling would I?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys have for me.

Also, if you need any parts of anything like that from Japan, I may be able to help (depending on the size of the request of course :haha

Cheers!

Dave

 

[thefalls]

First of all welcome bro!

You have com to the right place for good advice as this forum is full of helpful people

Its been a while we had someone from Japan. Are you just working there or are you Japanese?
Doesnt make any difference though.

I thought that you would do it the other way round,getting the evo9 for daily use and tracking the glanza,though the evo makes a very "trackable" car

Now lets see how i can help you.

1.The HKS actuator is a good investment and holds boost very well. But to control boost creep you will have to bore the wastegate as well for better flow.

2.Since mines have their headquarters close to you then,why not get a Mines ecu,this will solve all your problems of mapping and as you have mentioned elimates boost/fuel/speed cut.
You can also use the stock FPR as they dont usually like the aftermarket ones.

But anyways,you will have to get he fueling checked with a wideband.

3.As far as cooling is concerned,you better get a good air filter [ if possible relocate it ] and the FMIC will help to cool the compressed air better. If Greddy is available then go for it! They do make a kit specific for the glanza.

WEPR is also bolt on kit but you will have to get it shipped to you. Just get whats more convenient in terms of shipping and price.

4.You will need to get a full exhaust with decat as the aftermarket ones are bigger in diameter; about 2.5 inches whereas the stock one is much smaller [ cant remember the size ]. But you have to check with the authorities for emissions,as we all know japan is strick with emissions. A sports Cat is also available.

5.The fueling,as said above,will be set to stock FPR [2.3bar] but i would suggest to get an aftermarket fuel pump,walbro 255l/h. These cars are over 10-12 years old now and the fuel pump must be tired by now.

6.I almost missed this one,the aftermarket manifold is important! You will need to get one as the stock mani is restrictive and doesnt flow well past 0.8bar of boost.
Better get an aftermarket one from any of the traders here,but AVOID the autobahn one as they are prone to crack easily.

And finally,when upgrading power,you always need to have good brakes and good handling mod.

Slotted rotors/braided brake lines/dot 5 brake fluid/Good pads

As for handling coilovers or springs/shock combo,rear antiroll bar,strut bars [front/rear].

I think that i have covered everything you have asked plus some handling/braking mods as well.

If there anything,just ask buddy.

Enjoy!

 

[JasonGlanza]

welcome buddy on TGTT!

 

[13Beast]

Hey there,

Thanks for the speedy response

Its been a while we had someone from Japan. Are you just working there or are you Japanese?

I'm Australian actually! But I have been living and working here in Japan for around 2.5 years.

2.Since mines have their headquarters close to you then,why not get a Mines ecu,this will solve all your problems of mapping and as you have mentioned elimates boost/fuel/speed cut.
You can also use the stock FPR as they dont usually like the aftermarket ones.

Thanks for clearing that up. Not sure if Mine's still produce an off-the-shelf chip for the Starlet. I'll need to ask.

Also about the fueling, you mentioned replacing the fuel pump as it's likely old and worn. Very good advice. But would it be best just to replace it with a new standard pump from Toyota? You, and others, mentioned that putting in bigger fuel pumps often makes the JAM/Mine's/Blitz ECU's go out of whack and run super rich, as they are designed for mainly optimising the fuel on a standard car.

3.As far as cooling is concerned,you better get a good air filter [ if possible relocate it ] and the FMIC will help to cool the compressed air better. If Greddy is available then go for it! They do make a kit specific for the glanza.

Actually, it's hard to find greddy ones for these cars now. Blitz still produce them, but I have heard their hoses in the kit aren't the best. And besides, they are around $750USD to buy here. A WEPR one is $690 delivered! I just hope the WEPR comes with all the bolts, hoses, clamps etc like the Blitz ones. Failing that, I can just hunt around for a s/h kit if it comes on the market here. Probably save $500 right there.

4.You will need to get a full exhaust with decat as the aftermarket ones are bigger in diameter; about 2.5 inches whereas the stock one is much smaller [ cant remember the size ]. But you have to check with the authorities for emissions,as we all know japan is strick with emissions. A sports Cat is also available.

Where is a sports cat available from? I found a SARD model here in Japan... for the princely sum of $800!!! Surely there is an overseas company (WEPR, Autobahn, Speedvision, anybody) that makes a sports cat that is much much cheaper without the big 'name-tag' price? If you know any, please point me in that direction

If I buy a s/h exhaust (such as a Blitz, Tanabe, Fujitso, Apexi, HKS) of which there are billions here, any sports cat should bolt in fine right? Or will it be having to stick with one maker/model from the turbo all the way back due to exhausts lining up for fitment etc?

Cat-backs are very popular here, but it's hard finding a full TBE system s/h. And buying new costs an arm and a leg. Everybody buys off the shelf here. Very little exhaust fabrication is done by workshops 'cept on full-on race cars etc.

And in terms of braking - I was going to upgrade to some nice streetable pads, change all the brake fluid to a dot 5 as well.

Suspension-wise - probably start with simply a set of TEIN S-tech springs, and probably have a look at the sway bars and buy a set of TRD stabiliser bars. I won't go to the expense of coilovers just yet unless it's an absolute must.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Paul_JJ]

Welcome

Do some search on the forum and have a look at the Awesomely Helpful Info Section

And it is possible to relocate the Air Filter in front and keep the AC, also most of the aftermarket manifold won't fit with Stock EFI pipe anyway.

Have a look at the ebay - any universal sport cat will do, but not sure about your Low Emissions Standards in Japan.

Paul

 

[13Beast]

G'day Paul,

Already scoured the helpful info section. Some good stuff in there no doubt.

However, I am having trouble finding places that sell sports-cat's to fit these cars. Everybody has a de-cat for sale, but no regular hi-flow cats offered with their systems.

Emissions isn't a problem until I decide to try and take it over the two-year mandatory shaken inspection. Shaken isn't until January 2013 on this car I am looking at, and I might sell the car by then. But still, it's rooting around I don't really need to do (changing exhausts etc) if I do go the de-cat and cross that bridge in the future.

Best to do the mods now, do them right, and not have to take steps back in the future to keep it on the road.

Dave

 

[Gryzor]

G'day Paul,

Already scoured the helpful info section. Some good stuff in there no doubt.

However, I am having trouble finding places that sell sports-cat's to fit these cars. Everybody has a de-cat for sale, but no regular hi-flow cats offered with their systems.

Emissions isn't a problem until I decide to try and take it over the two-year mandatory shaken inspection. Shaken isn't until January 2013 on this car I am looking at, and I might sell the car by then. But still, it's rooting around I don't really need to do (changing exhausts etc) if I do go the de-cat and cross that bridge in the future.

Best to do the mods now, do them right, and not have to take steps back in the future to keep it on the road.

Dave

use a sard racing cat...

 

[thefalls]

So Dave,

It seems that you have been busy reading!

The fuel pump is changed to an aftermarket one to account for further mods thats going to done to the car,besides its not so expensive.

The FPR makes the car run rich but not the fuel pump.

Mines do produce a self learning ecu like the Jam/Blitz/Toms/Zep ones.
Since you are close by,drop in and inquire.

Drop Sacha a pm at WEPR, very friendly and helpful guy.
His intercoolers have everything included to fit.

Normally the sports cat fits to the standard exhausts,meaning they have the same flange.
But in your case,i guess it will be much easier to get a Blitz, Tanabe, Fujitso, Apexi or HKS one.

Any queries,you can always get in touch with Paul,i think,at www.rhdjapan.com ,beware this site contains lots of parts for the starlet and its difficult not to buy!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[13Beast]

Great to hear that an upgraded pump won't play havoc with an ECU. I've seen a few on offer; from Fensports, Sard, Power Enterprise and also HKS. Given I'll be sticking with the CT9, a 200+ l/ph might be overkill. Would a 130 l/ph or a 160 l/ph do the job fine?

Also, I've seen how cheap e-manages are. What other hidden costs (such as harness, fitting, plugs/sensors etc) that isn't included in the sale price that I'll need? Again, it will be a lightly tuned car without any need for tuning for big cams, turbo or any of that jazz. Seeing how pricey jams/blitz/toms/mines ECU's are, it's got me wondering if an e-manage might be a better option. Do they have the coil melting problem that they have on Lancer Evo's?

 

[thefalls]

Most of the people who have gone for the Walbro 255l/h havent complained so far.

Emanage will more than enough for a ct9 at 1bar. It comes with the universal harness that needs to be connected to the oem one. Also included is the software [cd].
There is a wiring diagram on the greddy website.

Anyways the tuner will be able to do the wiring,i guess.
Better speak to the tuner to see what he is comfortable to map,first.

Coil melting ? Havent heard of that on starlets so far

 

[fowcbler]

a 130 or 160 lph will be more than enough for what you are aiming for.

And you probably will be better off with an emanage since you arent aiming for anything big and it still gives you room for tuneability.
If you have ever done any kind of wiring, like with sound setups, you could probably do the wiring yourself as it really isnt hard. Basic requirements are being able to read a simple schematic, splicing wires, soldering, and heat wrapping...

Good luck with whatever route you choose though.