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How do I get an SUV to go faster?

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Old Oct 17, 2003, 01:57 PM
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Question How do I get an SUV to go faster?

Sup all,
Listen...wifey drives a 2002 Mazda Tribute SUV.
This car packs 240 HP and is pretty fast, but it's weight slows it down a bit.
What can I do to get this truck to go faster?
Any Mods?
Thanks all?
Old Oct 17, 2003, 01:59 PM
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i have an explorer..when i put the full flowmaster exhaust system..k&n filter it really opened up...thats a good start id say
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:00 PM
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Originally posted by evo8ya
i have an explorer..when i put the full flowmaster exhaust system..k&n filter it really opened up...thats a good start id say
Did that void your warranty?
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:01 PM
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after that id throw a nice header on it..i was going to put a custom header on my explorer but never got around to it..the evo came to the states so my time and money are spent on it now
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:03 PM
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Going down hill always helps.. since an SUV isn't really designed to be quick, its probably not that easy to do.. but the same things that would make any car quicker would help.. Lightweight wheels and tires, better gear ratio (Improves acceleration, but not top speed) High flow exhaust, and filter, ECU Reprogramming, Turbocharging.. anything is possible if you have the cash.. but if you want bolt-ons, I think there's a supercharger kit for the explorer, so I would see if its available for your truck.. Remove any excess weight that you don't need.. that'll make the most difference.. Honestly, the air filter and exhaust system would be as far as I would bother going because if I got an SUV, it would probably have been for a reason. I might consider a supercharger if I was bored and wanted a project to work on for a few days.
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:04 PM
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well no cause its a 92 that warranty was over a long time ago..lol..im not really positive about the items you can put on your mazda seems like these days they'll nail ya for anything
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:08 PM
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The nice thing about SUV's is there abundant low end and readily available torque. I think that's what makes them fun to drive around town coupled with the height. Do as others have said. SUV's really benefit from being opened up since they're bottlenecked in efforts to curb noise. Just take a look at the intake tract any day.
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:11 PM
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Trade it in on a Forester XT.
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:13 PM
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i had an expedition that had the 4.6L v8, turns out there were lots of go fast goodies for the 4.6L and 5.2L version as they shared engines with the trucks and some mustangs.

A supercharger was on my list of things to do, but i traded it for my lancer when gas went over $60 to fill the tank.
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:16 PM
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Trade it in on a Forester XT.
nah go get an Isuzu Vehi-Cross. you won't be faster or lighter but damn it you'll look like you are.
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:29 PM
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intake/exhaust/header/TB/new ignition/wires/plugs should open up a good bit...
Old Oct 17, 2003, 02:44 PM
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I'm sorry but... Please, don't try to make an SUV fast, or go fast in an SUV... Those things are heavy (read: poor handling and braking)! So what if you do some work to it? You'll end up with a 16 second ride instead of a 18 second ride? It's still just a 16 second SUV that can't brake or turn.

The idea of going fast in a 4000lb hunk of metal sends chill down my spine.
Old Oct 18, 2003, 08:08 PM
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Originally posted by TypeIII
I'm sorry but... Please, don't try to make an SUV fast, or go fast in an SUV... Those things are heavy (read: poor handling and braking)! So what if you do some work to it? You'll end up with a 16 second ride instead of a 18 second ride? It's still just a 16 second SUV that can't brake or turn.

The idea of going fast in a 4000lb hunk of metal sends chill down my spine.
It's not about knocking 2 seconds off of a quarter mile time, no one said anything about racing an SUV. It's about opening up an already powerful engine. Point is SUV engines are made really well and pack a punch but SUV's are purposefully wieghed down literally and figurativly.
My question goes towards how would you in a technical or mechanical manner open up an already good engine like the one found in wifey's 240HP Tribute.
Old Oct 18, 2003, 08:11 PM
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thought they had 200 hp from a 3 liter 6?
Old Oct 18, 2003, 08:17 PM
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Originally posted by ShangaiSilver
thought they had 200 hp from a 3 liter 6?
2004 3L V6 is 201HP


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