02 Accent looking for direction - Hyundai Performance Forums

jayque · 10-17-2003, 02:35 AM

I have a 1.5L SOHC accent. I am going to begin "fixing" the car as soon as I decide the direction to go. I have several ideas, and would like some feedback from those familiar with the pains associated with making something of the car. (including lack of aftermarket support)

I have already had a custom exhaust done. 2" pipe (not mandral bent, but hopefully I will replace that down the road) and flowmaster muffler. The pipe starts 1" after the second O2 sensor and I tossed the resonator in the trash.

That is all that I have done so far.

I plan to soon purchase the 1.6" lowering springs from shark racing and replace the 13's for 16" rims. I also plan to keep the total tire diameter stock.

Now here is where I am stumped. I am in a debate between NA and turbo, or even a beta swap. I have read many articles and done all the research, but haven't figured the best route.

Option 1: Tune 1.5L engine, with CAI, add Zex kit, and use some sort of engine management (ie Venom), possibly have the block bored and steel sleeved, and use total seal rings, change the exhaust header (if I can find a company that makes one) and redo the exhaust with 2.5" mandral tube and high flow cat. (estimated cost under 3,000 USD)

Option 2: perform the beta swap, leaving accent transaxle. However as far as I understand this removes AC and PS. Both I could live without, however if the bay is so cramped to not even have room for AC compressor, is there room for additional mods down the road (turbo, nitrous etc) (my understanding is this setup runs between 2-4 thousand complete with CAI)

Option 3: I believe I read somewhere sells a turbo kit for the 1.6L engine. (If I am wrong toss this idea out the window) Since this engine can be picked up for around $400 and should have no trouble swapping in it might be worth it. (Maybe) (Most turbo kits sell around 2300-2800 from what I have seen so all together I figure 3500 for this option, if I did see a kit somewhere)

Option 4: custom turbo the 1.5L but I am having a damn hard time locating a scoupe doner for the header/downpipe, oil cooler's etc. (Also I can get a neon intercooler for 300 so I am really tempted to go this route, depending on the advice/feedback I receive.)(estimated cost unknown)

Option 5: Any combination of the above, though I would prefer to start this project for under $4,000 not including the wheels and springs.

The car will be used as a daily driver, however it will compete in 1/8th mile runs. (I have four months to prep it, last time I ran 12.1 secs at 57mph, (removed the airbaffle/box before I ran) however it may have done slightly better if I hadn't fried the clutch coming off the line. I would love to get the car running 9.8-10.3 I have a v6 camaro driver to shut up.

Any advice would be appreciated.

VALKYRIE YB70 · 10-17-2003, 08:55 AM

Do the Beta swap!......there are so many differences between the 1.5 Alpha turbo & n.a. engines that you would have been well-advised to put in an Scoupe Turbo engine anyway.....BUT, because of it`s age, this is obviously a no-go!.
If you put in the Beta engine, you will have an instant sleeper, with the option to turbo it later & have a real road-burner!.
Any time/money you spend on trying to tune your existing engine will result in disappointment compared to the Beta option.
You should find lots of info. on this swap in the Hybrid Forum.
I hope this helped,
Cheers,
Nick.

skierd · 10-17-2003, 11:17 AM

My vote is to turdbo the 1.5L. You can still order scoupe manifolds from the dealer for ~$150. You can then use any turbo that has a T2 series flange. Also, $300 for a used intercooler is a rip off imo, check ebay. There are some stickies in the Forced Induction forum on how to make a turbo setup, and feel free to ask any questions.

BTW, moving this to the accent forum.

mrchaotica · 10-17-2003, 07:15 PM

If you decide to tubo a 1.6, http://www.essentialspeed.com sells a kit (stage 1 and 2). It's a bit expensive though; custom turboing the 1.5 would certainly be cheaper (if you have the skills to pick the components).

I'd personally like you to turbo the 1.6 just because I have a 1.6 and wish it was more common so it would have better aftermarket support.

attack_of_the_accent · 10-18-2003, 04:53 AM

what about supercharging the accent instead of turbo??

jayque · 10-19-2003, 01:50 PM

wow, many different opinions and all decent points. Sounds like inside my head when I am trying to sort things out. I will continue to do research and listen to any other points out there. I would also like to hear some +/- of each option that I might not be aware.

I checked into that 1.6L turbo. That actually is pretty cool, though the cost is a wee bit steep. It is an option though thanks for the info.

As far as supercharging goes from my understanding supercharges are much more abusive to the engine in daily driven conditions than turbos. Hmmm I think that about covered the extent of my knowledge on the subject. SC is probably my weakest spot. I mean I know it's better at low end. no spool time, but beyond that I really need to do reasearch.

Thanks again

endlessmike · 10-19-2003, 04:54 PM

go beta. it has far more potential than the alpha. and get a supercharger, they sound cooler

jayque · 10-21-2003, 11:54 PM

Thanks to those that posted input. I am leaning heavily towards adding turbo to the stock 1.5L. I will be checking out a shop tomorrow that says they can do an entire turbo package installed for $3200. I was planning on doing most of the work myself, but as that price is less than most complete setups I have priced I am going to be looking into it further to find out exactly what they plan to run.

Also, I went ahead and purchased and installed some 15" IPC wheels with Kumho tires. For anyone that might want to know if you use 195/50's on fifteen inch wheel you will keep your factory total diameter (well it's off by like .02") And IMHO I think the 15's look dam good on the car.

Anyway, I will be having the car dyno'd tomorrow possibly and (if anyone is interested) will post the results on this thread, and then regardless what I decide to do will post the dyno results post mod.

Thanks again

skierd · 10-22-2003, 12:58 AM

WOAH thats way too much imo for a turbo kit, unless it comes with dyno tuning. What all are they including in the kit?

edit: btw, thats cause i'm a cheapass and like to do all the work myself. Complete froma shop thats not too bad.

[Edited by skierd on Oct 21, 2003 9:00 PM]

jayque · 10-22-2003, 01:40 AM

hehehe, to be honest I am not sure what the kit includes. I know it is the header, intercooler, turbo, BOV, custom piping, etc ... but as far as which ones have no idea. I am going there to check it out tomorrow.