Planning for improved performance in a 2007 Hyundai Azera Limited

[Tristor]

Okay, so, obviously, since I'm posting this in the newbies forum I am new here. I'm also very new to Hyundai. I never thought I'd buy a Korean car, but I was quite taken by the Azera. At any rate, about a month ago I purchased a 2007 Hyundai Azera Limited (with the Ultimate Package) after having one as a rental while traveling on business. I don't race, and I'm not much into visual modifications, but I do love a fun drive, especially on long highway trips. While testing the limits of the Azera (with the rental, of course I discovered using my GPS that it tops out at 153mph with the 3.8L V6, which just so happens to be the engine in the Limited I got.

I would like to do some relatively low-key modifications, something that isn't easily observed, so as to preserve the dignified look and feel of the luxury sedan but still gaining the extra power. I have 3 goals. First, I'd like to be able to reach a top speed (GPS confirmed) of 200mph comfortably sustained (meaning I don't have to redline it in 5th gear on a flat to hit that). Second, I'd like to do it on a budget of $3000 USD. And, finally, third, I would like to do so in a manner which is undetectable without opening the hood or seeing the power in action.

I'm fairly well informed about cars, as far as the technical aspects go, but I don't work on cars myself ever, so I may need some explanation of any ideas you may have.

At any rate, I figure you guys know the stuff necessary to help me formulate a plan that would let me reach my performance goals, or just tell me I'm crazy and why so I can rethink things

[sciphi]

You'd have to do some major modifications to get it to go that fast. The standard I/H/E stuff likely won't be enough. Also, Hyundai really tightened the computer's parameters for the 07 model year, so people haven't been successful so far in overcoming that.

Additionally, I hope I am not on the same road you're on! 153 in a bone-stock production car is scary fast, and pretty dumb on a freeway. Unless you were in the Southwest with nobody else around on a road that's straight as an arrow to and from the horizon, which is marginally less dumb.

[Tristor]

What sort of major modifications are we talking about here? I was thinking along the lines of porting + a supercharger.

I'm not a dangerous driver. I drive at speed under light traffic conditions on good roads where the average speed is at least 90mph. I've yet to ever be in an accident while I was driving, due to paying attention and practicing good defensive driving, including quick and well controlled avoidance techniques when necessary. While the physics of a speed that fast obviously make that speed substantially riskier than the average excess of 5 to 10mph above the speed of general traffic flow, it is not an excessive risk when a skilled and attentive driver is behind the wheel. Distractions and lack of attention cause more accidents (and worse accidents) than speed.

[sciphi]

You'll need some more parts besides a supercharger and a porting job. Stuff such as an intake, freer-flowing exhaust, fuel management for the supercharger, beefing up the transmission to take the power (if you're wanting a major power increase), solid or urethane motor mounts, and tires that can take the speeds you're planning on. That's just a partial list.

Doing much beyond an intake will start to affect the livability of the car. I had no idea what I was in for when I started tinkering with my Elantra. It's now a quicker, better-handling car, but at the price of shaking incessantly at idle from the urethane motor mounts and being louder all the time from the exhaust. So after spending $1500 on basic engine and suspension mods, it's still needing more work and money thrown at it.

And truly more accidents are caused by distraction than sheer speed. I lost count of how many distracted drivers I see doing stupid stuff that would not be done by an attentive driver.

[Tristor]

On my scale of "fun", anything that increases performance but decreases the luxury (or livability) of the vehicle isn't something I'm really willing to do. Since I'm not looking for an increase in acceleration, just top speed, we are looking at pushing a whole lot of extra HP, but not necessarily more torque, so I don't know that reinforced engine mounts and a transmission swap would be necessary (of course, I am quite probably wrong).

What would be a realistic expectation (obviously an estimate) in improvement to top speed in moving from the stock NA setup to ported heads, upgraded piston crowns, upgraded valves, a slightly larger exhaust, a low profile hood scoop, and a supercharger.

As far as the tires are concerned, I'll need a bit of an upgrade. The OEM tires are 98Vs, so have a 1653 pound load index and are speed rated for 149mph. I'll fairly soon (not counted in my budget, btw) will be picking up some new lightened aluminum forged billet wheels and I'll be mounting them with 101Ys, so they'll have a 1819 pound load index at a 186mph speed rating. By reducing the load below the rated load index (since it already is below the rated load index, reduction may not be necessary) and slightly overinflating, I can decrease deflection stress on the tires and increase it's tolerance to sustained high speeds. With the tires and wheels I'm going to be putting on it, I don't think that will be a problem, at least.

[optimoprime]

this isnt a video game man, from what you say your willing to do this goal of 200mph isnt reachable.

[Tristor]

I quite realize "it isn't a video game". If my goal isn't reachable within my tolerances, then the next step is probably to assess what is reachable within those tolerances. Based on what I've said I am considering in my post previous to this, what sort of improvement can I expect? What other modifications are possible to further improve performance without reducing livability.

[optimoprime]

well what you probably will notice is that you can increase the power somewhat but more noticably you can change how the power comes on is delivered. the first thing you do to any car is INTAKE,HEADERS,EXHAUST. so thats what i would look into next. if your car is a 5/6 speed then get a clutch and flywheel combo.

after the power mods you could move into suspention mods like springs that would also drop the car and give it a better look, then struts and sway bars. after that i'm sure you would be happy and this could be achieved for a relatively small budget as well.

[optimoprime]

well what you probably will notice is that you can increase the power somewhat but more noticably you can change how the power comes on is delivered. the first thing you do to any car is INTAKE,HEADERS,EXHAUST. so thats what i would look into next. if your car is a 5/6 speed then get a clutch and flywheel combo.

after the power mods you could move into suspention mods like springs that would also drop the car and give it a better look, then struts and sway bars. after that i'm sure you would be happy and this could be achieved for a relatively small budget as well.

lastly i would look into a brake set up for it with some drilled/slotted rotors from rotorpros.com with some nice ceramic pads.

pretty much those are all the bolt ons your going to find for the azera and the diffrence of driving the car just like that over what you have now will make a world of diffrence. all that stuff right there will make a much funner cruise to 160 and much safer on the way back down as well.

[ryanolson]

if you want to maintain the luxury of your car just leave it alone. non of those things will make it go 200mph. and regardless of how good of a driver you are it is never safe to go anywhere near that fast especially in a hyundai. the slightest bump in the road will send your ass packin.