Hi, came across this forum when looking up differences between TR/TS dash clusters, but i'll save that for another thread...

My mate has just got himself a TR/TS 4cyl (dont know which one) and was looking at doing some mods to make it quicker/economical etc. and would like some advice on cheap & easy mods that will give any benefit.

Looking at the intake im stumped cause with my EF Fairmont, there is plenty of combinations you can do as their is no MAF meter. But the intake on this doesnt look like it can be touched with all the plastic boxing and crap and wiring hanging off it, can anything be done to the intake? If so, what needs to remain?

There are many of things you can do to the 4 cylinder, ie extractors, exhaust, CAI, pod filter even turbo'ing is an option. But all in all its not really worth it on the astron!

Super increasing KW and HP level mods (Cheap and nasty, but several members thouroughly recommend them ;) ) :
- Pod filter
- CAI
- Flowed TB
- Neons
- Straight Thru Rear Muffler
- 14 inch steelies
- No rear seat
- Monster tacho
- Lower it
- Strut brace / sway bar
- Add more chrome.

Real modifications to increase power by real figures, sarcasm aside:
- Turbocharge
- Supercharge
- V6 SOHC/DOHC conversion

There really isn't much you can do to it if you want real power, unless you want to pimp your ride, add seven TV's and stuff... Try your search function for anything specific.

cut the front piece off ya snorkle beside the battery will increase air flow a bit and get better fuel economy from it as well as a better sound i can take sum pics if ya need to see what i am talking about.

lol so it looks like not much can be done. He's not looking for 'real' power, just something, anything that can be improved.

"i can take sum pics if ya need to see what i am talking about. "

Sounds good.

Looking under the car, it looks pretty straight forward to remove the rear muffler and replace with straight pipe with a flared end.

With the pod advice, how would you go about that? Ive seen an avetar in here, someone got it hanging staight of the throttle body, but what about the airflow meter?

Do a DOHC conversion, I have done it to my second gen verada wagon and it goes awsome and revs like crazy.
I drive it hard all the time and always get 550 kays of 60 litres which is awsome

With the pod advice, how would you go about that? Ive seen an avetar in here, someone got it hanging staight of the throttle body, but what about the airflow meter?
That would be magnatism, he has a full ECU replacement so he doesn't need the AFM. Adaptors can be purchased for the install of a pod filter, easy to do, just make sure you have a bracket for the pod filter to attach it to the chassis.

ECU piggyback might be an option but it isn't cheap. Manual conversion too but that could cost you around $1500 depending on parts costs. Turbocharging is around $8000 depending on what work you do to your engine.

Now you'll see the frustration of your Astron II brethren :P (Like myself)

Do a DOHC conversion, I have done it to my second gen verada wagon and it goes awsome and revs like crazy.
I drive it hard all the time and always get 550 kays of 60 litres which is awsome
YEs but he has the 4cyl, So that engine from the EVO might be better for him....4g64 or something?!?!?!?! NFI

']YEs but he has the 4cyl, So that engine from the EVO might be better for him....4g64 or something?!?!?!?! NFI
Hmm true, but it is still possible isn't it... I really want a SOHC 6 just for some kicks...

Besides, you're just cranky because you can't have a DOHC :P

4G64BT should be very possible.

Sogg did the 4G64BT from a VR4 galant (The front cuts are cheaper than an evo front cut), in his red First gen wagon. He also ran the VR4 box modified (no rwd) and blew it in 2 months or so but since then he had the magna box in and it was running fine.

Transplant are your only real options if money is the problem, pro drag cars use Astron engines turbocharged to the ends of the earth so they are a decent block, it's just everything else that needs to be rebuilt.

4G64BT should be very possible.

Sogg did the 4G64BT from a VR4 galant .

What parts are needed for the swap, is the cost viable for a struggling income?

dont forget the massive spoiler which adds 50kw atm. correct me if im wrong haha

What parts are needed for the swap, is the cost viable for a struggling income?
It's not possible on a struggling income. All up for him it was something in the realm of $5000-$7000. But it did indeed give a fair degree of improvement.

Why 14 inch steelies?????



Super increasing KW and HP level mods (Cheap and nasty, but several members thouroughly recommend them ;) ) :
- Pod filter
- CAI
- Flowed TB
- Neons
- Straight Thru Rear Muffler
- 14 inch steelies
- No rear seat
- Monster tacho
- Lower it
- Strut brace / sway bar
- Add more chrome.

Why 14 inch steelies?????

The smaller the bigger increase yo.

Sogg had all the work done for him by a workshop so if you are competent to do most things yourself you can cut the cost a lot, ala Gotrice and Killbilly's DOHC conversions.

No performance upgrades are viable on a "struggling income", the best thing you can do with your car on a struggling income is get full comprehensive insurance, that way when you crash your rust bucket you get some cash back to buy another and so the cycle continues.

a 4G63BT (Correction, it's 4G63 not 4G64 as Tuff said before, little maggot had me blasting 4G64 everywhere) conversion would be equal to a DOHC 3L conversion in the power stakes, perhaps a little better even because the upgrade possibilities are better (bigger turbo's, more boost etc) whereas the NA V6 is very limited, so much so it IS the performance upgrade and thats about all (going over the tiny crap like CAI and exhaust) unless you S/charge or T/charge but then your spending 5K on the DOHC swap and then another 5+K on the turbo set-up whereas the 4G63BT will be 5+K on the swap, then another what, $200 for a boost controller (up the power) $300 on a big pink 'hello kitty' FMIC= more hp, grand for cams, grand for flowed turbo, etc, the costs are in smaller increments and don't really stop.

For the DOHC it'd be pretty much dead in the water, up to a grand for custom tuned length extractors and 2.5" exhaust, K&N pod, grand + for an ECU (ala Adaptronic, local aussy fully adjustable ECU, and even mildly tunes itself!), 1-2K for cams and tune.. there it stops, i guess a port and hone, shaved decks and you're pretty much out of the game two steps into it. Sigh.

Sogg had all the work done for him by a workshop so if you are competent to do most things yourself you can cut the cost a lot, ala Gotrice and Killbilly's DOHC conversions.

No performance upgrades are viable on a "struggling income", the best thing you can do with your car on a struggling income is get full comprehensive insurance, that way when you crash your rust bucket you get some cash back to buy another and so the cycle continues.

For the DOHC it'd be pretty much dead in the water, up to a grand for custom tuned length extractors and 2.5" exhaust, K&N pod, grand + for an ECU (ala Adaptronic, local aussy fully adjustable ECU, and even mildly tunes itself!), 1-2K for cams and tune.. there it stops, i guess a port and hone, shaved decks and you're pretty much out of the game two steps into it. Sigh.

yeah im ****ing rich lol (know u didnt mean that)
Anyway my 5k$ was saved and spent over a yr. Bought computer, 6mths -> bought half cut, 6mths -> put all in, then extractors then computer install...

Also i disagree with the dead in the water thing. I could probably get some custom grind cam shafts (4 remember) and cam gears for around 2k$ throw em in and tow down south for the tune (~700$) and probably get it to well over 200Kwatw. Thats without researching the tolerances of stock valve springs etc.
Could also change to dual throttle bodies for another chuck of kw.
ie i could spend and gain the same as on a turbo'd car.

But i cbf'd doing any of that. All thats changed for me in terms of income is now i drink goon and drink alot more lol. When i get some assets and regain positive cashflow after then yeah, cant see myself getting rid of the magna for sweet **** all. It'll worth 5k$ or less then.

Not worth sacrificing good times for a car when i can have both later. For some cars = good times though.

Thanks for the replies, including the 50kw wing idea :roll:

Looks like my mate should have bought another car in the first place lol

Compare to my 95 Fairmont, 105kw @ wheels stock, added an Aftermarket cam for $120 and upgraded exhaust and intake tubing, and now puts out 138kw @ wheels. So much improvement for so little money, all running on standard ecu and valve springs.

Is there a place that does regrind cams for the 4cyl, which still lets you keep standard springs and ecu?

I remember when we pulled apart his old TR/TS 4cyl, we had alot of trouble removing the camshaft and cam gear. Does the chain need to be retensioned to do a cam swap?

Is there a place that does regrind cams for the 4cyl, which still lets you keep standard springs and ecu?

pretty much not, it'd be a conservative custom regrind which wouldn't lean out a/f ratio beyond the scope of the stock failsafes ie oxygen sensor etc.

Only rpw make or have them made (off the shelf cam shafts) and thats for 3rd gens and they're rediculous prices. It a negative of owning a magna.

Unless turboing i wouldn't really bother with the astron, too many things holding it back. The lack of displacement would also mean a cam change wouldnt be as effective as on your fairmont.

Why 14 inch steelies?????
Less unsprung weight and less weight to start rotating at the wheels... makes acceleration faster, most hardcore drag racers will use their steel set to hit the strip with rather than their 20's lol

So large alloy wheels are actually heavier than stock steelies and reduce performance?



Less unsprung weight and less weight to start rotating at the wheels... makes acceleration faster, most hardcore drag racers will use their steel set to hit the strip with rather than their 20's lol

So large alloy wheels are actually heavier than stock steelies and reduce performance?

Yep. I remember reading an article not long ago where they took a Civic from 15.6 to 15.3 by taking off his rims and putting stocko rims back on.

Comparing my wheels..

15x7 Alloy mag = 8.5 kg
15x6 Stock steelie = 9kg

Stock is slightly heavier but not by much, but compared to a larger alloy wheel it would defintely be lighter

When I get alloys they will most likely be 15s then. Seems anything larger will actually have a negative effect. At least they will be cheap!

When I get alloys they will most likely be 15s then. Seems anything larger will actually have a negative effect. At least they will be cheap!

For cars that don't have wheelspin problems this is true. Any cars that run flat 14's or under (what i consider fast) actually need the extra width for traction, especially in cornering. Look at the v8 supercars i'm pretty sure theyre dumped on their asses with 18's.

Myself i think 17's are a happy medium. Mine ralliart enkeis are multi spoke so theyre relatively light and 7" wide so they'll help with traction if i ever get into the low 14's but also look good and in doing so wouldn't slow me down by too much.

There's no doubt that 17s look better, especiallly those Enkeis.


For cars that don't have wheelspin problems this is true. Any cars that run flat 14's or under (what i consider fast) actually need the extra width for traction, especially in cornering. Look at the v8 supercars i'm pretty sure theyre dumped on their asses with 18's.

Myself i think 17's are a happy medium. Mine ralliart enkeis are multi spoke so theyre relatively light and 7" wide so they'll help with traction if i ever get into the low 14's but also look good and in doing so wouldn't slow me down by too much.

Definant don't go anything below 17's. In a magna you won't feel any difference going from a 15" steely to an 18" alloy unless you're Dave and your car is TT, or you have stripped it to nothing and would feel less power going through a dust storm. If you're hardcore on weight reduction just remove your spare wheel and you can go 20's ;) (as long as they're not chrome) or get some gram lights, the ralliart enkie's would be fairly light too..

Best cheap mod for the Astron II would be a K&N, extractors and the rest, 2 1/4" should be enough, 2.5 can get too farty. Shaved head and some light weight pullys if you can find any, should give it a bit more stick and hopefully almost rev to the redline, my old TP GT would loose speed after 4900RPM.

Any cold air mods posted up on this site for the Astron 4 bangers?

Nice avatar by the way

Any cold air mods posted up on this site for the Astron 4 bangers?

Nice avatar by the way

what's a cold air mod. unless u mean making your own CAI and modding that??

what's a cold air mod. unless u mean making your own CAI and modding that??

Isnt that what i just said?

Sorry, CAI, Cold Air Induction, Piping to the airbox from outside etc etc.

Just looking for ideas cheers!!

Isnt that what i just said?

Sorry, CAI, Cold Air Induction, Piping to the airbox from outside etc etc.

Just looking for ideas cheers!!

Theres a few ways
Move your AFM So instead of the intake piping going in an "S" bend from the TB to the filter, make it so it goes in an L shape, so from the TB, then curves and just goes down to the bumper.

or keep that where it is and run a 90-100mm pipe around the battery and down next to the radiator and down to the bumper

or cut out the metal in the car where the stock air intake is lol, and just the ****er straight down to the bumper with minimal bends.

eh few options, easiest is just leave everything where it is and just run a length of pipe to the front bumper

When I get alloys they will most likely be 15s then. Seems anything larger will actually have a negative effect. At least they will be cheap!
Do you want mine dude lol

Cheapest, best mod for power on the Astron II is simply an exhaust. I believe its the only thing you can do for (relatively) cheap money to gain something.

Ive got a 2" catback and i noticed a good difference. Not massive by far, but some change. Honestly, best thing to go for if money is short. Otherwise go a full exhaust system, cams.

Cheapest, best mod for power on the Astron II is simply an exhaust. I believe its the only thing you can do for (relatively) cheap money to gain something.

Ive got a 2" catback and i noticed a good difference. Not massive by far, but some change. Honestly, best thing to go for if money is short. Otherwise go a full exhaust system, cams.

You mean Cam...there is only 1:cool::P

']You mean Cam...there is only 1:cool::P

Smart ****.....its ok, your car has only blown 4 head gaskets from 1 engine :D

I still love you paul lol

On topic....exhaust ftw :D

Smart ****.....its ok, your car has only blown 4 head gaskets from 1 engine :D

I still love you paul lol

On topic....exhaust ftw :D
It blew ONE HG the rest were all my fault lol.
dont start with humans making errors or ill bring the front end of your car into discussion :P

or mild cam / regrind and a port n polish like im probly getting :D:D, headwork is the way to go haha

Has anyone mentioned running it on premium unleaded? Good for a few KWs.

dont waste ur money on cam or port and polish. exhaust from cat back will give most noticeable performance for your $$ with extractors.

i have the proper k&n oval pod with maf sensor adaptor for sale as i have a straight pod under the car. pm if interested.

dont waste ur money on cam or port and polish. exhaust from cat back will give most noticeable performance for your $$ with extractors.


ummm if a cam's set up right, it'll piss on every other performance upgrade bar forced induction including rebuild.

But saying that don't bother getting a cam suited for a stock map, it won't make worthy power.

ummm if a cam's set up right, it'll piss on every other performance upgrade bar forced induction including rebuild.

But saying that don't bother getting a cam suited for a stock map, it won't make worthy power.

pretty sure thats why he said Best bang for buck :P

Also i know of one guy off here who has a 4 pot TS, went to get a stage one cam only to find out with the TS he needed new valve springs aswell, so a simple cam turned into twice of what he was after

']pretty sure thats why he said Best bang for buck :P

Also i know of one guy off here who has a 4 pot TS, went to get a stage one cam only to find out with the TS he needed new valve springs aswell, so a simple cam turned into twice of what he was after

$ per kW they would do alot better still.

Exhaust is like a 5kW gain for like 500$. These motors just don't push out exceptional exhaust gases. No reall easy gains eh.

I would only consider a turbo conversion for a 4cyl.

Only thing i've seen to reap over 150hpatw and thats nothing to write home about. I wonder how much custom valve springs cost. You should find out paul.

plans are a reground cam, port n polish, reface, performance springs, machined valves and seats, modified rear of valves, new ohc assembly and a pressure test.

sif an exhaust would be better gains than that lol. as i said, these are PLANS not definate

plans are a reground cam, port n polish, reface, performance springs, machined valves and seats, modified rear of valves, new ohc assembly and a pressure test.

sif an exhaust would be better gains than that lol. as i said, these are PLANS not definate

Not bagging you out or anyrthing mate, but why havent you considered getting a crappy bung up 6cyl and doing a DOHC conversion instead?

Only point being, is after you do that to you 4cyl then say maybe turbo it, it would MAX pull a low 14, possibly high 13.
STOCK DOHC should pull a mid 14 stock...

Just in the long run its not really worth it all that much for a 4cyl....

']Not bagging you out or anyrthing mate, but why havent you considered getting a crappy bung up 6cyl and doing a DOHC conversion instead?

Only point being, is after you do that to you 4cyl then say maybe turbo it, it would MAX pull a low 14, possibly high 13.
STOCK DOHC should pull a mid 14 stock...

Just in the long run its not really worth it all that much for a 4cyl....

point taken mate, yeh ive considered it. i could just go and buy a gto engine and throw that on. actually u got me thinking now haha.

similar answer to what u say to those who ask why have u done so much to your magna when u can get a falcon or a commodore etc. personal preference

i wanna see what i can get out of a 4 cylinder. maybe your just jealous that ill have more power than u when imdone hahah jks mate.

as i said, they're only plans atm. nothing may happen at all. we'll just see how it goes

point taken mate, yeh ive considered it. i could just go and buy a gto engine and throw that on. actually u got me thinking now haha.

similar answer to what u say to those who ask why have u done so much to your magna when u can get a falcon or a commodore etc. personal preference

i wanna see what i can get out of a 4 cylinder. maybe your just jealous that ill have more power than u when imdone hahah jks mate.

as i said, they're only plans atm. nothing may happen at all. we'll just see how it goes
Don't worry about him, Paula's just jealous that your car actually runs without causing Greenpeace to follow him, protesting his oil spills.

Don't worry about him, Paula's just jealous that your car actually runs without causing Greenpeace to follow him, protesting his oil spills.

OMFG LAY OFF THE OIL JOKES JESUS CHRIST!