Mini-Mopar Turbo Performance Guide

Description

This page will explain all of the many methods that I know of to increase the performance of your Chrysler 2.2L Turbo or 2.5L Turbo engine.  A few of these methods are entirely my design, but most were discovered or designed by other Turbo Mopar enthusiasts.  I have given credit to the creaters (or providers) of each design, though some designs were created by many people over time.  Special thanks must go to Thomas "Gus" Mahon, who came up with quite a few of these and to Dempsey Bowling, who provides information on some of Gus's work as well as his own.  Dempsey has created a set of pages about increasing Turbo Mopar Performance and they are the source for some of this information.  Much of this information also comes from Ed Peters, who unfortunately is no longer into 2.2L performance.  I won't repeat their work here, instead I will give my own slant on things and try to clarify the aspects of the information that I found confusing or incorrect (according to my experiences).  These guys are definately the experts in this area, but I wanted to centralize and reorganize the information that they provide.  See the Performance Links page for direct links to many more performance pages.

Before I go on, I have to make a general warning.  The disclaimer found on this site applies to these pages, as it does the others.  By making changes to your vehicle, you must realize that you are taking on the responsibility of any possible consequences of these modifications.  If done correctly, these methods have proven safe, but you need a general knowledge about how engines work and a degree of moderation.  Every vehicle is different and the results can't be predicted absolutely.  Some modifications are "hands off" because they take care of themselves, while others need frequent or even constant attention.  I will make mention of the risk of each modification listed here.  The best advice you can get is to work your way up slowly.  Add one mod at a time and slowly adjust them up to the level you desire, "read" your spark plugs, and then move on.  Not I nor anyone else is responsible for any consequences of your actions, whether you use any of this information or not.

There are essentially two types of methods to go about modifying your engine.  One type allows the Engine Control Unit (ECU), to maintain control over things, while the other puts control directly in your hands.  Obviously, allowing the ECU to control things is less risky than controlling things yourself.  To learn about how the ECU works, see the Understanding the Chrysler Engine Control Unit page.

I have broken down most of the basic modifications into component areas.  To find component-specific information, use the Component Performance Modifications section.  I have also grouped the other popular modifications in the Other Performance Modifications section below into the most common sets of upgrades.  Read the descriptions for a general idea and click the link for all the specifics.  If you are going to do any modifications at all, I highly recommend that you at least start with The Basics.  The following pages contain important general information about upgrading these vehicles:

2.2L/2.5L Turbo Engine Important Upgrade Information - IMPORTANT!!!  You must read this page if you are going to make any modifications that are beyond "The Basics," but I recommend tht you read it anyway.  It contains important information on how the engine and computer work together.

Turbocharger Concepts - This page explains how a turbocharger works on an engine and how it is controlled by the computer.  It also outlines the specific types of turbos used on these engines and how they differ.  Read this if you don't have any experience with turbos, or want to know more about your specific turbo.

Understanding the Chrysler Engine Control Unit - This page contains very detailed information about the computer itself and how all the sensors and peripherals work with it.

Dempsey's General Instructions - This page will explain many of the parts needed by the bleed setups below.  If you don't know what a restrictor or a check valve is, you need to see this page.

Understanding Solenoids - Here, you can learn more than you ever wanted to know about solenoids.
 

Component Performance Modifications

Here is a list of most of the performance modifications, grouped by specific vehicle component.  You can find the modifications available for each main part of the vehicle.  Be sure and read the Turbo Engine Information page before getting started.  It will explain the particulars of these engines and what to look out for when modifying them.  If your not sure how the turbo and wastegate work, read my Turbocharger Concepts page.

The Intake - What modifications to make to your intake system for your particular engine setup.  There are many options here, depending on how motivated you are.

The Exhaust - A list of options and ideas for upgrading your exhaust system from "quick and dirty" to the more elaborate setups.

The Fuel System - The most common methods to increase fuel delivery to your engine.  The list is long, but dignified.

The Ignition System - Some thoughts on ingniton upgrades, and what most performance folks do with it.

The Turbocharger - What options are available and what is best for you.  This page includes technical specifications of most of the popular turbochargers used on these engines.

The Engine's Top End - Modifications and upgrades that are available for the top end of your engine.  These include heads, valves, cams, etc.

The Engine's Bottom End - Modifications and upgrades that are available for the bottom end of your engine.  These include blocks, rods, pistons, crankshafts, etc.

The Manual Drivetrain - The most common upgrades for the manual transaxle, clutch, axles, etc.

The Automatic Drivetrain - The most common upgrades for the automatic transaxle, axles, etc.

The Suspension - Some ideas for modifications to improve your hendling and launch.

The Brakes - Some common brake upgrades and some pointers on how to create a well balanced system.
 

Other Performance Modifications

Here is the list of links related to the various sets of modifications.  These are mainly in addition to the above section, allowing you to take your engine further.  Be sure and read the Turbo Engine Information page before getting started.  It will explain the particulars of these engines and what to look out for when modifying them.  If your not sure how the turbo and wastegate work, read my Turbocharger Concepts page.

The Basics - The first set of modifications you should make are credited to Dempsey Bowling and his "Recipe A."  Of all the mods you can make, these are probably the safest, and the most cost effective.  For these mods, you don't need extra guages and are "hands off".

2.2L and 2.5L Non-Turbo Upgrade Database - by Gary Donovan.  This page is the best (and the only) performance upgrade resource for naturally aspirated 2.2L and 2.5L engines.  This includes carbureted and throttle body injected (TBI) engines.  You can try to scroll down and look for the section you are interested in, or use the "Find" feature of your browser.

Mitsubishi 3.0L V6 Upgrade Database - by Gary Donovan.  This page is also the only performance upgrade resource for naturally aspirated 3.0L V6 engines.  You can try to scroll down and look for the section you are interested in, or use the "Find" feature of your browser.

Electronic Boost Response Controller - Although this circuit does not increase engine horsepower, it does increase response of the turbo significantly and reduces turbo lag.  Boost control is always given back to the logic module after the turbo has spooled up and the point at which control is given back can be controlled while driving.  This mod is not necessary if any mods below are implemented beyond "The Basics".

Intercooler Upgrades - To improve the efficiency of your turbo, the installation or upgrade of an intercooler is a key item.  Find out how to install an intercooler on a Turbo I engine or how to increase the efficiency of the intercooler you already have.

Blow Off Valves - What they are, what they're for, and how to install one.

Increasing Boost With Wastegate Control Valves - This has become the most popular method if boost control (more than bleeds), and is safe if done properly.  There are many options here, so read through them all.  Most of these modifications are entirely Gus's design.

Increasing Boost With Wastegate Control Bleeds - This is the most popular next step and is safe, if done properly, because the ECU still has valid data and is still in control of the rest of the engine.  It is by far the cheapest route to go and there are many options here, so read through them all.  Most of these modifications are entirely Gus's design (often referred to as "Gus Bleeds").

Boost Bleeding Beyond Overboost Shutdown - This is the next level to the modification above.  It allows you to achieve even higher boost levels and requires a more sophisticated system to keep the air/fuel mixture at safe levels because the computer is no longer fully aware of what is going on with the engine.  Most of these designs were also conceived and tested by Gus.

Using the ND Performance Custom Programmed ECU - This is an alternative to the bleed methods above.  Instead of using mechanical methods (bleeds, etc) to increase power, this custom programmed computer can be used to control higher boost levels, fuel delivery, spark curves, etc.  This method is significantly more expensive and requires the computer to be custom tuned, but is "hands off" if properly tuned.

The Super 60 Kit - This is a complete kit to transform your turbo engine into a 300+ hp screamer.  It requires that you have a certain engine and drivetrain to start with, but everything else is in the kit an is still available (for now) directly from Mopar Performance.  Since the kit includes a new computer, it is also "hands off".

The 2.2L Long Rod Drag Racing Engine - Here you can read up on the theories and concepts behind a long rod drag racing engine.  It also covers the various options and considerations available when building one of these engines.  Special thanks to Ed Peters and Garry McKissick Jr. for much of this information.
 
 
 

Return to the Mini-Mopar Resource Site

 

Disclaimer:  By using any of the methods or ideas expressed on any of these pages, you take full responsibility for anything that may happen to you, your car, anyone, any property, or anything.  Not I nor anyone else will be held responsible for anything that may result from using any of the information included on any of these pages.  To make the lawyers happy:  THIS INFORMATION IS GIVEN "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.  BY USING THIS INFORMATION YOU RELEASE THE AUTHOR AND ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED FROM ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER.