450 Engine Mod

[LexLuthor]

Do any of you do these mods yourself? I love my 450 but its getting to be a hassle with hills and such. How much, if you did it yourself and were willing, would you charge to mod my 2000 smart to make it more powerful? I'm at the point where I might just sell it but I really don't want to.

[briansmart]

LexLuthor,

I'm nowhere near California (Georgia) but if our paths were to cross I would certainly do some of it for you. Changing the TIK pipe, physical clutch lube and adjustment (i don't have the ability to program it), swapping out the air filter, adding a dump valve, replacing the intercooler hoses with Forge silicone and all of that would take me about a day. I go slow and document what was connected where and all of that. Especially when tinkering with someone else's car

Delipping the intake is an easy mod though. Find it here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=229

Manual cluth adjust (helps with smoother shifting) is not too bad either as long as you can get under the car. Find instructions here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=331

[micromachine]

I did everything myself except for the remap. I don't have the computer to be able to do it myself. None of it was difficult to do, just be patient. I say this knowing that I had not worked on a car in about 10 years. As Brian stated most of it can be done in a day. The turbo was the most difficult. The instructions on fq101.co.uk were helpful and when I got stuck I would email mike at smartarse design for assistance. The turbo could probably be done in a day but I did it over 3 nights after work.

The quickest thing you could do for more power would be to get the ecu remapped. Contact Eddy at Flying Tiger. You could either mail it to him or he may know someone in your area. Put a better quality air filter in as well.


I'd love to help you out. I just don't have the time right now. Work has had me super busy.

Brian, i'm still working on pics of the oil catch tank. just have not had time to take the back end off. I promise I'll get them to you soon!

[briansmart]

Originally Posted by micromachine

Brian, i'm still working on pics of the oil catch tank. just have not had time to take the back end off. I promise I'll get them to you soon!

No worries! I appreciate that you'd even think of doing that! Take your time. And only do it when you have absolutely nothing else to do. Please don't make a special arrangement on my behalf.

[cfreidma]

Leroy,
Is this transmission oil what I want? Thanks

Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid 5W-30


Designed for manual transmissions and transaxles with synchromesh systems that require light viscosity, non-extreme-pressure fortified oil. Additive technology provides proper friction characteristics for smooth shifting. The ultimate in gear and bearing protection & outperforms motor oils in manual transmissions

[lebikerboy]

I'm not Leroy, but you need 75W-90...

[cfreidma]

Thanks. Say I was just in Vancouver and went to the smart dealer on Broadway just for fun. Talked to a really cool guy there who showed me the car I really wanted, which is a diesel, 2005 - gets 60mpg.
Can't get that car here in the Sstates.

[cfreidma]

Thanks again.
I ordered 75W-90 Long Life Synthetic Gear Lube.

[Leroy]

On the 450 you use Dexron 3 only and the 451 you use 75-90W. When you change the oil on the 450 after lots of miles the red oil changes color to gray. The 75-90W should only be used in an emergency. Just like General Motors used Dexron 3 in the 80's in all the T-5 manual transmissions. It gives you better gas miliage. If you use gear lube your car will not shift very fast when it get cold outside. Because the 6 speed transmission was designed for the Dexron oil.

Leroy

[cfreidma]

Thanks for your help.
I bought Valvoline DEXRON III / MERCON MaxLife ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid from Amazon.