Team-BHP - Modding an Alto

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbat (Post 1744125)

I finally smoked the tail lights of my Alto yesterday. Used a can of VHT NightShades which someone had brought for me from the US. I'm sure you can find a can of it somewhere in India but I could'nt!

Here are some before and After pics:

blackouting your tailights, arent you playing with the safety?

your tailights are actually becoming more darker at night and people coming from behind cant see them properly!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parm (Post 2501688)

blackouting your tailights, arent you playing with the safety?

your tailights are actually becoming more darker at night and people coming from behind cant see them properly!

Feels strange replying to a 1.5 year old post but......

The difference in minimal at night. The paint used is not the normal spray paint but a special translucent one.

In the day, especially in direct sunlight, the smoked taillights are visible much more as apparent from the pics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbat (Post 2501923)

the taillights are meant to be RED in colour to depict the rear of the vehicle!

anyway the rules and laws in india are not to be bothered about!

anyway enjoy the blacked out taillights!

Hello everyone. Have been scooting around this thread for a long time, and each post I read just seems to give all sorts of different ideas.
The major problem with me is that I am from Goa, and I am yet to find any proper accessories shops or performance shops in Goa that have proper knowledge of modifications/upgrades and can do a good job about it.

Anyone who knows a proper place in Goa (especially Margao/Panjim), please let me know.

The other issue is, I drive an Alto VXi 1.1 2003, 63k on the odo. I am looking for performance upgrades now, and as I understand, the stuff to begin with is a K&N air filter, an FFE, and a CAI probably. I don't really understand the intricacies of all this yet, and am really in need of some advice from all petrol heads out here.

Following are some of my queries:

1. Are all such mods specific to the petrol engine only? What I mean here is, I am planning of installing a sequential LPG kit in a few months time, and would just like to know whether there would be any issues with any of the above mentioned mods, or is it that they just do not make any difference whether its running off petrol or LPG.

2. When I look for a K&N, what exactly should I ask for? A universal one or a conical one? I tried searching on the K&N site, but couldn't find anything specific to the Alto. Also, I read in the one the posts on this thread, there is something like an intake attached to the filter. Maybe I just interpreted it the wrong way, or is there really anything of this sort?

3. I tried reading up on the FFE, but couldn't really understand it. What exactly does it do, (if anyone could give some proper links, that would be great!!), and what am I actually looking for when I go to get one installed?

4. There are not really many mentions of a CAI on this thread. Is it not a very good upgrade option for an alto? Also, I read on another thread that someone took off their CAI kit during the monsoon because they didn't want their car sucking in water. What's this all about?

Sorry if some of the questions are stupid, but I am not very well versed with this stuff yet, (still learning you see), and any help in this regard that can instruct me properly with modding my Alto would be absolutely great!! Thanks a lot. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarnava.m (Post 2569278)

1. Are all such mods specific to the petrol engine only?
You can install the mods as long as you don't do a diesel engine transplant in your Alto

2. I tried searching on the K&N site, but couldn't find anything specific to the Alto.
Because there isn't one. There are only universal ones available & are not exactly up to specs with the Alto. So, they are a cause of problems.

3. I tried reading up on the FFE, but couldn't really understand it.
It provides a free'er' passage for the exhaust air to go out & a nice vroom sound. At most, it may provide a wee bit increase in the performance but at the cost of Fuel efficiency.

4. There are not really many mentions of a CAI on this thread. Is it not a very good upgrade option for an Alto? Also, I read on another thread that someone took off their CAI kit during the monsoon because they didn't want their car sucking in water. What's this all about?

CAI is usually mounted as low as possible to get in as cool air as possible.Not good for an Alto if reliability is your concern.

Performance modding an Alto robs it of Fuel efficiency.The 1.1VX comes in the dreams of us 800cc owners. It has the performance that is just 90% matched by the K10. Why do you want to performance mod a Factory shipped pocket rocket?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustCause (Post 2569320)

Well what I am really looking for is some nominal BHP gain, and increase in FE. The K&N can probably help me in that matter, right? Would you elaborate on what kind of problems I am looking at if I install one? please:

Also, what about a tyre upgrade? I am riding the stock 145/80 R12. Considering an upsize to maybe 155 or 165, and probably also a set of alloys..
Thanks..

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarnava.m (Post 2569397)

Well what I am really looking for is some nominal BHP gain, and increase in FE. ...

A universal K&N won't help the FE. There is no BHP gain as such, just that the car responds a bit better to accelerator input because of increased airflow in the intake side. The added sound gives the illusion of more HP.

A universal K&N will allow passage of fine dust into your intake manifold & will damage the inlet ports/valves in the long run (seen personally in an Alto 800cc)

Getting a nice set of alloys is a good propositon. Personally, I like the alloys on bhpian SAS's Alto. Regarding tyre sizes, I haven't actually put 13 inchers due to fear of scraping the wheel wells, though 155 65 R13 is the recommended upsize for the Alto.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustCause (Post 2569541)

Thanks a lot, that's really useful advice.

Well what about a conical one then? I did inquire about it in a shop, and what he told me after looking into his catalog was "Sir you want a K&N filter for your Alto? That will cost Rs.3290". He wasn't able to give me a model number or any specifications though. :Shockked:

Any idea what he might have been talking about?

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarnava.m (Post 2569554)

Any idea what he might have been talking about?

This is the stock replacement filter that fits into your existing airbox replacing your original air filter. The conical one is the universal one & causes problems. If you are looking at stock replacements, try Cosworth also. I've been using their air filter & found it to be more efficient than the stock filter & it is washable & reusable also. The only downside to these filters is the cost, which is ~3500Rs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustCause (Post 2569723)

Okay, well what it sounds like here is that since the only advantage of getting a stock replacement filter is that it is has a higher life. In that case its probably best not trying to mess with what is already factory fitted and working fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan (Post 2569735)

The real downside is the dust they allow inside the engine. Increased airflow = increased dust as well. There are no two ways about it. The best ones are the stock paper air filters or the same type (of a superior brand), if it fits.

Alright, but in that the case the question that comes to mind is, if [increased airflow=increased dust], then why is there such a major popularity for K&N filters? I mean isn't this disadvantage applicable for all the cars that use a K&N? Or is it something just specific to the engine of an Alto or some certain hatches? I don't think that makes much sense.. :eek: