RE: T.A.P.'s a pleasure to deal with

["PAT MARTIN" <MARDKINS@msn.com>]

CAM CAM CAM CAM.  Save the $200 for a performance cam.  You will get 10-20 hp 
depending on cam and it will be much more noticeable than a phantom chip that 
may or may not give you 5-10 hp.  3 options for cams.  I discussed this at 
length with Ned Ritchie and his favorite is the Schrick 276.  He says that is 
the best cam for our motors.  The next best is the 272 but for the same price 
as the 276 he sees no reason to go to that.  The 3rd option and the most 
affordable is to use a I-5 turbo cam for ~15hp.  This is what I am going to 
try 1st since it will probably only cost me 50-60 bucks for a used cam.
Pat Martin
864000csq  2 1/2 cat back, H&R-Boge,advanced and loving it.  Drilled and 
stopping it.  Koenig Cobra 16x7 with AVS Intermediates, K&N. 
95 subaru legacy 
Bothell, Wa.



>         I have one question though. Has anybody had any experience with 
TAP's
> chips for normally aspirated cars? 16 hp from a $200 chip seems to me to
> be a bit of an exaggerated claim for my I-5 20v. Any comments would be
> greatly appreciated...

	I also would like info any lister(s) has on a NA I-5(10v in my case/'86
CGT) chip upgrade. I would pay the $200 for 10-15 hp since I've been
happy before with simple mods like swiss-cheesing the air box and adding
a K&N, switching to synthetic, and changing to a high performance
ignition coil and advancing the timing. These few mods(although
synthetic is not really a mod, IMHO it does add hp) have given me a
noticeable gain. I've come up against other CGTs and beat them fairly
easily. I figure the K&N/swiss-cheesed air box adds maybe 8, the
synthetic(especially Amsoil's Racing 20W-50) maybe 3, and the Omni-Pak
from Jacobs Electronics maybe another 9, for a possible total of 20
extra hp! That may not seem like much, but when the puppy only put out
110hp to start with, 20 is a lot! So I figure in optimal conditions, I
am running 130 horses. Another 10-15 wouldn't be too bad... Hmmm
..145hp.. now that you got me started...I'm REALLY interested! I have
asked and called around before. The answer seems to be: "check your
ecu(?) or whatever on the passenger side footwell and if it has a
certain # on it, then my CGT is chippable. Is that true? I have never
REALLY tried to get to the computer for fear of breaking the plastic
piece - it doesn't seem to want to come off. Your personal opinions are
always so much help, so please let me know. . .
	I also never got a response when I asked about Jacobs Electronics and
their Omni-Pak. Does any lister have, or know of, any experiences with
their coils. I noticed a difference, but nothing major. I guess from
what they advertise, it could be doing a much better job than I can
feel. I could have an extremely poor engine and the system could be
fixing all w/o me even knowing!(I doubt it)

> P.S. Suspension is my next upgrade... Am considering H&R Springs and
> Bilstein Sport Shocks as well as Urethane Bushings... Yes? No? Anything
> else to consider?

	H&R - YES! I love mine. Not too stiff, helps dive/squat(what I HATED
about my Audi) immensely, reduces body roll enough, makes my Coupe look
so much nicer, and are progressive!
	Bilstein - I can't help you.
	Urethane Bushings - I think you'll get a resounding NO!!

						Allan