Modifications in Alto Std

Dear Viewers,

I am owning a Maruti Alto Std - 2007 model, which has run around 37,000 Kms now.

I wud like to put some external fittings to my car which will enhance the performance of my car.

The things i would like to do are: INSTALLING:

1) Stainless Steel Air Fitler
2) Free Flow Exhaust
3) Cold Air Intake

Now I am having some doubts which I would like to clear.

Is the above all things are easy to fit? I am sourcing these from a different state and I would like to getit installed from a local workshop near to my province.

WIth the free flow exhaust, whether we can do tuning to the sound? I would like to get a sporty sound on my car.

Other modifications I done are: - Power window, AC, central locking, Sporty Upholstery, Car stickers, Subwoofer with amp, roof top LCD etc etc.

-air filters are usually foam based-could you explain what is actually meant by 'stainless steel'?

-free flow exhaust-can be done and sound tuning also quite possible.

-cold air intakes-these are also easily available and bolt on.

To add... please have a look at this link on Air Filter - go through the details & links provided therein.

Binoy, K & N and Green filters are cotton based filters.

Pipercross filter is made up of special foam.

Sard and DC Sports filters are normally made up of stainless steel. Pipercross being foam based filter does not get heated up, which is very important for supplying cold air to the engine.

Stainless steel filter will supply maximum amount of air to the engine among all of them. Also there is no need for replacement. We can take it out and wash it.

Rajesh, What do u mean by adding semiautomatic? Is it the gear system? If then, i prefer no, coz we donot get the pleasure in changing gear when compared to automatic.. Just like riding a kinetic honda and yamaha...

I will post some pics of my car soon.

Post edited to merge subsequent post, posted within 30  minutes of each other-please use the 'edit' button rather than posting anew-MODS.

The 'steel filters' will only prevent bugs from going inside the intakes-and it would be quite unwise to do so in our enviornment unless one is looking for outright performance and nothing else.

If your are looking for significant performance gains-do think about a rebore, larger throttle bodies and a compression bump, along with custom remapping.

Also are these modifications already done?

Waiting for the pictures!

No.. i havent done any engine alterations yet..

Binoy, I didnt understand y u say putting SS air filters is 'unwise'? Can u plss explain? Bytheway, I am also frm Kerala., Kochi.

Air filters are one component of the engine that restricts airflow into the engine-the higher the airflow the higher the gain in performance-so by that logic the max performance will be when the engine is run without any filter!

Now the filter is employed to prevent dust/bugs/pollen what have you from  entering the intake and thus causing damage to the engine.As i understand the steel filters will work like a mesh preventing large debris from entering the intake while allowing the dust etc to enter(its one step from running without an air filter)-which in our driving condition will do more harm than good to the engine.

By the way-where in Kochi?

Stainless steel is one of the most durable metals in the world and this particular grade of mesh has supreme filtering qualities.

These type of filters feature stainless steel mesh on the top plate to further improve the amount of air they can flow. Due to the extremely fine, regular pattern of the pleated mesh, the filter gives less internal air restriction and straightens the air through the filter far more consistently which results in the capability to release more power than other performance air filters.

By making a filter totally from stainless steel this gives a unique metallic sound to the car that cannot be replicated by a cotton gauze type or foam filter.

I am frm ekm. u practise independantly or workin in any hosp ??

Have a look at this

- engine safety is not usually associated with steel filters-its like not using a filter as such.

Hi Vinod, I went through the thread and have some observations for you -

The qualities of Stainless Steel mentioned are fine. But nowhere can I see these quality helping 'engine performance'. I guess engine performance is the objective int he entire exercise. (If it is spending money, send me a DD )

I also guess that you have copy-pasted this info about stainless filters from some promotional material. - Look at the wording there - 'straightens the air??' What does that mean?  Improve the amount of air they can flow?? as if Maruti did not figure that out??

Car manufacturers spend a great deal of time on getting their engine right, balancing various parameters like fuel efficiency, engine performance (power), maintenance ease, reliability/longevity. If we have to disturb this fine balance, we have to be at least one better than the manufacturers. As far as air flow is concerned, not much can be achieved by changing a filter or similar band-aid like small change. Real improvement is only through a turbocharger or a supercharger in this department. I don't know whether these things can be aftermarket-added, or whether an upgrade is available, or whether these solutions are suitable for a maruti alto at all. Probably not, seeing that most vehicles using these are already big and powerful vehicles, tolerating the weights and other overheads associated with these solutions well.

Binoy had some suggestions like re-boring, wide-body throttle, compression bump (I add grooving cylinder head for increased cubic capacity) - These could work, but are tedious processes involving touching the heart of the car - its engine. If your car survices this open-heart surgery, it could emerge stronger. But there are chances of messing it up as well. If you think you can live with the consequences of a botched engine re-jig, you can go ahead.

One painless option pointed out by Binoy is that of engine re-map. This process takes the engine control unit, and changes it's stock behaviour - you could make it put in more fuel charge, significantly change its power output... somewhat like making a cat roar like a tiger.. but this is a specialized work. It could also involve significant investment.

Good  thing is, help is close at hand - This vendor is based in Kerala (Kochi itself) and would do custom engine remaps for power boosting. If you want you can dig further.

All the best for your quest for more power! Post your experiences for the benefit of us all at CW forum.

PS: by now, you would have guessed, I was trying to tell you that 'stainless steel filters' are kind of 'snake oil'.. a remedy that doesn't work!