Forced induction would be way too expensive for a power gain. You can probably get a couple extra horsepower and a couple extra mpg from the K&N http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=57-1552 and Magnaflow http://www.autotrucktoys.com/jeep_p...aflow-Jeep-Patriot-Stainless-Steel-Single-Cat-Back-Exhaust-System-PRD34820.aspx systems like I did, but that's maybe $800 for not much gain, though if you put enough miles on it you might possibly save that much in fuel. Other than that, there's pretty much nothing that's really available for it.

 

I tend to agree with Rosso--that 2.4 engine is already tuned to the best it can do, considering epa standards. It may be gutless, but I now have 120K mi and I've learned to plan ahead while passing and knowing when the foot has to go all the way to the floor to make tracks! Of course, I live and work/play at near sea level conditions--if you were at 3-5,000 feet msl, then you'd see the need for more power.

Just hang in there--I know the urge to tinker is very strong--but there's too little gain for a lot of money, then if you live in a state where you have biannual smog checks--they frown on non-stock items, regardless of how well your emission's are within spec.

 

There's not much in terms of good bang for your buck hp modifications. I'd actually suggest reduce as much rotating mass as possible by getting lightweight wheels and tires. I can't justify almost $300 for an intake to only give 5hp gain at best. Then again I'm used to for another 50-100 for that kind of coin I can get a cam for my LS1 and have a 25-40 hp gain before hooking up my laptop to tune it.

 

A few users here have dabbled w/ the modifying the PCM signals, which would unlock an entire world of options for us. Road Race Motorsports has a piggyback ECU for the Mitsubishi Lancer that miiiiight work on our engine, but no definitive "yes" yet.

Quick history lesson: the 2.0/2.4 engines used in the Patriot/Compass were developed in conjunction w/ Hyundai and Mistubishi, and the same basic engine architecture was used across all three brands, and thus, there are likely many interchangable parts.

So, if we can get the computer to play nice with accepting modifications, we can start looking into things like hotter cams from Mitsu Evos, forced induction, altered displacements, etc.

The two really big questions are, 1) how deep are your pockets? & 2)how tolerant are you of being the guinea pig?

At this point, all you can do is work on de-restricting the breathing so the engine doesn't have to work so hard. Otherwise, the performance will remain the same by-and-large.

I will say, from experience, that removing the intake duct/battery cover seems to improve low-end torque, at the sacrifice of some power up around 3-4k. Also, the intake sound is louder, to the point that you can hear when VVT kicks in (yo). This may or may not be a positive for you.

 

Without being able to really modify the ECU and such, you're SOL. Basic bolt ons might get you a couple extra HP, but nothing really worth it.

Might be able to get away with some large cams (but still "small") but who knows what that will do your AFR and with no way to control them....still screwed.

 

Cams are a confirmed NO GO! Someone had Dan Crower make up some MILD-ground cams and vvt took a **** on him

 

Building on what paddywagon said you can see about reducing your weight by doing things such as removing the rear seats, carpeting, and other things that aren't exactly necessary for driving. That is assuming you don't have many passengers who will complain about creature comforts. Without control of the ECU, you can only really approach the other side of the power/weight ratio.

 

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the responses.

 

Light weight wheels and tires will be your best bet. Intake and exhaust will barely help after that. Sad they have the computers locked down so tight on these engines.

 

Without being able to program, even an intake and exhaust will net you at best 0% gain in HP, and probably actually reduce HP, as the computer tries to bring everything back into spec. So no real performance mods for the engine.

So as others have mentioned, reduce mass. Get lighter tires/wheels. Ditch the spare, maybe the back seat if you don't use it. etc. Patriot is pretty heavy and boxy for its little engine that can't. I would love to see somebody drop in a crate v6 into a patriot!

 

They always say you can only have two of the three: Cheap, Reliable, Fast

Our engines and transmissions were clearly made to be cheap and reliable. Can't have all three.

 

You might add "Fuel efficient." Today they make vehicles to conform to government mandated standards. That's why the umpteen speed transmissions (9-speed, can you believe it!?!?). Even trucks were quite comfortable with 5 speeds for many years, and usually you only needed 4 of the gears. So to make a vehicle fuel-efficient the transmission is tuned to get to the most efficient rpms while accelerating, and then to the highest ratio's as soon as possible. That's not a recipe for fast acceleration.

 

I read your headline "speed/horsepower" and thought "good joke". But then you said 5-speed manual...

OPTIONS:

1. Upgraded rear differential w/ a higher ratio - this won't add horsepower, but it will make for better acceleration and even more robust crawling.

2. 93 octane tune - but you'll have to find a company that'll take the time to actually download / research the patriot's ECU and profiles, then provide a tune for higher octane. Not sure if anyone has, but who knows... lots of companies tune 4x4's.

3. Cold air intake - again, not sure if anyone makes these for Patty.

4. high-flow catalytic converter - again, probably need a tune to accompany it.

5. lightweight aluminum flywheel.

6. Hi-lb per-hour fuel injectors with upgraded sparkies /ignition (which will definitely require a tune).


You're seeing the theme here... Most of your gains will be computer-related.

 

1. Upgraded rear differential w/ a higher ratio - this won't add horsepower, but it will make for better acceleration and even more robust crawling.

Bro, do you even Patriot?

 

CVT can do fast and fuel efficient, just not necessarily at the same time. Depends on how fast you get it to go, I would think.

Side note though, Travis304, thought you might know with all the info on it, but this is easy enough to get lost in everything else on here I guess. There are two CAI kits available from K&N for us, and at least one from AEM.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=57-1552 2007-2010, 50-state legal, I have one
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=63-1567 2011-present, not Cali-spec, Tyler's got one