[mayankk]

Trying to get that amount of power out of a daily driver, and trying to continue using it as a daily driver, will only end up in tears at the bank first and later many times at the side of the road.
Trust me on this. I went through the same cycle with my Santro, beginning with CAI and FFE (Full). Got a lot of MHP out of that. I got a lot of lovely noise both at the intake, and the exhaust, but power gain was nada. Next up on my list was turbo charging, but this was the time when I found the forum, and saw the slippery slope of I was on. At the end of the slope was a destroyed Santro .
If by some amazing miracle, I had managed forced induction, the next challenge would have been gearbox, suspension, brakes. Essentially everything apart from the shell.
In short, let the waggy be. You can go for the FFE and CAI, but the gains would be minuscule. But it does make the car more fun to take around. 30 bhp out of an engine that is giving out 70 (?) in factory tune would be nigh on impossible.

[shashi792]

Originally Posted by akshye

I have never got anything used ever in my life - from school books, cloths, to house. I don't want to break my first-hand rule with car. Plus I don't trust people, especially with their car. I see moronic drivers everywhere all the time and hence I am very skeptical about gambling with a used car. I shall put efforts into getting that approval rather than searching pre-worshiped car.

I understand your concern. But, with the modification you are trying to attempt, IMHO, your humble Wagon R is more likely to join category your trying yourself to refrain buying from.

A wagon-R trying to be JTP/GT-TSI will look & probably ride bad. With break-even, a car from a previous gen (Polo/City/Swift) might bring a smile on your face rather than going to your FNG every week with your upgraded wagon-R.

Later, when you saved enough, you may even upgrade ur polo/swift to probably a new new Polo GT TSI or Octavia TSI.

[dipdawiz]

Originally Posted by akshye

I am an absolute newbie to performance upgrades. I own Wagon-R CNG. I wish to buy a JTP upon BS-VI launch. But, I don't have approval of my better half (we have home loan to clear).

My Wagon R will be 4 this May and go out of warranty. Now, assuming that I don't get to buy JTP as I wish, what are my options for upgrading Wagon R performance?

....
....

Any help to complete my homework is welcome. Please provide me pointers, even if they're not exact answers.

been there, done that.

After using my Ritz Zxi for 4 years, I too went ahead with Cold Air Intake and Free Flow Exhaust, it just gives you momentary happiness and long time worry. First its difficult to get a reliable modder and then the price you pay for that fun is not worth. So after around a year(not even a whole year), with lots of 'juggad' and facing many other issues, I went back to factory fitting (thank God I kept everything, else it would make the hole in pocket bigger). Made peace with a powerful amplifier, better head unit and speakers. Now the car is almost 10 years old, and I am still enjoying it to the fullest. And this helped me save up some and hopefully would be able to upgrade skipping one or two segment.

So take it from a person who was in same spot as you are now, do not do anything on it. If you are into music, adding a badass music system helps better than actual performance improvement. Otherwise, use as it is; wait for the time and change to something you aspire.

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by akshye

Any help to complete my homework is welcome. Please provide me pointers, even if they're not exact answers.

There is no point in modding out a CNG WagonR into a more powerful vehicle. It is difficult and cumbersome and impractical. Instead you can try to get a Linea Tjet and add CNG to it. Its not bad (I have driven one).

Also, have you changed the low and high pass filters in your car? The Maruti CNG cars have a separate booklet for CNG servicing and many workshops don't know about it. It can make you car feel lethargic. I too have a 2016 WagonR CNG (just serviced yesterday) done about 1.35L km. I feel its pretty peppy for a 1.0L car.

[HsekarK]

I had first thought that this was an inside joke kind of post.

You have a highway requirement and the commute distance is quite large as well(66kms), the cheapest enjoyable new engines can only be the JTP twins. That, you have a home-loan on you and do not want to be burdened with another loan is another stumbling point.

As members have answered above; a Free flow exhaust is your best bet( but is expensive).
A cold air intake can give you 3-4 more horses. Skinnier tyres( I know I will be panned for suggesting this) will save on weight and cause lesser resistance, so you may go a bit faster.

Getting forced induction is a very costly affair and not worth a try.
Considering that you are dissatisfied with your car's 'performance'(or the lack of it), you would upgrade sooner or later.

I would give two suggestions for your itch:

1)Get a second pre-owned car.
Oldest model Honda City is only a lakh but even in this age is a rocket-sled(comparatively speaking). Use this car when you are fretful from your wagonR’s performance.
2) Open up to getting a pre-owned primary car on a lesser budget.
You have ruled out getting a pre-owned car for the love of new stuff but would like to entreat you to kindly have a look at repossessed vehicles.
For example:
A 7 months and 3400kms old black petrol 1.6 Verna( with the peephole on the roof) is currently in the repossessed yard in your city(Pune) for a bid tomorrow at 2 pm. The Verna petrol drinks like a fish but is gratifying enough to drive.
The reserve price set is 8 lakhs.(And there are only 5 applicants till now)

I would have gone for this if I were in your position.
Regards

[ash22]

Mate, I know what you feel and I have been there too. Our guys suggest you go with a pre-owned better capacity vehicle. If I were on your position, I would definitely go for a better pre-owned Figo/Fiesta/Polo/i20/Swift Diesel which is available for 3-4 lakhs.

But, If you still need a performance upgrade to your WagonR, I would suggest you check for an Engine swap(Will drill your bank balance). I have seen/driven a couple of Zen/Alto engine swapped with Baleno's 1.6 and its definitely fun to drive a small hatch with a powerful 1.6 version. To the extreme, I have also heard a Zen with Hayabusa Engine swap which works like a rocket.

Also, Take a look at this Zen Engine Swap (2003 Maruti Zen Engine Swap : Twin Cam 1300cc GTi Power)

Tuned-100BHP Zen

[akshye]

Originally Posted by GTO

Spend 10 - 20 grand on your ICE and you'll enjoy the drive more (if you are into music).

Originally Posted by dipdawiz

So take it from a person who was in same spot as you are now, do not do anything on it. If you are into music, adding a badass music system helps better than actual performance improvement. Otherwise, use as it is; wait for the time and change to something you aspire.

I love music and hence within 6 months of ownership had got Blaupunkt HU and Polk speakers installed for ~30k. I am very glad that I did that early on.

Originally Posted by blackwasp

Also, have you changed the low and high pass filters in your car? The Maruti CNG cars have a separate booklet for CNG servicing and many workshops don't know about it. It can make you car feel lethargic. I too have a 2016 WagonR CNG (just serviced yesterday) done about 1.35L km. I feel its pretty peppy for a 1.0L car.

Around 6-7 months back I had 40k kms servicing done in which the filters were changed.

Well, to add to original post, I am not complaining about the performance of my car. I sure think it's peppy-little-city-ride. But after getting the JTP drive, I'm poised. Additionally, the fact that I (possibly) can't get my hands on it soon, is bugging me. On the other hand, I'm very patient person and I don't curse traffic either, even when I can't quickly get out of congestion in my Wagon R (well, I love driving - on free roads as well as in traffic - skills required are different, but it still gives me driving pleasure).

So to sum up, I like my Wagon R for what it is, but after all yeh dil maange more Hope to post JTP ownership experience soon (fingers crossed).

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by akshye

...
So to sum up, I like my Wagon R for what it is, but after all yeh dil maange more Hope to post JTP ownership experience soon (fingers crossed).

Your best bet is to buy a better car when the chance presents.

Even adding a free flow exhaust will run foul of the PUC checks which are now online. With the higher probability of getting caught and the higher fines, and the costs and headaches associated with most mods and their relative benefits, it won't make sense to mod the car.

Also a modded car will be a disaster during resale. I personally do not want to buy a car that's not stock, because of reliability and maintenance concerns.

[DevilzzzzOwn]

akshye has already mentioned that he has been enlightened.
However, a point to make here is that, yes, people do drive like morons. But not BHPians. We love our cars.. and bikes!!

Do check the TBHP Classifieds. You will never find a vehicle in better condition and better looked after than you can here, for sure.

Best of Luck with whatever option you choose.

[autoholic]

Originally Posted by akshye

I am an absolute newbie to performance upgrades. I own Wagon-R CNG. I wish to buy a JTP upon BS-VI launch. But, I don't have approval of my better half (we have home loan to clear).

Take the following steps
1. Remove CNG Kit. Decreased weight will give you a sense of power increase. If not satisfied take the next step.
2. Sell the Car (Wagon R). You want 50% power increase of a car which has run 4 years on CNG which though not impossible but will be an exorbitantly expensive and potentially unreliable endeavour.
3. Buy a good second hand 100bhp car. Enjoy

[aveemashfaq]

There are many things you can do to make your car feel sprightly. First is just general maintenance. Don't underestimate the power of throttle body cleaner spray and fuel injector cleaner. They definitely clean out the gunk and make the engine respond better. Just a tip, throttle body cleaners tell you in instructions that you should turn off the engine and spray and let it evaporate. But it never evaporates and fouls your spark plugs. So either disassemble throttle body and clean it (safest choice) or keep the engine running and spray it and don't let the car stall. Fuel injector cleaner is a much safer product where you add it to half a tank and drive like a maniac till it's about empty and then fill it up again.


Good engine oil flush followed with ceratec and premium synthetic oil makes some noticeable difference in engine performance.


There are a few gimmicks such as smaller diameter tyre which helps in pickup but compromizes ground clearance and cruising speed. Driving on petrol is also another thing as CNG is sluggish (or so I heard)


If you want to have some serious performance without burning a hole in the pocket or spending ton of money and failing, try some head work. Be warned, this is experimenting but for people with cheaper budgets and miles safer than turbo or engine swap. Disassemble the head and take it to a workshop and ask them to clean the intake and exhaust port, polish it nicely. Also see if you have more than a fingernail of clearance between the inner chamber where the valves sit and the plane surface which attaches onto the block, you can ask them to do head levelling (i.e. cut off a small portion to increase compression ratio of the engine). This will definitely give you good boost. I've done the same to my maruti 800 and there is a HUGE difference in the pickup. Downside of the work is the engine vibrates more and heats up more. Do your homework first on head work because this is serious stuff.

[landcruiser123]

WagonR is a Kei car- these are economy cars built for Japan considering the size of the country and narrow streets. This car is not meant for performance, but to get the owner from A -> B in reasonable comfort while consuming as little fuel as possible.
While there isn't a whole lot you can do while maintaining reliability, I'd suggest:
1. Getting a K&N air filter and better spark plugs
2. Removing unnecessary weight
3. If it's a duel fuel car, run it on petrol? I actually like the 1.0 on the Wagon-R
4. Get a nice ICE

[scorpian]

Don't blow your money on the wagon r instead save up and buy factory supplied horses which are not only reliable but also designed to run with the said combination of power and design.

Your best bet like i did in my zen after blowing a lot of money was to do an engine upgrade, but that will cost you monies and also you will face hassles while doing FC renewals etc if you keep the car that long, in case you dont then you will have trouble selling the car with all the mods, that is a different engine as of course it would be illegal.

[sumeethaldankar]

You want to make the CNG car faster, very simple use the petrol mode on highway instead of CNG. It will have a better performance than CNG. In traffic conditions use the CNG. I had a gas powered car and would do the above. The pick up is better in petrol than CNG and you only have to pay for petrol and nothing else. Best is to save up and hold for 1 to 2 years than modify a CNG car whose main goal is economic running.

[DrCar]

Souping up WagonR is like 'Buying a cat, feed it with best available Pedigree, and then expect it to bark like a dog'. Completely worthless effort.

There are cars available like Polo or Vento which has mod potentials, but WagonR isn't one of them.

You have following options :
- Can plan to purchase JTP or Polo GT TSI as others suggested if budget allows.
- Did you think about buying a diesel cars looking at your daily running? Swift or Ritz diesel is a fun car. Can purchase a bit older used car in exchange for your car. If looking for a new one, check Figo diesel twins. A used Ignis diesel will also keep you happy, if you are lucky to find one.
- Sporty cars like used Civic and City will be available in plenty at the price range of your WagonR. But these will be much older and maintenance cost may pinch you.
- A new WagonR 1.2 could be the last option if you are fan of your current one and want to buy a new vehicle only.
- Stay away from used Volkswagen or Skoda,however good the cars are.

If your finance isn't permitting but the itch to buy a fun car is very strong, the only option for you is to go for Swift or Ritz diesel. It will keep your wallet happy as well.

Best option:
Modify the WagonR with good ICE, alloys, etc. and you will start loving your car again. Keep it for few more years and let your finances be strong. You may never know, but you might be able to buy a Tesla within next few years given the rate at which electric cars are bombarding our market currently.