I'm running a 03 US VIII with the basic mail in flash as its only mod. It's my daily driver and gets at least 60 miles a day. All to often I've been wanting more out of it, at WOT it feels like it is struggling, particularly in mid range.

I've been thinking about adding something like a Buschur mass air pipe & filter to help it breathe. I know this will involve a reflash, is it worth doing or should I look elsewhere for some extra power?

This thing is my driver and it's never going to be more than that. I'm saving my $$$ for a X. I'm concerned about bang per $. I live on the east coast and the Evo population here (despite being replete with STI's) is sparse, so I don't have other cars to reference for add on's.

 

Don't worry about an intake. A test pipe will open her right up though...

 

Opening up the exhaust was my more pricey plan B, more $ when looking at turbo back. Cat back is less for less. At least I can exclude the cost of a reflash, though installation of all that is a chore.

I had never though about upgrading the test pipe.

 

No. He is saying that the most cost effective mod is to replace your cat (catalytic converter) with a test pipe. The cat is the most restrictive part of the exhaust and the simplest to replace.

Test pipe is ~$120 and 20 min install. Or, if you are lazy like me, have your local speed shop install for $40.00. Do this right away. You won't regret it. (Do save your cat.)

 

Hmm. I guess it's the ultimate high flow cat. What I need is a cat case with and empty pipe inside. Virginia State inspection "visually verifies" things like cat's, especially on cars like ours. It does look easy to swap out, it wouldn't be a big deal to do that once a year for inspection.

Thanks for the advice.