Ok here is where I'm at so far and I'll let you know where I'd like to be.

Current Mods:

AMS 3" TBE w/ Hi-Flow Cat
Hallman ProRX MBC
K&N Drop In Filter
Forge DV
Dynoflash

My goal is a relaible 400whp.

Some thing to Consider:
1. I don't want Cams
2. I don't want a huge Laggy Turbo

Is 400whp attainable with the addition of the following?

AMS FMIC
AMS I/C Piping
AMS Dyno Tune
AMS Meth Inj. Kit
either a 6.5 RS TME turbo or 20g9 (maybe just a 10.5 hotside upgrade??)
ARP Headstuds
Megan o2 housing
Megan Manifold

I'd like to make ~350whp off of meth, 400whp with meth, is this even possible on the VIII w/ stock cams?

My biggest hang-up at this point is deciding between the TME and the 20g9, from what I understand the Ti wheel on the TME will allow for quicker spool up (a definite plus) but the 20g9 will be able to sustain more boost to redline due to the larger compressor housing. I have done some searching and cant really find good comparisons between the 2 turbos.

 

Why don't you want cams?

 

I'd prefer to stay out of the motor, I dont consider cams to be bolt ons because I cant install them plus I don't want to spend the $2000 they are gonna cost to put in if I can achieve my power goals with a turbo and meth kit that cost less than $2000.

 

you dont need a turbo upgrade to get 400whp if you do : cams/arp headstuds, 10.5 hotside, alky kit, ams LICP, ebay 02 housing, manifold, and maybe a better intake then a good tune.. all this with the mods you have would put you close to 400whp.

BTW: you said you dont want to go in the engine but you have headstuds listed

 

Hell, all you have to do is go to the "right" dyno and you'll get tons of power from maybe an exhaust and MBC

 

Who in the world is going to charge you $2k to install cams? Without cams or a laggy turbo on a realistic dyno you will not see 400whp.

 

I've never gone "inside" the motor of any car I've ever had but with the step by step how-to we have here, I'm going do put my cams in myself. It should be pretty easy for someone to do, just take your time and keep everything organized and check everything twice. I am not ASE certified but I am the only one that works on my cars and I love doing it.

 

The $2000 I refer too is roughly the cost of cams, cam gears, and install labor. However someone has a set of 272 in the for sale forum that are mighty tempting. I just need to sell my XEDE and go from there.

I thought about doing my own cam install and have even read a couple write ups, messing with anything that deals with timing definitly intimidates me, I also do the work on my car, I've never attempted a cam install!

The power goals I have set are for the dyno at AMS, not some super high numbers reading dyno. Is 350whp possible on the stock turbo without meth? If so maybe I'll look into getting the cams instead of the alky.

SO here is a revised list:

10.5 Hotside
Megan 02
Megan Manifold
HKS 272's
ARP Head Studs
AMS LICP
AMS Dyno Tune

350whp attainable?

 

At Pruven Performance in CT. they will charge you $900 for HKS cams and install.

 

so then the real question for me is (as I am on a budget) would it make more sense for me to upgrade the cams or the turbo since the cost of the 2 is about the same.

 

I don't understand what you're saying. Cams are nowhere near as expensive as upgrading your turbo. A TME is not going to give you more power than just a 10.5 hotside. Your power goals are quite inflated. WIth cams, alky, and all that stuff, you _MAY_ hit 400whp with a very aggressive flash only on an uncorrected Dynojet in very cold weather.

Just get the cams - they are like $550 and only a $150-200 to install. I don't know where you got the whole $2k price tag. You also don't need cam gears unless you have a specific reason you want to install them.

 

I agree, you are better off getting the cams first before the turbo. Max out your stock turbo first.

 

if cant afford cams and alky, then i would get cams first then the alky later on. Cams are a great upgrade and almost a must before you upgrade the turbo.

 

AEM should be on the list.. maybe that's just me thoug

 

For the price of the ARP studs, MR header, and 10.5 hotside, you could almost get a IX turbo, DIY port its' hotside and your stock exhaust manifold as well.


Get 280 cams instead of the 272's right off the bat and substitute a test pipe for the HFC. Then have AMS dynotune your ECU or an EMS, and you should be near 370 on 93.