Hey guys, I am looking at purchasing an 05' White MR edition. I have been looking at various websites as well as the forums, and I have a few questions on some stuff.

1- Is it worth it to change the hotside of the turbo to the 10.5 instead of just
upgrading to a new turbo?
2- Is the 02 housing one of the more restrictive parts of the exhaust system
that is a must to upgrade?
3- If I use the Turbo XS FMIC, will a complete hardpipe kit from another company
bolt up to it?
4- Are the GSC camshafts a better design for the money over the HKS'?
5- Is it reccommended to upgrade the springs & retainers when replacing the
camshafts?
6- What is a good EMS or ReFlash to use (best bang for the buck).
7- Will I see a difference by upgrading the turbo manifold also?

I appreciate all the info you can give me, guys. I have been a member for awhile, just haven't gotten around to getting the car. I figured now is my chance, so I am trying to learn.
Thanks!

 

1. You already have the 10.5 hotside
2. No. The most restrictive is everything after that. But you'll still see gains replacing it.
3. Usually, if the TXS can work with stock piping (which it does), anything that matches up to the stock location will work (but your money is better spent elsewhere)
4. I'm not sure, so I won't answer or guess on this
5. Also not sure, but I don't see why not
6. You obviously haven't searched too much on this... best bang for buck is Dynoflash mail-in ($199)
7. Yes, but money is again better spent elsewhere

I see you are concerned about looks as well as performance (since you want a shiny new intercooler, shiny new piping, shiny new manifold) which is cool, but I'm more performance-minded in what I said. Like instead of getting the front-mount and piping, I would just get a LICP, fuel pump, and put the rest of the money towards a clutch/flywheel combo. Instead of getting the manifold (which does look bad-***) I'd put that money towards an alky kit and a custom ECU tune. Combine that with a Hallman Pro or Forge UNOS MBC and you'll be kicking *** on a regular basis.

Tony (a little out of order, but I'm sure you get the point)

 

+1

 

To answer some of your questions:

1. I would upgrade the turbo(more cost) than just doing the 10.5(you already own)
2. Would not be a bad idea however if you do a turbo kit, you will get a new one anyways.
3. Stick with the company in which you get, IF you go AMS Or bushur, get there piping kit as well, it will be less hassle in the long run.
4. I have almost 500 whp on HKS cams and I love em.
5. Not recommened to do springs and retainers unless you go with a JUN or Revolver cam
6. I like flashes, good to use and good bang for the buck. Any of the good tuners and do a good job with a flash.
7. I don't think you will see a gain in the manifold until you start flowing a lot more air out of the engine.

 

hks camshafts are better quality from the stories ive heard, never heard of one break and u only need to urgrade the springs/ retainers if u want to rev higher or if u put in cams like revolvers, i would also get cam gears if u do cams, i would get a full turbo back exhaust before something like an exhaust manifold, any other questions just ask lol

 

Some of the good parts to start with is a full TBE, one of the more aggressive sounding is AMS and Bushur racing, if you like quite I believe that HKS makes a pretty quite exhaust.

Manual Boost Controller

K&N Cone Filter

Upgraded intercooler & Lower Intercooler Pipe

Custom Flash

ARP Head Studs

Cams (272's or 280's depending on where you are taking the car)

Methanol Injection

That Would be a pretty good start.....

 

Best thing to do is find out what you want out of the car and contact some companies and let them know what your goals are.

All you are going to get here is peoples opinions.

What I can tell you and this is hard but stick with a company, either Turbo Trix, AMS, Bushur Vishnu.

These company's specialize in evo's call them with your goals and they will provide accurate information.