ok so my buddy got an Evo IX (non-MR) and he's got a good amount of money for mods. he knows how to drive already since he does amateur auto-crossing and whatnot so please don't suggest driving courses or anything like that; simply choose between the two mods im going to list.

what he has already:
BR stage 1
BR stage 2
BR licp
walbro 255
Hotchkis Springs
Kosei 18's

we were trying to figure out which mod would be better to do next:

1) GSC S1 cams (just cams, no upgraded IC core yet)

or

2) ported stock exhaust mani./ported O2 housing/ported stock turbine housing

its about $600 in parts for either 1 or 2 so price isn't a problem. which would you guys get and why?
-Chris

 

Cams. You will see/feel a bigger power increase over the ported stuff.

 

Cosworth Cams Ftw!!

 

Cams FTW

 

ported parts. IX cams are sketchy IMO. I have two friends with identical setups except one has cosworth cams. Oddly enough they put down almost the same numbers. Cosworths seem to be hit or miss from what I've seen, and to be safe you should really upgrade the valvetrain which is another $300-400 plus labor if you cant do it yourself. Not really worth it for 10whp

 

yeh thats what i figured. would it be restrictive to run the cams on the unported ex. mani/o2/turbine housing though?
-Chris

 

yeh since the IX cams are still pretty new, we're not sure. it wouldnt be Cosworth cams though, they would be GSC S1
-Chris

 

^^^

 

cams are ~10 whp and 25-30wtq. which is always nice.

If you want peak power skip the cams and go with meth.

 

he's really trying to stay away from meth since its his daily driver. i know it CAN be reliable but he just doesnt wanna take the chance. i dont blame him.
-Chris

 

I say lighter rims and rotors!











And cams!

 

cams.....

 

Cams

 

True, cams on the IX only make about 10-15whp PEAK, but who cares about peak hp (other than for dyno bragging rights ), the cammed car will pull more strongly throughout the ENTIRE powerband then one without cams. Period.

I would also recommend a Megan O2 housing for an additional 10whp/wtq in most cases.

IMHO, skip the exhaust porting for now - did next to nothing for me according to SOTP feel... also, I wouldn't port the hotside at this point - too much trouble for 2-3 hp... you'll probably upgrade the turbo soon anyway, at least to the Green.

IMO,
1) O2 housing
2) S1's
3) Green turbo

And don't forget $$$ for custom tune...

 

I did the ported and coated mani and hotside + a coated ss O2 housing all at the same time...I felt a sibnificant difference in the way the car responded and how quickly boost came on.

Ported and coated parts + a tune is the way I would go...save the cams for later when he know which direction he will go with the car in the future...