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I wanted to get some input (unbiased input) as to aftermarket parts one would throw onto the Evo 8 (again non-stg. tuner specific stuff) - piecemeal if you will. Logically price is the most predominant factor (why pay more for a similar product that realizes the same performance gains yet is badget diffrently).

For example, the RMR downpipe rather than the Vishu. Or the JIC catback rather than the RMR, Vishnu, RalliArt. Short of posting a "poll" what I'm trying to get at is the misconception that enthusiasts need to "match" aftermarket products by company name (in the form of a "stage kit") in order to produce "the best results -aka- the most reliable power" as I have been quoted.

Or a hind-sight list - if you could do it all over again... Thanks in advance.

4-BNGR

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I understand what you are saying....but there is so much stuff out there it all falls down to personal preference.....and opinion
but with a named tuner Vishnu,Ultimate ect.....as the car gets older one tuner will emerge as the definative "place to go for fast "Evo's"....the car is so new stateside at the moment it seems every one is jumping on the band wagon....
Nothing is tried and tested and anything goes....but this will change and a definite upgrade path will surface...but it will take time.....I know this seems not to answer the question....but at present I do not think it can be answered

 

This is all personal preference at this point, and things may change, but here is what I'm looking at for starters.

My stage one:

Vishnu DP: I like it, because of the clamps they use. It seems it might be easier to swap out a straight pipe with their set-up (not that flages are hard) and it is mandrel bent (an obvious thing for any aftermarket exhaust item). And I want a high flow cat, and that seems to have it all.

RMR exhaust with HKS Carbon/Ti muffler. Coolguy949 has this set up (a plus of living in So Cal), and I like the way it looks, plus it is a 3" system. It also has two resonators to keep the sound reasonable. The last thing I want is highway drone (been there, done that).

Tubular O2 housing (turbo elbow): Not many have talked about this, but I think it will help flow. By how much, who knows? I know Mine's makes one, and I think a company called HPI makes one (go to GTMotorsports website, they're in New Zealand).

Grounding kit from Fireball or another member whose name I can't remember.

Boost Gauge (I like the Defi Gauges, although the link system is pricey). I may just go with a more basic set-up.

That's my stage one.

For ECU stuff, my choice would be Vishnu (custom mapping available).

I also like the Buschur Racing battery kit and I/C piping kit (and I think you need their MAS pipe and filter--not sure if other aftermarket filters will fit).

For intercoolers, I like the Pruven Performance.

As for suspension, I think I would try the Perrin Performance endlinks kit before I start messing with things. I'd rather stiffen the chassis first and go from there.

I think things change for people everyday, as new products come out. Like I said before, no one talks about the turbo elbow yet. Maybe next week it will be "THE thing to change."

I plan on keeping the stock turbo for as long as possible, and see what this baby can do.

That's my .02

 

I knew the mods I wanted before I bought the car; now that I have it, I have more specific ideas as to what brand I want.

I already have Buschur Racing's 3" downpipe, off-road pipe, and cat back exhaust (a high quality item, very easy to install, is lightweight and sounds good ). I bought the Apexi Super-AFC for fuel management which mounts nicely in my center console, and I purchased BR's manual boost controller to save costs. I also got a 60mm Greddy boost gauge that matches the color scheme of our cluster bezel, as well as an RMR carbon fiber 60mm gauge pod for the steering column.

On order is a set of HKS 272 cams from Maki (hope you get them soon, Maki!). In the next week, I'm going to be ordering a nice twin plate (dual 6 puck disc's) with new pressure plate and lightweight flywheel setup. I'm undecided on which vendor gets my business on this.

After that, I want an EGT gauge or wideband 02 so I can finish my own tuning, an Alpine 9815 mp3 head unit, window tint and a set of winter wheels and tires.

That's my stage 1

 

Good luck on that


OK, my $.02 is to get whichever DP will save you the most $$, maybe go with a test pipe and the resistor workaround for the CEL or better yet a free flowing cat. I just got a kick *** SS 3" dia cat back for $480 and I can certainly recommend it.
I think the most cost effective way for the rest of the mods would be a reflashed ECU from Works or Real-Engineering ($500) a couple of gauges: boost & EGT ($200-$600 or more ) and maybe a Forge Blowoff valve......
I'd guess you could come out for under $2000 if you do most of it yourself and you'd prolly get the best bang for the buck. I don't buy the idea that paying too much gets you more performance, OTOH, paying too little might end up costing you a lot more
Oh yeah, those HKS cams that AMS put in their car seem to kick butt pretty good too.......

 

AS far as a place to go for the evo specialist, I don't see that ever happening for any car. That's why HKS, APexi, Greddy, and all the other tuners/manufacturers are out their. Some make more power, some are quieter, etc. Their are differences, just like their are options and variations like car color for customers. People want different things. No vendor is going to supply what everyone wants. Linux vs Microsoft. PS2, Xbox, GC, GBA, etc. Revlon, Beauty Control, Maybeline. Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper. Taco Bell, Mc Donalds, Dominoes, Kentucky Fried Chicken.

To get exactly what anyone wants you usually end up mixing from a lot of different places. If you want a Happy Meal with Coke every day maybe stages are for you. If you prefer a special meal for each meal of the day, you probably want to find the right blend from many sources.

Variety is the spice of life. Don't end up letting one chef tell you to that his meals are the only ones worth eating. A good chef will encourage you to try many things as well.

 

whatever you do, research first
dont just buy (rmr intake for example), because its cheap, or because your friend got it, i mean everybody bought those intakes, even me. I regret it now, because I dont really need it and it doesnt do anything for my car.
Same with everything else, research, ask people who know they ****, (not the tuners who sell particular brands) but people who acheived good results with different products.
Dont follow, and dont believe all the hype.
mike