to all,

I have had my EVO for almost three months now. I have put over 13,000 miles on it, and am now ready to begin doing some modding, and am looking for input from those who have, "been there, done that". Here is what I had in mind.

3" cat-back
cat-delete pipe
down-pipe
Vishnu XEDE
intake system


I would appreciate any input from those out there who have used various similar products, with your recommendations as to manufacturer/model.

Thanks!

 

What exactly is your goal? do you have a WHP goal or you just doing some mods for fun?

 

don't really have a specific WHP goal, just want a little more power when I "need" it.

Based on what I have been reading, the exhaust is pretty much the best place to start.

 

Vishnu XEDE is a good start.. For the air filter I recommend the RMR filter, and for the rest, Buschur Racing (3" turbo back exhaust, all of Buschur's products are excellent BTW)

My choice for engine management is currently an ApexI S-AFC and ApexI S-AVCR (Boost control) however I am waiting it out and will be watching the TurboXS UTEC very closely..

Hope this helps..

 

Do you then recommend the ApexI AVCR/S-AFC combination over the XEDE? Or, did you go with this combination for other reasons?

Also, you are about the 10th person to recommend the BR exhaust to me, looks like BR is the exhaust sytems I will be going with.

 

The XEDE wasn't available when I first began modding my car, and when it was initially available, it wasnt fully plug and play when it was first released. At the time it appeared to me to have functionality more or less what the S-AFC was. The XEDE has since become more elaborate, but its still a piggyback. I don't know enough about it to know for certain that it will suit my needs any better than what I already have (The XEDE appears to have the ability to control timing, and fuel, and boost control, but I don't know enough about it to comment)

I would say that the Apexi combo was a cost conscious decision, initially I purchased the S-AFC because it was fairly inexpensive, and easier to master, Originally I was running a Manual boost controller which was excellent (and still is) but with weather changes, fuel quality, and other issues I have to deal with around here, I decided to try something that can be managed from inside the car. The two items together, end up being fairly close to the cost of the XEDE, if I had been buying the S-AFC/AVCR combo at the same time, I probably would have chosen the XEDE because at that point, its not a huge difference in price (S-AFC is about $350, AVCR is about $450 and the One-Touch Harness is about $120, if purchased at the same time, it would have been about the same as the XEDE unit)

I'm not saying I don't like the XEDE, I just don't know enough about it. My gravitation towards the UTEC is specifically because it is billed as much more than a piggyback, more of a Standalone ECU that lets the factory ECU do what its good at, such as Cold Start, A/C, Idle control, and closed loop operation. It claims that it takes over for the ECU in open loop only providing reference signals to the ECU to keep it happy (not throw a CEL) but it actually is controlling the engine. Again, I also can't comment any further because I don't have one yet (I'm hoping to aquire some of these to compare side by side)

 

On that note, what do you think of the AEM EMS? If I am to understand the device correctly, it is more like the UTEC than the XEDE in that it lets the ECU do what it is good at, and is not a "piggy-back" in the traditional sense.

 

The AEM EMS is the best of the best.. However its probably overkill for most. Its a b*tch to tune unless your really familiar with it, but once its setup right, it runs great.

Now, the AEM EMS is a complete standalone, so there are several things you would need to be aware of, Programming it is difficult, in some cases it may not offer the same drivability that the stock ECU can. These are usually trivial things, but unless your going after big horsepower gains, anything else will do the job well and be easier for you to deal with. A complete standalone has one big disadvantage that piggybacks don't have, since it removes the ECU, you no longer have a functional OBD-II port, and depending on your level of modifications, it could be iffy to swap back and forth (especially if you've elected to add a aftermarket boost control solenoid and converted from MAF to MAP).. No big deal for some, but there are some states where the inspection station's equipment connects to the OBD-II port.. if you have a check engine light, you immediately fail, if you have no OBD-II response at all? I suspect you'd fail also..

I will probably parrot what every other professional tuner has said all along, For most people, a complete standalone ECU is overkill.. for many, an S-AFC (or equivalant product from HKS or others) is good enough.. for others, you have the choice of XEDE, UTEC and probably others if you prefer to make adjustments yourself.

The best decision is going to be an educated decision.. Take a realistic look at what you want from your car, what you expect from your car, and what you can afford for your car (Including long term maintainance since you will be essentially voiding whatever you have left of your warranty) Modifications that have the least impact on the car are easiest to remove and usually will be overlooked for warranty repairs.

Sometimes I think I should write these as tech articles.

 

I would have to agree that you should...

At any rate. thanks for the input. I think that the EMS is most likely more than I will ever use. This is my daily driver, and I am mostly looking for a little more punch, (just enough to REALLY embarass the Porsche and Cobra drivers).

I will probably go with the XEDE because it provides plenty of tuneability without being so complicated and in-depth that I will not enjoy my time spent tweaking the car.

Thank you VERY much for your input!

BTW, you in Cali?

 

Your welcome, I figured the XEDE would ultimately be your choice, it offers amazing performance and is an excellent compromise.

Its no problem, I thoroughly enjoy answering tech questions and sharing as much of the information I have. I guess it makes me a little unique in the scene where everything is "top secret"

Unfortunately, no I'm from the East Coast, Long Island, NY to be more specific.

Good luck with your choice, I do recommend waiting until January before you purchase your XEDE, give yourself a little time to digest the information, and perhaps research other products. Regardless I think you'll be very happy with your choice.

 

Let me add one other thing that was not even brought up.. ECU Reflashes, Although I don't recommend the "Mail me your ECU to reflash" type of tuning since its going to work well for some, and not so well for others, A Dyno-Tuned reflash is another option you can do after you bolt on a couple of modifications. Its distinct advantage, is also its distinct disadvantage, and that is that a Tuning shop has to flash your stock ECU with the new settings.. The disadvantage is its a "Set it and forget it" affair, if you make new mods that make major changes to the engine's "Happy zone" (I can just hear the jokes on that one) you would then need to go back and have it ReFlashed.. But it is another option if you already have specific mods in mind, get them all installed, then have it done.. and leave it alone for a long period of time, or never change it.

If you do consider an ECU Flash, I would normally recommend a Dynoflash, however since your in california, you'd have to wait for a Dyno Day.. Or you can use Vishnu or I believe Works is also in Cali.. I'm fairly certain everyone uses the same flashing tools, so if you choose this route, try to pick a tuner that has the most experience (Documented gains too!) in tuning the Evo.

 

Engine management seems to have been covered, I'll chime in with a couple suggestions for you on your intake/exhaust system.

For your intake, HKS Racing Suction is a good bet or Blitz SUS.

As for your exhaust, HKS Hiper or Apexi Hayabusa are nice. Do you want a relatively loud or relatively subdued tone?

In the end, it does depend on how far you plan to take your car. Definitely let a veteran tuner like Vishnu, Works, etc. tune your Evo for you. They really work wonders.

 

Look at my list of mods. Sounds familar doesn't it.

I use my car as a daily driver, I shuttle the kids around. The B&B system is very calm. The car is running in the high 12's at the 1/4 mile track. It is a total screamer.

I used the Apexi SAFC II instead of any flashes, that way I can tune it later if I change mods. I know that most of the flashes have some change potential, I just want to be in control with the Apexi. So do your research on the fuel mapping and make your choice.

The best bang for the buck was the EBC. It was an increadible kick in the pants feel with the increase and steady boost. It was about the only mod I could feel a difference with. All the other mods help the total package.

Your list looks like a great direction for more power. Pick your brand names and start moding.

I am into the coilovers now(JIC), they are in Fed Ex's hands now. I am going to make it a low stanced handling beast to go along with the power I have built over stock.

 

Let me add one more thing to this discussion. Whatever upgrade you decide, I think you should stick with that particular vender. For example, if you go with Vishnu Excede then I think you should follow his staged upgrades. Im not saying that you have to buy a vishnu catback exhaust, but rather if a catback exhaust is the next staged upgrade then you should get that. I would not get an aftermarket intake if you are going with Xede because Shiv himself has stated many times that his staged upgrades will work better with the stock air box. Afterall these vendors spend lots of time putting together the best combination of parts for maximum performance. By buying parts from different vendors, I dont think you are taking advantage of all that vendor testing. The reason I say this is because my GSX eclipse was like a frankenstein car, I would buy the cheapest parts from any vendor I could find. I don't think the end result was as good as it could have been. Anyway this time around I am sticking with one vendor. Just my humble opinion though.