Is it worth it to do this or just get an Evo IX turbo instead?

 

+1!!

 

Not worth it. And unless you have a really tight budget, I would skip the Evo IX turbo too, and go to an aftermarket stock frame.

Buying used, stock turbos is not worth it IMO.

 

We have no idea how much power he wants, what kind of spool he wants... If he want's a fun street car an OEM turbo or even his stock 8 turbo could be fine....

 

^ Evidently you missed the part where I stated, "IMO."

Regardless of whether he wants quick spool or a fun street car, I still think upgrading to a 10.5 or even a IX turbo is not worth it.

 

Im just trying to squeeze a bit more power out of my car, without breaking the bank. Getting into the 11's is really my goal

 

Sure, do it. Once tuned you should see 10+ WHP from just swapping hotsides. Expect slightly slower turbo spool though.

 

10.5mm hotside would give you epic fast spool. Like boost at idle.

The 9.8 hotside can go deep into the 11's...no need to bump up to a 10.5 on an 8 turbo.

 

Well, Im lost then on how to squeeze more HP out of it then.

 

Focus on other areas of the car. You can get 11s stock turbo pretty easy with a good setup. Get rid of weight you dont need, get a set of light wheels and some drag radials, and a good twin plate clutch. From there basic power mods and a solid tune should do it.

 

Hta 71 with 9.8 housing do it!

 

Decent cams will help out a bunch too.

 

He definitely doesn't need a twin to run low 12's/high 11's. Hundreds of people have done it on single plate clutches. He is obviously on a budget, so a twin is probably out of reach anyway.

 

Most of the Mods done were already there when I bought the car, so Idk if it has cams in it or not, or what clutch is in it, im assuming it has been tuned and there is a bigger fuel pump in it, but its just so unknown.

 

A agree a twin is not needed, but i am mid 11s on a single and the clutch is past its limit to hold comfortably. I can get 1 pass out of it before it is too soft to grip good for a while while it cools. I wish i had gone twin so i didnt have to worry about it :