I recently purchased a 03 Evolution as a project car. The car is bone stock with the exception of a cat back exhaust, a 3 pod gauge kit and a grounding kit.

My goal is to create a 350-400 HP at the wheels car that is also a daily driver. Drivability is a major consideration. However, I am willing to put up with rough idling and noise at the expense of power. I DON"T want to be tweaking this cars tuning everytime I run to get groceries. I also don't want an on demand type system like nitrous. I want the power to always be available and it has to run on available pump gas 92-93 octane.

1)Is 350-400 HP a reasonable goal for a daily driver?

2) what will get me there? I have some money set aside already but I still need to spend wisely.

Here are some things that several people have suggested as possible upgrades. I can't afford all of them. Help me pick.

Larger intercooler with new upper and lower piping
Larger fuel pump
Large injectors
Test pipe (no emmissions where I live)
Cams and cam gears
Manual boost control (vs electronic)
Methanol injection system
Larger Turbocharger

Obviously most of these mods will require a tune. Unfortunately the closest AWD dyno to me is 4.5 hours away. Needless to say, I won't be going to them that often and it limits what I can install by myself because I don't want to wreck my car running lean on the long drive to the shop.

Anyway your comments are greatly appreciated.

Pagan

 

I think if you put all that stuff you listed in your car even without upgrading the turbo(maybe just a 10.5 hotside) You would make around 350whp if you use alky injection.

 

-i'd say no need for cam gears, but get an Xede piggy back or AEM EMS. (probably get the xede for the mail in flash so you can avoid the 4.5 hour drive)

-definately get full exhaust.

-get an intake

-fuel rail

and you can def. make that power on pump gas and no upgrade in turbo..i'm almost there on my car.

 

What was suggested to me was to decide long term plans first. The stock turbo is a very nice setup cable of making your desired 350-400whp. If you do not have the money to do it all at once, you will benefit from doing it in stages.

I just got the last of my most recent upgrades installed and tuned. Although I have not yet had the chance to go to the track or get dynoed, I believe I'm between 350-375whp with the ability to break the 11s. I'm VERY pleased with my setup. It is daily driven with absolutely no problems. No idle issues... nothing.

SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH and plan. I spent 3 weeks of solid time with the search button before I ever made a post. I was able to arrive at what I thought was the best mod plan and parts for my situation.

I have nothing but great things to say about Al and Dynoflash. If you are unfamiliar with dynoflash, Al offers a mail in flash for $200 that will work great during your staged upgrades. However, if you get the chance to get Al to do a custom tune don't pass it up. You wont regret it.

 

What you are asking for is not a problem at all. Actually it is what I prefer to build when it comes to EVO's. A 350-400 whp EVO is not only a ton of fun but it is dead reliable and can be built with absolutely NO driveability issues AND get better fuel mileage than the car would stock!

Here is what you asked:

1)Is 350-400 HP a reasonable goal for a daily driver?

YES! Very reasonable. The dyno that is close to your home (4.5 hours) what kind of dyno is it? This will matter in the quest for 350-400 whp, if it is a Dynojet, Dynapak, Land and Sea it is much easier than an AWD Mustang Dyno or DynoDynamics as they both read much lower power numbers.

2) what will get me there? I have some money set aside already but I still need to spend wisely.

On a Dynojet this could be done with our Stage 3 kit plus a fuel pump upgrade. This is about $3500.

Here are some things that several people have suggested as possible upgrades. I can't afford all of them. Help me pick.

Larger intercooler with new upper and lower piping
Larger fuel pump
Large injectors
Test pipe (no emmissions where I live)
Cams and cam gears
Manual boost control (vs electronic)
Methanol injection system
Larger Turbocharger

Obviously most of these mods will require a tune. Unfortunately the closest AWD dyno to me is 4.5 hours away. Needless to say, I won't be going to them that often and it limits what I can install by myself because I don't want to wreck my car running lean on the long drive to the shop.

**Here is what is in a Stage 3 kit and if you run 93-94 octane and get a custom tune I think you will be very close to your goal.

Stage 1
Buschur Racing (BR) full 3" turbo back exhaust, mandrel bent stainless steel. (36 pounds lighter than stock!)
BR manual boost controller
Boost gauge and mount
BR air filter kit (6 pounds less than stock)
BR flashed ECU

BR Stg 2
BR polished SS upper intercooler pipe
BR lightweight battery kit (20 pounds less than stock)
BR 3" polished MAF pipe
Upgraded BOV

BR Stg 3
BR FMIC, three choices of different intercoolers. Price of kit is based on the Deluxe FMIC which is $750, there is also one for $650 and our race for $850.
HKS camshafts, your choice of which set.

Fuel pump upgrade.

This kit above has run 11's in the 1/4 mile on countless cars at this point in time. Trap speeds vary from 112 mph to 118 mph. Depending on the octane, driver and of course the car itself.

Something else you are going to need to look into is a good clutch upgrade. Depending on your driving style the stock clutch may not hold up very long.

Give us a call or check us out on our website. Hope this helps.

David Buschur
www.buschurracing.com

 

Notice that I am running stock injectors, fuel rail, front mount, and cam gears. After talking to many tuners, these stock components are more than enough for the stock turbo. Especially if you're on a budget, spend your money where it counts.

As for the tuning mentioned above, the AEM EMS is an outstanding unit but if you are not able to do your own tuning with confidence, stick with a flash from one of the major competitors. Set it and forget it, reliable power.

 

Yea 350 to 400 shouldnt be a problem I have strock injectors and the and the upgrades you mentioned minus the alky, but i have cam gears and tubular mani, and making 372whp daily drive no problems at all

 

which manifold? I've considered this but I'm holding off. My next purchase is an exedy twin.

 

what gas where you running at 370whp with no alky?

 

I was under the impression that no one has hit 400whp on the stock turbo with regular octane (93 here in houston).

 

I've heard of a few that were really close. I think I remember an MR stating they made 405 but it all depends on the dyno. I know I'm not 400 but I'm excited to dyno and see where I really stand.

 

Dynos don't matter they are just a tuning device. Like other have said the above mods will put a EVO in the 11's@110+

 

I agree 100%. The orginal question asked about 350-400whp and the last post said no one has dynoed over 400whp on the stock turbo. I guess I should say I'm way more excited to go to the track then hit the dyno!

 

Trap speeds at the track are where you really get to see what kind of power your car is making.

 

Larger fuel pump, cams, test pipe, and a wicked flash should get you 350whp. Injectors and larger intercooler is not needed. The factory intercooler is very good. Oh yeah get a electronic boost controller.