To beat the point further to death: while you're learning the car, figure out what you really want from it, and what compromises it will take to get there.

Its all about compromises. Always is.

 

Here's mine:

Leave it stock
Learn about tuning and get your own tools
Good set of R spec tyres
Maybe a good set of disc pads
Enjoy the car as it is then plan to upgrade later

 

After maintenance issues have been taken care of, do the following in this order:
1) Replace plastic BOV with a good recirculating BOV
2) Turboback exhaust
3) Walbro 255 fuel pump
4) Lower intercooler pipe
5) Manual boost controller
6) Boost gauge
7)Tune

 

Small battery kit will let you installer a straighter uicp = more power then one with more bends going around the bigger battery.
Do it right the first time!
GL!!

 

Any UICP = Addtional $ + battery unless its OEM routed. It will not give you additional power.

 

Tires. There's a good idea. Tires.

 

Basic mod path for a VIII: MBC, TBE, IX DV, fuel pump, tune, cams optional. The tune will make or break the car. Good luck.

 

Hey Guys! Thanks for all the advice. I got a stock evo 9 as well and have done all the maintance to ensure its up to date. Basically I am about to do my first BOLT on. I am thinking of installing the APEXI power intake kit . I am confused if I need a tune just for that?

 

Why? At best, it'll make no difference.

Basic mod path for IX: MBC, TBE, tune. That's it.

 

Reason for this mod is my air filtered looks pretty worn out so I thought instead of getting a drop in filter , I can do the first bolt on mod just to keep the maintainance up to date.


If a tune is not needed, I may just replace my filter. Please advise

 

It's a mod, alright, but not a very good one. You'd be better off using the stock airbox with an appropriate filter.

 

Pardon my ignorance, why is it not a good mod?

 

Because it doesn't do anything positive for your car. It's a common newb purchase; we've seen hundreds around here. They all work out pretty much the same; either the owner upgrades the parts, mods the kit, of tosses it out, altogether. Spend your money on parts that work.

 

so do I need a tune if I choose to install it to replaced the current old worn out filter?

 

Consider what you're asking. You're willing to spend money on an intake that doesn't do anything, except make the car run worse, and are willing to spend money on a tune for it only to make some additional noise and encounter possible drivability issues. How does that even make sense?

A tune is a great idea. Wait until you get the proper parts. I know I'm not telling you want you want to hear. You seem to be looking for a comment to support your plan. It won't be coming from me.