Hi everyone,

First post here and glad to say I'm finally apart of the Evo community. Being as this is my first turbocharged vehicle that I've ever owned, I must say it's definitely the funnest vehicle I've ever driven as well. With that said, I have a 2005 Evo 8 with a few bolt-on mods - 3" TBE, CAI, and an AMS FMIC. I've had the vehicle for about 3 months or so. This being my first project car, I would like some advice on some quality parts and in what order I should install them.

Before it's mentioned, yes I have done a lot of research and have a general idea in the direction I would like to go. Where I lack knowledge is with supporting mods. The car HAS NOT been tuned yet, although it is on my to do list (would be tuned by AMS in Chicago, IL). Moving forward, my goal is to make 450whp. It is my DD (for right now until I find a beater). I really don't ramp on it when I'm driving, the occasional pull getting on the highway. The rush of just being slammed into the seat is the most exciting feeling I've ever had. As far as my driving habits go, they are pretty normal as if the car wasn't a powerhouse waiting to be opened to it's full potential. I DO NOT plan on tracking the car, strictly just a street legal, fun to drive car.

So it's pretty obvious that I'm going to need to move off of the OEM clutch to support the 450whp, not sure what that would give me as far as max torque (like 375ish?). I was looking at the ACT HDSS, I don't see a reason for me to get a twin or triple disk and an Exedy isn't necessarily within my budget to spend out $1200 for a clutch.

My next course of action would be to improve the airflow via intake & headers. I've been looking at the AMS Intake and Invidia headers.. I know they are good quality companies, but is the performance to cost ratio worth it?

After that I was thinking about moving off of the stock turbo to something else, and that's where I tend to get lost. I've seen some reviews on FP saying they're good, I've seen some bad. Have any of you guys had a bad experience with FP? Is there a more reliable turbo to trust? Such as Garrett? I want to get the best bang for my buck, like everyone else does. Suggestions on a turbo or if I should even move off of the stock until a later date? What would I need to support it other than injectors and fuel pump? Would the 255 be able to supply enough fuel for 450whp? What size injectors would I need, 1000cc?

After those, I guess it would lead to improving the internals with cams/rods/valves/lifters/pistons/springs, but is it even necessary? Who has proven trustworthy forged internals? Manley seems to be the most common name I see. For the cams, I've been looking at HKS, GSC, and Kelford, although I'm not sure which one would best support my driving habits. Also, can the stock block support 450whp? I've seen some posts saying it can support 400hp (don't remember if it's at the wheel or crank), and I've seen others saying 350-375ish.

Any help/opinions would be appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forums man! Word of advice.... Don't go too crazy on your un-tuned car with all those aftermarket parts installed.

Best clutch recommendation if you are on a budget - ACT 6 Puck Sprung. I've had it on my old Evo X and my current Evo IX. They were preinstalled on my cars by the previous owners and I will guarantee you it wasn't babied by them. I've launched, dragged and did track days with both the cars and the clutch still held with all my launches and previous owners. *Knock on wood*

If you are reaching for 450, I would suggest FP green/red with E85 with the regular bolt-ons.. You can even do Stock 9 turbo + Ethanol with 30-31 PSI to reach 400WHP on a mustang dyno.... on a dynojet it should be around 440-450WHP.

FP is a very reputable company. I am sending in my stock 9 turbo to be rebuilt into an FP red with the MHI housing. There really isn't any more direct bolt on turbo upgrades (MAP's EF series is done. FP moved on to their SS casting on their brand new turbos. Blouch turbo's and FP are the only one to offer direct bolt on turbo upgrades. (If you want an FP series turbo you would have to send your turbo in for them to rebuild as they no longer have supply for the MHI housing so you have to supply it for them)

FIC 1100's and a Walbro 255 will get you to 450 depending on what dyno you are tuned on. Otherwise FIC 1650's or ID 1300's + Walbro 450 if you plan on reaching that with a mustang dyno.

The stock block can handle high HP... its the torque that kills the engine. Limit it to 380-400 TRQ and you should be okay. From what I was told... the sweet spot for these cars is around 400-500.

Mods I would suggest:
Injectors (1100-1650cc)
Fuel Pump (Walbro 255 or 450)
Upper intercooler piping
Lower intercooler piping
Downpipe
SD kit (if you want to run a vent to air BOV - Otherwise stay MAF and get a OEM Evo 9 BOV/BPV and get it crushed to hold more boost.)

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...g-results-299/

 

I do have the lower and upper piping and as well as a downpipe (part of the Turbo-back exhaust). I actually wouldn't mind to get E85 but driving 15-20 miles just to fill up seems crazy to me, guess I just haven't experienced E85's power increase to justify it to myself, although the numbers I've seen on it are interesting.

 

Some of those dyno results are crazy seeing that much power with that little of mods done. Hitting 450whp seems easier than I thought. Or maybe I'm just looking at the small picture.

 

I'm new to the Evo platform, and have been removed from imports for about 5-6 years, but the injector sizing now seems WAY bigger than it was with my old DSMs. I remember 1600s being the max people were going with, and making big power. I guess the technology is allowing the huge injectors to idle better, so why not go big. Good luck with your build, I'm going to follow a similar path in the next year or so.