So I eventually plan to put some basic bolt on's on my car. My list is as follows
1. Cat-back exhaust (will def be done first and probably the only mod for the first year.)
2. Intake
3. Upgraded intercooler and piping (upper and lower)
4. eventually a full TBE.
5. MAYBE a BOV.

My questions are,
-Can I get a cat-back for now and run it without a tune?
-At what point do I need to start worry about getting tuned?
-Should I just wait and have all the other parts installed at once and have it tuned at that time?
The car is my DD and I don't really plan on going crazy here. Just the basic bolt ons. I just don't want to screw my car up, so even when I do eventually get a tune, it will probably be a VERY conservative one. Thanks in advance guys!

 

you don't need a tune for a catback exhaust. Intercooler piping you don't need to tune. If you do a drop in filter you also will not need a tune. Once you go TB and CAI or SR you will need a decent tune. You could even use Cobb AP. You don't ABSOLUTELY need a tune with a high flow/test pipe back though. A tune will turn off the CEL from the O2 sensor though. Some people love it, some people hate it. With any tune you lose your warranty though. Stock tunes on the evo are horrible. You will notice a very nice difference once you do get it tuned. GL with upgrades! Welcome to the evo world! AMAZING cars either way!!!

 

What ever you do that changes the afr requires a tune!

 

Ya, I waited until I finished installing all my bolt-ons. Don't forget to check your relays!

 

I've been driving for a while without a tune and I'm running full exhaust, CAI, UICP. Mines a 2010 with the most recent map but I haven't noticed any problems at all. If it takes time to get the mods and you want to throw stuff on, I don't think it hurts the car. Nothing is wrong with mine and I've had my bolt-ons for over 6 months. Just haven't had the time to get it to a tuner so I got evoscan and ecuflash to do it all myself. Maybe my logs will prove me wrong, who knows.

 

I wound up picking up a Cobb AP for when I do decide to get an intake/TBE. Eventually when I get enough mods, I'll go with a actual tune.

 

agreed!!!

 

Dont go with a bov on these minor mods

 

Anytime

 

Most tuners will modify your tune for a discounted price if you get a tune, then down the road do additional mods. As mentioned above, always return to your tuner any time you change your AFR!