ok so im going to buy an CAI and a exhaust system for my evo x, im guessing ill need to tune my car after said mods, but should i wait to buy more mods then tune it? or would these be great to start with and work my way up?

and when i mean my way up i want to eventually get a new turbo

 

There's no general answer to your question.

Your car will almost always perform better when tuned for its specific mods.

But tunes cost time and money.

So, whether you should retune after every change or wait until you are done with more/all mods depends on (a) how long will be it be until the next modding session, (b) how much it's worth to you to be getting the most out of the car between now and the next modding session, and (c) how much your time and money is worth to you.

You need to plug in the values and calculate the rational decision.

 

i guess depending on the modding prices will determine when i mod or when i tune, how long/much does tuning take anyways?

im new to all of this

 

We're moving outside of my knowledge-zone (translation: wait for someone like Kracka to reply), but car-specific tunes on a dyno are in the neighborhood of $500. Luckily, if you follow a standard upgrade path (such as Cobb's series of "stages") then OTS maps (which are the same as new tunes) are available for much less, especially if you buy something like AccessPort from the same source.

If you're really new to all this, then my suggestion is to choose a particular vendor/source and follow their upgrade path in their series of steps, using OTS tunes at each point. Then, when you're finally done (or do something huge and/or non-standard), take your car to a reputable tuner and pay for a car-specific tune.

 

ok so you are basically saying that i should get decent non expensive tunes until i want to make a major upgrade and then hit a very reputable tuner for a more precise tune?

just trying to understand all this

 

it depends on how close to a full exhaust system you're going to go, you'll be fine with just a catback but anything more will require a tune. I saw in your other thread that you were asking about the ETS intake, but you want a CAI for the BOV sound. Any open cone filter will get you this same sound. I would suggest going with the ETS because they use the stock MAF housing, this means that you don't need to get a tune to run it on your car. Obviously, you will benefit more with a tune but this intake is perfectly safe on a stock tune. I had a catback and ETS intake without a tune for months. I dont mean to sound like an *** but I would suggest doing some research because all the threads you've created has been covered many times.

Welcome to the community!

 

i had the ETS test pipe for 2 months with no tune nary a problem. $275. just plug and play. and its nice and quiet
and have the MAP rev2 3.5 intake. but it needs a tune. its bigger than the ETS or AMS for about the same price. ($275). i got tuned on these two mods with a 3port and made 50+ whp over Stock. without the 3 port and with a less expensive intake test pipe (i.e. UR or speedcircuit) you will wake the car up and be very happy with the results. its a big step from stock. (and either intake is open element so ull hear a nice big WHOOSH

you can go this route before you drop big bux on a catback/full exhaust and see if you like it.

 

Isnt a 3.5" kinda overkill unless you're planning to upgrade to a fairly large turbo?

I would advise not to have a test pipe on without a tune.

 

mmm. well that was my biggest dilemma. how would it fair?. but talking to alot of turbo doctors here. guys with 1100whp impalas and 800whp evos. their answer was all the same, the MORE the turbo breathes the better. and i say i couldn't be happier. the stock turbo can handle power just fine. the R/A s smaller turbo can handle plenty of power as well. this one should be fine and im limiting to 25 psi anyways. i was concerned with overkill. but it was designed for the stock turbo anyways. it comes with a 3.5 to 2.5in coupler. but you CANT install it without a tune. just putting it on makes the car bog and stall. but when you get the MAF scaled and the new values programmed the thing really shines. but then again ANY intake will prove much more responsive with a tune. i had the COBB SF before. i had to wait to put this baby on because of the tune situation (have to drive 150mi) but boy was it worth it !!! i got a custom AFE pro Dry S filter as well on it and man is it great. the next thing on my list is SpeedCircuits 3.0 turbo inlet elbow. so i can go 3.5 to 3 in.

and about the TP. i put it on, ive read through most threads concerning the tune and whatnot. i went with ETS for its no SES claim. so i put it on with the intention of TRYING it, and if i felt it bog or any form of negative difference i would just put the cat back on, its not hard :/ but i installed it and installed a Wideband on it. and for 2 months i had 0 issues. the car was much healthier, sounded growlier and deeper. then i got tuned and its amazing! .... BUT

i wont recommend putting it on. dont get me wrong i had no issues. nothing. its a great piece that made the car exhale better. but i cant say the same for others, as there are experiences where the TP caused problems. sure the variables are different, different brand, bung or no bung. but its a personal choice imo.

happy modding

 

oh sounds like a pretty nice piece, i didnt even know it was a 3.5" till now. Does the 3" turbo inlet make much of a difference?

yeah its the general consensus to tune once the TP is put on. I know for most people TP dont work well on the stock tune, but every cars i different. I know some people put them on and had zero problems, it all depends on the car. To the OP, If you do decide to do this, make sure to data log.

 

OP - Sent you a PM! I would love to help you start modding your new Evo!

To answer the question about the 3 inch inlet, it does make a difference, but the gains won't be substantial until you're running a turbo with an aftermarket compressor cover. Prior to that, the most appreciable difference you would notice will be in throttle response.

Everyone is pretty much on the right page when it comes to the test pipe, I always recommend a tune after installing one.

 

Great to have some feedback! that is good information. i guess ill invest my pennies in ported TB seeing as i should pick up a LICP soon...
and if the OP desires he could always get a LICP for more airflow to the TB, and then get ported TB, and that should make a more noticeable difference.

 

If you're on stock turbo, I would look in to getting manifolds ported before I did the throttle body.

 

Get a valet mode or a theft mode on the car, you will love the look of the valet after they try and hot rod your car and it wont go more than 30mph!