I am moving down Florida for a year and while I am down there and so close to Cobb (closer than Western Canada) I am planning on taking advantage of getting a custom tune done but my dilemma is this. Up here my local Mitsubishi dealership is pretty mod friendly but I am worried about when I am in the states with aftermarket parts on my car and if I have an issue I could be screwed.

So my question is, on a stock turbo Evo X, how much power does a full downpipe (02 included) and a front mount intercooler (UICP & LICP) add when doing a custom tune?

My mods currently are:
- Harmon Motive intake
- Speed Circuit test pipe
- Perrin cat back
- 3 Port boost controller (this will go on at the time of tuning)
- Cobb AP

The intercooler and UICP/LICP I don’t see causing much of an issue if I had to take it into a dealership, but it’s the downpipe that I am worried about them getting a bit picky about as it’s not something I could just take of easy if I had to. Whereas the intake and test pipe I can do pretty easy with basic hand tools and I could even throw on the OEM UICP to make it still look factory in a matter of minutes.

So is it worth it for me to still get a custom tune done with the stock downpipe? After looking through Cobbs dyno database my goals for this set up would be around the 325whp range on 93 octane.


*Note*
If the intercooler will just help maintain the power level in hot climates, keep in mind I live in a place that rarely sees 28 C (82 F) in the summer. I am just worried about the tuning part.

 

These questions are difficult to answer. Threads similar to yours are started nearly everyday. It is very difficult to quantify the gains by adding those particular parts. Will they make a difference? Sure they will. How much of a difference is a tough question to answer. The best way to look at it...you will most likely make similar power to all the other cars Cobb has tuned with a combo of parts similar to yours.

 

I'd say, don't bother with FMIC. Install just piping - it's important.
For the DP/O2, others may argue, I'd say don't bother either. I was on stock O2DP, then put in T1R DP, which then cracked and fell apart. Now I put stocker back in (even though I welded the DP up) and don't notice any substatial difference. I'll put a DP back in if only to make an external WG setup and/or for a bigger turbo.

 

Indeed, what Buschur and many others have found is that with the stock turbo you are only going to see minimal gains from an O2 DP. As for a FMIC you can expect 10-20 whp with just the swap due to better flow and colder charge. If your stock core is heat soaking then the difference is likely in the 20-30 whp range so maybe for a single 1/4 mile run or a quick burst of speed the difference isn't dramatic but beat on the car til the FMIC heat soaks and it's going to make a sigificant difference in performance.

When using a larger turbo setup I've found there are some gains to be had with either upgrade so if your end goals include that step it wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade these two areas once you have the IC Piping, testpipe, catback, and tuning lined up.

 

Ok so what I am getting is that the downpipe is not really needed, but in order to get a proper tune with out the intercooler heat soaking... an intercooler might be a good idea

 

I'd get an UICP and AMS O2/DP because its cast and won't crack on you. Picking up a FMIC would be a nice addition as well.

 

It will be the AMS downpipe that goes on, but I am doing the downpipe, turbo and manifold all at the same time, and I am going to wait until Cobb has the TCU figured out (MR tranny). So I figure that wont be for a year or more. Thats why I am wondering how much of a difference it makes with a custom tune on stock turbo

 

I have a MR and a tune will make a huge difference on the stock turbo, if 325whp is your goal. leave downpipe as it is, leave FMIC alone. get a cheap megan cat back, hi-flow cat and a drop-in K & N, or the full typhoon intake comes with the upper intercooler pipe that I dont think does much on stock turbo. Get those three things and a custom tune you are there. Also the down pipe/O2 is a beotch to get on.

 

Its really funny u mention this now...UPS just tried an attemp to deliver my AMS DP and FMIC,I will b pickin them up tonight.OH yes!!!!!!!!!

 

go to www.mellontuning.com and talk to Chris about getting an e-tune. He did a GREAT job on mine when it was just stock... i'm debating on getting rid of the car because of insurance costs, BUT if I don't, I will be returning to him. He tunes through AccessPort as well.. that's how I had mine done.

 

I already have a Perrin cat back, Harmon Motive intake with test pipe....

I am sure they do a good job but I am going to Cobb Plano since they seem to be getting the most out of the Evos for power and they seem to know the SST tranny the best

 

The Garage
- 2009 Chevy Tahoe - the work horse
- 2008 Evo MR - Harmon Motive Intake
- 2007 Z06 with Lingenfelter 800hp Twin Turbo kit
- 2006 Yamaha R6 - stock
- 2002 WS6 Trans Am - bolt-ons, 400whp
- 2002 Sunfire - TwinCharged (turbo into roots supercharger) 420whp
- 1987 Buick GNX #200 700whp

wow you dumped money into a Sunfire,

 

? Yea... point being? I have dumped money into a lot of things from cars, to houses/properties to businesses... I guess I fail to see your point here?