Hi guys,

Just picked up a 2010 phantom black evo x gsr last week with the SSS package. I'm coming from a 2004 M3 and I absolutely LOVE the evo. The car is an absolute blast to drive...and the torque is nice too.

I want to slowly start modding it, i'm thinking of starting with an AMS test pipe. Is it worth going with a test pipe and not getting an ecu reflash/tune, etc? Will I gain power with just a test pipe and no tune?

Also, this is my first turbocharged car so please bare with me. I've been doing some research the past week but this is still very new to me.

thanks guys

 

The 2010's come with a pretty decent factory tune. You might gain a little but not a lot.

Is a test pipe a good idea in California? The fines are crazy. Maybe you should consider the RRE rally cat instead.

 

why not an intake to start off? You can make more than 20whp off just an intake

 

The car's come from the factory with a very rich tune. On top of that, most shops will tell you to expect around 40-70hp gains on the dyno. It's definitely not sitting at 291... It's not typical people choose to start out with a test pipe, and every tuner shop I've spoken to said that you can run a cat back exhaust and be alright w/o a tune, but if you replace the cat you should tune the car.

RRE is a great place to go to, give them a call and talk to Honda. I would suggest a Catback exhaust (CBE), a tune, and a monitoring system, the zeitronix is nice and well priced. The exhaust will look stock and from what I understand you'll still be alright if you get a fix-it ticket or have to go to get your car reffed. Just watch out for the dB level of the exhaust.

^What intake is this? With or w/o a tune. A dyno chart would be nice to support that, I'd be interested in changing mine...

 

RRE Rally Cat is a test pipe. I love mine and its the only way to go in CA. I got rid of my UR test pipe to buy the RRE Rally Cat and it was well worth it.

 

Driving in So Cal with stop and go driving you will notice the stenchy odor of the exhaust with a test pipe. Your girlfriend/wife will definitely notice it. I ditched the test pipe and went with the MIL-SPEC high flow CAT, which got rid of the stench but still supported more HP.

I went with the AEM intake first and then followed it up with the exhaust and larger intercooler combined with a tune from HB Speed in Fountain Valley. HB Speed and RRE are both reputable tuning shops. The tune is essential, don't scrimp there. I don't think the larger intercooler is essential unless you're moving up to a larger turbo. In terms of early mods, a 3 inch exhaust from the turbo back is more essential. I'm not a fan of the stock pads - they are super dusty and don't have much of an initial bite. I upgraded to Racing Brakes ET500s which are a better street pads - much less dust, more bite, no squealing if you grease the shims.

 

get a HFC + catback + tune or just a catback + tune, or just a tune if you can't afford the others...

 

Exhaust, testpipe/hfc, and drop in filter then a tune. Will give you a big difference on driving the car