Just to piggyback off what others have said already cbe,tp,uicp, and a tune are obv your best bet for cost effective mods. You will gain a good bit from each.

You biggest gain will be the tune. The x just needs a tune so badly in it's stock form.

 

I actually have been told that UICP doesn't do much for gains, especially where you want them, in the midrange.... at least that's where I like it. The LICP is a much better choice IMO... If I'm misinformed, let me know. But it came from some well-informed sources...

 

The LICP is fine stock, the Upper Pipe is where the gains are had, just like the 8's and 9's

 

A LICP upgrade is virtually worthless on the X, just a visual enhancement really.

 

We did the same dyno testing on the EVOX from day one, mod by mod.

Our Stage 3 has run 12.2's at 113 mph on a number of EVO's now. SST trans cars have gone 12.5's at 111 mph on our Stage 3.

Catback exhaust
Upper/lower i/c pipes
FMIC
Boost controller
Tune
MAF pipe/filter kit

Pretty simple mod list for low 12's. That was running on a stock clutch that slipped. I'd venture to guess a 12.0 would have been possible on the Exedy that is in the car now.

We since added an offroad pipe, Dominator 2 turbo, Cosworth cams and the car is making 407 whp on 93 octane on our dyno. That is up 127 whp from the 12.20's.

 

Best modifications for under $500:

A few months back, i don't which company did the testing. But putting in an MBC in your car, will yield the most HP.

 

Cool, thanks guys for the clarification. So no gains from the LICP, huh? Time to change the priorities in the future mod list,