Hey All!

Very recently bought a 2014 GSR in Cosmic Blue. The forum was incredibly helpful in making my decision; truly grateful for the wealth of knowledge.

As it sits, it's a bone stock, one owner car with almost no mileage on it, SSS and factory aero:



We've not had a lot of tolerable weather in the Chicagoland area, so I apologize for lack of pictures. We had two nice days where I actually got to bring it out. I'll be shooting quite a few with my DSLR once it clears up.

I have been collecting parts, so expect lots of install documentation and videos. So far, I've got the following waiting to go on:

AEM Intake
AEM Strut Bar
AEM Intercooler and Hard Pipe Kit
Bilstein PSS10 B16 Coilovers
AutoMeter Elite Boost and Wideband Gauges
Cobb AP3
Cobb Turboback
Cobb Solenoid
Eiback Front and Rear Bar Kit
Toyo R888R's

Still haven't decided what I want to do for wheels, but it's a process. I've got access to a buddy's shop here in the Chicago burbs where we'll be doing all the work. Hopefully we'll do a couple of things this week.

Well again, thanks for being an incredible resource as I researched buying the car. I've done everything from muscle cars, to a couple AMG's, a couple Porsches to an FD, so I kind of love everything fast and loud. This is my first "rallycar" inspired vehicle, but so far I absolutely love it.

Cheers!

Joseph

 

I'd return the Accessport and get it protuned by a good shop in your area. You are not gaining anything with that since you have the gauges. Also any map they provide won't cover the parts you have so yeah...get that RMA cooking and use that money elsewhere!

Sweet looking car and enjoy!!

 

Thank you man!

I've got a pretty longstanding relationship with the Cobb folks, so I will probably hold onto the AP3, but definitely plan to have the car professionally tuned at AMS once everything is on. More worried about longevity and potentially breaking things than extracting every ounce of power.

 

You will want to add a test pipe to that list, the downpipe won't add much unless you have a larger turbo. Slightly different from Subaru's. Good luck and enjoy!

 

welcome welcome - sometimes I wish I would have just ponied up and snagged one that hadn't been messed with like you did.

only sometimes though - car looks good, glad to see you're taking it in the right direction.

What size R888s did you use?

-ash

 

Hey a fellow dead head! And an Illinois boy! If you want a tune go over to AMS, no doubt the best around!

 

On these cars, do you see a high flow catted midpipe section being significantly worse than a straight test pipe?

I ask because I may have to pass emissions somewhere in the future. My area doesn't currently have it but it's based on population density which is pretty fluid.

 

Hey Ash,

For now I'm using a 265/35-18, which I believe puts me in a 9.5" wheel. The dealer had **** tires on the stock wheels. Kind of leaning towards the RS05RR's for wheels, but there's a part of me that always wants to put TE's on everything.

 

If I may offer my experience with that kind of stuff since a high flow cat usually won't clean things up enough to pass:

There are three ways to go about passing emissions these days. The first is to have a stock mid pipe handy along with a couple 2.5" 3" adapter plates from ETS ready to go on when the time comes.

If they're only going to be doing an idle and rev test then you'll be okay with the second option which is to keep a lean tune on that Accessport you'll be using. You can swap tunes in the parking lot before handing them the keys.

Third - M7 makes a throttlebody controller that you can use to essentially trick the computer into only opening the butterfly part way... pricey though.

-ash

 

Greatly appreciate it! I'm not in the position where I have to worry about it yet, but it does loom as a future possiblity. I keep all the stock parts, so there is always an option to bolt it back on should I get called up. Normally Illinois only checks via OBDII unless there's an extenuating circumstance, but that's at their discretion and not something iIwant to get caught up with.

 

I went with the catted pipe to pass emissions. Any marginal gain from no cat wasn't worth it to me.

Also just passed my inspection with that on there, though they just did the ODB test not a sniffer on the exhaust. (not sure if it would pass or not on that )

 

Welcome. Look forward to seeing what you do

 

Welcome,
I'll be following your progress as I am just getting started on modding mine as well.

 

I live down the street from west chicago, Geneva and County Farm area (15 WW MR)...and know a number of people over at AMS. They do great work however, you may want to double check that they will tune your car with all the stuff you are planning on throwing at it. From what I have heard they will not tune the car unless their parts are on it... Just a friendly heads up is all. lots of Xs running around our area.

 

Welcome Joseph! Beautiful Evo!

Parts list looks good. Lots don't like the AP but I am definitely a fan. There are more optimal solutions but I think it's worth a lot to be able to monitor engine parameters (like knock), data log at a moments notice and return it back to stock instant for those unexpected trips to the dealership. Also, I don't have a shop to dyno tune at my elevation so the OTS maps help a lot (at least over stock).

Any install docs/videos are greatly appreciated!