Ok guys, I'm probably one of a very few!!! I have 03 Evo, w/ no mods and I need some suggestions on where to start.

I'm strictly looking for performance mods, I like the look of the car as it is!!! And by performance I mean I want more speed and power. I want to drop my 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

Any suggestions are appreciated but I don't want to go nuts as it is my daily driver and I'm not working w/ a deep pocket.

 

you should throw out all the seats and carpeting

 

turbo back, boost controller, and depending how far into the modding your gonna do you can either go with with a dynoflash or stand alone

 

you need a boost gauge!

 

I seem to be in the same boat as him, stock 03 evo with no mods....loving every minute of it so far. So intake and turbo back exhaust are a must?

 

There are a few questions you need to answer before we can help you:

(1) Where in NJ do you live?
(2) What is your budget?
(3) How much mechanical work can you do by yourself?
(4) Do you care about warranty issues?

I bought my Evo brand new in November 2003. I decided to modify the car for these reasons: I wanted to get rid of that horrible boost taper at the high-rpm range and my car was running pig rich from the factory. My HP goal was very modest: to bump the stock 271 HP up to the 300-310 HP range. Equally important, I wanted a "stealth" installation to minimize warranty headaches.

I discovered there was a LOT you can do for about $1500. I started with a complete Buschur 3" turbo-back with high-flow cat and Magnaflow box (cost was about $900) and the Buschur intake kit (about $40). I installed these parts myself. I went with the Buschur exhaust because it was a straight-through design, a true 3" (no steps), and the mounting technique makes swapping out the cat for a test pipe very quick and easy. Plus, Buschur has a great reputation and the cost was very reasonable. Then I took the car to TurboTrix in Edison, NJ for tuning. They installed a Hallman MBC (about $75) to help cure the boost taper issue and then performed a custom dyno tune (about $400).

With Sunoco 94, I ended up with about 295 wheel HP and 295 wheel torque, which yields about 340 HP and 340 lbs/ft at the crank. Most importantly, the car is much more drivable than stock. Total cost for ALL parts and labor was around $1500 and I'm very happy with the work. I've taken the car to the dealer several times since the install and I've never run into any warranty issues at all.

Emre

 

Guys, FIRST THINGS FIRST!!!!!!!!! get some good gauges to let you know where your at right now so you can monitor your progress and keep a watchful eye on the situation of your car. After that, DEFINETELY a turbo timer (makes life alot easier), maybe an MBC, Turbo back, drop in filter or cone and a flash (i dont recommend a stand alone for the beginning of the modifying path) Since you live in Jersey there is NO reason why you should not have your happy a$$ at turbo trix right now getting installs and dyno tunes. Also, look into a catch can, some head studs, and new radiator hosing, a few dollars to protect the life of your evo is never a bad idea.

 

Turbotimer, boost gauge, MBC, TB Exhaust, Intake, Fuel pump, Tune. If you want anymore with that go with some cams and whatnot, you'll be in the mid 300s for WHP.

 

Since you can go to turbo trix, I recommend you go there and tell the guy your goal and he will set a path for you. BTW, there are a lot of shops that have stage packages and pretty much lay everything down for you. I do feel that you get the best info face to face and you can ask all the questions you have dwindling in your mind at a tuners shop. I dont believe in mix and matching parts either. Just my 2 cents though.

 

Well part of my problem is I live in SOUTH SOUTH Jersey. A town called Marlton and I'm about 15 minutes away from Philly. I haven't been able to find any speed shops/tuners anywhere except way up north NY or way down south like a totally different state NC, VA.

I'm not working any budget, its basically find money where I can and use it. Its tuff w/ a wife, house and 20 month old to find my own sneakers let alone some money!!!

I appreciate all of the info and any further suggestions are also appreciated.

To answer the rest of your questions Kayaalp:

3) I'm ok with a wrench, I used to own a 01 Prelude and did some work on that. CAI, Short shifter, rear lenses. The other work I paid someone to do, exhaust, suspension.

4) I would like to say I don't care about the warranty but truth is who wants to pay for something they don't have to. My dealership says that they are forgiving on some mods but it could all be BS.

Do u have ur dyno sheets Kayaalp, I'm interested in seeing the power curves?