If you can tune yourself,get a Tactrix Cable,ECUFlash Software and EVOscan(~150 DIY Reflash) + MBC with boost gauge.

 

Yeah, your going to want the TBE, im suprised warrtalon hasnt chimed in here yet but the buscher stage 1 kit or a similar mod path is the best way to go, especially for an evo IX. What other car can you get 330 awhp on for 1200 dollars? With a pretty boost gauge. I would save up. Or you can peice together the equivilant of the buscher package.


Megan Racing(or another bare-bones turbo back this will be 20lbs heavier than the buscher exhaust.) 500-600
Forge Unos MBC, or Hallman MBC - 85-90
Vibrant MAF Adapter+K&N Filter - 60-70 (Im gonna get flamed for this)
E-Flash w/Tractrix cable - 90 for cable, 50 for each base flash for your mods
Steering Column Mount Gauge pod+ Boost gauge- 80-90

Total= 865-990

Thats the best first round of mods money can buy for an evo, hands down. This is also taking into account that you can do all of this yourself, if you have to pay someone to install it then its a whole different ball game.

 

I'm on the same page as you my friend. Pick up EcuFlash like everybody else said, and buy a temperary TBE from Ebay, they are only $250 shipped, and will get you through until you have the money for some quality parts...

 

You're definitely fine with just the custom flash for now or the mbc + custom flash. These guys are giving good advice, but you have already mentioned elsewhere that you won't be doing the TBE and other stuff until next year or much later this year. Therefore, why not enjoy your Evo and get the flash? If you get reflashed in the future, a mail-in will be free, and if Al comes back to custom tune, then you will get a discount. YOu have nothing to lose here, but I do not suggest going with race gas, because you won't be able to safely raise the boost to utilize race gas without an exhaust - too much backpressure.

However, with your crappy octane, I would suggest always adding a gallon of 104 to each tank if you can manage to do that easily.

 

the bullet sounds straight up mean like i said before i shed a tear everytime i turn the car on it scares me that much...not trying to steal the thread but listen to Warr he knows what hes talkign about

 

+1 on the Bullet - Good God that thing sounds mean. I had no idea it would sound so much better than my Megan...

 

I ended up flashing my car when it was bone stock and the results were immediately noticeable, but I do regret getting it done so soon as I thought I would be satisfied. It would be better to get all the bolt ons you want first, then get the flash. Otherwise, you'll have to flash again if you decide to get more bolt ons like I am.

 

MBC/boost gauge and a TBE. Save the money on a flash until you have a few mods under your belt. You'll get arguably the same gains and save money in the long run. This is assuming that you are getting an EcuTek flash from Al.

 

You guys keep telling him to wait, but you don't realize he is in Alaska. Not many opportunities for a custom tune, and why go 6 months untuned when he could fully enjoy that 6 months with a custom tune? Saving money is one thing, but when you save money at the expense of pure enjoyment for many months of driving, the "cost" is not the same as the money spent. There is an opportunity cost here that supercedes total dollars spent in the long run.

 

I see where you're coming from, but be real for a minute- he would be wasting money by paying for custom flash on a stock car. IMO it makes more sense and is a greater bang for the buck to buy the tactrix cable and have Al email him a map for whatever mods he decides to go with. If he cant afford the TBE to go along with the MBC/BG, than he should just get the catback of his choice. MBC/catback/eflash or custom tune? You cant seriously tell me that he'd be better off with option B.

 

No, he wouldn't be wasting money. IXs get crazy gains from flashes due to the MIVEC, larger turbo, and coolant passages. If he does just an MBC with the custom flash, he can gain 40whp. We had 2 IXs in DC gain 50whp with a flash+mbc - they both did before-and-after dynos to confirm.

It is by no means a waste of money to get flashed now, especially when there's a chance no other custom tune will be available to him in the future. He can still get the tactrix cable and get e-flashes later if/when he adds mods, and they will be free!! He won't pay for them, since he's already paid for a custom tune...

Yes, option B is better than a cat-back, especially since his pump gas is 90oct. To go that other route, he'd have to get a cheap cat-back, and he would still pay more money than he would for just the custom flash...plus, he'd NEVER have a custom tune with subsequent free e-flashes.

 

You can piece together the mods to go 330whp for under $1000.

used 3" downpipe $200. Used 3" catback $300-$400. Forge MBC $70. Tactrix cable plus e-flash from Dynoflash $150. Used 3" test pipe $70. Add an Ebay O2 housing $65 for a little extra power and torque.


That's just under $900 on the high side not including the O2 housing and will get you 330whp in a IX. If you can't afford that then you may have bought the wrong car.

 

Fuel Pump also.

 

Agree to disagree.

 

If I lived down there with the rest of you I would of waited for a good TBE before I got Custom tuned. But Since I live in AK my chance of getting a custom tune is now, not next year or when ever I want, it's Right now and I have to take it.


My Evo feels really sluggish so I'm sure a Custom tune even with just a MBC can give me atleast 15whp(I hope I'm not being far fetched with the HP number).

Either way 15whp for $370 bucks is fine with me...With my last car I paid big bucks for much less.