Hey y'all,

Just got my Evo VIII last month and I'm planning on putting anywhere from 3 to 5 g's into it this coming summer. I was wondering what upgrades you all would reccomend. I'm very new to the car scene but I'm learning alot thanks to this board. I plan on dropping in a bigger turbo and a stand alone (like the AEM EMS) to act as turbo timer, boost, a/f and nos controller, etc. after I get some of the less costly and more orthodox mods out of the way.

First I want to get an exhaust (leaning towards RMR). But I was wondering what else I could add to either prep for upcoming mods or get some extra hp. What would you all reccomend? Gauges, cams, injectors, fuel pump? Right now all the car has on it would be a BOV, mbc and an aftermarket K&N intake (came with the car when I bought it).

Like I said I'm new so learn me good

 

Rule of thumb...whenever you upgrade your car, upgrade intake and exhaust first...think about it, even if you get bigger turbo, cams, or whatever, if the engine can't "breathe" (suck in air & spit it out), then how can it perform well?

After that...its really up to you..bigger wheel, ecu reflash, boost controller, cam, etc etc

however if you wanna upgrade the turbo..prepare to invest..a LOT since Turbos are around 5 grand at least, not to mention the necessity to get bigger IC, gas pump, and etc to support the new turbo

Make sure you leave some $$$ so you can get a better clutch since the stock clutch isn't strong enough to handle a modded evo...

 

just my 2 cents but i would say an exhaust system first. the turbo already pulls a lot of air into the engine, and by adding a new exhaust ud allow it to get out easier too. just my 2 cents tho

 

Why not just stick to stock turbo anyway? They're very impressive (not to mention more reliable than aftermarket turbo...factory made stuff are always more reliable and durable than aftermarket)...with the right tuning, I've heard of stock turbos pushing around 400whp since the turbo's pretty big (bigger than the STi's)...not many cars can push 19.5psi of boost...stock

 

Thanks for your replies but maybe I wasn't clear with my first post. The car already has a K&N filter on it. I suppose I could put a CAI on it. I was already planning on putting in the exhaust (like I said I'm leaning towards RMR). I was wondering what else I could put on the car before I needed to shell out the money for the turbo plus the IC, etc. I don't want to get another boost controller or anything like an SAFC or turbo timer since the AEM EMS can handle all of that. I was kind of hoping you all could help me organize a plan of attack to follow for modding the car.

One more question: is a cold air intake just putting a cold air box over the K&N filter so it sucks in air from outside the hood? If so I think I could definitely put that on as well for a minimal cost.

Thanks for the help.


P.S. I agree that the stock turbo is pretty impressive but it still can't put up the big numbers like some of the aftermarket turbos can. I just want to put off the turbo for a while because of the cash and the fact that I am not very experienced. In addition to adding things like the IC, fuel pump, injectors, etc. I would have to replace some of the stock internals and I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

I would go with the exhaust... many people over look it and it can make quite a difference in the car's performance

-=RoscoES=-

 

Truly... I got 25whp from Buschur TB exhaust.

 

LOL ok you talked me into it. But what else? I was thinking I could get the gauges out of the way so it would be easier to tune the car with the EMS. So I could add the exhaust, maybe a cold air intake (assuming that it is what I think it is) and then the gauges along with an aftermarket fuel pump and fuel rail so I can hook up the fuel pressure gauge properly. Sound like a good plan or should I work on some other things first?


Seriously though please nobody else tell me to get an exhaust. I already told you I am getting one but so far the only posts I've received have been telling me to get an exhaust. I am well aware of the potential power gains and I know thats usually the first thing to get upgraded (hence my decision to get one!). But I could really use some advice on how to proceed with OTHER areas of the car. TIA.

 

Whilst all of you correctly pointed out that breathing is important, you pointed out exhaust and filter. Would like to add the DOWNPIPE to the equation (if not already added). Downpipe is significant when looking at downstreaam mods.

After breathing is sorted, I would spend whats left of the 5 grand (+ a little overspend on that budget) on:
1. bigger IC
2. larger diameter IC piping with less bends
3. ECU flash

Then you can wait until your next bonus to go for the big bucks item.

PS: Agree on the comment on the clutch. Budget for a race clutch and whilst you're doing that might as well as change the flywheel to a lighter one.

 

Good driving school

 

beside the repeats of the exhaust, all the other info was pretty informative, thanks guys