Should I get AMS Base Flash or Custom Dyno Tune?
 

Just wondering what I should get. My only mods are a K&N drop in air filter and a O2 sensor (edit) - back 3" exhaust with test pipe. The base flash is $200 and the custom dyno tune is $400. I really don't need max power with my limited mods. Should the base flash be safe and good enough? I appreciate any input. Thanks.

You will be fine with the base flash from AMS. A dyno tune will be more precise because they are there tuning your car. Once you get into bigger mods, make sure you are there with your car getting either a dyno or road tune. For now you will be able to extract a little more power with AMS base flash.
I recommend first you get hard pipe intake, 3 port boost controller, downpipe, then retune. You will be pleased with that.

I would say go with a Mellon tune from Mellontuning.com

It is custom to your car, and not a generic flash. You will get your best bang for your buck.

I thought about a email tune, but that requires guages, sensors, tactrix, etc. I don't think I'm gonna mod it much and I have no where good to be doing wot runs in Chicago without getting a ticket.

In the meantime, I'm hoping just a base flash will work. After reading some more on the "stages" it states the base flash appears to be for cat back exhaust leaving the factory cat and downpipe. I'm wondering if the base flash might run lean with a 3" downpipe and test pipe or if they have different ones. I may need to just contact AMS.

Post in your local section. I know most Evo guys are willing to help eachother out. MOST guys should have the things you need. To each their own. I guess I am more for having something meant for my car. Not someone elses.

I originally got a base flash from AMS and felt some good power. My buddy did the same and loved the extra power. Only problem is after about a week it gets old and you want more:D

Wizzo, do you recall exactly what mods you had on with the base flash? Did you have a downpipe and cat on it? How long did it take to perform the flash? Thanks.

Yes I had a Evo 9 bov, TBE, MBC set to 21psi, Walbro 255HP pump, Cone filter, Lower I/C pipe, O2 housing and a megan header. It made 301WHP on there dynojet about a month later when they had a dyno day. It only took about a Half hour once they started. This was also about 4yrs ago

AMS is about 3 miles away from me. Never had their base flash but did do the dyno tune back in the day. One good thing about the dyno tune is you can get a retune for $200 in the future when you add more mods.

I became a self tuner after I couldn't stop messing with my car and the tuning got expensive :)

Baseflash will get you some more power however, you will want more after a couple weeks. Get a manual boost controller, and walbro fuel pump to go along with your intake and exhaust and turn the boost to 24psi and have it dyno tuned. That is $100 for the walbro 255 + $100 for MBC + $400 dyno tune. At 24psi on dynojet you could see numbers approximating 330+awhp on your evo 9.

Actually its about $250 now. I'm working on the same thing

i really suggest going with 4ws tuning.. all u need is tactrix and a laptop.. there are places to make quick pulls in 3rd gear anywhere

I was under the assumption the stock IX pump was good enough for basic mods with the stock turbo. This is my dd and I am really trying to refrain from making lots of mods. Please don't encourage me.

Wow, didn't realize it jumped up $50 in the last 12 months.

I don't really think going with one company over another really matters. There is just a certain amount of timing the car will take and go lean enough to be safe. Maybe other will get couple more hp out of you car by pushing the timing and AFR to the max, but if you want to good results and a senservative/safe tune then just go with AMS dyno tune.

I have heard the same. Call Ams to be sure