Hey, so I know most of the regs on the NW forums are EVO VIII/IX/DSM owners, but i figured I could get some feedback on the upgrade path for me RA. Figured the NW forum would be better because you guys can point in right direction for ppl to help with the installs. I'm mechanically challenged.

I just had the AMS boost pill put in and got it tuned by ER (thanks lucas!), and i'm having a blast with the extra power. Other than getting the oem IX BOV, and maybe the INJEN UICP( just for looks), I have no clue what to do next.

There probably isn't much room to grow since the damn SST tranny can't handle that much torque.

Help a newbie out.

 

First you should try to understand what your goals are. Power, budget, track monster/DD monster, etc.

While I'm not sure of the RA specifics, you want to work on the breathing. Not sure what you're doing for boost level (does the RA have a controller or is it being controlled through the ECU, etc.).

If you are looking to keep the charge cooled you would want to start looking at the IC. Also, I've heard mixed things about the upper and lower pipes for the X, so good to research that more.

For power you can start looking at cams or maybe even meth (this could be a nice upgrade for an RA). You might have to start thinking of fuel pump (not sure here at all for the X/RA) and maybe injectors.

Of course, there is also springs or coilovers, sway bars etc. for handling. Again, you need to determine what you want to build.

Overall, research a bunch (search on here helps a bunch!) or start figuring where you want to go and ask the pros at ER for advice. Good luck!

BTW - something that helped me when I first started was to look at staged packages through some of the big name companies. You don't have to go through them but it can give you an idea of general stages in the community and help you try to figure out where you want to go with your build.

 

Best advice ever!!!!!

1) Identify what your goal is

2) budget mods to that goal

3) work towards that goal

4) if your goal is worthy you wont deviate from it. If you try to hit every area of the car, rotating mods (power, looks, interior, confort, stripper pole) you will have mismatched mods that dont make the package any better.

 

One thing that also should be mentioned (didn't feel like editing the post last night) is the more you stick to your goals, research the crap out of what you want before buying (measure twice, cut once type of mentality) the less likely you are to spend money on one setup and then later jump to another.

E.g. - I didn't realize ETS existed when I first got my IC and piping. I got another brand and then later jumped to ETS (though there was an underlying reason not related to performance - it was actually just convenient).

 

I'm in an Evo X MR... so we almost have the same car.

I'll tell you what my upgrade plans are... and why they are that way.

After talking to the tech manager at Town & Country , I decided this path. I only have 1.2k miles on my car and I don't want to go off and void any warranties just yet.

1) Ralliart Drop-in Filter (done)
2) Ralliart Engine Cover (done)
3) ETS UICP Black (next)
4) HKS Legamax Catback Exhaust (next)
5) AMS Boost Pill (done)
6) English Racing Tune (next)
7) ECUTek SST Upgrade (next)

After that I am done until I hit at least 15k miles. I might even skip the UICP for now anyways. We'll have to see.

After that I'm going to put in a Forced Performance Red Turbo. They are getting some incredible gains off of it and there isn't much lag. I need to upgrade the SST first though.

After that will be handling and bling mods.

 

^none of that will void the warranty at T&C? Not that they can void the warranty anyway, but if they are cool with all that (short of the Red, that is) that is pretty cool.

 

Well, the way he put it, anything before the maf and after the cat is allowed. So if the MAF isn't moved and the catalytic converter is still there, you should be good. So that's why I went with a drop-in filter and am going with the HKS Legamax. He said any time an Evo comes in for warranty work it's an automatic red flag. But they will give you the benefit of the doubt at first and check to see if the part caused the failure or not. HOWEVER, he said to be safe to only do the above mods.... I don't know their policy on the UICP for sure, but by what he said it'd be better to skip it. But replacing the UICP before you go in would be easy .

T&C, the techs and managers there really are cool. Their sales department blows though.

 

Agreed on the UICP. Probably wise to be able to lean on that warranty for the X, especially the MR. At least for the time being.

 

I was talking with Lucas the other day about your RA, I heard it made pretty good power! If you have plans to go with an Intake and other mods, I can cut you a deal so we can prototype an intake and other parts on your car.

I would like to have a full line up for the RA as well. I know the intake is different, i'm not sure what else.

Let me know!

Michael
360-263-3748
Michael@extremeturbosystems.com

 

Upgrade to an Evo?

 

I didn't realize the intake was different. I know the intake that is on it both take the same drop-in filters. Is the intake pipe itself different? Because the turbo is different?

 

BTW... if you're going to get an UICP... go with ETS... local and they look great. Oh yah, and make power.

 

Your battery is located in the engine bay right? I'm pretty sure it's right where our intake goes.

 

I'm in the MR, my battery is in the trunk. Not sure where the battery is for the RA.

 

Oopps.. Got you confused with the RA guy up top. I'm pretty sure the RA is in the engine bay. If not, the intake may work.