CBRD RAD vs EVO X
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CBRD RAD vs EVO X
Dropped the Ralli off at English Racing today... I cant tell you how difficult it is handing the keys to my beloved car to Myles! 
having what should be the last of the engine-turbo mods done...
CBRD RAD turbo upgrade
ETS Ralliart test pipe
Evo X BOV
AEM Wideband and Boost gauges installed (Perrin column mounted gauge cluster)
ECS UIC (the back piece only, where the stock X pipe necks down)
Oil Change - because I need one, not because I cant do it myself. (i.e. Laziness)
Tune
with just the boost pill, tune and a drop-in filter I am at 265awhp... my goal is a meager 300-ish at the wheels when all is said and done.
For those that wonder why I would go with the CBRD RAD, the answer is simple:
LOW maturity level
+
lots of disposable income
+
wife & kids
=
me doing the responsible thing... and self-limiting my upgrade options.
From here, I will likely be close to being maxed out for engine/turbo mods. If for some reason I decide to keep the RA instead of buying an Evo 9 and I want more power, I can always sell the CBRD RAD turbo to recoup some of the cost and go with an FP or something similar.
So, when she's done, in a few weeks, I will update this thread with the Dyno data... like I said, I am hopeful I can get to 300awhp or darn close. Aaron seems to think I can get there, and I believe him.
cross your fingers and wish me luck!
having what should be the last of the engine-turbo mods done...
CBRD RAD turbo upgrade
ETS Ralliart test pipe
Evo X BOV
AEM Wideband and Boost gauges installed (Perrin column mounted gauge cluster)
ECS UIC (the back piece only, where the stock X pipe necks down)
Oil Change - because I need one, not because I cant do it myself. (i.e. Laziness)
Tune
with just the boost pill, tune and a drop-in filter I am at 265awhp... my goal is a meager 300-ish at the wheels when all is said and done.
For those that wonder why I would go with the CBRD RAD, the answer is simple:
LOW maturity level
+
lots of disposable income
+
wife & kids
=
me doing the responsible thing... and self-limiting my upgrade options.
From here, I will likely be close to being maxed out for engine/turbo mods. If for some reason I decide to keep the RA instead of buying an Evo 9 and I want more power, I can always sell the CBRD RAD turbo to recoup some of the cost and go with an FP or something similar.
So, when she's done, in a few weeks, I will update this thread with the Dyno data... like I said, I am hopeful I can get to 300awhp or darn close. Aaron seems to think I can get there, and I believe him.
cross your fingers and wish me luck!
Last edited by Topdown; Mar 30, 2012 at 03:29 PM.
I'm sorry you had to drop the car off with Myles as well. There will probably be a cross-fit bag in the trunk and stripper pole bolted to the roof when you get it back.
If you didnt have that wife problem then it would be a great setup.
Oh yea, never underestimate the importance of good brakes.
If you didnt have that wife problem then it would be a great setup.
Oh yea, never underestimate the importance of good brakes.
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Joined: May 2011
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I'm sorry you had to drop the car off with Myles as well. There will probably be a cross-fit bag in the trunk and stripper pole bolted to the roof when you get it back.
If you didnt have that wife problem then it would be a great setup.
Oh yea, never underestimate the importance of good brakes.
If you didnt have that wife problem then it would be a great setup.
Oh yea, never underestimate the importance of good brakes.
At least if I got the stripper pole option, I could explain all the glitter to the wife.
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From: Vancouver, WA
I wish I had gotten together with you before you did the mods so I could've seen how the boost pill, drop in and flash felt in there. We've been considering doing some mods to the womans Sportback RA.
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take my word for it... do the pill, tune and drop-in filter, you wont regret it.
for less than 500.00 and a few hours of your time, you will be amazed at the change. the car comes alive.
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seriously... the boost pill/tune was great! unfortunately it just made me want more!
between the turbo and the ECU, its all magic ... but when you live 3 miles from the best magicians, you can be an educated idiot (like me) and still get teh awesome.
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well the car is done and back in my driveway... and its awesome!
297.57hp - 300.01tq... I couldn't be happier (if Myles or Aaron see this post, they may have the Dyno plot to post?)
The plot isnt dead-flat, but with the new turbo it stays flat much longer and pulls much harder up into higher revs... so, dead-stop acceleration isnt dramatically different, but when wound out to 7k, its like being back in my 2010 6.2L Chevy Camaro.
list of new/final mods is in my sig... So, the real questions:
Was it worth it to upgrade the Ralliart turbo? - Absolutely.
If I had to do it again, would I go the same route? - Thats a harder question to answer... I met the goals I set out for, and feel like I did it with the least out of pocket cost and least amount of physical change to the car. However, I did have to live without her for a month while waiting for shipping to PA, upgrade and shipping back to WA... where if I were going to an X turbo, I could collect all the parts while still being able to drive the car and be down for a week or so while its installed...
I even broke down and went to sit in her while she was waiting patiently for her turbo to come back... I hate to admit that I have become this attached already, but such is life.
So, back to the point... the CBRD upgrade
The turbo spools exactly the same as the tiny OEM Ralli turbo only keeps climbing up to 300hp and has legs out to 7500rpm now.
I dont remember what my car was putting out bone stock... somewhere around 215hp I think... so to gain an average of roughly 85hp or so, I think the X Intercooler, piping, boost pill, test pipe and CBRD RAD lite is a great upgrade path ... as long as you have a great tuner to work with.
297.57hp - 300.01tq... I couldn't be happier (if Myles or Aaron see this post, they may have the Dyno plot to post?)
The plot isnt dead-flat, but with the new turbo it stays flat much longer and pulls much harder up into higher revs... so, dead-stop acceleration isnt dramatically different, but when wound out to 7k, its like being back in my 2010 6.2L Chevy Camaro.
list of new/final mods is in my sig... So, the real questions:
Was it worth it to upgrade the Ralliart turbo? - Absolutely.
If I had to do it again, would I go the same route? - Thats a harder question to answer... I met the goals I set out for, and feel like I did it with the least out of pocket cost and least amount of physical change to the car. However, I did have to live without her for a month while waiting for shipping to PA, upgrade and shipping back to WA... where if I were going to an X turbo, I could collect all the parts while still being able to drive the car and be down for a week or so while its installed...
I even broke down and went to sit in her while she was waiting patiently for her turbo to come back... I hate to admit that I have become this attached already, but such is life.
So, back to the point... the CBRD upgrade
The turbo spools exactly the same as the tiny OEM Ralli turbo only keeps climbing up to 300hp and has legs out to 7500rpm now.
I dont remember what my car was putting out bone stock... somewhere around 215hp I think... so to gain an average of roughly 85hp or so, I think the X Intercooler, piping, boost pill, test pipe and CBRD RAD lite is a great upgrade path ... as long as you have a great tuner to work with.
Of course, I'll go grab it right now actually.
well the car is done and back in my driveway... and its awesome!
297.57hp - 300.01tq... I couldn't be happier (if Myles or Aaron see this post, they may have the Dyno plot to post?)
The plot isnt dead-flat, but with the new turbo it stays flat much longer and pulls much harder up into higher revs... so, dead-stop acceleration isnt dramatically different, but when wound out to 7k, its like being back in my 2010 6.2L Chevy Camaro.
list of new/final mods is in my sig... So, the real questions:
Was it worth it to upgrade the Ralliart turbo? - Absolutely.
If I had to do it again, would I go the same route? - Thats a harder question to answer... I met the goals I set out for, and feel like I did it with the least out of pocket cost and least amount of physical change to the car. However, I did have to live without her for a month while waiting for shipping to PA, upgrade and shipping back to WA... where if I were going to an X turbo, I could collect all the parts while still being able to drive the car and be down for a week or so while its installed...
I even broke down and went to sit in her while she was waiting patiently for her turbo to come back... I hate to admit that I have become this attached already, but such is life.
So, back to the point... the CBRD upgrade
The turbo spools exactly the same as the tiny OEM Ralli turbo only keeps climbing up to 300hp and has legs out to 7500rpm now.
I dont remember what my car was putting out bone stock... somewhere around 215hp I think... so to gain an average of roughly 85hp or so, I think the X Intercooler, piping, boost pill, test pipe and CBRD RAD lite is a great upgrade path ... as long as you have a great tuner to work with.
297.57hp - 300.01tq... I couldn't be happier (if Myles or Aaron see this post, they may have the Dyno plot to post?)
The plot isnt dead-flat, but with the new turbo it stays flat much longer and pulls much harder up into higher revs... so, dead-stop acceleration isnt dramatically different, but when wound out to 7k, its like being back in my 2010 6.2L Chevy Camaro.
list of new/final mods is in my sig... So, the real questions:
Was it worth it to upgrade the Ralliart turbo? - Absolutely.
If I had to do it again, would I go the same route? - Thats a harder question to answer... I met the goals I set out for, and feel like I did it with the least out of pocket cost and least amount of physical change to the car. However, I did have to live without her for a month while waiting for shipping to PA, upgrade and shipping back to WA... where if I were going to an X turbo, I could collect all the parts while still being able to drive the car and be down for a week or so while its installed...
I even broke down and went to sit in her while she was waiting patiently for her turbo to come back... I hate to admit that I have become this attached already, but such is life.
So, back to the point... the CBRD upgrade
The turbo spools exactly the same as the tiny OEM Ralli turbo only keeps climbing up to 300hp and has legs out to 7500rpm now.
I dont remember what my car was putting out bone stock... somewhere around 215hp I think... so to gain an average of roughly 85hp or so, I think the X Intercooler, piping, boost pill, test pipe and CBRD RAD lite is a great upgrade path ... as long as you have a great tuner to work with.
Looks good, that's my ultimate goal as well. Upgraded IC and a RAD, done.
How is it sound wise? Turbo louder? Did you think about relocating the battery and getting an intake?
How is it sound wise? Turbo louder? Did you think about relocating the battery and getting an intake?
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Thanks for posting that Aaron - and I have to give huge props to you and all the guys at ER for excellent work
Thanks for the turbo work Chad! Dont blame Myles and Aaron for all the questions and emails - that was me being ... me. LoL
Thanks to Myles and the rest of the guys at English (again) for entertaining my wife with "be glad he isnt doing..." stories
Sound - its definitely louder - turbo whine is louder, exhaust is a little louder, the sound of air rushing in is louder ... all of which is awesome because its only louder when I WANT it to be (i.e. - normal driving with my kids its unchanged)
If I hadnt met my goals, I would be looking at an intake and a new exhaust ... thankfully with the English tune/CBRD turbo, there isnt a need.
The fear of SST problems and the wrath of my very patient and understanding wife (who is reading this as I type it) prevent me from chasing more power but that was the reason I chose this upgrade path to begin with.
In thinking more about it, if I had to do it all over again the only thing I would have changed is upgrading shipping... and learning the zen of patience.
Thanks for the turbo work Chad! Dont blame Myles and Aaron for all the questions and emails - that was me being ... me. LoL
Thanks to Myles and the rest of the guys at English (again) for entertaining my wife with "be glad he isnt doing..." stories
Sound - its definitely louder - turbo whine is louder, exhaust is a little louder, the sound of air rushing in is louder ... all of which is awesome because its only louder when I WANT it to be (i.e. - normal driving with my kids its unchanged)
If I hadnt met my goals, I would be looking at an intake and a new exhaust ... thankfully with the English tune/CBRD turbo, there isnt a need.
The fear of SST problems and the wrath of my very patient and understanding wife (who is reading this as I type it) prevent me from chasing more power
but that was the reason I chose this upgrade path to begin with.In thinking more about it, if I had to do it all over again the only thing I would have changed is upgrading shipping... and learning the zen of patience.
very cool and thanks for sharing! I bet that is a fun RA!
I have to respectfully disagree with the following, though:
"...I would be looking at an intake and a new exhaust ... thankfully with the English tune/CBRD turbo, there isnt a need."
There is always a need for better breathing, and since you've already met your power goals you should still be able to keep this quiet. Seeing that you've already gone with a test pipe, I'd definitely take out any bottlenecks in the backpressure (I'm not as familiar with the X; how is the rest of the exhaust assuming you went with a good TP?)
Regardless, congrats!
I have to respectfully disagree with the following, though:
"...I would be looking at an intake and a new exhaust ... thankfully with the English tune/CBRD turbo, there isnt a need."
There is always a need for better breathing, and since you've already met your power goals you should still be able to keep this quiet. Seeing that you've already gone with a test pipe, I'd definitely take out any bottlenecks in the backpressure (I'm not as familiar with the X; how is the rest of the exhaust assuming you went with a good TP?)
Regardless, congrats!