Don't wanna race...
 

This may be too light for this forum... if so, I apologize in advance.

I'm looking to upgrade my '05 VIII and like what I've read about Vishnu stuff (for the most part).

You guys seem to be down deep in the nuts and bolts of tuning trying to squeeze the last few ponies out of your cars. I'm not interested in that (too much learning). :lol:

I'd like mods that provide marked improvement w/out giving up driveability. I'll never take my car to the strip, I won't street race, etc. I DO get a thrill out of raw acceleration and the occasional backroad.

At first I considered the full-blown v550 package but that may be more narrowly focused and worry than I'm after. Next, I was thinking the v390 might be enough. Well, until I read an older C&D article where they tested a car like mine without then with this package. They didn't like it but there were several failures that seemed to related to installation of the parts (that wouldn't be an issue for me because I'd drag my car to Vishnu to have them do it).

Bottom line: would the v390 be the streetable, powerful and reliable package I'm looking for? If not, what would you suggest?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

Having had the v390 (formerly known as a stage 1+) on my Evo for over a year and having then gone to something similar to the v550 (in my case an AMS GT3071 kit), I would strongly suggest that you stick with the v390. In my experience, the v390 setup gave up NOTHING to the stock vehicle, not in terms of driveability, power, reliability, etc. IMO the only real choices you'll have to ponder are:

1.) Which cams to get. HKS 264/264 probably sound like they would fit what you are looking for (i.e. not overly aggressive, but make good power, especially for daily driving)

2.) Which exhaust to get. If you don't want a LOUD car, get the standard exhaust. IMO the signature exhaust is not for the meek, though my car may be an abberation (even Shiv said it was one of the loudest Evos he'd ever heard).

3.) Which engine management to go with? If you don't ever plan on upgrading your car further and if you live in a temperate climate (i.e. no cold winters), then the flash-based v390 is probably the best. However if you want a little bit of flexibility, then get the XEDE based v390, especially with the SMART system. It is a very nice setup. (I've been running it with my AMS kit)

If you are interested, I have a write up of my current setup here with comments vs the old v390: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...3&postcount=68

l8r)

For what it's worth, I'll give you my perspective from the "other side" of v390 than Ludikraut. In my case, I'm currently at roughly the v360 stage (which is pretty much the same minus cams) and I'm pondering going to v390. I also have the Xede w/ SMART which helps alot with the low- to mid-range drivability of the car. The v390 package is certainly a "streetable, powerful and reliable package".

In my case, I have plenty of power for daily or spirited driving. I can pass easily at 80mph with a gentle touch of the accelerator. I don't often use full throttle in my daily drive, yet I rarely have any traffic keep up with me. On the few occasions when I do put it all the way down I am not disappointed. Sure, there are plenty of cars that are faster out there, but very few of them are stock or priced anywhere near the evo. One thing to keep in mind is that even those of us with "slow" cars on this forum are usually quite a bit faster than the average car you see on the street.

Still, I'm wanting a little bit more. That's probably because I want the most I can get out of the car without loosing it as a pleaseant daily driver. Ludi is right about his exhaust! It is amazingly loud, but other Vishnu exhausts I've heard are about the same as my... uh, "Tuner X" :p exhaust. I wouldn't want anything louder myself, but that's your choice.

EDIT: for grammar

Have you considered going with a lower level package such as a 360 or 330. The v330+SMART package in particular is a whole lotta fun, but it looks and sounds like stock. That's basically where I am at the moment and the only thing that I'm really itching for are cams to help compensate for the high altitude here.

Where are you located? If you're running 93 all the time, why don't you just duck in somewhere for a custom tune. It's fairly inexpensive and well leave you feeling a whole lot better about your car. :)

d

I'm in the Seattle area but have no idea about a trustworthy Evo tuner. I think I'd be happy w/ what you suggest. It's just that I've seen enough about Vishnu to have a comfort level, especially if I take the car myself and have them tune it.

If you dont plan to race i think a flash is best for you.. you can pick up a good 70-80+ whp with just stage 1+ on 91 octane and it will be super safe, and run just like stock. The tune is conservative enough that you can road race the car, drag race or daly drive it and the car wll still act like stock. The v360-390 packages are awesome because they are things you get then forget about. Once your car is tuned you will never need to mess with it again, and you dont need to worry about it falling apart. You will retain just like stock reliability with either package and that is often more important than that extra 10 - 20 hwp.

I will respectfully disagree with you on that one, d.

The cams make a BIG difference, and for me finally made the car what I had wanted it to be off the showroom floor. Yes, it was fun to blast around town on the stock setup or the stage 1 setup (v360), but the car was still flat after 6000 rpm (5500 for the stocker), which to me was always a big bummer. IMO the only reason not to step right up to the v390 is if you're worried about emissions (actual sniff test, not OBD-II based testing). It's also cheaper to do it all at once.

l8r)

You're not disagreeing. I'm "itching for them" ==> wanting them. From what I gather they make an even _bigger_ difference higher elevation since the car has a harder time breathing even in stock form. I was stupid and should have gotten them done when I was within 15 miles of AMS. Now i'm way the f*ck in the middle of the desert, far from anybody that I was trust under the hood of my car. :(

EDIT: oh and vishnu's website is mistaken. Installation difficulty for camshafts is not "novice". :)

d

I am exactly like you. I don't drag race, street race, road race, etc, but I love the raw power of my GT3076R (A v550 clone). I am so power hungry I am stepping up to a bigger turbo. My driveability is exactly the same as the V390 I had, except that 5th gear sucks and the added lag.

I recommend stepping up to the v390 w/ 264 cams. If you don't mind a lumpy idle then get 272's. Then go for the big dog turbo upgrade.

If your ever in my area, your more then welcome to check out my car. A lot of people can't believe how civilized my car drives.

My stage 3 was more civilized in alot of ways than my 1+ also.BTW U don't drag race or your a drag race abomination JJ008? SO Don't lie u drag race, all be it like a drunk Granny, but u do Drag Race.lol Still 13s with a 30R? Will call u "13s4life".lol

I think that for what you are loking for you will be set. Vishnu is a reputable vendor/tuner and his power packages sounds promising.

Now days you find many vendors offering you well proven and safe packages If you don't mind paying their prices then go for, their quality is great price wise I think they are not that competitive in some specific items(price wise) but I do suport the quality big time though.

I have gone to the drag strip 3 times in my entire life. 2 times were after a local EVO meet to have some fun. So I don't classify myself as an avid drag racer.

I'm strapping on a bigger turbo so hopefully I will reach the 12's :lol: . This assumes I will actually get to the drag strip.

You will get back to the strip but 12s are not likely. 35Rs are a lil harder to drive and we know your a driving dexterilect.OUT!

I am not getting a GT35R ;).

I thought u were. Good decision!