What mod next?

golgo13 · Sep 21, 2009, 05:33 PM

Personally, I hate posts like these... but I'm honestly in need of some advice. Hope this is the right forum, I still consider myself a newbie since I'm always learning.

I'm finally at a point where I'm "used" to the power in my car and I've been thinking about adding another part to up the awhp. The problem, is that I have no real idea where to go next from a reliable modification standpoint. I've read a lot of forum threads here about what set-ups people are running, but in the logical chain of modifications, I don't know which one would make the most sense. Outside of spending more money on track time, just having some more raw power would be a really great addition.

The car already has a drop in filter, 3" TBE and a dyno tune. The car is tuned for 91 octane and is an extremely reliable daily driver.

I figured I would stick my neck out and pull a newbie move and ask for ideas. Any help you guys/gals can give would be greatly appreciated!

I'm not trying to make super crazy dyno numbers, I just want something fast and reliable that won't cost too much money.

What makes the most sense? Cams? Larger turbo? Bigger injectors? Larger intercooler?

Thanks in advance!

hansolo · Sep 21, 2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golgo13

What makes the most sense? Cams? Larger turbo? Bigger injectors? Larger intercooler?

All of the above... maybe start with either a FP Red turbo or a BBK Full and a tune?

DBallz · Sep 21, 2009, 06:26 PM

When modding an evo 9 on stock turbo most usually do this

Intake system(drop in are a waste of money)
3" Turbo Back Exhaust
o2 housing
LICP
Walbro Fuel pump
MBC, EBC, or 3 port Boost solenoid for ECU control boost
3.5" IC
Injectors depending on how much power you want
No need for cams on evo 9 with stock turbo...a good tuner and MIVEC is all you need.

Minus the injectors guys on my coast using 93oct make about 350-370. If you want to do a turbo upgrade your going to have to do these mods anyway.

golgo13 · Sep 21, 2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hansolo

All of the above... maybe start with either a FP Red turbo or a BBK Full and a tune?

Is there anything else that would need to be done besides a larger turbo and retuning the car? How large of a turbo can I go before I have to start changing out other parts to support the larger turbo?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBallz

Intake system(drop in are a waste of money)
o2 housing
LICP
Walbro Fuel pump
MBC, EBC, or 3 port Boost solenoid for ECU control boost
3.5" IC
Injectors depending on how much power you want
No need for cams on evo 9 with stock turbo...a good tuner and MIVEC is all you need.

This seems like a lot.

Of that list, what parts would net me the most power for the dollar? (Obviously not the fuel pump, solenoid and O2 housing) I also notice that a larger turbo is absent from this list. Any particular reason?

golgo13 · Sep 22, 2009, 10:18 AM

Is this too trivial? I don't understand why there aren't more suggestions in this thread.

Jeffroevoix · Sep 22, 2009, 10:32 AM

The "Official" Evo Modding for Dummies
Lots of info in here

DBallz list might seem like alot, but I would have all that on my car before I went with a bigger turbo

Malik_EvoIX · Sep 22, 2009, 10:35 AM

get upper and lower intercooler piping and a descent FMIC some nice cams and feul pump and retune you will be golden.

mlomker · Sep 22, 2009, 10:45 AM

The most power for the dollar is always a bigger turbo. You won't be able to max out the capabilities of the bigger turbo without all of the listed supporting mods, some of which you scoffed at.

An EBCS to hold more high-end boost (they are $100 or so) on the stock turbo and considering an E85 conversion seem like no-brainers to me (if you can get E85 where you live). On the X's E85 will do more for you than cams (it maxes out the stock turbo's flow) so I imagine the impact is also very good on IX's.

Brsox10288 · Sep 22, 2009, 10:53 AM

I would personally do walboro 255 fuel pump since its a cheap mod that your going to need eventually anyways. I would look at getting a licp.

DBallz · Sep 22, 2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golgo13

Is there anything else that would need to be done besides a larger turbo and retuning the car? How large of a turbo can I go before I have to start changing out other parts to support the larger turbo?

This seems like a lot.

Of that list, what parts would net me the most power for the dollar? (Obviously not the fuel pump, solenoid and O2 housing) I also notice that a larger turbo is absent from this list. Any particular reason?

The reason why I didn't mention larger turbo is because you have to do those mods first to accommodate the larger turbo. It may seem like alot of mods but look around in the dyno results forums you will see evo 9's making alot of hp on stock turbo with all the mods I listed.

So I will go thru this again for you.

inatke system: the stock intake system is garbage especially when you start to increase boost which you will. The hose will begin to collapse on itself plus the diameter is small and restrictive. Air Filter Shootout Test - Results!
o2 housing: the stock one is restrictive and will cause issues with more boost added also an aftermarket one will help with spool and over all boost performance. MAPerformance's coated megan 02
LICP helps with spooling and the boost or the turbo also another power adder. ETS, Bucher, AMS, Neisi, PPI there is a whole bunch...you looking at adding 10hp
Walbro Fuel Pump: you will need it to be on the safe side if you turn up the boost the car need fuel
MBC, EBC, or 3 Port Boost Solenoid: The stock wastegate actuator is ok but you have to change boost pills which can get annoying. A hallman MBC is cheap and easy, EBC like my Blitz is ok too plus you don't have to tune the boost in the colder months or cold nights, and a 3 Port Solenoid is the BMW of the boost controllers a good tuner will tune with this and you boost is more stable and it's controlled by the ecu.
3.5" IC you may not need it depending on what you use the car for. If you live in South Cali I'm pretty sure in the summer is gets nasty hot....well guess what so does that IC. When ur stock IC gets heatsoaked then your blowing hot air from the turbo thru a hot IC into the motor and you car won't make the same HP it did when yo got tuned lets say in Febuary.
Injectors: another thing you may not need the rule of thumb is stock turbo=stock injectors....depending on what you want you can make even more hp with injectors but I would save it for the turbo upgrade
Cams: With the evo 9 and a good tuner it has been proven that the MIVEC along with stock cams can make very good power. Alot of tuners will even tell you if you stay on the stock turbo getting cams is not going to yield a big jump in HP like say with a FP red turbo.
Meth Injection: Never added this before cause I hate trying to explain this to noobs but meth lets say with stock injectors and IC what it does is sprays in your upper IC pipe stream and cools the air so it acts like race gas or oct booster.

You don't need an Upper IC unless you blow the pipe off all the time. You don't need a turbo upgrade try maxing out your stock turbo first and see how you like it before pissing away 1800+ in the wind.

modetm · Sep 22, 2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golgo13

Is there anything else that would need to be done besides a larger turbo and retuning the car? How large of a turbo can I go before I have to start changing out other parts to support the larger turbo?

This seems like a lot.

Of that list, what parts would net me the most power for the dollar? (Obviously not the fuel pump, solenoid and O2 housing) I also notice that a larger turbo is absent from this list. Any particular reason?

I don't think DBallz was suggesting you get everything on that list but was instead proposing an upgrade path that you could go as far down as you want. As to your question about power/dollar, the best are mbc/ebc (i.e. raising the boost) and intake system.

I'm actually in a similar position as you, thinking about what the best mod path with reliability in mind rather than huge numbers. With an exhaust, filter, and tune, I've tentatively decided that my next step will be full tbe (hfc and downpipe), mbc, licp, O2 (maybe, need to research more), and re-tune.

golgo13 · Sep 22, 2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffroevoix

The "Official" Evo Modding for Dummies
Lots of info in here

DBallz list might seem like alot, but I would have all that on my car before I went with a bigger turbo

I saw this, but that wasn't really an upgrade path per se, mostly just a list of modifications and why people do them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlomker

The most power for the dollar is always a bigger turbo. You won't be able to max out the capabilities of the bigger turbo without all of the listed supporting mods, some of which you scoffed at.

No scoffing here! Just wanted to try and find the best single upgrade for my set-up. I appreciate ALL feedback and ideas! I really do appreciate it, I know you guys have knowledge and I'm willing to learn, no ego here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBallz

The reason why I didn't mention larger turbo is because you have to do those mods first to accommodate the larger turbo.

Ahhh, okay. Good to know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by modetm

As to your question about power/dollar, the best are mbc/ebc (i.e. raising the boost) and intake system.

Part of my tune included a new boost controller and running the car at 24 psi. I originally didn't go with an intake because I've already had to pop my hood once here in California and wanted to keep the stock appearance. As soon as a CHP officer sees a mod and no CARB sticker, you're off to see the referee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by modetm

I'm actually in a similar position as you, thinking about what the best mod path with reliability in mind rather than huge numbers. With an exhaust, filter, and tune, I've tentatively decided that my next step will be full tbe (hfc and downpipe), mbc, licp, O2 (maybe, need to research more), and re-tune.

shadykilla · Sep 22, 2009, 11:11 AM

Sorry for the quick thread jack.. Are modding evo's the same as say a subbie where you need to tune per every mod put on the car??

Just wondering because I'm looking and this big mod list and wondering if it's smart to buy everything and tdo that all at once to save money on tunes..

Brsox10288 · Sep 22, 2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadykilla

Sorry for the quick thread jack.. Are modding evo's the same as say a subbie where you need to tune per every mod put on the car??

Just wondering because I'm looking and this big mod list and wondering if it's smart to buy everything and tdo that all at once to save money on tunes..

If you have the money, sure its smart lol.

shadykilla · Sep 22, 2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brsox10288

If you have the money, sure its smart lol.

Well I mean is it necessary to tune after every mod. With subbies its almost a law that you must tune after every mod or you car will blow up.

I mean I understad after a tbe and stuff like that you should. But I'm guessin it would be smart to either do a group of mods together unless you can tune after each??