Additional Stage 2

Whats up..I plan on going stage 2, but I would like to maximize my tuning time, so I want to add something along with with a catless dp. I know an intake, and a catback wont yield much, if any performance gains, so Im wondering what would be the next best mod to do? I was thinking top mount? or should I just jump right to a vf-52, with a pretty conservative tune? (pump and injectors to come later down the line) Again, I dont want to spend the money for a pro tune, just for a new dp, so what would be the next best bang for the buck? Thanks alot

A top mount isn't a bad idea.

equal length headers perhaps?

If you have an 05-06, I'd suggest a catless up pipe.

Yes youll definently want a catless uppipe before tht tune. Either gut the stocker or get a new one. Honestly on the stock turbo i dont really feel that the 700 dolar price tag for headers is really worth a ~10hp gain. Id just buy the vf52 instead of the headers if you were to spend that 700 extra. It may just be worth it to wait a little longer and save up for a new top mount, injectors, fuel pump, turbo then tune.

so basically nothing else wll make a substantial gain until its time for a bigger turbo? then its time for pump intercooler and injectors? would a new top mount allow for more boost on the stock turbo?

grimmspeed EBC

Catless UP (will keep your catted up from grenading your turbo/motor)

GS EBCS (can get on boost faster)

TMIC (can run a little more boost and not blow the tanks)

 

/thread

^ basically everything you should be considering at this point.

 

 

One word of advice, do not "gut" your OEM up pipe. The cavity where the cat sits will create turbulence in the exhaust stream. Go aftermarket, or STi.

thats what I figured, so it looks like ill just be goin dp first, then turbo fuel all that at once later down the road. will i need a boost controler to raise the boost for stage 2? thanks for the help everyone

yes, you can safely run more boost on a aftermarket tmic. The OEM one dosen't like to much boost.

 

You can put a smalled pill in the vacuum line at the T on the turbo and get more boost. I'm running 21psi

 

You 'll need a 2.2k ohm resistor when you remove the egt probe.

 

You'll need some way to tune and data log. Cobb AP v2 or a cable to your lap top if your good with that kind of stuff.

Op, I want to congratulate you for doing things the "right" way btw. Far too many owners throw parts at their car one at a time, some even neglect to re-tune with the addition/change of things they consider insignificant. Make yourself a list, as you are already, source all of the parts and install them at once. Try to get yourself a base map so that the car can be driven to your tuner. Resist the urge to drive with any of the exhaust mods mentioned before being tuned. Catless UP/DP on a stock tune can lead to very very very bad things. Boost creep, nasty AFR's, detonation, catastrophic engine failure, basically anything.

 

In short, +1 to you.

The 2.2K resistor, I assume the chassis side connector is just a two terminal female spade that I can plug this resistor into? So if I get some heat shrink and cover it all nice it should be good from the elements?

 

OP, you didn't concur on getting a catless UP, but it's highly recommended. Catless UP, catted (IMHO) DP and a tune will be a nice bump in power.

The 2.2K resistor, I assume the chassis side connector is just a two terminal female spade that I can plug this resistor into? So if I get some heat shrink and cover it all nice it should be good from the elements?

 

OP, you didn't concur on getting a catless UP, but it's highly recommended. Catless UP, catted (IMHO) DP and a tune will be a nice bump in power.

 

Correct its a female plug the the resistor goes into. Just trim the ends of the resistors pins a bit and plug it in. I just electrical taped the whole connector with the resistor in it. I go mudding and flew through a huge watery muddy puddle about 20 feet wide at ~50mph and no problems.

Werd to big bird, thanks.

whats the difference, if any, in hp between a catted dp and one with no cat? i want to go cat so my car doesnt smell like gas, wont it sound a little better as well? no popping or back firing with the stock catback?

IMHO, all daily driven street cars should have cats, even a high flow cat is better than nothing. If you eliminate the cat in the up pipe, that's the big power robber. I'd be shocked if there were a 2BHP difference between catted and catless DPs.

 

I run a Cobb catted DP, and an STI catless UP on my LGT, which is my 1000 mile/month DD. On my Z32 which sees maybe 1500 miles a year, I'm wide open from filter to muffler.

Yup the power difference is extremely small. In states with strict emissions just go safe and get catted. Can still hear a little turbo spool with catted too

Yup the power difference is extremely small. In states with strict emissions just go safe and get catted. Can still hear a little turbo spool with catted too

 

I hear plenty of turbo spool, and BPV discharge as well. Car sounds great now

dont forget new gaskets. It would suck to get everything bolted back up only to find out you've got a leak somewhere.