I have these two setups running through my head and i would like to know your thoughts and opinions. This car will be driven in downtown LA area so mind you it will have alot deal with alot of stop and go during the week. On the weekends it will travel the open roads for about 100 miles to visit friends and family. Which one is my best bang for my buck? Which one will maintain a high level of dependability?

SETUP #1
15% Pulley
Alta CAI
One Ball Exhuast
Intercooler

What do you estimate the power, and MPG to be?

SETUP #2
19% Pulley
Injectors
GIAC Tunning
Alta Cai
One Ball Exhaust
(maybe top mount) Not sure if i will have enough $$

What do you estimate the power and MPG to be on this setup?


Thank you for your time and knowledge,

Michael

 

Day-to-day I would go with a modified SETUP #1
15% pulley
CAI (any one)
Exhaust (any one)

 

I would agree that the money for an intercooler would probably be better spent on an aftermarket exhaust. They are all pretty comparable performance wise so just go with the one that has the best sound/look to go with what you are after.

If you were going to be tracking the car then a new intercooler would be a good investment, for daily driver though I would put that as maybe a next mod on the list type deal.

 

Ehh, I'd say set up 2. I would look forward to the 100 mile trips! Just LET 'ER RIP!

 

I LIKE YOUR WAY OF THINKING!!!

 

I used to have an STi so an intercooler upgrade is a big thing, especially if you already have a good amount of mods. But it really seems that top mounts dont really help that much.....myabe i would be better off finding a used one. What do you think the hp to the wheels on a top mount would be? 3-5 WHP?

 

I'm very close to your first set up. I've been building my daily driver over the past three years, and still don't have it where I want it. I've thought about going with 19%, injectors, and the GIAC. but have since decided against it. My current set up is as followes:
15% on for 80+k miles
Alta CAI for about 90k miles
Denso plugs 45K miles
WMS extreme sway bar 10k miles

Still would like to add
WMS exhaust
M7 DFIC ( i think that right)
upgrade ignition wires.

Current power, no idea, don't really care its fun to drive.
MPG I still get in the low to mid 30's on the highway, and upper 20's when playing .

Nik

 

I'd go with set-up 1 but

1) pass on the intercooler
2) 1-ball excellent choice
3) CAI - brand is your choice
4) pulley % - your choice

having said that with the bundle of money you have saved by not purchasing the IC - spend it on

a) new M7 scoop which will maximize your stock IC.
b) a set of denso Ik22
c) ecu upgrade
d) boost guage

 

I would suggest package #1 but replace the intercooler with an ECU. I saw my torque curve improve as well as my MPG, that setup has been my daily driver for 20,000 miles with no problems at all and a lot of fun. I have the Unichip, and I was getting about 25.2 mpg average w/ a lot of city driving, and about 36 mpg on a hwy only trip. Either package you use would be a good daily, but I would suggest an ECU for either.

 

i'm with setup #2.

being a daily driver myself with long trips every so often, after researching, i've decided to get basically the same setup.
SETUP #2
19% Pulley
Injectors
GIAC Tunning
BFP CAI (for the CF look)
Milltek Exhaust
after these mods, maybe the M7 DFIC

 

Is there a reason why you opted out of the 19% setup? Do you think it is not as dependable?

 

RAW MCS:
What is your normal MPG?

 

When I did mine 80k ago 19% was still pretty new, and wasn't sure I wanted to be one of the first to test it on what was going to be a high mileage car. I still think about switching, but I have no real need to.

Also money availabe at the time, 19% needed other upgrades too, ie GIAC, belt, and injectors. 15% just needs the pulley.

If doing it again now and I had the money I would probably go 19%. ie, your second choice.

Nik

 

bmweater:
High 20'smpg around town, cruisin to work and on road trips = 34mpg give or take. Having some fun... well, it's fun so i don't think about the MPG then.

MotorOn.

 

#2

 

"#2" in this case is some GOOD "poo"

 

Awesome! Thats all what i need to know.....if you had to do it again then a 19% pulley would be your choice. Sweet!

 

#2

I actually had the 15% and HAI before I switched to the 19%/Injectors/GIAC... It's well worth the money and saving yourself the trouble of redoing it.

Currently, I'm trying to decide between the Milltek exhaust or the new M7 DFIC. It seems like everybody on the forum agrees that both intercoolers and exhausts don't really do much for the car, but spiderx is claiming a 'pulleyesque' change with the new DFIC. I want to wait for results on a more stock car though, one that doesn't have a new head.

I would say save your money from the one-ball and intake and wait for results on the DFIC.

 

hm.... to be honest.... for a daily driver, you'd want to shift the torque a bit lower, so a 19% makes more sense, but then i'd do injectors with it... dont bother with the intercooler, spend it on the injector with ecu tuning, otherwise exhaust and intake should also be done...

street driven mini might also consider lowering springs to make the look more aggressive

 

THIS MAN HAS IT RIGHT.... MY daily driver has a 19%, soon a Milltek, Later in the summer I will get GIAC and Injectors... right now it's getting OZ Ultraleggaras and new tires, aero kit grille, I bought two 8in. Audiobahn subs and a box, so that needs a capacitor, amp and head unit... Wet Okole seat covers, momo shift ****, tints and lowering springs. Also has a Monster Air Intake right now which I may swap with a Helix CAI if I have some spare cash lying around... Serious Summer Upgrades for me:thumbsu p::thumbsu p: When I should be saving for college:mad :impatient:imp atientimpatientimpatient

 

My only thing with the springs is the ride quality. I want to make sure that I have a confortable ride since I will be driving daily through the horrible paved streets of downtown....lol.

 

Sounds like you want progressive-rate springs -- stiff when turning, but even softer than stock when cruising. Check-out the H-sports or the M7s -- both get pretty good reviews around here.

 

ah... well you do get used to it..... one day!

 

I will look into both springs you mentioned Robert....and the thought to lower my car had never even entered my mind! lol

 

You should note that springs may cause extra wear on your shocks and thus may have to be replaced prematurely.