Decisions, Decisions!!

[Mistersix]

First off i've never taken the time to introduce myself like most folks have, but, my name is Nik and this is my first turbo car.
I consider myself a well rounded driver with some track experience as well as some stuff i've done to my 99 miata, and a tweeked out lancer that i've done a lot of mechanical learning on. needless to say i've finally moved on to a worthy platform, that i'm ready start modding.

I've spent plenty of time reading on both forums since i got my car in the summer and understand turbo basics well. I've saved a bunch of money and am ready to do some power mods.

i have no intentions of doing exhuast mods just yet for fear of smoking turbo syndrome so lets just stay on the cold side of things. i wanna do a full intake as in a short ram and turbo inlet and maybe a bpv. which ones, i've yet to decide but theres enough info on the forums for that. heres where i need some advice.

I'm unsure rather to upgrade the tmic or go with the ap. theres dyno proof for both but i never put all my chips on dyno sheets. thing is i want what is most trouble free but provides the best performance. future modding for more power is unknown as me and my wife are expecting and i'd like to get some susp/wheels/ext, stuff on the car as well. so.. these power mod may be the be all end all...for now.

i'd love to get both the tmic and ap but its out side of my current budget. so if you were in my shoes what would you go with.

also, i intend to get all these at once. (sr,tp,bpv, and or tmic,ap) so order of installation has me a lil puzzeled. i'd love to do them all at once to feel all the gains at once but i've learned that that can make trouble shooting for problems a PITA. so should one maybe adjust the bpv first then the breather mods or vice versa.

sorry for the wall of text just wanna be thorough and not leave anything out.
thanks in advance fellas. EDIT: oh and ladies(bowdown)

 

[bova80]

for you if you fear exhaust mods i'd go with intake, bpv, tmic and ap. if you really want to feel the power though go with a downpipe pipe as well. i have the catted 3" cp-e downpipe and had issues with turbo smoking but this was easily resolved by switching to 5w40 oil and adding an oil catch can. currently the only things i don't have are a upgraded turbo and exhaust manifold but i should be getting the exhaust manifold in the spring and maybe a reworked turbo.

i've bought a lot of stuff from other people but with it being in great shape so i save a bunch of cash doing that. also some places will offer your some discounts.

 

[LBV]

i'd love to get both the tmic and ap but its out side of my current budget. so if you were in my shoes what would you go with.

I've got both and installed them at separate times (TMIC 1st, AP later) and I'd say go with the AP.

 

[Mistersix]

the cool thing is most vendors sell all those parts so hopefully someone will give me a package deal. i'd love to get some deals buying used parts just havent had any luck with the tmic and such. but might have better luck with the package deal.

i've done ecu upgrades on another car and it was the best mod next to light weight wheels. so i'm leanin toward the ap. i'd go sb but thats out of my grand to work with.

 

[Mistersix]

btw, obviously my cars stock. aside from some leather from redline goods, a twm weighted shift knob, and boost gauge. (prosport)

 

[lestat13]

For intake and turbo inlet, look at corksport, they have both in one piece for over $200. Most SRIs run that by themselves. Looks good and works well!

 

[coyfish]

If you have 1 grand to work with this is what I would do (if you buy your parts new).

COBB SRI - 150$$
TMIC ~565
Forge bpv - 150
Test pipe - 100

You could also swap the TMIC for the AP but you will have to remove another mod from the list.

Just keep your eyes open. Check all the forum websites for hot deals . Always people parting out.

Also pertaining to your exhaust comment. Test pipe is easy to install / remove. Wont smoke or anything. Will add around 8whp.

 

[Mistersix]

thanks guys,

yeah i've been readin around bout the test pipe. seems like good bang for the buck. so maybe i'll toss it in.

thinks theres any need to reset the ecu with the tp?

 

[coyfish]

not really.

 

[bova80]

well you are from aroudn me so if you ever want to check out my car let me know.

 

[Mistersix]

you know what bova i just might take you up on that. lets wait till its a lil nicer just to be safe.

 

[bova80]

works for me...what area are you from again? you can pm me if you don't want to shout that over the forum, haha.

 

[Mistersix]

the land of beaver, beaver county. i think it may be in my best interest to just take my time and wait for good deals to come along. as opposed to buying all at once. but i'm sure i'll change my mind tommorrow. (yuck yuck)

any way, still cant decide between the tmic or ap. just want what gives best gains. might just go with cobb short ram and ap and call it a day.

anyone is welcome to ask similiar (decisions, decisions) type questions in this thread. since this thread starting to feel pointless. like i'm babbling about my indecision. wtf!

either way impressions about said parts would still be great. since most threads i find about said parts is right after the person gets the part. so how bout some impressions on how you feel about having these parts on for awhile.

*spanks*

 

[coyfish]

TMIC is a very hands off easy bolt on. With the cobb you will have to play around and find the map that works best for you. Not to mention you will have some extra $$ to buy a few more mods if you go with the TMIC. IMO tunes should come after a bolt on foundation but thats just my 2C take it or leave it.

TMIC will bolt on directly and yeild prob around 15ish whp.

You should wait to find a used COBB AP if you end up going that way.

 

[Mistersix]

so bolting on a tmic alone, would one feel a 'seat of the pants' difference? if it truly is a round 15ish more ponies i'd imagine so. i've seen the dyno on their website and every thing. but still, with out other info from data logs and stuff a dyno sheet only shows part of the story.

not that i dont think its better than stock. just never really had a good look at the stock unit.

question, does any one know the stock turbo inlet diameter. 2.25" maybe 2.5"
curious cuz corksport's tp is 2.25" in diameter. others i've seen are 2.5

 

[bova80]

if you get the cobb intake and the ap i have the perfect map for you and you will be thrilled!

 

[coyfish]

You will definately fell the difference with a TMIC or a cobb AP. Take the engine cover off and look at the stock TMIC. Its tiny compared to the aftermarket.

 

[Mistersix]

thanks guys.

bova you alright man. i might just take you up on that one too!

summer's comin so i might have to give the ol mx-5 some love when it comes out of hibernation.

man,.... i need more money(lol)

 

[bova80]

haha thanks. i just slapped on some rpm street springs tonight and spc ball joints

 

[Mistersix]

hey which springs did you go with. sport or street. i was thinkin bout the exact same ones. how you like the ride. is it bouncy?