how to free up the most power

[Msp_guy]

Whats up ya'll, i've had my MSP for 8-9 months, its currently sleeping in the garage due to MTL brutal winters. What i'm looking for is the most avalibale free power without changing major components. An Ijen CAI is already ordered and a BOV will be put in before spring, but what else. How can i free up some power? I read that the cat is a pain in the power robbing ass but a full out cat back is out of the question. I also want to keep the car on warrenty. My plans to get an STI in a year or two keep me from spending too much $$$ on this car. Also a big part of it is that i lost the warrenty on my last Suby and had to pay for it through the ass. That won't happen again. My dealer isn't that bad, and basicly gave me the ok to do all bolt on mods...No ******* around with the Psi or turbo upgrades either.

I have been reading but found that everyone's different and depending where you live certain laws and emission standards could vary. Which is why i'm looking to bring the power up without risking warrenty and legal issues. Can anyone suggest some simple mods to free up some HP.

 

[griswold]

Most people seem to agree that a CAI, Catless / Turbo back exhaust and an upgraded intercooler make the biggest difference, not taking upping the boost into consideration.

I have a catback and plan on running a catless section in between inspection periods (while swapping the cats back in for the inspection). I've got the CAI (though it's still waiting to be installed) and plan on getting a better SMIC.

Of course I plan on keeping my boost at stock levels, though.

There aren't really any "Real Easy Free" mods to get more power. The nearest thing is a boost controller but, without the supporting mods, you're asking for possible trouble.

 

[peepsalot]

Whats up ya'll, i've had my MSP for 8-9 months, its currently sleeping in the garage due to MTL brutal winters. What i'm looking for is the most avalibale free power without changing major components. An Ijen CAI is already ordered and a BOV will be put in before spring, but what else. How can i free up some power? I read that the cat is a pain in the power robbing ass but a full out cat back is out of the question. I also want to keep the car on warrenty. My plans to get an STI in a year or two keep me from spending too much $$$ on this car. Also a big part of it is that i lost the warrenty on my last Suby and had to pay for it through the ass. That won't happen again. My dealer isn't that bad, and basicly gave me the ok to do all bolt on mods...No ******* around with the Psi or turbo upgrades either.

I have been reading but found that everyone's different and depending where you live certain laws and emission standards could vary. Which is why i'm looking to bring the power up without risking warrenty and legal issues. Can anyone suggest some simple mods to free up some HP.

Sounds like you are a little confused about the meaning of catback. That means everything after the catalytic converters, but is doesn't include the cats. If you ain't afriad of emissions, you can get a straight pipe section that removes both cats for very cheap. I think there was a thread around here where they were selling for <200. Too lazy to find it, but I think you also have to option of getting the pipe with a single high-flow cat as well.

 

[griswold]

...If you ain't afriad of emissions, you can get a straight pipe section that removes both cats for very cheap...

And bear in mind that if you do this, you'll probably have to install an MIL eliminator since the 2nd o2 sensor will get foreign reading and throw a check engine light...

Not sure if it'll still throw a CEL with a high flow cat, though.

 

[Swerny]

Get a catted downpipe/midpipe to replace the 2 stock cats.
10 hp right there.
Apex sells one. So does MAM and Wagner.
You will still be emissions legal with it as well. No MIL needed.
A BOV won't do s*** for power gains, let alone at stock boost, the stock BPV works fine.
If you are adding a BOV, add it to hardpipes, not the stock plastic crap, which will gain you a bit of power as well.

There really is no way to make huge power while keeping your entire warranty.
And why don't you drive your car in the winter? With snow tires, the MSP is a bast to drive in the snow.

 

[Msp_guy]

Thanks so far,ya i heard that hard pipes will help a little and the bov is really just to keep the turbo in check! The idea is to maximize on what the MSP has under the hood without going full blown modified! I know the engine can produce more power if i could remove all the restrictions. Thats the goal.

MsMSP: I'm very lucky to have a winter car, thats why i don't drive it in the winter. I must admit that i have taken it out a few times...when the streets are clean and dry. I was amazed. This car performs better in winter (probably due to the cold air) if only i could get those pesky 17 to stop spinning.

 

[Dr.Sound]

how are u installing the BOV?
if it's the BOV alone u'll have problems with stalling.
MSP's are MAF'ed cars. they recirculate air back into the intake.
u have to recirculate in order not to stall or run veru rich for a few seconds after every shift.

downpipe with hi-flow cat, side-mount intercooler, intake.
those are some of the mods i have and they have given me the most increase in HP.

i think the most dramatic increase was form SMIC......i have protosport (circuitsport) SMIC.

 

[FlyinMSP]

Instead of a catless downpipe/midpipe you can opt for a high-flow cat/midpipe. That way you stay legal, have good conscience and lose less than 2HP (if you lose any) compared to the catless pipe, and no need for MIL elim.

 

[rocketspeed]

What's the difference between a downpipe and midpipe? I've been looking at lots of threads, but different people call them different names sometimes.

I want to go 2.5 in from the S-pipe back (leaving the stock S-pipe in place) with a high-flow cat. I'm not comfortable installing pulling the S-pipe for the full turbo-back, beyond me at this point.

So I need a midpipe with a high flow cat and a cat-back exhaust. Anything else?

 

[FlyinMSP]

What's the difference between a downpipe and midpipe? I've been looking at lots of threads, but different people call them different names sometimes.

I want to go 2.5 in from the S-pipe back (leaving the stock S-pipe in place) with a high-flow cat. I'm not comfortable installing pulling the S-pipe for the full turbo-back, beyond me at this point.

So I need a midpipe with a high flow cat and a cat-back exhaust. Anything else?

The downpipe is also referred as the "J" pipe that bolts on to the Callaway "S" pipe that bolts directly onto the turbo (but there is anothe "S" pipe, the one from the midpipe to the exhaust...)

 

[rocketspeed]

Who makes the pipe from the downpipe to the cat-back in 2.5in- anyone? Seems silly to get the 2.5in downpipe and 2.5in catback and have the stock pipe in the middle as a bottleneck. It is smaller, correct?

 

[FlyinMSP]

Yes it's smaller, like 2.25" It's indeed a bottleneck but you still gain a lot by changing your midpipe alone 'cause there are 2 cats and the junction btw those 2 cats is less than 2" in diameter! I put a 2.5" midpipe with a 2.5" hi-flow cat and the difference is VERY noticeable...

EDIT: there are several complete exhaust system out there for the MSP, some are even 3" all the way. Search around this forum for the options/prices

 

[rocketspeed]

I've searched around a bunch, but haven't found one that I'm certain is from the downpipe back- I want to replace everything excluding the S pipe off the turbo.

I think my best bet is to get the midpipe with the high flow cat and then just get everything from there back done custom locally.

 

[peepsalot]

I've searched around a bunch, but haven't found one that I'm certain is from the downpipe back- I want to replace everything excluding the S pipe off the turbo.

I think my best bet is to get the midpipe with the high flow cat and then just get everything from there back done custom locally.

The perrin exhaust is a complete exhaust minus the s-pipe, but it is pricy IMO. To my knowledge, the only downpipes out there at this point that replace the s-pipe are ION and GHL.

Any other "downpipe" being sold replaces the J-pipe and the straight pipe that contains the cats, which is what you are looking for. Apex, Wagner, and protosport make pieces like this. There may be others I don't know about. Then all you need from there is a catback, and there are lots of those around. Or get that done locally if you want.

 

[Dr.Sound]

this is what i have

it's a downpipe.....or if u prefer "j-pipe"

 

[Tommy1005]

I have the Apex downpipe......or "j" pipe, and it made a night and day difference. I am currently running the pipe, a custom 3" exhaust, 10psi, and the DSM AFC (just installed it last night)........I think with these upgrades, minus the boost, and add a CAI and BOV with harpipes, and the car will really wake up......Just my .02

 

[rocketspeed]

this is what i have

it's a downpipe.....or if u prefer "j-pipe"

Purty. That must shed some weight, too.

What about the pipe from here to the cat-back, though- from what I can see of cat-backs like the Greddy, there is that S shaped pipe that doesn't seem to be part of it. Is it part of the cat-back system?

 

[Tommy1005]

the s-pipe comes off the turbo......the only other thing that could resemble an S is where the pipe goes over the rear suspension.......The cat-back system will include everything from the back of the J-pipe (the stock one has the cats in it and is shown in that picture) to the back of the car......thus cat-back, or everything from the cats rearward......the only other option is the axle-back which would only be from the flange just before the pipe goes over the rear suspension to the back of the car.

 

[vindication]

on a side note, griswald, is that your gf in your sig? if so, nice catch

 

[spicynamja]

SMIC (Side mount intercooler)
Is the way to go. Frees up a buttload of power, is a bolt on, and will make the car run pretty much the way you want it to. I recommend it. Cullen at ********** may have a couple SMICs left if not then contact CustomMSP for his SMIC.
Both run 450-600 dollars.