Looking for best upgrades for the $$?

[Krystal'Speed]

First of all this is my 1ST post here on this forum. My name is David, I joined this forum to get some knowledge about my girlfriend's car. She has a silver '03 Protege speed. I'm getting to like her little car a lot and i want to look into upgrading for her car as a gift. That was we can both BOOST.
Anyway i have a hook up at Garrett so i will be getting her a new turbo 1ST just a small upgrade up to a GT25R. Then i will get her a Greddy type S or R, not sure yet, BOV. Plus the upgraded SMIC that i saw on sale here. Now what i would like to get help from the existing members here is on a exhaust? I dont want her to attract too much attention (FROM COPS THAT IS), so nothing too loud. After reading around i found these exhaust that most of the members asked about, Racing Beat? GHL? Apexi? Corksport? and Thermal R&D catback? If one OR two of these is the same thing sorry about that. I'm just posting what i read. That being said, i noticed that people were saying that the GHL is the BEST deal that it has a FULL Turboback exhaust but runs like $1200? Then the Apexi catback is around $900? And i think those are the only prices i was able to get. But like i said i don't want her to attract too much attention. I like a nice deep sound, not too loud, almost stock look, just a simple CLEAN look.
As for how much i wanna spend so far just from all that i listed it will add up to under $900 i think w/ my hook ups. So with the exhaust system i was thinking around.... $6-900 but like i said nothing too flashy NOR RICEY. Plus most things that will bolt right up, or little to NO mods.
I plan on starting this upgrading as soon as February hits. Then be done NO later than June. I'm giving it 5 months because i will also be working on my car/project and paln on having it ready for a show in June in Vegas. I need a driver (burnout) while I'm there.

Thanks for any help,
David

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

Welcome to the boards!

Make your own exhaust. Bigger and more free flowing the better, get rid of the stock cats and go with at least hi-flows. Try the muffler that I'm making in the general performance section, you can't get more free flowing than that.
There alot more things to do before a bigger turbo is needed. I was able to bend my #4 connecting rod into a U shape at only 13psi on the stock turbo. With everything else matched the stock set-up is more than ample to overpower the stock bottom end.

 

[Bhamsan]

The general consensus on bigger turbos is wait off and get some EMS before upgrading. You can easily bend or snap a rod on a stock MSP engine upgrading the boost. How this guy above me ran so many times on a stock MSP before blowing it is beyond me, he is just that cool. However, most of us aren't as fortunate to be as cool, and must be extra careful when toying with boost and bigger turbos. Best thing would be to go with a SMIC, Intake, and Custom 3" exhaust with cats and resonator, so keep it quiet. You should be able to get it all for under $900 I think. Then, you can probably boost it around 8psi or so before hitting fuel cut and you'll be sitting pretty at around 185whp. With a AFC (not apexi, they don't work, Airflowlogistics instead) tuned to 10psi, you can easily look for 205-210whp, which is a very nice ride indeed.

 

[Krystal'Speed]

Cool thanks a lot i like the advice the both of you gave me. I am taking that now into consideration. Which is cool b/c i will save some money there that i can use on my car . Any stores, websites, brands you guys prefer over the next?

David

 

[geomatics_tech]

I have a new found love for my car after installing the turbo hoses smic and hard pipes (from **********.com , and they have awesome service). Highly reccomended.......... ..............if you can find one.

Shaun (canada)

 

[peepsalot]

I though we already had a gt25r. Anyways, I would recommend some fuel control at the very least before upgrading the turbo. And our turbo flows fine for stock and slightly elevated boost levels(to 14 or so?) anyways. If you can get a custom exhuast for cheap, I would go with that. SMIC is a nice upgrade. Might want to get at least a front motor mount to deal with the wheel hop you're gonna get with that extra power.

 

[edaddeemsp]

I think that stock is just a t25, and with proper tuning can hold about 18psi-wastegate might be a diff story though. Also, krystal'speed, are you looking for all those upgrades for under $900, or just exhaust? After reading the first post, it seems like you actually want to spend $1500-$1800, with $900 or less going toward only 1 mod. (uhm)

 

[roni]

Welcome to the forums.

I don't think you need to switch turbos from the start. The turbo on the MSP is not one of the weakest components of the car. You can if you want, but there are plenty other upgrades too.

I like my Greddy Type S BOV, when I first got it I couldn't helping blowing off at people all the time.

No need to go more then 2.5" on the exhaust, especially if you don't want to attract too much attention.

I really like the sound of the universal Thermal R&D muffler I have on a custom 2.5" 304 stainless turbo-back with a high-flow magnaflow carsound cat and a magnaflow resonator. I think I should've opted for a longer resonator then the one I have, but I'm quite happy where I am. Find a decent performance exhaust shop in your area, and price out what it would cost.

The sound I've got isn't ricey at all, a nice deep tone, but not very loud. I get frustrated by all the rice I see and hear around here.

Good luck with your project, keep us posted.

 

[Micah]

Ricer Roni

Rice-a-roni "The San-Francisco Treat"

heheheheh

 

[spacemonkey]

Turbo I would put off in the closet untill EMS or a stronger engine.

For a reletively stock set up I would try a Unichip piggy back. IT can store 2 maps and the fuel delivery/timming is smoother to the engine. And another map is for performance cranking the boost up to 12 with proper fuel managment and timming. PnP and still has ECU features and utilizes stock sensors like knock sensors and etc. The 1st time a WRX broke into 12s was with Unichip. And seems to be poular with WRX guys and Porsche owners. I would get her a boost gage too becuse im reading weird boost spikes on the performance map. Definately somethign to consider.

A good upgrade is like you said a SMIC and harpipes. DSMconvert sales CNC steel pipes with greddy or HKS flanges for cheap and they are nice looking if I say so myself ($200). Turbo hose makes good piping and IC too...out of aluminum?

hit up www.**********.com for those and ask for Cullen.

As for the best mod to get power. I would get a DP. 2.5 inch hi-flow cat Downpipe/midpipe. It wont be annoying and noisy. And you will get decent gains because the twin stock inline cats are so restrictive. Personally I think 2.5 inches is enough for stock set up.

I recommend Apex 2.5 inch DP or MAMotorsports is having a sale/GB same looking downpipe wih or without cats. Price I think is around $300-$400.

Exhaust is a good ideal but the DP will probally yeild better hp gain form just cat back. I personally like the Greddy SP2 or EVO2. Stock looking and sound close to stock. Or you can probally keep the stock mufler and just do pipe work. EVO SP2 can be bought form Cullen @ street unit.

 

[Krystal'Speed]

Hey thanks for all the feedback guys. This is the stuff that i needed to hear (read). Anyway, in regards to

Edaddeemsp's - I already have counted on the bov,turbo, smic, boost gauge, and EBC, those things are already expensed out. So yes the $900 (+/-) are pretty much only for the exhaust system. Either catback or turboback im not sure. If i dont buy the new turbo, which it sounds like you guys are saying, i can spend some more money on the exhaust or other little things.

Roni - The Thermal exhaust tip you're talking about, where could i find one? I wasnt thinking about going any bigger than 2.5" on her exhaust either.

Spacemonkey - i just wanna make sure I'm reading your post correctly, You're saying that i will get MORE or BETTER gains from a dp/mp than a full catback? Oh and i didn't find anything for sale/GB at MAMotorsports.

Put it this way guys i want my gf's car to sit at around... 30-35whp more than stock NOT too much but just enough to have some EXTRA fun in. Wait a minute, what is the stock hp again, 170hp? Sorry brain fart (shrug).

So if i have the little extra money since i won't be getting the GT25R should i just go with the GHL iON tback exhaust? Aren't they the same as getting the dp/mp + catback? Doesnt the price equal out? But are they loud would be my next question? Since its 3"s? Also i just found this new greddy RS BOV (new to me that is)
http://www.**********.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Type_RS.jpg
Would this be better than the type S? Its only a few dollars more.

David

 

[spacemonkey]

Spacemonkey - i just wanna make sure I'm reading your post correctly, You're saying that i will get MORE or BETTER gains from a dp/mp than a full catback? Oh and i didn't find anything for sale/GB at MAMotorsports.

Put it this way guys i want my gf's car to sit at around... 30-35whp more than stock NOT too much but just enough to have some EXTRA fun in. Wait a minute, what is the stock hp again, 170hp? Sorry brain fart (shrug).

So if i have the little extra money since i won't be getting the GT25R should i just go with the GHL turboback exhaust? Isn't that the same as getting the dp/mp + catback? Doesnt the price equal out? But is it loud would be my next question? Since its 3"s? Also i just found this new greddy RS BOV (new to me that is)
http://www.**********.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Type_RS.jpg
Would this be better than the type S? Its only a few dollars more.

David

The Type RS is suppose to be a newer design...I heard its louder and holds boost better. Piston type BOV have a habit of getting stuck or leaking if you run high boost to the point where the springs cant hold it...something the MSP will never see. Thats why Greddy has a version of the type S called the Type R (stiffer spring for racing). The Type RS is suppose to be the newest version...with a differnet sound and more quality material. I just think its the type S since its only about $10 more expensive. Record that and let me hear the sound...I heard its suppose to be nice but cant find any clips.

A type S Greddy has a high pitch air sound like Paul Walkers Eclipse in Fast and the furious. If you are interested in the type S let me know...I kind of want the type RS and see how it sounds. I love the Greddy S.

As for the GB...sorry it wasnt a group buy but its one of the best prices you can get for a dp/mp.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92262

I like the Apex one becuase I like how it looks... and I got it for a reasonable price before MAM made one.

http://www.apexr1.com/apexmspsection.html

The gain is substantial and I truely belive if 30-35 WHP is your goal then this will be a great modifcation. There is no need for 3 inches on stock turbo. All the manufatuer are comming out with 2.5 inch and I trust them and Beau if they they say its the best size for our turbo.

Read this for performance gains of a Midpipe/DP

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92615

Stock

Yuck...vs

Not stock

 

[spacemonkey]

I know you are fairly new but a few months ago a Magazine did a very good review on the MSP about bolt on parts and they got what you are looking for...

I would read this:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19606

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19606

Dyno resaults are shown. The only thing I would not do is raise the boost unless you have fueal and timing managment...i.e a piggyback or standalone.

 

[BOOSTR]

Since you already have the other basic goodies......get the Apex 2.5 DP without cats and the the Greddy SP2 exhaust system. You definitely want to free up the exhaust from the stock set up( which is fine at low boost), if you are turning up the boost wick. Thats what I have on mine, so I am biased towards that setup, but can tell you it works out well!

Those other exhaust are nice, but way too pricey. Trust or Greddy is world-renowned. The fastest car on this forum is virtually stock, so keep that in mind when you are throwing around mod dollars. Its better spend wisely on a few mods that work, and not break the bank. For roughly $1600, I have a CAI, DSBC, Hardpipes, Downpipe, and Exhaust.

 

[spacemonkey]

I would actually opt for the hi-flow cats for daily driving. It may present some back pressure but not as much as stock. And some back pressure can save you gas as your turbo doesnt spool up as fast.

let me show you what I plan to do:

QTEC electronic cutout...and electronic downpipe. At a flip of a switch she can run sort of an open exhaust deal (race gas,loud and etc). And when she wants she can close the valve for a stock noise car and be daily driven.

Get an exhaust shop to weld it onto the DP...there was a group buy for this but im not sure if its going down anymore because there was not much interest. One a turbo car this is probally one of the funnest mod and the turbo will probally spool up very quickly. The WRX they tested on gained 22 whp from it. On some NA cars its not good because you need some back pressure.

Currently doing more research ont his productbecause I dont think any MSP has it on. Its popular among the domestic guys...so I'll probally ask them if they recommend it or not.

 

[BOOSTR]

Open downpipe yields me 30MPG's and the car is not noisey at all. Catless is the only way to go if you are adding a downpipe. Unless you live in an emissions inspection state.

 

[Shane-O]

QTEC electronic cutout....

I love mine, our cars sound so beast with it, and gain 8whp.

 

[warrier04]

** Airflow Logistics Air/Fuel Controller (PM DSMConvert for more info)
** DSM's hardpipes w/ greddy flange (PM DSMConvert for more info)
** Greddy Type RS BOV
** CustomMSP's SMIC (PM CustomMSP for more info)
** GHL Turboback Exhaust w/ cats
** Boost gauge and pod

voila. a quick, reliable, and emmissions-safe daily driver.

drew.

 

[spacemonkey]

I might have a set of DSMconvert Hardpipes for sale....dont buy any hardpipes until you talk to me...I'll sell them to you for a good price.

It has a greddy flange where you can mount that reddy Type RS or Type R or Type S

 

[roni]

Open downpipe yields me 30MPG's and the car is not noisey at all.

30MPG gain? Hmm. I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

Catless is the only way to go if you are adding a downpipe. Unless you live in an emissions inspection state.

Well he's in Los Angeles, so he's not in an emissions-free state, and regardless, I have a hard time believing that a catless setup is very quiet, when my car was catless I really didn't enjoy the sound.