Thanks for the fast replys, but I think I'm still on the fence. I don't want to have to worry about reliability issues as this is a daily driver. The CAI and BOV are both easy and inexpensives mods. However, from what it says about the stage1 it is only removing your 2nd CAT and you won't have to worry about a CEL light. At around $430 I think that's only marginaly more expensive than a CAI and BOV combo. I understand the install of the downpipe is a pain though. I was/am looking forward to the COBB PnP system coming out. I've heard lots of talk about it, "THEY" keep saying it's coming out but as far as I know, nobody knows when. Forgive any ignorance on my if I am asking dumb questions. I'm extremely new to car mods and have previously only done street bikes. It's hard to know what to deciede on when everyones ideas seem like the best ones...........
The thing to remember is that the engine is an air pump that burns gas mixed with that air. You have two strangleholds in this car. One is the air intake path that limits how easily the engine can get fresh air in. There is no debate here. You need to open up that path. Whatever intake you go with, it will be a noticeable improvement. There is more you can do, but that will be enough to start.
The second choke point is getting the exhaust gasses in and out of the turbo as quickly as possible. The best bang for the buck in your exhaust is a downpipe for the simple reason that the exhaust gasses need to expand across the turbine and exit in a hurry. Removing the restrictive cats in the downpipe should make a world of difference here, not to mention that the shape of the replacement downpipes is more conducive to moving lots of exhaust gas in a hurry. If I had the budget for it, I would make those two changes, drive the car for a few weeks to see if I need more, and go from there. If it isn't enough, you can put in a racepipe or a high flow cat in place of the remaining cat to further open your exhaust. If that isn't enough, after those bottlenecks are gone, put in a more open cat back. The cat back should be your final exhaust upgrade, not your first.
Somewhere in the midst of all this, you will want to improve the flow of fresh air some more. A replacement TMIC will be a big improvement, or if you like the bling and have the money, a FMIC would work too.
From what I have learned reading everyone else's experiences, I would upgrade in this order. I have to go in small steps due to the budget.
1) Intake (I already have an MS-CAI)
2) Downpipe (I just convinced myself to buy a Corksport with my tax return)
3) TMIC (this could happen next year)
4) High flow main cat.
5) TBE
6) Turbo manifold (fantasy component for me).
Once you have done the first two, you will probably have altered the turbo system enough that an aftermarket (adjustable) bypass valve will be necessary to compensate for the changes.
It is entirely up to you whether or not to mess with the ECU by using a MAP clamp and MBC or not. You may or may not find it necessary.
I hope I helped.
i also have the ets tmic 3.25in cuz well... i live in az and heat soak sucks
