No exact answer it depens on you and your goals plenty of these questions asked all the time, check the upgrade path plenty there for you to pick form from tuning maintence 1000 can go along way kinda depending what you want tuning no matter what if you don't play want stock. I would look around lots of information out there.

I feel your money would be best invested in purchasing items pursuant to your final goal.

Here's what I mean. Let's take an intake for example, if at some point you want/need to run SD, then you don't want to "waste" money on an intake that incorporates your MAS. Or alternately, if you plan to go with a non-DSM flanged turbo, no point on getting a manifold that has a DSM only flange.

So keeping that in mind...look at what you can utilize now, and will still be good for a growing system in the future. Boost gauge, or any gauge really (always a good thing), and/or some kind of tuning tool (DSMLink or black box).

Although a lot of preliminary purchases may not be "sexy", a lot are usually necessary for further purchases down the line. I found the first few hundred (sometimes ALOT more than a few) are just laying groundwork for other things.

BTW, this is all assuming your maintenance is all up to date, if it isn't that would be the first thing I would do.

All of this is just my opinion, YMMV

Putting it on E85, and probably a clutch. Then a 16g, then a fmic.

$1000 won't get you very far on a 1g. In the past year I've spent that more than that on maintenance and getting the car in good mechanical condition.

Keep an eye out for maintenance things that can also be upgraded. My original rotors were shot and needed replacing, so that was obviously a good time to upgrade my brakes.

Maintenance! God knows every DSM needs a little. Need to lay a proper foundation before go-fast.

I agree with ryder.

If your maintenance is up to date, then I would suggest starting with a wideband and a tuning system. Those two things alone will unlock more HP pr $ than any other mods at this point, and you'll need to tune anyways with any significant modding. Then work on intake/exhaust, fuel, etc.

Take your time when I first started I bought a lot of dumb parts,, but that was about 20 years ago ive changed cars goals etc you never know what will change.

ive done a bunch of mods and wish i had started with ecmlink before anything

Like I said, a 255hp, 750's or something, link or even a safc, and fill the tank with corn an up the boost.

I'm also fairly new to dsms and have been working on a budget as well. If you're looking for quick power now, probably an intake/exhaust. Higher flowing air filter. Things like that

I would try to get DSM link to help with tuning down the road. Then see if you can get exhaust, bigger turbo and fuel pump. I think that's a safe start and will be able to use this later when your budget grows.

I would start with a good set of tools if you dont already have a set...

the fuel pump is going to take up a lot of your 1k budget since u will need the fpr id say exhaust boost gauge and link and a wideband to monitor afr u can get a mbc and turn up the boost to 16 lbs on stock fuel especially if your tuned on link the 14b is well capable of having some fun

If your maintenance is up to date then id suggest boost gauge, clutch, exhaust, 2g mas with Evo injectors, manual boost controller , modding the 1g bov, and fuel system components fpr, pump ect. personally I prefer to purchase somethings used ( as long as there in good condition of course) exhaust def falls in this category. This will certainly keep you on budget. I recent picked up an apexi n1 turbo back for 200 in good condition. Deals are out there, just hawk the classified section. Also after you get all of the above, work towards a good wideband, tuning hardware (ecmlink is normally prefered ,but there is other solutions). Then I'd go for my intercooler kit. I personally run the punishment racing 1g kit and it is def a budget kit. I also agree with the above posts, to keep your end goal in mind with what parts you buy.

My first $1000 in upgrades were an AEM standalone and basic maintenance. The next $1000 after that is the FMIC and turbo-back exhaust living in the shed until spring. These cars burn money almost as fast as they burn fuel.

Wow! Thanks everyone for your input. This site to say the least I'm impressed! As far as tuning goes are there any other systems besides the V3link that are good? Seems like all the tuning "hype" is aimed towards the link system ? Also v3lite vs. v3full?
Thanks again everyone!

Where you are now, I don't think you'll need to use anything that would warrant the full version. And if down the line you want the full version features it's a relatively cheap upgrade.

I'm new to DSMs but not new to cars, and I'm a fan of laying a foundation. First mods should be stuff you will always need done on modded car. Updated maintenance, a tuning solution, and the correct gauges so you don't blow something up.

Theres the ostrich tuning setup as well. There's a lot less support for it tho. Its basically an eeprom emulator that plugs in where your chip would be. You'd use this with a couple different programs. One being jackal(or werewolf its more optioned older brother ) and tuner pro which is another. Ecmlink has way more of a following, and finding help with it is way easier, esp if your new to tuning. You could go with a piggy back as well like an apexi safc.

Adding my opinion to go along with the other 30 billion different opinions out there.

Maintenance. tires, belts, brakes, fluids, any gasket leaks, etc.

From there, exhaust, (as stated above, you can get a full turbo back apex n1 for less than $300 now if you keep your eyes out.

boost gauge, wideband, punishment or vsrf fmic kit

From there you could get a tuning system. Something like a 2g maf and s-afc, ecmlink, or what I am using, Werewolf. Also many other options out there, but not sure how "user friendly" they would be for someone new to DSM's.

After that, injectors, and a 16g or 20g.

First and foremost though, as I stated above, MAINTENANCE. All the power in the world isn't going to help if your car is falling apart.

Another tuning option is the EVO8 ECU solution. You just need some time making yourself an adapter harness and the ECU (80-200$) and the cable from evoscan (120$). Also read about making the cable on your own for less than 10$ but cannot remember if it worked ::

There is not THE ONE choice.... and please don't burn me for adding the evo ecu solution xD (i like it).

bastarddsm said:

Like I said, a 255hp, 750's or something, link or even a safc, and fill the tank with corn an up the boost.

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Agree 100% with this. It will net you the biggest change in power. I would also put an exhaust on the list. A new clutch should also be on the list.

If you shop around you can find good used parts for good prices. I just picked up a big 16g, Aero FPR with 40 miles on them also got Evo Pink tops from the same person. I only paid $400 for the lot. Made my own SD kit for under $80 ( plug and play too)

DsmLink or go cheaper and get an Ostrich setup.

Then get some cheap injectors 850 or smaller.

MBC

Rewire

Free porting mods/maint

E85 and a really good tuner and you'll be as fast on that 14b as a lot of people are on 16gs with plenty of money left in your pocket to spare.

vicore said:

Another tuning option is the EVO8 ECU solution. You just need some time making yourself an adapter harness and the ECU (80-200$) and the cable from evoscan (120$). Also read about making the cable on your own for less than 10$ but cannot remember if it worked ::

There is not THE ONE choice.... and please don't burn me for adding the evo ecu solution xD (i like it).

Click to expand...

Personally , I wish I would have went with this from the gate esp since I could have gotten the evo ecu for free from a friend . stuck with the ostrich because it can be used on honduhs too