Intercooler system or 3" exhaust system??

[D00kie]

So far, I've added a Injen intake to my car. I just received my tax return and I'm looking to order either an FMIC setup or my 3" exhaust system. I got a pretty good bit back, but I'm trying to be smart with my money. Which would you guys go with??

Thanks for the help!

 

[99gst_racer]

Definitely the exhaust.

Follow this path: Tech Guide: 2G 4G63t Upgrades: Stage 1 Power - DSMtuners

 

[kidtsi]

Yup, get the exhaust system, your gonna benefit from it better than the FMIC if you still have that T25.

 

[D00kie]

Yup the turbo is still stock.... When I mean the exhaust it will include the downpipe also.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

I say go with the exhaust first so you can hear it start to talk to ya a little bit. It makes the drive soooo much more fun IMHO.

+ it opens the door to more performance possibilities.

 

[DSM nOOb]

Go for exhaust. but how much are you looking to spend?

 

[D00kie]

I've been searching for a used Gt Spec, but no luck. I've found one on ebay and he is willing to give me a warranty with the system.

I will also be replacing valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, and possibly the timing belt, oil and water pump if the previous owner hadnt yet. I'll have to go through the service records. I mean the car doesnt leak fluids at all, I just want to be sure.

 

[95AWD6Bolt]

Definitely the exhaust system. You dont need an fmic yet.

 

[99gst_racer]

Your car doesn't have an oil pan gasket. Just a bead of RTV to seal it up.

And I wouldn't worry about replacing any seals or gaskets until either A) it starts to leak, or B) you have to remove/replace the component anyway.

 

[D00kie]

Would you guys recommend changing out the 02 housing as well?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

And I wouldn't worry about replacing any seals or gaskets until either A) it starts to leak, or B) you have to remove/replace the component anyway.

Amen to that ^^^

If you don't have to go there.... don't

 

[Zdrummer15]

Absolutely go with the turbo-back exhaust. It will actually provide some gains and will help down the road as well. The fmic will do nothing for you until you are running more boost on a bigger turbo.

Would you guys recommend changing out the 02 housing as well?

At the stage your at, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Port your stock one and you'll be fine for awhile. If you really want a better one I would recommend looking at Punishment Racing's selection. They have quality o2 housings for pretty fair prices.

 

[Chuck981]

Yup Id go 3" all the way

 

[LiquidX]

Ah you wasted money on an Injen intake

Follow the upgrade path the paul posted. When in the future you upgrade your turbo you ideally want the intake to fully match the compressor inlet. 2.25" compressor inlet gets a 2.25" pipe end, a 4" compressor inlet get a 4" pipe. You do not want a pipe smaller than the compressor inlet due to turbulence.

 

[Zdrummer15]

Ah you wasted money on an Injen intake

Follow the upgrade path the paul posted. When in the future you upgrade your turbo you ideally want the intake to fully match the compressor inlet. 2.25" compressor inlet gets a 2.25" pipe end, a 4" compressor inlet get a 4" pipe. You do not want a pipe smaller than the compressor inlet due to turbulence.

Yeah if you really wanted a hard pipe to mate up to the t-25 you should have just got a cheap one off of Ebay since you'll have to replace it later anyway if you upgrade your turbo.

 

[D00kie]

I got the the intake for 40 bux from a wrecked gst here in town....

 

[907gs-t]

Replace the exhaust no doubt.

 

[snapc3]

exhaust all the way.

 

[9O_tsi]

+1 for the exhaust

 

[Dyesuperman]

I would replace the exhaust also...if you want a unique and amazing sound you can do what I did. 3" downpipe into custom catback. No cat or mufflers except one straight through perforated one (maybe 5" in diameter) right by the rear tires, then have two tips on the end. Any seeing it from behind would think it is stock based on the two tips coming out like stock but wouldn't think that after they heard it.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

I agree with the rest of them. Go with the exhaust.

 

[D00kie]

exhaust it is!

 

[etay89]

i wonder if i would be exiled from the site if i said go with the fmic

go for the exhaust, and if you are gonna do anything intercooler related, get hard upper and lower intercooler piping and upgrade the bov (if it's still that stock black one that resembles a cheap plastic spring microphone out of a mcdonald's happy meal ).

as it was already posted before, do the maintenance first before doing anything turbo/fuel related.

 

[razrman8]

I am sure that you don't need me to tell you this, but yes the exhaust would be your best bet. If you look in the tech guide upgrade path, you will see that exhaust is suggested long before a front mount intercooler. The t-25 is just to small of a turbo for a front mount intercooler and it would not be beneficial until you get a bigger turbo. As Eric said above, if you wanted to do anything with the intercooler, get hard upper and lower intercooler piping. They allow for better flow than the stock intercooler piping. Especially the piece of plastic upper intercooler piping.

And a blow off valve. If your mod list is indeed up to date, then a blow off valve would be a good next mod. The stock plastic ones are known for leaking. The 1g blow off valve is a great one of choice, crushed it can hold 20+psi. You can usually find them here on the classifieds of check DSM Graveyard.

 

[16g DSM]

This is what i would do... pick up a 3" exhaust, Downpipe and an aftermarket o2 housing. with that your car will spool faster make more power and sound a billion times better!!! an aftermarket intercooler on a t-25 will just cause you to spool slower and ultimately slowyou down!