Intercooler system or 3" exhaust system??

[Xeiros]

Aside from the benefits of an exhaust at this stage in your mods, a FMIC isn't ideal due to the fact that most FMIC's are suited for down facing/j-piped turbos, and not the T25 which flows towards the passenger side. Obviously they can be made to work with one, but IMO it's not worth upgrading your intercooler on a 2G till you upgrade your turbo.

 

[Jun3bug]

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.

Can you explain what you mean by turbulence?..ohh and btw exhaust FTW

 

[gorf]

When I first started upgrading the best bang for the buck that I got was hard upper intercooler pipe with 1g BOV.

With stock turbo and the only upgrade being an intake - the UICP and 1g will gain more HP ten slapping on an exhaust.

But you will have to do the exhaust before you do any bigger turbo than a 14b.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

I still remember the difference in power after my turboback install on my T25...ahhh..it sure did wake up that little turbo.

 

[AK Maniak]

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.

This makes me so happy! Someone who actually cares about maintaining the car instead of asking how to turn up the boost on a stock turbo so they can run 10's.

And I would definitely go for the exhaust first. You won't really benefit from a FMIC with the T25, if anything it'll just cause more turbo lag.

 

[Alex42590]

exhaust with no cat or a test pipe is a good upgrade or if you want to pass inspection siliconeintakes.com has a straight pipe with a cat converter shell its awesome but you didnt hear this from me.....

 

[nahums]

Exhaust!

 

[DirtyDave21]

I must totally agree with everyone else. i know this is a weird analogy but try to understand me here an engine is like a large air pump and gas just keeps it "pumping". SO, thats why upgrading intake and exhaust is the very first thing people do to there vehicles... usually.

 

[Sirius Spyder]

Maintenance first... Win.

Exhaust second... Win.

Following the Tech Guide as suggested... Win. This will also help you set goals for your ride which can keep you from buying more stuff than you need. The guide is great and can help maintain moding efficiency.

 

[BigNugg99]

I your still working on your upgrade and have a few bucks I think you should invest in a leak tester (just build the diy from this site) and check your intercooler and piping. small leaks can be robbing you HP and preventing your turbo from spooling up as quick as what it could. if your going to take the pan off dontforgeto check for crankwalk signs of wear.

 

[Jaydog]

Go with an Apexi N1 exhaust. A little pricey but sounds awesome.

 

[red92tsi]

Go with an Apexi N1 exhaust. A little pricey but sounds awesome.

I read its not that great in the "your worst mods" thread.
Its been 2 months, what did you end up getting?

 

[D00kie]

I read its not that great in the "your worst mods" thread.
Its been 2 months, what did you end up getting?

I ended up picking up a used GT spec!