The Official "What Should I Spend Money On?" Thread [Merged 10-6]

[agentorange313]

DSMtuners.com makes it really easy with early mods to a stock car. Its a step by step process that will definitely help you increase your horsepower Tech guide 4g63T 2g

With all engines the basic upgrade is making the stock components less restrictive or changing the stock components to aftermarket less restrictive parts. What I mean by this is allowing more air to flow through your engine. Start by getting a high flow filter, and allow more air to enter your engine. Also you might want to invest in a new intake pipe.

I would also suggest getting a three inch exhaust, either get one made by a muffler shop or get a bolt on one. Apex'i N-1 is really nice. That the exhaust I have on my 91 Talon AWD. If you are lucky enough to not have to put up with stupid emissions laws, I would get a test pipe/straight pipe instead of you cat. Then you can get a new downpipe and o2 housing. The o2 housing can be ported to help the exhaust flow.

You need a boostgauge, and aftermarket and more accurate one, to measure you boost correctly. You want to know how much exactly you are pushing your turbo with your boost controller.

With the stock turbo you can get more power out of it with these mods. They are cheaper then getting a new turbo and also tey are needed in the future before you get a evo 16g.

Injectors are a must, the stock 450 doesn't cut it. When you get injectors might as well get something close to 780cc because if you get smaller and deside to upgrade, its just going to cost you more later.

If your budget is $1000, you want to get the most for your money,

Intake - Dejon - its going to run you anywhere from 140-190 for a new intake, with a filter maybe an exra 40

Manual boost controller is about 70 for a good one. Again Dejon powerhouse boost controller is nice.

If you want a really nice intercooler go with the street intercooler for DSM 1g short route from Punishment racing.

Personally the first mod I made to my car was getting an E-prom ECU and got DSMLink v3. I started to learn how to tune with stock component before getting aftermarket parts. I have the 14b and there is alot of strength in that turbo to unless with the right tuning. ECMtuning has everything and it will run you about 1000 for a new ECU, socketed and with DSMlink v3. You just need a laptop.

 

[zhjiln]

go ahead and invest in something call... maintenance ... belts, fluids, new water pump, new radiator and new rubber hoses(or go silicon)..etc... since this is a "new" used car you just bought... you dont know what needs to be replaced...

 

[tsiAWD91x]

go ahead and invest in something call... maintenance ... belts, fluids, new water pump, new radiator and new rubber hoses(or go silicon)..etc... since this is a "new" used car you just bought... you dont know what needs to be replaced...

+1 to that this guy is on the right track

Okay i have $1000 to spend. I have a stage two clutch, a BOV and a upgraded fuel pump don't know which though forgot what the guy put before he sold it to me. and basically thats it. Question is I want a bigger inter cooler and a EVO 16G turbo. Though my only options are ebay. Is this a good inter cooler 95-99 Eclipse Talon 2G 4G63 Intercooler Piping Kit +BOV:eBay Motors (item 190309623852 end time May-31-09 12:45:00 PDT) and any EVO 16G turbo on ebay? Like unless theres another website I can get all my stuff, though ebay seems easier. Lets say I buy the ebay inter cooler and the ebay 16g turbo what should I need. Injectors?

a little advice bro---my opinion tho..., 1st get an exhaust like the other guy said that should be #1 (in performance) THEN chech out all the free mods to help, they are free 2.stay away from ebay stuff with an exception of an intercooler oh yeah did i mention stay away from ebay stuff with an exception of an intercooler 3. refer to step 2 most not all of the time you will be sorry 4. since you got a fuel pump already go with a decient intake liek the other guy mentioned less restrictive. 5.i would then get a MBC or EBC (manual boost control, Electric boost control) you shoudl be able to up your boost now, after that i would get some injectors and a tuning device and a wideband & a logger i also would get them in one shot leaving out a logger depending on what route you go (depending on your goals diff tuning devices) then since you got a clutch you s hould be able to hold the extra horseys I WOULD (me) uprade your turbo last with cams ..work on getting the T-25 maxed dosnt take much though but atleast your will be ready to move up and make decient power since you have all the suporting mods. 16gs are everywhere you could prob go out into the woods and grab one off a tree

 

[JayRolla]

I think everyone is wrong. DSM mod list should be.

1. WBO2- Safe afr's at all times will keep the motor alive and safe.

2. ECMlink(dsmlink)- Allow for full control and you can lean out stock motor for more power.

3. Injectors, Fuel Pump, AFPR if needed.

4. MBC

5. FMIC

6. Exhaust

This way you have can make the most out of every mod and tune it out. A lot better than bolting on. The more you bolt on a stock car the less it runs good like it did from the factory.

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

DSMtuners.com makes it really easy with early mods to a stock car. Its a step by step process that will definitely help you increase your horsepower Tech guide 4g63T 2g

+1

With the stock turbo you can get more power out of it with these mods. They are cheaper then getting a new turbo and also tey are needed in the future before you get a evo 16g.

With the stock T25 turbo you can get a little more power out of it, but it just isn't practical. The turbo WILL fall flat after 5-5.5k and you are left with no top end. You can only safely push this turbo to 16 psi, and that will work the hell out of it, seeing how that turbo is meant for 12-13psi.

Injectors are a must, the stock 450 doesn't cut it. When you get injectors might as well get something close to 780cc because if you get smaller and deside to upgrade, its just going to cost you more later.

780 is OVERKILL for 300 horsepower. You will be ok with 550 even 660 but 780 is overkill even for the 16g. What size fuel pump did you upgrade to?

Personally the first mod I made to my car was getting an E-prom ECU and got DSMLink v3. I started to learn how to tune with stock component before getting aftermarket parts. I have the 14b and there is alot of strength in that turbo to unless with the right tuning. ECMtuning has everything and it will run you about 1000 for a new ECU, socketed and with DSMlink v3. You just need a laptop.

You can get the Eprom ECU for 250 shipped. You could also save a bit on DSMlink if you search around, you can nab it for well under $1000.00. You are right about the place to get it though. ECMTuning, Inc.

 

[Pirrofab]

go ahead and invest in something call... maintenance ... belts, fluids, new water pump, new radiator and new rubber hoses(or go silicon)..etc... since this is a "new" used car you just bought... you dont know what needs to be replaced...

Thank you, couldn't have said it better myself. Dsms have a bad rap because the neglect that they seem to go throug because there overboosted and over modified before they are properly driven and taken care of.

A mbc can be your best friend for only 60 bucks. Don't let the devil on your shoulder make it the worse 60 bucks you ever spent though. Your always going to be tempted to try to get one more psi out of a set up thinking it will make more power and then next thing you know, your on the sidelines.

Be smart about it. maintain the car and do your free mods and get a wideband and keep the afr's about 11.0 for w.o.t its a nice safe rule of thumb to follow. then start with the intake/exhaust/ fuel/ and tuning upgrades. Hell a simple boost leak test can net you more horsepower if you fix leaks you don't know that you had before.

 

[agentorange313]

go ahead and invest in something call... maintenance ... belts, fluids, new water pump, new radiator and new rubber hoses(or go silicon)..etc... since this is a "new" used car you just bought... you dont know what needs to be replaced...

I think this goes without saying. Also this guys has a 1000 to spend. If he hasn't replaced timing belts, sparkpugs, waterpump etc. then he shouldn't be posting about getting a new turbo. Its good advice but I think it was a given to get this stuff done. Who knows maybe this guys does know anything about maintenance (just assuming).

DSMlink altogether (new ecu socketed, DSMlink V3 and a GM MAF cable) off of ECMtuning, runs about $995 from the website. Yes DSMLink v3 alone is 595 off of the website.

If you arent into modding or tuning your car by yourself, you could invest in a new turbo and such. I would recommend going with Forced Performance. Your can also get their DSM manifold, and I have only heard good things about it.

All in all, follow the guide, its been put there for people who have these questions. I am sure since this guide is on DSMtuners, it was created and worked on by dsm experts, and dsmtuners is pretty reputable, so putting something that doesn't work on their website jus doesn't make sense.

Also what BOV do you have, you just stated BOV? If its the 2g BOV I would get it replaced with the 1g BOV, if its an overall aftermarket, greddy etc, then you are fine.

 

[Dsmj89]

Like i said at the meet before when we met, do all your maintenance first and get that stuff taken care of for piece of mind (oil change, new oil filter, new fuel filter, spark plugs, wires, timing belt, balance shat belt, all accessory belts, new coolant), also give the engine bay a nice pressure wash as well not only to clean it but to also help spot leaks, it helped me out to spot my power steering leak.
After you get that out of the way, get yourself a nice straight 3" exhaust, 3" downpipe (which punishment racing sells one for real sheap, i have it on mine), intake, mbc, fmic, safc with a good tune, and you would deff feel your car waken up a little.
Let me know if you ever need help so i can help you out sometime and we work on your car.

The link you posted is just intercooler pipes, get the one that includes the intercooler.
Also what are your hp goals ?
And as for ebay turbos, don't take the chance. Save up some more and get the real 16g.

 

[deputy865]

I have about $1800 max i am ready to drop into my DSM. I would really like to use it smart and get the most out of it. I have a chance to get a 50 trim setup.. Or was thinking of going with my original plan of an EVOIII16g. My goal has always been to hit 25psi, orrr get into the 12's or lower in the 1/4 mile. So whatever will take me to my goal with my budget is what im looking for.. I really would like some guidance. I want to do this RIGHT!

I understand im going to need a FMIC, bigger injectors (I was hoping to get 650's so i can keep control of them with my SAFC) and bigger fuel pump.. But i want to know what else to do as far as a turbo upgrade and such. The 50 trim package i could get would come with the 02 housing, turbo and a FP manifold. Im sure ill need more, but i dont know if i want to take that route if im going to go OVER my budget.

The current set-up that was recommended to me was:
680cc injectors
FPR
walbro 255
short route fmic
and that 50 trim set up.


I appreciate all the help and suggestions. I hope we can all agree on a common setup for me to keep some of the confusion down.

Thanks,

Shane

 

[snowborder714]

An $1800 budget won't get you into the 12's with a FWD car. You have a good bit of supporting mods to worry about before trying to slap on a 50 trim. Do some research - a lot of research.

I have pretty much the setup you're looking for as well as the trap speeds to be in the 12's. But wheel spin sucks and has kept me from reaching that goal. So I will probably need an LSD and most likely slicks to get into the 12's.

 

[rush2252]

+1 ive seen ONE member in a 1g AWD get into the 12s on $3000 and that was impressive

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

Assuming this is going onto your 95? An evo3, an eprom with custom burned chip, an afc, injectors, and a fmic/piping could be had for well under a grand if you don't mind using used parts and buying a universal piping kit off ebay and spending some time fabbing your own route. Then spend half that 800 leftover and go get it tuned on a dyno. Spend the other 400 on a set of drag rims and slicks.

 

[deputy865]

Well i want to be able to pull really hard from a go at least.. Even on the highway. Thats all, by no means is my car a drag strip car.. Basically like i said, i want the real hard pull.. Possibly give some 5.0 mustangs or other fast cars a run for there money

Shane

 

[9d1gsxintx]

Just the items you have so far seemingly puts you over your budget, how much are you finding the 50 trim setup for? I am seeing $900-1k, around $300 for injectors, so now we have $500 left for IC/piping, and everything else you mentioned, pretty great deals if you found all that under $1800. So if this is the direction you want you are already capped out. Good luck with the upgrades. Really shop around, but don't skimp on areas like the turbo, not worth it in the long run.

 

[deputy865]

Well i would look around at some used stuff as well. I can get the 50 trim set up for about $650 i believe.