what upgrade next

[90 laser]

hey guys i have a 90 laser rs turbo,and right now its pretty stock i just have a k&n and just got a 3 inch catback exhaust and 3 inch high flow cat so right now i have 250 extra bucks to spend what should i get next? should i get downpipe, or o2 housing or boost gauge and boost controller to up boost to 15 psi? any advice would be appreciated thanks

 

[LiquidX]

It's posted on the site for a reason.

Tech Guide: 1G 4G63t Upgrades - DSMtuners

Personally I would save up for ECMLink v3.

 

[91stocker]

Id get a logging cable or a tuner before anymore mods. Atleast a logger. That way if you decide to up the boost you can do it safely by watching timing and knock.

The downpipe with the cat-back you have will make you boost creep bad. Probably higher then you want to with no tune.

If a tuner is out of your budget right now id get a real boost gauge and a mbc and slowly turn up the boost while watching your logs.

 

[russell3123]

ecmlink v3 lite , thats where all the magic comes from

 

[camas90gsx]

Just go with a exhaust manifold upgrade or port your existing one,along with o2 housing as well if possible.That made a big difference for me along with turbo back exhaust.Or look for a used wideband and logger,you could probably get both off of this site in the classifieds for less than 250$.If it was me i would just put that cash aside and when i get another 125$ get ecmlink v3 or a used one for cheaper.I was in the same boat as you a while back and went for upgrades i really didnt need first then tuning devices.If you get a w/b and tuning device then you can start adding air,fuel and boost safely.

 

[90 laser]

Thanks alot for everyones reply,yes i plan on getting dsm link i just thiugh that it wouldnt help me with the mods i have now but i guess im wrong,i want a downpipe but im deffinitly worried about boost creep without a boost gauge yet, so what gauges would i need for dsm link,boost and would i need a a/f ratio gauge or would dsm link tell me that sorry if these are dumb questins to you guy would i be able to control my boost psi with dsm link or would i still need a mbc and sm link is also a logger correct? sorry only owned a dsm for 3 weeks and i love and im happy to be a part of the club i owned 6 fast all motor b/h series hondas before this so everything is alot diffrent

 

[91stocker]

Yea with link you would still need a boost gauge and a wideband o2. You would also still need a mbc to control boost. No ecu controlled boost on these cars, thank god.

Link can log though, so you wouldnt need a separate logger at that point.

One more thing, to run link you will need to check and see if you have an eprom ecu. If not yo will have to send yours out to be converted or purchase an eprom.

Here's a link on how to check.
89-94 EPROM Check

 

[90 laser]

ok thanks alot.I will probley be getting a mbc and boost gauge this week then

 

[LiquidX]

Yea with link you would still need a boost gauge and a wideband o2. You would also still need a mbc to control boost. No ecu controlled boost on these cars, thank god.

v3 full can do ECU controlled boost using a solenoid so a MBC isn't needed if you decide to go that route.

 

[91stocker]

v3 full can do ECU controlled boost using a solenoid so a MBC isn't needed if you decide to go that route.

Using the factory bcs?

 

[LiquidX]

Yes.

boostcontrol [ECMTuning - wiki]

 

[phantom_19]

i would go for 550cc, SAFC and a cheap MBC

 

[91stocker]

Yes.

boostcontrol [ECMTuning - wiki]

Well isnt that handy.

 

[camas90gsx]

90 laser just so you are clear though a wideband is air/fuel gauge.Dont go with a shitty narrowband air/fuel gauge from an auto parts store or ebay.Manual boost controllers are so cheap like 50-100 bucks,i would just get one.I wouldnt turn up the boost to 15 until i had a fmic and more fuel than stock injectors can give,but maybe im a sissy.Installing a manual boost controller will increase response even set at factory boost levels,it did for me anyway..And definately get a aftermarket boost gauge,the factory gauge is off 5 lbs on my car from my aftermarket gauge.The factory boost gauge is useless as far as im concerned.I still think a ported 2g manifold and 02 housing would be a great upgrade at this point as well from the factory 1g mani and 02.Once you take them off you will see how small and restrictive compared to a 2g or evo3 manifold and o2.

 

[em5780]

If you do get link also remember that you gotta pay for a tune if you dont know how to tune it yourself.

 

[LiquidX]

If you do get link also remember that you gotta pay for a tune if you dont know how to tune it yourself.

It's silly stupid to tune

There is enough information and people to help with the process. It's a learning experience so don't make it sound like you have to get something done in order to use it.

 

[jed344]

Ecm link is very easy to street tune i have changed my tune with mods many times, And yes tunning my car made a huge difference to the butt dyno.

 

[TheRealMRDyno]

1) Wideband first, so you can keep out of trouble
2) Boost gauge, so you know what you are doing
3) Manual boost controller second - easiest power you will ever get
4) ECMLink - you will need it sooner than later, particularly when you see your wideband going lean, you have to fix that fast, and ECMLink is how you do it.
5) Fuel injectors - 450s are easy to max out, swap is easy
6) Fuel pump or rewire when ECMLink can not keep wideband in range at full power
7) Clutch time
8) Turbo time
9) Now, things start costing more pretty fast...

 

[90 laser]

Thanks for all your guys opinions it seems like everyones is kinda diffrent so i dont need a mbc if im getting link soon correct? i need a boost gauge now,what we be a better upgrade a megen racing o2 housing or 2g manifold or wally 190 fuel pump,also how hard is it to hook up a boost gauge,thanks alot

 

[hypergenesis]

Thanks for all your guys opinions it seems like everyones is kinda diffrent so i dont need a mbc if im getting link soon correct? i need a boost gauge now,what we be a better upgrade a megen racing o2 housing or 2g manifold or wally 190 fuel pump,also how hard is it to hook up a boost gauge,thanks alot

Its really easy on the boost gauge and the 190 pump would be. You don't need another o2 housing or manifold from the stock 2g ones till your really pushing power. I just plan to port all of mine out for my goals no need for more money spent.

 

[camas90gsx]

Although he has the 1g manifold and o2, and those are way smaller than even the 2g.If you look at my pics you can see the difference,its crazy.My buddy just got a 2g ported manifold and ported o2 off this site for 65.00 for his 1g.But i would have to say the first mod i did after exhaust was a walbro 255 and then a evo3 o2 and evo3 manifold and ported them and it made a huge difference with spool and especially top end.Then it was a evo3 16g turbo and 560 injectors along with a 2g maf and a tune.Thats just me though,everybody has their own way of doing it and i'm still a noob for sure.