when to upgrade auto trans and intercooler?

[94exa2]

hey guys, fairly new to dsm's, but not the import world. i came from the honda realm, i know i know....

but i am looking at this really nice 99 gst auto with <60k miles and am wondering, at what point does the stock 2gb turbo auto trans need to be upgraded? and at what point would i need to swap to a fmic?

my only plans so far are on the coldside of the engine. nice aluminum intake with k&n filter, hard IC pipes, clean stock smic (for now), better bov (recirculated into the intake), bcs restrictor mod, boost controller/gauge etc... basically all the "free"mods/ stage 0 and some of the stage 1 upgrades Tech Guide: 2G 4G63t Upgrades: Stage 0 Power - DSMtuners.

then MAYBE upgrade to a ported 2g ex mani, 14b, ported o2 housing, 2.5" downpip/2.5" highflow cat/2.5" catback with stock evo8 muffler and maybe a decent fmic.

would i NEED a fmic with the free/stage 0 mods and stage1 mods? or would a bigger smic with proper ducting be more than enough? would i NEED to build/upgrade the auto trans at this point? i'd LOVE a fully built, highstall auto trans, but dont really wana spend the $ if i dont NEED it for my plans.

maybe one day i will have the built 1g 4g63/fully built auto trans big16g dsm i dream on, maybe.... but untill then a nice "bolt on" gst will do

 

[4g63tc]

^ any upgraded SMIC will have enough flow for the FP B28, they will just "heat soak" sooner.

Dejon, Bullseye, or even a Stock Supra SMIC will work fine. (end tanks will need to be swapped on the Supra SMIC)

Any front mount will be noticable, and keeping your Fog lamps is just a matter of Core size, and pipe routing.

I use a same-side FMIC, and retain use of my 2Ga foglamps if i were to put the stock front end on.

As for the exhaust Mani, and O2 housing it's a matter of Preference, i ported my Stock Manifold, and O2 housing, and have never had any issues with "creep" .


The VRSF Kit won't let him retain his Foglamps, and He's Automatic, so PiPe routing is an Issue.

 

[907gs-t]

Here's a sidemount intercooler like the one I run so if your still interested in running one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/120773932555?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I myself prefer a FP exhaust manifold & a S.S.Tubular Recirculated O2 Housing.

 

[94exa2]

I use a same-side FMIC, and retain use of my 2Ga foglamps if i were to put the stock front end on.

any pics of your fmic installed with the 2ga front bumper and fogs?

also, anyone know of the size of the evo iii o2 housing? im trying to find a good 2.5" o2 housing