[ALLTRBO]

Here's the deal, I got a $1034 tax return, and i'm currently trying to figure out which mods to do next to my '96 TSi AWD.

First, here's what I have so far.
Free mods (hacked mas, dump tube removed, BCS nipple removed) 16 psi
S-AFC
Walbro 255
K&N cone
db uicp, licp
1g bov
mas to turbo elbow

Now I know I need an exhaust, but here's the deal. It's very hard (for me) to save up this much money all at once. I've pretty much narrowed my turbo choice down to a FPBig28, or a TC BigT28 Killer. $900 is alot of money all at once.

If I order from AHP (still researchin', i've heard of many month waits for products!) I can get a Tubular O2 housing, 3" downpipe, 3" highflow cat, and a 3" catback pipe, which i'll put a Flowmaster muffler on. I can do all this for $900. Of course I'm not going to wait half a year for them to ship! Their site says they're redoing a bunch of stuff, and stuff will get sent out faster now.

Now if I buy the turbo, I won't have to worry about saving up all this at once, and I can piece the exhaust together.
If I buy the exhaust, then i'll have to save up $900.

Which of these two mods, a turbo or full 3" turboback, would give me more power by itself with my current mods, and which would all of you do? Please lemme know. Thanks.

 

[Velo7825]

i know what your saying and i feel you. but if it were me i would just save up a little bit more and get a catback with the upgrade. you got 135 after you buy the turbo and my apexi n-1 was $520(not sure about ahp). so you only need 385 more. This way you wait maybe a month (don't know how much you could save a week) and get the whole setup at once.

I think that way you would see more of a gain then either turbo or full 3" by them self. Plus while your waiting to save up you can search for a good deal on the stuff you want.

Now if you have to have somthin now i would get the turbo but i don't recommend it.

 

[ALLTRBO]

well that's kinda saying get the turbo first, then a catback. I have to save for the catback anyways, so I might has well get the turbo first...but gawd it's nice to think I'd have a full exhaust that I would never have to touch anymore...

 

[joereitman]

Vent bov back into the MAS tube, buy an AFPR, do a low $ custom exhaust using 4 piece mandrel bend kit from dieselmall and 2 dynomax's, get a pocketlogger and tune. Just my .02

Joe

 

[FWD98GST]

you'll save more by going to RnRRacing.. a full turbo back 3" with o2 eliminator is like under $600..

I have myself a 2.5" mandrel bent turbo back, O2 eliminator, bullet muffler for $500... check it out!!

 

[ALLTRBO]

Vent bov back into the MAS tube

My bov is vented into the mas tube. I meant the piece that extends inside the mas tube is removed, the one that causes a very big restriction to intake airflow.
It's a common 2G mod.

you'll save more by going to RnRRacing.. a full turbo back 3" with o2 eliminator is like under $600..

I went to there site before, I guess it was down. Well, I just went back, and it was up. Sounds good, except the site leaves me with a few questions, it's not very informative...

First, when they say "O2 Eliminator" does that mean there's nowhere to put the O2 sensor? That wouldn't make sense, but that's what it sounds like.

Second, what is the piping made out of for the cheaper exhaust? It says "SS Downpipe - Add $100.00
SS Catback - Add $100.00
High Flow Cat - Add $100.00"
so what is it normally, do you know?

Also, do you think they'd sell a catback pipe like AHP would? Because no one, and I mean no one is going to convince me to get anything other that a Flowmaster muffler.

And does the standard turboback exhaust come with a tubular O2 housing?

So with all SS pipes, a high flow cat, if it comes with an O2 housing, and if I must get it with a muffler that I won't use, it'll cost me $800. Then there's a $75 Flowmaster, and about $25 to weld on a flange and tip, and another $50 maybe for a flange and tip.

If you have any answers to these questions, please lemme know. Thanks,
Steven

 

[joereitman]

Can you tell I am a 1g'r on the BOV issue? My bad.

If you are serious about the Flowmaster I suggest doing some research on flow rates and backpressure of Flowmaster vs Dynomax. Just my 2 cents...

$950 for exhaust? My total was about $300-350 including all parts and labor, if memory serves correctly- custom side exit, 2.5" aluminized (not stainless) mandrel, 2 Dynomax's, very light. I posted on this a while back if you are interested.

Thanks

Joe

 

[4SFED4]

Exaust is one of the most important mods that has to be done to a turbo car for any reasonable performance. The turbocharger is an immediate exaust restriction and once exaust exits the turbo and w/g it needs to be gotten rid of with the least amount of backpressure. Large exausts hurt you bottom end a little, but most noticeably in an A/T from a non powerbraked start. I feel you will get the best performance benifit from the exaust now and be ready for the turbo later.

 

[ALLTRBO]

Allright, thanks for the help everyone. I think i'll do exhaust first, since I was planning on it first originally. I've been stressing out way too much over this whole thing (where I should spend the money). I'm just happy I get extra money! Anyway, whatever happens, happens.

 

[lithium]

Also, do you think they'd sell a catback pipe like AHP would? Because no one, and I mean no one is going to convince me to get anything other that a Flowmaster muffler.

That's such a shame... Flowmasters flow about the least of all the high performance mufflers, and on a turbo car especially, you want the most flow you can get post-turbo.

 

[ALLTRBO]

Yes, I know, but they'll sure as hell flow alot better than stock mufflers! I'm going to get a 40 series, which is their best flowing street muffler.

The reason is because of the sound. I was brought up on V8's and after having 3 V8 Camaro's, 2 of which sounded very nice (i'll have another some day), nothing sounds better to me than a healthy V8, and only having 4 cylinders just doesn't do it for me (soundwise). I don't want to get flamed for this, but 4 cylinders just don't sound good in my opinion, but I heard one with a Flowmaster, and I almost liked it. Why get exhaust if I can't stand to listen to it? That's why I haven't got an exhaust yet, even though it is one of the best first mods that can be done.

That's the reasoning if anyone was wondering.

 

[lithium]

You don't think your car with a Dynomax, or Borla muffler is going to sound like a Honda, do you? I don't like the sound of "4 cylinder beecatchers" either, but I think my car sounds pretty badass, actually.

 

[ALLTRBO]

Nope, actually, my friend with a '93 TSi AWD has a Borla, and I think it sounds pretty crappy. Honda's have, by far, the worst exhaust tone i've ever heard, no matter what kind of muffler. They all sound very weak.
DSM Turbo's sound a little better, but still (comparitively) weak, except with the dump truck-sounding mufflers, which I honestly can't stand. No offense to anyone, that's just my personal opinion.

 

[lithium]

No offense taken... I run 12s, and you'll have a much harder time w/ a flowmaster

 

[joereitman]

Dynomax has a deep throaty sound, as close to a V8 as you can get imho.

Joe

 

[ALLTRBO]

Does anyone have a sound file of their (or any) DSM Turbo with a Dynomax? I've heard one before, but it was a long time ago, and I forgot what it sounded like...

 

[lithium]

I wish I did (still trying to convince you that it's the way to go ) Unfortunately, sound files aren't going to give you a very accurate depiction, either. The best thing to do is buy one, and try it (they're not that expensive... maybe $100


-Craig

 

[ALLTRBO]

lol, well, I know it wouldn't be perfectly accurate, however, I have an awesome shelf system with 2 10" subwoofers hooked up to my laptop that sure would help it out!
Sorry, i'm not gonna buy one to hear how it sounds.

 

[ALLTRBO]

I've been stressing out way too much over this whole thing (where I should spend the money). I'm just happy I get extra money! Anyway, whatever happens, happens.

I might just get a dsmlink with a '95 ECU. That would be fun! I dunno. :dunno: GRRRRRRR!!!!!!! :tat:

 

[joereitman]

ALLTRBO- I am pm'ing you my cellphone #, so you can hear the exhaust live.

Joe