ok so i've had my IX for about 3-4 months.. have about 7k miles on it, and here are my current mods..

K&N drop in filter
T-bolt clamps for all intercooler piping
3" buschur downpipe
3" test pipe
3" custom catback with apexi muffler
Walbro 255 lph fuel pump
CorSport Metal Shifter Cable Bushings


so.. i know its prolly time to get a boost controller.. so i have been looking into a AEM tru-boost, and was then planning to get tuned.. are there any other things i should do before then? i was looking at o2 housings, jet coated exhaust manifold, and 1 step colder spark plugs (probably not needed yet).. your opinions welcome as long as they are positive!! thanks!

 

Your list of mods and what your doing sounds good. I think the plugs are not needed but everything else your doing right. Seems like you hit that search button a few time

 

oh.. forgot to mention that i heat-wrapped the downpipe

 

boost controller for sure. i'd personally recommend an electronic controller. then get a tune quick because you'll want to be turning up the boost---from inside the car if you go electronic.

 

Def a boost controller of some sorts and tuned. With that walboro it is probably running fairly rich.

SQ

 

ya i want an electronic but cant afford to spend a gajillion bux on one so i figured the AEM tru-boost was a good choice.. seems to have good reviews from all the posts i've read.. holds boost level well..

 

alcohol, cams, boost controller, tune, and a clutch. IC core as well.

 

Just get a simple MBC from Forge or Hallman - no need for an EBC, especially if you're low on cash. Don't do any of this without a tune, so be sure to get tuned right away.

 

well im not poor.. i can afford to get an EBC.. just not like a $600 one.. will the AEM suffice? sounds like it would be a good idea to get the EBC, UEGO, and tune within the next couple of weeks..

 

Your $$ is better spent on a simple MBC and put the rest towards some cams. Your gains will be much higher, and in the end you will be happier!

 

well the reason i want an EBC is because this car is my DD and i want to have like an around town low boost setting and a high boost setting for the track.. the only MBC i found that would achieve this i believe was a 2 stage turboXS MBC for like $180.. so i figured i would do it right the first time... does the AEM allow for 2 boost settings?

 

There's really no need to go to all that. Just don't drive to work that fast. The only reason you'd need to change boost levels between racing and DD is if you are actually changing gas.

 

well my co-worker (has same exact car) has a EBC with 2 boost settings similar to what i want to do and he has the low boost setting for daily driving so its really conservative on gas and when he wants to go fast he bumps up the boost. this would really help me as i cant seem to keep my foot off the gas.. we both autoX our cars...

 

Nah, that really doesn't make sense. It would not make any sense to actually set your boost LOWER than normal for daily driving, especially not to save gas. You save gas by NOT BOOSTING AT ALL. The difference in gas consumption between 17 and 21psi when daily driving is minimal at best. The whole point of having different boost settings is for utilizing different octanes. You should run the most you safely can run daily on pump gas, and then run even higher boost when racing but on race gas. THAT is why you have 2 (or 3 or 4, etc) boost settings, not just for a low and high on the street. Setting your boost lower on purpose is just a waste all around. Plus, you need a different tune for that lower boost, which is another waste.

Even with all that, you still don't need an EBC, because if you get the Forge UNOS MBC for $85, it has clicks on the knob so that you know where you are. For instance, your pump gas boost of 22psi could be 10 clicks, and your race gas boost of 26psi could be 28 clicks. It takes just a few seconds to change between them, which is less time than it takes to change the octane.

 

Learn to use your foot to modulate boost. You don't need "low boost" around town, just don't go WOT, on a stock turbo you can almost perfectly match throttle position and boost.