Best HP value mods?

[RB1]

Short of getting an ESS supercharger, what does everyone recommend as 2 or 3 mods that are the best value for the M? I know seeing the word value and M in the same sentence is a bit of an oxy moron, but I'm looking for a good combo of mods without going over the top. I'd like to get the Akrapovic Evo system, but I'm worried that it won't pass CA smog. I'm also eying the ESS or AA tune, pulleys, intake, and anything else that anyone can turn me onto.

Thanks in advance folks, love the passion and info on the site!

[FVM3]

exhaust, gruppe M intake, suspension (coils)

[Raptor251]

Ditch the cats and run a 50/50 mix of 100/91 octane

[pbonsalb]

Catless or high flow cat x-pipe, pulley, and filter. No need to buy a $6000 exhaust. The rear exhaust does very, very little for power, but a lot of people like the sounds. It is the x-pipe that is responsible for most of the gains. After those mods, consider a tune.

[immiketoo]

Nissan GTR

[e1000]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Catless or high flow cat x-pipe, pulley, and filter. No need to buy a $6000 exhaust. The rear exhaust does very, very little for power, but a lot of people like the sounds. It is the x-pipe that is responsible for most of the gains. After those mods, consider a tune.

You don't even need that, just a cat delete and a tune. The rest of the exhaust is fine. Most gains for the least trouble.

[Alex07M3]

Turner Motorsport test pipes(400$) + Turner tune (1200$) = 40whp

[IWishIOwnAnM3=]]

duuuude add stickers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alex07M3]

sorry I'm french , can someone explain the last comment !?

[IWishIOwnAnM3=]]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

sorry I'm french , can someone explain the last comment !?

Jk JK JK

[mshab356]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Nissan GTR

Go catless + a tune if you want straight up power. Intake isn't worth it at all unless you just want to blow $500-1000 for less than 5hp, and rear section exhaust (muffler) won't do much either; it is mainly for sound. For handling, get coilovers (KW V3 is a great and popular choice) and lighter wheels (18" forged lightweight, like Volks/MORR/BBS/Klassen). Good luck

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

Turner Motorsport test pipes(400$) + Turner tune (1200$) = 40whp

You could go with AA or ESS tune for only $1000, and I've heard good reviews of both. Haven't heard reviews on Turner's tune though...

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by mshab356

You could go with AA or ESS tune for only $1000, and I've heard good reviews of both. Haven't heard reviews on Turner's tune though...

I'm about to do the move on the TTP as soon as they are back in stock and if I don't go the VT1-535 way , I'll probably put the ESS tune with the TTP , have you eard of the gain of this tune , if it's comparable with the Turner tune since the ESS has'nt been made specificly for the TTP !?

[stefan]

When you say value, I think; %hp increase per dollar. And in that case it doesn't get better than the S/C.

Forget the intake and akra evo in terms of "value". $6000 for a few hp isn't particularly good value. On the other hand, a better drop-in filter at around $75 is decent value.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by stefan

When you say value, I think; %hp increase per dollar. And in that case it doesn't get better than the S/C.

Forget the intake and akra evo in terms of "value". $6000 for a few hp isn't particularly good value. On the other hand, a better drop-in filter at around $75 is decent value.

In fact ,if you see it that way , a TMS test pipes and tune give you 40whp for around 1700$(installed) so 42.5$/whp and the best value for the superchargers is the VT1 that give you around 110whp for around 8700$(installed) so 79$/whp ! That's not an exact calcul but even if the TMS stage2 would only gives you 30whp , it would still be more valuable !

But one thing is sure , if you want more then 500hp , don't go the N/A route !
And if you want the VT1-535 like me , put the TTP with it , that's gonna be your best bang for the buck !

[GIdriver]

Forget the intake. Pulley, HFC or catless x-pipe and a tune.

[RB1]

I'd love to go with an ESS supercharger, but the wallet and savings have been dried up with my down payment and my other passion (watches, damn bad habits). I was considering getting an intake, but those are said there really isn't any HP gains are absolutely correct. Right now, I'm think about a tune and pulleys, but am curious about the X-pipe or cat delete. I live in CA, I'm assuming either of these mods wouldn't pass a smog test. Am I correct in that assumption?

[mshab356]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

I'm about to do the move on the TTP as soon as they are back in stock and if I don't go the VT1-535 way , I'll probably put the ESS tune with the TTP , have you eard of the gain of this tune , if it's comparable with the Turner tune since the ESS has'nt been made specificly for the TTP !?

No, but I have heard of between 25 and 40-45 whp from cat delete + tune. Not exactly sure, but there are many threads if you search. It should be compatible since a cat delete is pretty much the same regardless of the pipe you get (for the most part). I'm sure people who have cat deletes + tune will chime in. I only have a rear section

[SchnellM3]

Turner Test Pipes...

[LateBraking]

Originally Posted by RB1

Short of getting an ESS supercharger, what does everyone recommend as 2 or 3 mods that are the best value for the M? I know seeing the word value and M in the same sentence is a bit of an oxy moron, but I'm looking for a good combo of mods without going over the top. I'd like to get the Akrapovic Evo system, but I'm worried that it won't pass CA smog. I'm also eying the ESS or AA tune, pulleys, intake, and anything else that anyone can turn me onto.

Thanks in advance folks, love the passion and info on the site!

Max power while passing CA smog. I lol'd. But really, maxing power while passing CA smog? Three items? Pulley, air filter, tune. That's not a case of what's value for money so much as it is a case of the only things you really can do within your criteria.

Now, if you remove that restriction, then Turner test pipes becomes an excellent viable option.

[Orange fever]

You need to keep your car stock since you're worried about smog
case closed

[jbaier@tms]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

Turner Motorsport test pipes(400$) + Turner tune (1200$) = 40whp

And do under drive pulleys. 10-14 rwhp horsepower for $399.00

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by RB1

Short of getting an ESS supercharger, what does everyone recommend as 2 or 3 mods that are the best value for the M? I know seeing the word value and M in the same sentence is a bit of an oxy moron, but I'm looking for a good combo of mods without going over the top. I'd like to get the Akrapovic Evo system, but I'm worried that it won't pass CA smog. I'm also eying the ESS or AA tune, pulleys, intake, and anything else that anyone can turn me onto.

Thanks in advance folks, love the passion and info on the site!

If you can somehow keep your unmolested OEM xpipe and buy a used one, I would say go with a primary cat delete, airfilter and pullies. If you get a tune you will still have issues with readiness status even though the software will turn off the rear 02s. The good news is you don't have to have your car smogged for 5 years in Cali, so you can do all the goodies. Just be prepared to return the car to stock as far as software and xpipe is concerned when the day of reckoning arrives.

I live in LA and I did the TTPs, AFE stg. 2 (love the sound of this, while only a 6rwhp gain), and pullies along with software and Megan cat back. In total I spent $2500 in mods, if you shave off the AFE stg. 2 and just get the airfilter you save an additional $400 with pretty much the same results minus the wonderful noise coming from the airbox.

Dave