Hey guys -

A recent post had me thinkin' back to the good ol' days . HKS used to publish staged upgrade paths for every car they made mods for. If you really look at it, there's a lot of wisdom contained within.

I don't know where in the heck I got this - I've had this sheet of paper for *years* (probably since '97 or so) and I printed it off the Internet. Can't find it any more on the Internet, so it's time to post .

Anyhow, here's the info. Remember, all the numbers are at the flywheel, not at the ground.

87-88 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II

Stock - 182 hp @ 5.5 PSI

Stage 1 - 200hp @ 7 PSI
Turbo exhaust system

Stage 2 - 223hp @ 8 PSI
Super Power Flow air filter
Twin Power ignition
PFC-FCON

Stage 3 - 262hp @ 10.5 PSI
Electronic Valve Controller III

Stage 4 - 280hp @ 11.5 PSI
Intercooler upgrade

Stage 5 - 348hp @ 12.5 PSI
Additional injector controller
AIC injector kit
Sport turbo upgrade

Good info here, let's break it down.

The "sport exhaust system" - I'm really not sure what all that entails. All their systems retain emissions compliance, so I know that's a cat-back, but I'm not sure if it's a downpipe as well. The stock main cat will be retained. This is part of the reason for no boost creep, as well as using the stock inlet duct.

Notice that 10psi is the farthest they go on the stock IC - smart cookies there! And, 11.5 psi on the stock turbo.

You'll also notice the FCON in in the 2nd round of upgrades - gives you an idea of how important fuel really is!

Regardless, good stuff - I'll probably stick this in the archive at some point.

Dale

 

Whats an electronic valve controller? Do we have valves to electronically control? That's a new one on me. Someone enlighten me.

 

Just gave this a 5. This definately needs to be archived for the newbies to read when they ask about what mods need to be done first for the most power.

This is great information. They definately knew what was going on with our cars.

 

I am gonna guess that would be a boost controller.

i.e. electronic boost controller.

 

That was my first thouhgt but....I usually don't here it called that.

 

I figured it out!

The HKS EVC as everyone calls it, was short for Electronic Valve Controller. I even have the box in my garage.

 

Ding ding ding! We have a winnah!

I think the "valve" refers to the wastegate valve itself.

Dale

 

it's probably just a cat back... my friend has one one his Turbo II.

it's freaking louder then my full RB system LOL

 

too bad they dont make the dual turbo cat back anyrmoe... atleast i can't find it on their site.

 

Wow, Dale. I remember looking for this exact chart a few years ago when I was beginning to move up the performance ladder! Of course, now I'm a fair bit beyond their charts, but I still wholeheartedly agree with the excellent information contained here.

Fuel is DEFINITELY important, as well as maintaining a cool air temp (hence the upgraded intercooler and upgrading the turbo when going beyond 10 and 11.5 psi) respectively.

Thanks for finding and posting this, Dale!!

Reese LeBlanc
88 10th AE (somewhere between stock and ridiculous)