Here's my setup:

Stock except K&N Drop in, Stereo system, wheels & tires.

Here's my plan to install within the next 2 months:

Custom intake
DP, MP w/ Carsound Hiflow CAT, RB Dual Catback
Greddy Profec B
Apexi SAFC
Boost Gauge on A pillar
Apexi Turbo Timer
Rotary Extreme Headlight Kit


Any thoughts? Am I skipping something essential? I should be upgrading the vacuum hoses while Im in there at the intake...(and while I replace the EGR).

 

With the free flowing exhaust, the S-AFC wont be enough fuel management. It is ok at leaning things out, but in the form of ADDING fuel it dosn't due a good job at all. You might want to skip the Rotary Extreme Headlight Kit and go for an APEXi PFC. It is a great ECU and can be tuned for WELL over what you need, but at the same time can also be just perfect for you.

 

WHat about all the reliability mods...aluminum ast, temp gauge, etc?


-Jeff

 

Ya... I might look into the AST... Im going to inspect mine while I have alot of stuff taken out of the engine bay... and the temp gauge is a definite good idea...

The reason I was going with the SAFC only is because I thought the cat would give me enough back pressure to keep my boost spikes to a minimum, etc.... what do you think?

 

forget the headlights and go with the PFC. Hi flow cat will lean your engine out alot and you wouldn't want to risk it.

 

Agreed, dump the headlights, get the PFC you will not be let down. And then if you get extreme, pick up the datalogit and a laptop to go with the PFC.

 

Inspecting it isn't going to tell you anything. You won't be able to tell if its going to fail. Replace or eliminate it.

Buy a dual gauge A pillar mount and get a boost and water temp gauge.

And turbo timers are a waste of money, in my opinion. Just don't drive your car hard right before you shut it down; problem solved.

I agree with the PFC suggestion as well.

 

 

if you already have an aftermarket stereo, you can use the second din space to hold three gauges using the Saab gauge pod ($14.95) - that way you don't have to rice up the car with the a-pillar mount (granted, the rice factor on the a-pillar mount is just my opinion, some people like it).

If you don't plan on doing major mods beyond this, you can also go with a simpler ECU upgrade like the M2 or Pettit.

I also agree that the turbo timer is a waste of money.

 

hmmm... Im confused. So essentially the S-AFC is only good if you dont have a downpipe and you simple want to lean it out to squeeze some hp out. So going to a midpipe is a huge step in modification costs right... maybe I will just get a petit or other ecu.

Related Q - If I go to an upgraded ECU... it makes sense that you dont want one that is tuned for less mods than you have.... but is it ok to get an ECU that is tuned for more mods than what you have...

for example get an ECU good for intercooler, dp,mp,cb, full open intake....

and only have dp, mp w/hf cat,cb and intake?

 

As for the turbo timer- what you guys are saying makes sense... but I hate telling the girl Im with to wait for a sec so my car can cool down.... haha... seriously, though, Id like to have it cool automatically...

 

I suggest that you go ahead with the intake/downpipe/catback. Get a tuned ecu like Pettit or M2.
I gotta say I love turbo timers. Waiting sucks.
The light kits are so down the road for you man.
But also i highly recomend a vacum hose job and an AST.
Also replace the fuel filter and the plugs while your at it.
Up grade to 4 guage ground straps (as many as you can)

 

Ok... Im trying to balance performance and looks 70/30 so thats why Im adding the headlights...

Custom intake
DP, MP w/ Carsound Hiflow CAT, RB Dual Catback
Greddy Profec B
Boost Gauge & Temp Gauge on A pillar
Apexi Turbo Timer
Rotary Extreme Headlight Kit
Aftermarket ECU. Will the aftermarket ECU control boost at all like the Apexi Power FC?(Enough so I could eliminate the Profec?)


A second thought - Ok, the Apexi SAFC doesnt add enough fuel. What if I used, I already had one but was too scared to install it, a Kingston replica chip into my stock ECU - It is supposed to richen up my fuel curves. Could I then adjust appropriately with the Apexi SAFC?!?! and avoid the risk of this replica, and not run lean?

 

I say, dump the Profec B, forget about the SAFC and do what you must to get the PFC. I can't imagine my FD without one.

 

This is a bump>

1) Related Q - If I go to an upgraded ECU... it makes sense that you dont want one that is tuned for less mods than you have.... but is it ok to get an ECU that is tuned for more mods than what you have...

2) The Apexi SAFC doesnt add enough fuel. What if I used a Kingston replica chip( I already have one but was too scared to install it) into my stock ECU - It is supposed to richen up my fuel curves. Could I then adjust appropriately with the Apexi SAFC?!?! and avoid the risk of this replica, and not run lean?

 

bump..My question goes along with that.. Isn't the rule, for every 2 mods (or 3, can't remember)--you should upgrade your ECU? If I planned on installing numerous mods.. could I just get the PFC (tuned for those specific mods) and would this ECU be good for all other mods I ever install? Sorry if that was a nOOb q. thanks alot.

 

With your mods, I'd suggest just getting a pettit/M2 ecu used, usually you can find them for about 4-500$. I have an intake and full exhaust, and needed a profec b to control the boost. If you think you may have plans to go single/upgraded twins in the future, you can probably dump off the pettit/M2 ecu without taking much of a hit in the wallet. DO NOT get a PFC tuned through the mail, if you go w/ a PFC, definitely tune it with a datalogit yourself or go to a dyno tuner you trust.

kyle

 

So.. does that mean I can go ahead and get the PFC when I get about three mods and the PFC should be good (ECU wise) for all the other mods? Tunning the PFC every time I install new mods. thanks alot.

 

Where can you get the Saab gauge Pods frmo? Any pics installed? thanks alot.

 

Yeah, the PFC should hold you for a very very long time while modding the car. Take a look at some of the vehicles guys are running in the PFC forum, they are extreme.

 

Ok, thanks for confirming that for me. I'll check the others out.

 

Anyone know about them? thanks.

 

saab guage pod

 

Ok the PFC is a no-brainer...

but what about a pettit ECU... can you use one that is programmed for more mods that what you currently have??? As you long as you dont get an ECU that is programmed for less mods than you have???

 

Your first investments should always be "engine reliability" modifications. Put-off the "engine performance" mods for later. Reconsider doing any appearance stuff, why ruin the looks of a beautiful car? I would invest as follows:

Vacuum hose job (silicon)
New FPD (while doing hose job)
Clean & balance fuel injectors (while doing hose job)
Upgrade radiator to Koyo or Fluidine
Aluminum AST, new thermostat and radiator hoses
Fan Mod
New fuel filter
Downpipe
Boost gauge

Keep the stock main cat, the back pressure is a plus.

My first "engine performance" mod would be a PFC with the Datalogit which will give you the ability to tune in all future engine mods. Since the PFC has an engine temperature readout, I'd skip the separate engine temp gauge.

My first real "engine performance" mods would be converting the stock air box into a custom cold air box and adding a 3" stainless catback.