ferret89 wrote:Riffnugget wrote:Hey Shav, I'm in love with your car... you've done everything perfect!
A few quick questions, I'm looking at the same dump pipe from Invidia for $799
What was the performance improvement like after installing it? I too have an auto.
Also, I'm looking at the same Dba t2 rotors and Intima ss pads... do they give off much brake dust? Any squealing at all?
My pads squeal and give off a ridiculous amount of brake dust hence my want to upgrade.
And would you recommend to a stock GT-B owner like me upgrading the intercooler while keeping the stock turbo like you did?
Very much appreciated, thanks!
Ethan
I'm not Shav, but I might be able to help with a few of your questions.
1) Invidia Dump Pipe is a great performance mod, keep in mind that it must be paired with a tune to be safe. You will see very noticeable improvements from these so highly recommended
2) I wouldn't recommend upgrading your intercooler with the stock turbo, I don't think it gives many gains or real benefits on such a small turbo for the price it costs. Stick with stock until it is no longer effective enough in my opinion
Hi Ethan and thanks Daniel.
Firstly I agree with Daniel in regards to the dump pipe. It's a definite improvement for more torque and power down low post tune. Just be prepared when you fit it. Space is limited between the cat and the gear box. I mean there is literally 2mm of space. So if you are not really handy with the tools or are limited in time, or do not have the patience like me, I strongly recommend getting someone to fit it for you. There is a method that will make it fit but you have to do it with some trial and error to make it fit nicely or it will foul the gearbox. Also there is added heat from the dump and without a heat shield it could prematurely make your CV boot fail or split. The stock unit has a heat shield all the way down and offers a fair bit of heat protection but the Invidia or should I say most other after market dumps do not provide a heat shield of any kind. I found my CV boot split after a week of having the dump fitted. It could have been purely coincidence I dont know. But the added heat would not have helped any. I ended up getting the dump pipe wrapped with header wrap to reduce the heat on the new CV boot I fiited. So far so good.
As for the intercooler, its a personal thing. They do not add power per sey. They just allow you to make consistent power with more timing and without the heat soak and less chance of knock. The stock IC is prone to heat soak after some hard squirts but it is very capable of handling reasonable power outputs, after heat soak sets in the car does feel sluggish as the ecu backs off the timing to compensate for the hotter air entering the engine. A bigger IC just reduces that and allows you add more timing due to the cooler air temps and tune more out of your current setup. So therefore you are still maintaining the same feeling of power after the few squirts as you would first thing in the morning for instance, but at any time of the day and with far less heat soak. I bought the bigger IC due to a great group buy. Did I need it? Not really. Did I want it? Of course because one day I plan to get a bigger turbo. Unless you get a good deal pop up you could just stick with the stock IC for now and make sure Matt tunes the car within it's capabilities. Another cost effective option is to fit a water spray kit to spray on the IC during certain temperature increases in the engine bay. Heard this can be done and is effective if you can get it to come on at selective temps.
The brake pads are very good IMO. I have found them to be low in dust. As long as you are using brand new rotors I have not heard any squealing. It also helps if they have been bedded in properly. But they have excellent bite and do not chew out rotors. Just don't test their limits out like I did once on a spirited hills run downhill. haha. Sphincter quenching moment there.
