Any X's get tuned by Forged or Topspeed?

[steevo]

I'm looking to get my X tuned at one of those two shops. Looking for some input and/or numbers from people who have been tuned there with an Evo X. I'd rather not be the first Evo X tuned at a shop. Also, if anyone knows what a stock X makes on their dynos that would be good. I basically want to know the best way to tune my X, so any input is appreciated. Thanks

Current Mods: AMS FMIC, MBC, Works Filter, Greddy Cat-back

Will likely get a test pipe before tune, and am trying to make this car as fast as my 330whp VIII was.

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

We have tuned many of the X's on this forum. We have been using the Cobb AP to tune them. Please feel free to PM or call me if you would like any more information.

-Ryan

[ryanowarrior]

been tuned there ^^^^^ great place and great people and got a bad ass shop :D

may also want to consider all the options of tuning too

Cobb AP or
ECUFLASH

ive used both and both work well its just which ever you prefer

PS: post up some pics of that WW beast where abouts you live

[scoobysam]

that's the X that hikaru was thinking of buying...the ww with advans

[Hikaru]

^ Yup, sounded familiar. Glad I didn't buy it though. Clean car though Steevo. Well taken care of. Forget all the other options and just go to Forged. There guys have been tuning evos for a long time. Just do it right the first time and go there....

Ryan, car looks like yours, save the 19inch advans and different exhaust....

[GoBoost]

I was also tuned at forged... I've been back several times! Great shop, and great employees.

You're gonna need a little more work to get 330whp on the dyno dyanamics at forged. with your mods, you can probably get around 300whp on their dyno. Topspeed uses a dynojet, so your numbers would reflect higher at their shop (closer to your target goal).

I say go to forged, and mod until you can do 330whp on their dyno =D

[steevo]

We have tuned many of the X's on this forum. We have been using the Cobb AP to tune them. Please feel free to PM or call me if you would like any more information.
-Ryan

Thanks man, I'll definately call or PM you to get some more info. You will be seeing me soon either way as I want Forged to be my new shop. Looks badass and I've heard nothing but good things about Forged. Will get my upgrades, tune, and maintenance done there.

may also want to consider all the options of tuning too

Cobb AP or
ECUFLASH

ive used both and both work well its just which ever you prefer

PS: post up some pics of that WW beast where abouts you live

I initially preferred ECUflash, but need to talk to Forged. Seems they are more experienced using the AP with the X. I do like the AP though so I can log and view live data. Which tune did you like better out of the two? BTW, I'm in the Rome area, so I hope to get in on some meets soon. I'll get some pics up soon, all I have is the autotrader pics and some bad iPhone pics right now.

that's the X that hikaru was thinking of buying...the ww with advans

Yes sir, that is the one. I love it and can't wait to get it tuned!

^ Yup, sounded familiar. Glad I didn't buy it though. Clean car though Steevo. Well taken care of. Forget all the other options and just go to Forged.

Thanks man. I know why you didn't buy it, I saw your thread. I've talked to the original owner and lurked all his posts on all forums ha. The mileage is accurate, he mentioned it all the time. He's in Iraq and never got to drive it, and traded in on a M5. Also, the car is mint, came with new OEM wheels and tires. No way this interior has been used for 20k miles. Guy is straight up and doesn't seem like a scammer. I understand why you backed off though.

I was also tuned at forged... I've been back several times! Great shop, and great employees.

You're gonna need a little more work to get 330whp on the dyno dyanamics at forged. with your mods, you can probably get around 300whp on their dyno. Topspeed uses a dynojet, so your numbers would reflect higher at their shop (closer to your target goal).

I say go to forged, and mod until you can do 330whp on their dyno =D

Good to hear! I'm 100% now, I'm getting tuned at Forged. :D The 330whp I had on my VIII was dynojet. So, I guess my real goal is to get my X to run mid 12's and trap over 110mph. If I want a bragging dyno number, I'll go to topspeed after the forged tune ha!.

Thanks for all the input people, made my decision alot easier. My main hold up right now is the car came with a MBC. The OEM boost lines are on backorder nationwide. Trying to figure out the best way to go about this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a pic of the car on the lot where I bought it. Hope you like!

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg229/sadams_00/Evo%20X/14610825790_273518150_IM1_07_565x42.jpg

[ryanowarrior]

yea man you wont be disappointed at all goin to Forged.....i like them both the AP and ECUFLASH im the type of person who is always switchin shit anyways. i think later on down the road ECUFLASH will be the way to go its just like the 8 and 9 guys there is so many options uses it, and with the X it will be that way ONE day. and plus its cheaper lol to get started but again it all comes down to what you prefer... yea i knew the guy that had the car before you too he seemed like a stand up guy forsure.. also trash that MBC the X's dont like the MBC like the 8 and 9 do. or from what i've read on the forums they dont anyway. i'd say get them OEM boost lines back on there and go with ECU controlled boost.

[manchi]

I got tuned by Forged as well. Good tuner. Their after service customer service is probably the best.

[Hikaru]

Hey Steevo, don't get me wrong the car is definitely mint! The ODO reading didn't really influence my judgement that much. They quoted me at 29,000 out the door but A) I don't like the exhaust so gotta pay to change it. B) The wheels and tires are too big for me so again I gotta go through the hassle of selling them and buying new wheels. C) I wanted a wingless X. So gotta pay to remove the wing, fill the holes ect. D) The coils are not what I want so, yet again I'm paying to change things. For $29,000 I figured I'd just buy a car I like from the beginning. That's the problem with buying cars such a the Evo. It's hard to find want that either isn't modded or modded the way you would want. In the end it went to a good home! You bought a solid ride that is one hell of a looker! Hope you bring it to the next meet!

[Siegel Racing]

We just did another X last night. On our dyno stock X's make about 220whp. With intake and full TBE it made 266whp. Tuned on the stock solenoid I got it to 289, and with a Hallman Pro MBC it made 301whp.

We had one a few weeks ago with EVERYTHING on a stock turbo, (FMIC, hard pipes, etc) and it made 324whp on our DD which was a big surprise to all of us.

So far we really like using the Cobb.

Siegel

[Apex i ITR]

Siegel where are you located?

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

Siegel where are you located?

That's Scott Siegel, one of the tuners here ;)

[GoBoost]

We just did another X last night. On our dyno stock X's make about 220whp. With intake and full TBE it made 266whp. Tuned on the stock solenoid I got it to 289, and with a Hallman Pro MBC it made 301whp.

We had one a few weeks ago with EVERYTHING on a stock turbo, (FMIC, hard pipes, etc) and it made 324whp on our DD which was a big surprise to all of us.

So far we really like using the Cobb.

Siegel

Why is that a shock? Mine has everything except turbo and made 323 last april tuned by sharif.

[Cicio@TopSpeed]

Just figured I would jump in here since every man needs option right? :)

Doug really likes tuning the Xs, so if your interested in checking out different options your more than welcome to come up to the shop and get the feel sometime. Our last Saturday meet is next weekend, free food :D might be a good time to check us out if your interested.

Either way, good luck with the car! I love the way the Xs look.

~Cicio

[steevo]

yea man you wont be disappointed at all goin to Forged.....i like them both the AP and ECUFLASH im the type of person who is always switchin shit anyways.

.. also trash that MBC the X's dont like the MBC like the 8 and 9 do. or from what i've read on the forums they dont anyway. i'd say get them OEM boost lines back on there and go with ECU controlled boost.

Has Forged tuned you with both the AP and ECUFlash, or the AP only? OEM boost lines are on the way! Found a member with them, but still not sure if I'll use them now that Scott chimed in and made more power using a MBC.

I got tuned by Forged as well. Good tuner. Their after service customer service is probably the best.

Good to hear man, thanks for the input. So that makes atleast 4 Evo X's on this forum that have been tuned there. We need to all plan out a dyno day there soon.

In the end it went to a good home! You bought a solid ride that is one hell of a looker! Hope you bring it to the next meet!

Thanks man, I'll definately bring it. I can see your reasoning for not getting it. Lucky for me, they were all the reasons I wanted the car. ;)

We just did another X last night. On our dyno stock X's make about 220whp. With intake and full TBE it made 266whp. Tuned on the stock solenoid I got it to 289, and with a Hallman Pro MBC it made 301whp.

We had one a few weeks ago with EVERYTHING on a stock turbo, (FMIC, hard pipes, etc) and it made 324whp on our DD which was a big surprise to all of us.

So far we really like using the Cobb.

Siegel

That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for, thanks! So maybe my goal with stock DP on that dyno should be 300whp. I currently have the Hallman MBC, but thought their were partial throttle overboost problems using it with the AP. If I can keep it, I'd like to. I like the idea of manually adjusting boost for weather rather than changing maps.

That's Scott Siegel, one of the tuners here ;)

Who would likely do my tune.....Sharif or Scott? I'm about ready to get the ball rollin! :D

Why is that a shock? Mine has everything except turbo and made 323 last april tuned by sharif.

Are you using the stock boost control, 3-port, or MBC?

Just figured I would jump in here since every man needs option right? :)

Doug really likes tuning the Xs, so if your interested in checking out different options your more than welcome to come up to the shop and get the feel sometime. Our last Saturday meet is next weekend, free food :D might be a good time to check us out if your interested.

Either way, good luck with the car! I love the way the Xs look.

~Cicio

Thanks man, I've been to Topspeed once (in '05) and was very impressed. Clean, nice shop. It was when I first got my VIII used, and it was boosting wastegate pressure only at 12psi. Doug saw me on the forums, had me up there in 2 hours and installed a MBC at 20psi within minutes. He was very cool, and very helpful. I never had the chance to make it back, but glad to see you on the forum and would like to see some of Doug's X tuning results.

If anyone has their dyno sheets from Forged or Topspeed from their X, post them up please!

[ryanowarrior]

Ryan won't give you a dyno sheet for some reason :D

[Cicio@TopSpeed]

This is the most recent X we tuned, about two weeks ago. Really good customer of ours, stock turbo, full exhaust. He is doing cams and IC piping next and then coming back for a retune.

Hope this helps

**Ninja Edit for correction factors

Here it is standard correction and Uncorrected just in case you guys want to see both numbers.

STD Correction
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/CicioTopSpeed/Dyno%20Graphs/DarrenXSTD.jpg

Uncorrected
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/CicioTopSpeed/Dyno%20Graphs/DarrenXUC.jpg

[Siegel Racing]

The partial throttle "overboost" issues have been solved. It was a "torque limiting" table issue actually, but the AP has no problem with them any more.

You can choose whether you would like Sharif or myself to do the tune. Generally M-F is me, and Sat is Sharif.

I believe the 323 on our dyno was with a Hallman Pro MBC...

Siegel

[steevo]

Ok, so I just ordered the Cobb AP from Forged and am going down there on the 17th to get some general maitenance done. I'm considering going ahead and getting a protune that day by Sarif. It's either that, or run an OTS map until I mod more...which I may not..I'm not sure.

The car came with all the mods on it (thankfully), and wanted you Forged tuned guys to guess at my number if I get protuned. Mods will be:

AMS FMIC, Hallman MBC, Works Filter, Trust Dual-Catback...AP Protuned by Forged.

I like how the car is quiet now, but still want it to feel as quick as my old dynojet 330whp VIII, and even my old 300whp Speed 3. Considering their dyno reads around 220whp on a stock X, where do you think I might be with my mods and a protune on their dyno?

[ZenMotors]

Im sure both, Topspeed and forged, will be able to tune your X properly. I have never dealt with forged, so i would have to recommend Topspeed. We will be taking our evo 8 to Doug once we are ready.

as for your comment about using topspeed for higher numbers.... don't expect to see a big variance. a car was tuned at forged and then went straight over to topspeed. after a good cool down period, they put on it on the dyno and it made a whopping 9 awhp more.

[ryanowarrior]

I'd say around 300hp give or take! Probly take but I don't know much...

[Hikaru]

^you'll be reeeeeal close to those numbers (dynojet adjusted) I'm pretty close to those numbers on my IX, about the same mods, and Scott tuned me when he was at TopSpeed.

[Hikaru]

I'd say around 300hp give or take! Probly take but I don't know much...

Really Ryan? only 300 dynojet???

[ryanowarrior]

I thought we were talkin about forged dyno ^^

[Cicio@TopSpeed]

Quite honestly for your typical "stage2" X you won't see a TON of gains with a protune. Cobb did a pretty good job with there OTS maps.

However with the AMS FMIC and the MBC a protune would probably be in your best interest.

As far as number throwing goes I will stay out of that one. Good luck with your car. If it were my car I would request Shawn work on it at Forged....that is I guess if I didn't work at TopSpeed :D

Just my .02

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

Keep in mind still on OEM cat and downpipe, so that will effect the outcome :)

Dan, as far as there not being a big difference, I am afraid you are sorely mistaken. That may have been the case on that 1 car but we have seen a huge difference between them on the majority of the cars who have dyno'd here and then on a dynojet, TopSpeeds included. I think Scott Siegel can attest to this more than anyone since he has tuned on both dynos. He has noticed a noticeable difference between our dyno and TopSpeeds.

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

Quite honestly for your typical "stage2" X you won't see a TON of gains with a protune. Cobb did a pretty good job with there OTS maps.

However with the AMS FMIC and the MBC a protune would probably be in your best interest.

As far as number throwing goes I will stay out of that one. Good luck with your car. If it were my car I would request Shawn work on it at Forged....that is I guess if I didn't work at TopSpeed :D

Just my .02

Good info here :)

[Cicio@TopSpeed]

Keep in mind still on OEM cat and downpipe, so that will effect the outcome :)

Dan, as far as there not being a big difference, I am afraid you are sorely mistaken. That may have been the case on that 1 car but we have seen a huge difference between them on the majority of the cars who have dyno'd here and then on a dynojet, TopSpeeds included. I think Scott Siegel can attest to this more than anyone since he has tuned on both dynos. He has noticed a noticeable difference between our dyno and TopSpeeds.

Ah the dyno debate :) Good times.

I however didn't realize that the OP was on a factory downpipe. In that case you will gain VERY little to nothing from the protune and should wait tell you get a full exhaust.

Having the factory cat in a small restrictive downpipe creates higher back pressure (obviously) thereby making it very hard to push more boost and more timing due to the exhaust contaminating the combustion chamber.

Sorry for missing that.

[ZenMotors]

Keep in mind still on OEM cat and downpipe, so that will effect the outcome :)

Dan, as far as there not being a big difference, I am afraid you are sorely mistaken. That may have been the case on that 1 car but we have seen a huge difference between them on the majority of the cars who have dyno'd here and then on a dynojet, TopSpeeds included. I think Scott Siegel can attest to this more than anyone since he has tuned on both dynos. He has noticed a noticeable difference between our dyno and TopSpeeds.

you may be right... im only basing my opinion off 2 occurences. we took a turbo IS up there for tuning and made 360 rwhp on Topspeeds dyno when the customer had stated he made 430 rwhp on another dyno and nothing had changed in the setup.

either way... good luck with wherever you go get tuned. happy modding!

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

you may be right... im only basing my opinion off 2 occurences. we took a turbo IS up there for tuning and made 360 rwhp on Topspeeds dyno when the customer had stated he made 430 rwhp on another dyno and nothing had changed in the setup.

either way... good luck with wherever you go get tuned. happy modding!

It's so hard to get a good comparison on dyno's. Even if dynoing on the same day there are so many factors. temps, humidity, etc all play a role. Cicio is right on this one, no need to get into another pointless dyno debate. At the end of the day the dyno is a tool for tuning, not a number readout. I apologize if I threw this thread off topic ;)

[TouringBubble]

we took a turbo IS up there for tuning and made 360 rwhp on Topspeeds dyno when the customer had stated he made 430 rwhp on another dyno and nothing had changed in the setup.

Another dyno where? When conditions change (temp, humidity, elevation, season, etc.) the car will run differently. A dyno in Seattle and one in Orlando will give drastically different numbers on the same car because the car is actually running differently in the new climate. The dyno, operator and any settings are independent of this, though they also can have an effect.

Either way, a dyno is a tuning tool, not a number generator. People put too much weight in numbers these days. Trap times at the drag strip are a much better comparison figure for power unless you're comparing cars tuned the same day on the same dyno.

I only have experience with TopSpeed's DynoJet, and it reads accurately (in comparison to other DynoJet systems) from what I can tell. I had a 12% drivetrain loss there on my completely stock Evo. I have no experience with Forged, but I've heard they have a heartbreaker there. Most DD dynos are as they are load bearing.

Based on technology alone, I'd personally go with Forged to tune a turbo car. Load bearing dynos are just better with turbo cars. But, of course, I'd tune it myself. ;)

EDIT :: Ryan beat me to it.

[ZenMotors]

i was just trying to make a point based on one of the posts mentioning going to topspeed just for bigger numbers. that is all.


btw Cicio, hit me up.

[doug@topspeed]

dyno's schminoes... Trying to compare the two are dumb... I have a ton of graphs that show little to no difference in the two, and I am sure they have the same amount that say otherwise.

Its all about the baseline and gains afterwards.

[steevo]

Yeah, I didn't want a dyno comparo....Im trying to figure out the "average" gain I should get with my mods/future mods/tune compared to a stock X: AMS FMIC, Hallman MBC, Works Filter, Test pipe, Cat-back.

Would 80-100whp be too high of an expectation? Good to see you on here Doug, I'll never forget that time you helped me out with my VIII. My testimony was on your website for a good while.

So, I"m going to pickup my AP on the 17th. Looks like I won't have a test pipe installed by then. Would I be best to flash a Stage 1 or Stage 2 map? Protune will come later...thanks!

[evo_xtatic]

Yeah, I didn't want a dyno comparo....Im trying to figure out the "average" gain I should get with my mods/future mods/tune compared to a stock X: AMS FMIC, Hallman MBC, Works Filter, Test pipe, Cat-back.

Would 80-100whp be too high of an expectation? Good to see you on here Doug, I'll never forget that time you helped me out with my VIII. My testimony was on your website for a good while.
I think for those mods you should expect 25-35HP. The real HP gain is the tune. I've seen so many Evo X's out there with their signatures listing like 10-15 performance parts and not one involves a tune. The stock tune IS SO TERRIBLE IT MAKES ME PEE BLOOD. Just throwing intake and exhaust parts on there will lean a stock tune pig rich AFR up, but it's dangerous without a tune. Get the parts, slap em on and let Doug do his magic (or the pro tuner of your choice) to your tune.

So, I"m going to pickup my AP on the 17th. Looks like I won't have a test pipe installed by then. Would I be best to flash a Stage 1 or Stage 2 map? Protune will come later...thanks!

Cobb recommends stage 2 only with a turbo back and one of the intakes from their approved list (the ones they've tested in house). However, they also have done their R&D on the stock 2port electronic boost controls in the ECU and as such don't recommend you doing the AP stage 2 (or any of their stages) with a Hallman MBC (or any MBC) as the tune is for ~26lbs tapering to ~18 up top. They can't control what boost your MBC allows and for sure it won't match what the ECU is trying to regulate. Plus in my month or so experience with my X on a Hallman is bittersweet. It held pressure very well and boost came on very fast. However, it was not streetable or daily drivable in my opinion. ON, OFF, not much in between; great for the drag strip/track. The ECU controlled boost is very nice and has MUCH less compressor surge (although I'm running a Synapse BOV).
Another note about Cobb's stage 2: You do have to remove one of the three boost pills in the main compressor vacuum line according to their instructions.
I recommend just a stage 1 since it's a LOT better than stock. Wait until you get a turbo back to do a stage 2.
Oh and grats on your new parts! Pics please :)

[steevo]

^^, Sorry I meant gains with my mods along with an AP Protune. Could that possibly net me 75-100whp over stock?

Forgot to mention, I will be running the HKS filter with the OTS map. I will begin with stage 1, but am keeping the MBC for protune later. I can set peak boost per Cobb's notes, but what kind of problems (without protune) could I have if boost holds higher /longer or partial throttle overboost?

I'm really need to decide on what boost method to use permanently. The car came with the mbc, so I'm trying to make it work for now. I have some used stock boost lines that should work, should I get Forged to install them? They make more power using a MBC with the protune so I'm stuck on that decision right now.

[doug@topspeed]

I would flash the cobb stg1 map. Also I would switch back to the factory boost control. With changing the sizes of restrictor pills we are able to hold more boost in the higher rpms as well as still retaining the factory safety features since the ecu is controlling boost.

MBC's on evo X's are so last year... or for tuners that don't quite grasp the concept of the X's stock boost control system.

[steevo]

Thanks Doug, you've helped me make my decision now. I will definately have them put back the OEM boost lines and let the Cobb AP tune control boost completely. I'd feel much more comfortable that way anyways. Reminds me of how good my Speed 3 controlled boost via ECU. Plus, I'd rather not show up at the dealer ever with a MBC. Without it, I can walk in with a catback, filter, and fmic....and pray lol.


On a side note, I've noticed something I think is bad over the last couple of weeks. It sounds like my tranny is whining after it warms up or if I go on a spirited run. The car is an '08 with 5300 miles. Should I go ahead and change out the fluid, and what would be recommended? Also, does anyone else get a tranny whine like that after warmup? I read of evom someone say it's normal, and it's the turbo, but I don't think that's what I'm experiencing.

[ryanowarrior]

MBC's on evo X's are so last year... or for tuners that don't quite grasp the concept of the X's stock boost control system.

This ^^ see I told ya the MBC were no good for us!!

On a side note Doug are yall using stock boost solniods! Or goin to a 3 port??

[doug@topspeed]

We have run them both ways, with the stock or an aftermarket EBC. Just requires a different approach on tuning.

[steevo]

I'm starting to wonder and want input if I'll notice a gain with just a Stage 1 +HKS OTS map. I updated my sig to show my mods.

So, I'll be replacing the Works filter with the "less" powerful HKS panel filter. I'll be removing my MBC spiking to 22psi and holding 17-18psi. Then, I'll install the AP, and flash the stage 1+ map. Please tell me I should notice significant gains! What should I expect?

[evo_xtatic]

On a side note, I've noticed something I think is bad over the last couple of weeks. It sounds like my tranny is whining after it warms up or if I go on a spirited run. The car is an '08 with 5300 miles. Should I go ahead and change out the fluid, and what would be recommended? Also, does anyone else get a tranny whine like that after warmup? I read of evom someone say it's normal, and it's the turbo, but I don't think that's what I'm experiencing.

If you decelerate in a gear with moderate RPMs and/or engine brake, you'll get that sound. It does it for me too. It's not some death whine, but you can hear the synchros spinning..nothing to worry about. Change the fluid at the OEM recommended intervals for "extreme"...which I think is every 15k? I'll have to check my manual again.

[steevo]

If you decelerate in a gear with moderate RPMs and/or engine brake, you'll get that sound. It does it for me too. It's not some death whine, but you can hear the synchros spinning..nothing to worry about. Change the fluid at the OEM recommended intervals for "extreme"...which I think is every 15k? I'll have to check my manual again.

Yes, it definately happens when decelerating. It's also audible when acceleracting lightly. It goes up....and down as I'm going through the gears along with the RPMs. It gets louder after a spiritual run. I hope it's nothing serious,..thanks for the feedback. If it gets worse, I'll try changing fluid and go from there.

As for the AP OTS map, I think I'll feel a good difference. Cobb's chart shows it peaking 24psi and holding 20psi tapering to 17psi. It will hold more than I do now. Plus, it looks like they leaned it out a good bit in the lower end, and going towards low 11's AFR towards redline. Is that about accurate? Trying to decide on a wideband setup so I won't know until then.

[ryanowarrior]

For sure need to be lookin into wideband asap with u doin all these changes never hurts to have one period! I have the AEM antalog and love it! It's not got the digatal numbers but that's why I chose it! Didn't like always seein those numbers jumpin around lol! It's also got like 5 or 6 lighted color backgrounds to change it up a lil..

[steevo]

Wideband is one of next mods no doubt! I have a Defi boost gauge now, and figured I move it along with an AEM wideband to a Rexspeed A pillar pod. I wish there was a really good dual guage steering column pod. How many hour(s) might it take to install an AEM wideband?

I'll be getting a test pipe soon so I can run a Stg2 map before the protune. Do I have to make sure it has an 02 bung for the wideband install? I'm a little confused on that one. I also want to know which would be quieter.....a resonated test pipe or mini muffler one.



Also, you make a good point about your analog one. Might be easier on the eye.

[evo_xtatic]

Wideband is one of next mods no doubt! I have a Defi boost gauge now, and figured I move it along with an AEM wideband to a Rexspeed A pillar pod. I wish there was a really good dual guage steering column pod. How many hour(s) might it take to install an AEM wideband? The AEM is a good mainstream one for sure; dunno about the install time. There's others that are just as good and some are better from a compatibility standpoint. Where ever you decide to tune it, if your WB isn't compatible with the shop's equipment, they'll still have to run a bung or a probe to get the AFRs. If it is compatible, it's plug and play and more time for tuning vs setup :)

I'll be getting a test pipe soon so I can run a Stg2 map before the protune. Do I have to make sure it has an 02 bung for the wideband install? I'm a little confused on that one. I also want to know which would be quieter.....a resonated test pipe or mini muffler one.
They ask for a turbo-back for stg2...so don't forget the downpipe as well otherwise it's not a true turboback...just a test pipe would be a o2 housing-back lol.
In my short experience with stock vs AMS test pipe (AMS has the O2 bung and spacer already included :)) is that it's not much louder at all. A little fuller maybe, but the pitch discernibly changed for the lower when I got my AMS downpipe on there. I thought it sounds more like a real EVO hah.

[TouringBubble]

for the wideband, I'd recommend an Innovate LC-1 system and whatever 5v gauge you want to attach to it. There is much debate on this, but I prefer Innovate to the other WBO2 systems. Logable out of the box, compatible with all kinds of gauges and very accurate.

[ryanowarrior]

+1 on this ^^ very nice but like he said there is always a great debate on widebands! Just make sure u get a good one either way! I'm like u I have defi boost gauge and have the WB to color match it lol!! There is a guy on evoxforums that does dual A pillar pods! U can send yours in and wait or buy a new and he ships it to ya when he is finshed! Or I could let u borrow my extra one to send off and when u get it back u could give me the one that's on your car!!

As far as test pipe I'd say the UR piece is the way to go only cause that's what I'm runnin lol! Just get the straight through pipe you'll be wishin u had later down the road!! And it will come with a WB bung if u ask for it! Or if u buy an 02/downpipe get a bung put in there! Closer to the turbo the better!