"Stage 1" kits worth it?

[em1toevo]

I am curious about what you guys think about the "stage 1" kits from buschur or ams. Are they worth it? Or should I just get a decent exhaust(Megan, etc..), MBC, fuel pump, and a tune locally? I have the HKS intake on my car now, so the base flash with the kits would have to be altered anyway.

[alg626]

you could probably get it cheaper by buying the exhaust and everything yourself instead going through burschur or ams, but it is a good starting point, just depends on your money, also u don't wanna buy cheap stuff that u have to replace and u won't have to worry about that going through one of those shops.

[em1toevo]

Would it be hard to install these items myself and then get it tuned asap?

[alg626]

installing a exhaust is not hard, i don't have a fuel pump yet and i'm at about 315whp so don't really need one just a good safety net, that shouldn't be to hard anyway right behind the back seat i believe, and a MBC isn't that bad either just need to get some vaccum hoses can't remember what sizes though,

do u have a boost gauge?

[em1toevo]

I have an autometer cf boost gauge still sitting in my trunk waiting to be installed. Right before I got hurt, I also ordered a cf gauge pod to mount it in. I am debating on whether to just order a megan exhaust with a test pipe or save for either the buschur or ams. The megan seems to have decent reviews. I just don't think I want the megan resonated cat delete since it supposedly bottlenecks a little from the inner mesh.

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

omg, PLEASE do not go with buschur, I really do not like their products. Plus I have heard tons of horror stories about them. AMS is a good credible company, cant go wrong with their stuff. I personally would just mix and match what you personally want. When it all comes down to it, just figure out what you want for your car.

[TripperFx3]

AMS is a good route to go. Just watch out for some of the cat-back systems. Some of them taper to 2.5" at the cat (HKS for example). Just save up and get a TBE.

[em1toevo]

AMS looks better than the buschur anyway aside from performance. I really think that I could come out cheaper by getting the megan catback and another kind of test pipe and downpipe(to clear the acd).

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

I personally have never heard a bad thing about Megan products for the Evo, can't go wrong with this path either. As for the dp/test pipe, i would suggest Perrin or Invidia, check them out for yourself and see what you think. They seem to make pretty nice products and have a pretty credible reputation with the Evo community. Just be careful that whatever you choose is a full 3 inches and does not taper down.

[TripperFx3]

Also go ahead an do the turbo outlet.

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

I need to do the o2 housing myself, but Im strongly considering holding out and getting a FPG 20G-LT or something along those lines

[TripperFx3]

If your gonna do the turbo you might as well hold out for the outlet. You have to pull the turbo to do the outlet, so you might as well replace the turbo! :D

[BlewByYouEvoVIII]

Ya I know, Im hoping Ill be able to do it by the end of summer or so, cant really afford to do anything right now.