I am new to the board, though I have been following it for quite some time.

It seems like the first mods most guys do is EVOMS intake, GIAC chip, exhaust, DV and that gets the X50/GT2's up to around 600hp - what I'm wondering is if one could safely do the GIAC chip first or would I run into problems with too much back pressure on the stock exhaust? On the topic of ECU flashes/uprgades I would be interested to hear some feed back about the various manufacturers (Softronic, GIAC etc)...

Thanks in advance.

 

Doing just the ECU flash by itself was exactly how I started mine. It should give you a little over 500hp with the X50. This is assuming your DVs are in good condition. You don't really need to change them, but the diaphragm in the DVs can be damaged with higher boost.

 

You don't have to do the exhaust right away, but you might as well. Your stock DV's and airbox should be fine. I've been running the GIAC programming for 20k miles with stock DV's and airbox without a hiccup.

 

Is there any way to test my DV...vacuum/pressure tests?

 

I'm not very good with mechanics; but if your car can hold .7 bar of boost (stock) your DVs should be fine.

 

BTW, all new members need to show their id.. I meant pics.

 

Truth be told, I haven't taken delivery yet. Flew down to Dallas to drive it and its being shipped up in a couple weeks. I'll probably drive it stock for a while...after my first loss to some kid's old fox body then I will pump some money into it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911-Turbo-2003-Porsche-911-Turbo-X50-Factory-Powerkit-1-Owner_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10156QQihZ008QQit emZ180246124512QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

Very nice! I agree to drive it stock for awhile first. Good luck and enjoy!

 

FOX BODY Good luck with your new ride! As for the flash we stand behind GIAC product...Are also a dealer.. BTW most guys are picking up turbos cars so cheap that they are going straight for 600 plus kits...Tim

 

Tim, I can't pm yet. Do you have a direct line I can call you at?

 

There is nothing wrong with starting with the flash...

However, before you select a vendor for a flash, try to have a roadmap of the future mods before pulling the trigger.

I didn't do so, and am stuck with a very expensive GIAC flash for my X50 that everyone I've spoke to tells me I will have to basically toss out if I want to take the next logical step and have my k24s converted to hybrids.

So, have an idea where you want to ultimately go, and make sure whatever vendor you select won't bend you over or leave you out in the cold for future changes in mapping!

 

A while back I was into modifying turbo imports - you buy a stand alone ECU or piggy-back system that allows you to adjust fuel trims, ignition timing etc (spend more often than not hours and hours tuning) and off you go.

From what I know about modifying P-cars, it seems that a guy buys the GIAC, tells the distributor your mod list, he installs (via OBD port) a fixed fuel map in under an hour and off you go. No dyno testing, or WOT runs...you just get more power (I guess from raising stock boost levels?).

The number I have been getting is about $3k for the GIAC and $300 for additional fuel maps. Does that sound right?

To your point though, I am guessing I will do the EVOMS intake, AWE exhaust, DV and GIAC and hope to get 550-600hp at the flywheel.

 

That unfortunately is how it seems to work. After modding a WRX, I too was used to the idea of buying an ECU mod that would allow a bit of flexibility. This sadly doesn't seem to be the case with P-cars - the Porsche tax, as they say.

While it is true that the volumes are lower, which means fewer people to spread development costs to, I can't help but think that $3k for a flash is @#$#$ robbery.

From my perspective, I'd advise you to steer clear of the GIAC flash. Since you have an X50 with k24 turbos, you have a very easy upgrade path from your target by simply having them converted to k24/18g hybrids for a cost of about $1200. Throw in a fuel pressure regulator and boost controller along with your "base" mods, and you're at 650hp.

Talk to Protomotive - they can do the above. I wish I had done so before I wasted my money on the GIAC flash.

 

Hmmm very good info. I am having flashbacks of fouled spark plugs and heavy engine knocking, but your FPR/BC mods may be worth looking at.

No offense to either manufacturer, but I am hearing GIAC is a more refined/safer product whereas Protomotive flash doesn't have the same hours of research and reliability...

 

I did the GIAC flash and had a Miltek exhaust done at the same time because everyone said that the exhaust really opens up the HP quite a bit when combined with the flash. Didnt do the airbox though, kept that stock. I cant argue with the result, although I actually dont know how much my car is putting out now. Seat of the pants tells me though that its quite a bit faster. BTW, RPM in Long Island did the work for me (with all the mods on my car except for the suspension) and they did a great job at a fair price. Thanks guys.

Marc