Bull Run
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #136
Since I'm pretty much maxed out on the stock block, I decided to start on some of the supporting mods for the eventual installation of a built engine in the future.
First up was the downpipe. I already upgraded 3" Corsa DP with a high-flow cat, but the local dyno/tuner guy stated that he typically sees ~10WHP gain going from catted (even the high-flow ones) to catless, plus it also helps with turbo longevity. While I didn't take a picture of it before the install, I went with MBRP catless PD as Corsa doesn't sell a catless version of it's DP, and MBRP unit looked similar in shape. I ended cutting the end piece of the MBRP DP in half to get rid of the reducer (to fit the stock exhaust). This allowed it to fit into the existing 3" custom exhaust, it'll also allow me to swap back to the Corsa DP if needed.
Pros
While ~10WHP difference will be hard to feel, there was a noticeable reduction of turbo lag. It'sn ot that VS2+ is laggy, but it catless made it seem like VS2+ spools about as fast as the much smaller stock turbo paired with the OEM DP.
Cons
A small increase in exhaust noise, much smaller impact than resonator or muffler related changes.
Stinkier exhaust small. Folks in emissions Nazi states may want to stick with catted DP as the increase in "stinkiness" is noticeable.
Second upgrade was the intercooler. Although CPE intercooler is more than sufficient for the stock block (CPE states it's good for up to 500whp), I decided to go with a larger ETS intercooler as their site states it's good for around 700WHP.
As you can see from the comparison photos, ETS has more than double the front surface area than the CPE unit.
CPE IC
ETS IC
[
ETS IC with bumper cover on
First up was the downpipe. I already upgraded 3" Corsa DP with a high-flow cat, but the local dyno/tuner guy stated that he typically sees ~10WHP gain going from catted (even the high-flow ones) to catless, plus it also helps with turbo longevity. While I didn't take a picture of it before the install, I went with MBRP catless PD as Corsa doesn't sell a catless version of it's DP, and MBRP unit looked similar in shape. I ended cutting the end piece of the MBRP DP in half to get rid of the reducer (to fit the stock exhaust). This allowed it to fit into the existing 3" custom exhaust, it'll also allow me to swap back to the Corsa DP if needed.
Pros
While ~10WHP difference will be hard to feel, there was a noticeable reduction of turbo lag. It'sn ot that VS2+ is laggy, but it catless made it seem like VS2+ spools about as fast as the much smaller stock turbo paired with the OEM DP.
Cons
A small increase in exhaust noise, much smaller impact than resonator or muffler related changes.
Stinkier exhaust small. Folks in emissions Nazi states may want to stick with catted DP as the increase in "stinkiness" is noticeable.
Second upgrade was the intercooler. Although CPE intercooler is more than sufficient for the stock block (CPE states it's good for up to 500whp), I decided to go with a larger ETS intercooler as their site states it's good for around 700WHP.
As you can see from the comparison photos, ETS has more than double the front surface area than the CPE unit.
CPE IC
ETS IC
[
ETS IC with bumper cover on
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