I picked up my 2007 Berlina AP2 in January 2015 with about 35k on the clock. I live in Michigan and this will always be a summer car and a garage queen.

Over the last few months i was able to get the paint back into shape, and added an OEM front lip and AEM V2 CAI, did all the fluids, plugs, and checked the valves (all were in spec). I suspect the trans was only changed once (if that) and the diff was probably on original fluid. She was very happy with the new blood! I have all the basics taken care of and have my eye on boost.

After doing the research I have my eye on the SOS Stage 2 kit. In addition to the good reviews on here, i was also digging through my dusty stash of Sport Compact Car magazines from days past. Seeing them in an S2K shootout from 2001 in addition to their current track cars was enough to give me the vote of confidence.

Between being slightly extended on the mortgage, paying the car off, and gasp.... saving for a ring saving for the upgrade is a slow process. That being said i have stashed around 2 grand. It will be quite a while before i can come up with the additional 5-6 for the SC kit, and necessary trans upgrades. The internal question is how to use that $2,000 in the mean time, and I believe EMS might be the way to go. I was tempted to get an exhaust, but didn't want to bring any additional "attention" to an otherwise stock car.

Anywho... I am thinking that EMS may be a good way to start, as i could drop VTEC a bit, get the power curve smoothed out, and enjoy it another year or two in that form while i stockpile funds. Wanted to hear from others who may have been required to slow-build to boost (or other FI guru's). Do you think this is a smart route to go? I am relatively close to Flint, MI for reference, and if I couldn't find an appropriate tuner in Metro Detroit, i could always trailer the car to Chicago area (assuming i can get the low bastard onto my dads trailer).

Part 2:

With the AP2 DBW being a bit of a different animal, and combing through what is often many-year old posts, it seems my options are the following:

-AEM Series 2 - Been around a while, lots of familiar tuners.
-AEM Infinity - Fast and smart. Seem to be benefits of VE tuning, damage protection (big fan here), but not as many around with experience. 2-3 builds on here with an infinity?
-EManage - Least familiar with this option.

****Edit**** It has been brought to my attention that Flashpro is compatible with 06+ DBW, which i previously thought was not the case. This eliminates the "Part 2:" question.


Feel free to school me on the road to boost. Thanks gents!

 

Hondata flashpro. Then you'll have plenty left over for tuning.

Also take it from me, once you're married, spending that kind of money on a "toy" will be a struggle with the wife. Boost before getting married, or be prepared for a long wait.

 

X2 part-time job for toys helps lol I don't need one to support my family, but I have one to support my habits lol

 

Yeah, no brainer. Flashpro.

 

 

My understanding is that Flashpro/Hondata is not capable of supporting a DBW and/or the stage 2 SOS Kit.

Completely understood and appreciated. Current situation points to dual income and high probability of separate bank accounts. There may be hope...

 

Unless you plan to run down to Woodward Avenue on Friday nights or appear in the next Fast and Furious movie I'd personally skip the idea of buggering the car with forced induction at least for now. I'd personally skip riceing the car with aftermarket wheels, lowering, etc. Show does not equal Go.

Intake and exhaust? If you don't want extra attention just add the K&N FIPK intake. For the induction sound alone. For exhaust I'm running the Tanabe Medalion Touring dual exhaust. Tried the Invidia Q300 but my wife found it painful at cruising speeds. Guys at the high school loved it though. The Tanabe growls when pushed, especially in VTEC.

With a DBW car and FlashPro you can get a wonderful tune from Greg Esmond (Gernby) without resorting to a dyno. Greg uses your open road and captures the data via a set of ECU calibrations to tune for your car. It's all done by email. This will dramatically improve the mid-rpm power which dramatically improves acceleration. My VTEC kicks in at 3,600 rpm at WOT. Love it!

Good tires are the best thing you can put on the car other than the mid-range tune.

Getting late in my season. Not much more than a month before she goes into winter storage.

-- Chuck

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I'll still have the car out a few times this year. This isn't really a question of when, but rather what order.

Not sure where you picked up the "rice" part. Made no mention of wheels or suspension. I want to add power first. As noted above i already have an AEM CAI, as i absolutely loved the tone and feedback of the unit i have on my RSX. From the exhaust research i have done i know the Q300 would be much too loud for my tastes. Medallion touring is in consideration but currently leaning towards HKS hi-power dual. Like the tone better, although have heard none of them in person, and wont purchase until i can verify with my own ear. No patience for drone or rasp.

Dealer had put fresh potenza's on the car. Will be a while before i need tires, and when i do it will likely be paired with wider wheels.

Thanks for the lead on Gernby

 

This is the exact path I took. I had a HFC and Flashpro tune by Gernby for about a year before going the forced induction route. The tune is much more effective with either a HFC or testpipe though, as you'll gain a lot of midrange power that you wouldn't with the stock cat.

Personally I would just go with a test pipe, as you plan on going FI as cats tend to blow out on our cars once boosted. With a tune, flashpro, and a used test pipe you shouldn't be out more than $8-900 and can reuse everything except for the tune once boosted. You also don't really need an exhaust if going supercharged, and keep in mind the blower makes the car slightly louder. My UK-modded exhaust is honestly too loud for me at WOT with the blower.

 

Personally, were I you I'd get a decent wheel/tire setup. Getting the ECU now doesn't do anything for you at all. You could tune it NA for now I suppose, but why spend money twice? If you don't tune it NA, then you have a part you spent money on collecting dust while you put the rest of your funds together. With a good wheel/tire setup which would be VERY doable on 2k, you're already prepared for the increased need for traction when you do go FI. I was on stock wheels/tires when I first went FI and I hated it. Every time I wanted to get into boost the tires spun, didn't matter much which gear.

On the subject of ECU's specifically, there's some caveats. FlashPro does not support Flex tuning for example, so if you want to run E85 you'd have to empty the tank. However, it is very passable by emissions. AEM Series 2 is a dual ECU setup for 06+, not as robust as the Infinity but does benefit from being able to pass emissions. The Infinity is new, fast, fancy, and has a LOT of features, but is a full standalone, i.e. you probably can't pass emissions. If all you want is a simple supercharger setup running on pump, Flash Pro is definitely your best option. If you think you might want to try E85, then Series 2.