finally got my AP1 turboED. now running on base AP1 map. seems to drive fine. i like it over all, just need some time to get used to the fuel bump noise. will replace the spark plug to colder plugs see if i can solve the detonating sometimes.

my current setup is:
greddy turbo kit
stock cat
blitz dual realize TT cat back

my concern:

1. the car is boosting fine, however, i m feeling the torque drops obviously when reaching 6k rpm in all gears. engine also sounds differently after 6k rpm, vtec engage?! rpm raises kinda slow after 6k. is that how people call the vtec dips? is that normal? how can i fix that?

2. is my blitz exhaust restrictive? i check the diameter is a 60.5mm. thinking of getting the greddy TI-C dual, dont really know the diameter however. will the greddy dual improve the power? i like the dual exhaust.

i'll tune the car in the future, but i will stay with the base map and stock cat for a while.

i'll try to put on a boost gauge and read the current boost.

thanks.
KELvin

 

I would toss the stock cat and get your car tune 1st.

 

Leave the stock cat, get tuned. Moving to a test pipe may cause overboosting. One member gained 100 ft lbs of torque around 6000 rpm from the base tune to his custom tune.

 

Get tuned. Oh also with this the tq does die off in the upper rpm range. Tiny turbo!!

 

so the torque drop in 6k rpm seems to be normal?!
i've also done some research the single exit exhaust is always perform better than dual. is that ture? i was searching the diameter for the greddy TIC dual but most of them say 50-80mm. and the single greddy TIC is 70mm in pipping. should i just go for 70mm+ single exit for performance and lighter in weight?
seems like most people recommand me a tune. if i m getting it to tune, i'll get the test pipe for sure.
what are some good place to get my 2k tuned in the bay area?!?

thanks.
KELvin

 

You are not supposed to drive on the base map. It's only meant for LIGHTLY driving to the tuner.

You should not get a test pipe either.

 

Ahhh my brain hurts from reading your posts lol.

 

As far as s2ks, there's Driving Ambition (kind of far...by Sac) and Blacktrax (Milpitas). There are other tuners, but I don't know much about them. It's probably better to ask in the Bay Area forum.

 

Ditch the cat and get yourself a Berk Tech HFC. I have the very same kit on my AP1. Stock exhaust, Berk HFC and EBC tuned to 8psi I made 270whp 190 ft.lbs.tq. Im also using Hondata as my EMS.

 

Yeah, get tuned, a HFC and a better exhaust around the 70mm range, also a good boost controller really helps . Then check back. You probably feeling the vtec dip accosiated with the kit as well.