Hey everyone....I have been considering performance modifications for my car and since the topic hasn't been addressed in a while and there are a lot of new things on the market, I figured I would start a new thread.

Right now all I have is a Hahn 3" exhaust....but I am thinking of the following (in the following order):

1. Hahn Catted DP
2. GM Stage Kit (This may include an intake so it may neglect the need for the Hahn CAI)
-or-
2. Hahn CAI and PPC (If the price comes down to a reasonable amount after the stage kit is released)
3. Charge Piping
4. Intercooler

Now the Intercooler is something I question needing. My ultimate goal here is simply to have an everyday driver that is fast and sounds good. I would like to get something that could get close to 300whp, but I don't intend to race the car. Is upgrading the stock IC necessary? Am I really going to gain that much for an everyday driver? Keep in mind I have held off upgrading these components to this point because of a lack of tuning options (there is no tuner in my area and I do not feel comfortable doing an htp tune myself).

So what do you guys think of this order? Should I consider other modifications? Keep in mind I have looked at the vendors out there and the quality of the materials used by them. In doing so I have concluded that nothing compares to the quality of Hahn parts. I don't mind paying the money for something that is dependable in the long run (no aluminum if it can be helped). I just want to make sure that I am doing the right thing by my car...

No flaming please, as this is a legitimate inquiry...I am not out to support one vendor over another so let's not go there and keep this thread on topic as I will be watching it closely and using it for my future modification decisions.

 

In all honesty, I think by going with the charge piping both hot and cold sides, Intake and full exhaust, you will be close to your want.

Also, I doubt you will need to upgrade your intercooler, but it wouldn't hurt.

 

go with hahn intercooler and CAI but use synapse charge piping and DP and get GM stage one but use the hahn intake not the gm

 

I looked at the synapse charge piping and it is made of aluminum...for the same price Hahn's is made of nickel steel. In my opinion this appears to be a more durable system. Is there something I am overlooking here? I don't want a BOV or anything like that... The DPs I have seen so far are catless...that won't cut it in my emissions area. That was why I was waiting for the catted one from Hahn. Is there a catted one out there that is better? I haven't seen anything on the GM stage kit so I am not sure what the CAI is going to be like. I really like the way the Hahn one looks...but looks aren't everything....

I think the intercooler is going to be the big issue here.....it is quite an investment for a part that might be more than what I need...

Thanks! I have a feeling 1,2, and 3 will be a must for what I want. I really like the hahn intercooler...it is a work or art...but it costly ... I am looking to take the car to a point where it is fast, but not to the point I am going to overwork my turbo... I was thinking close to 300 whp....not sure I could handle much more anyway (and I don't want to upgrade the clutch)... at that point my turbo should still be safe and I was thinking that if the turbo is safe an intercooler upgrade isn't needed

 

well the Synapse intercooler is cheaper than Hahns, and i think synapses handles up to 600 HP and hahns handles up to 700 HP. For a 300 HP daily driver and probably not with money just falling out of your pockets, for $300 less you can get Synapses intercooler. The only thing is on Synapses internet site, im pretty sure they only list the intercooler WITH the charge piping, but im sure if you call in you can just get the intercooler.... thats what i did as i already had their charge piping

 

Interesting...thanks for pointing out the synapse. I took a look at it and it looks adequate if an intercooler is needed. The Hahn IC does have a bigger core and looks to be better constructed (is not a modified unit), but it also appears to be overkill for my application....

From what I have seen an intercooler appears have a high cost - to - benefit ratio regardless... If I will have no adverse effects with the stock then that is something to seriously consider....

 

Hahns kit is nice but has more connection points (weak points and flow restiction) and ive heard of ppl having trouble with fitment with the cold pipe up to the stock intercooler and i like the routing of the synapes on its close and clean also hahn uses worm clamps not true T-Bolt stype clamp not to mention hahn's appears to be very close to rubbing on the hood if it already doesnt

 

Hmmmm...curious...I haven't heard of this happening before (the rubbing). I did read something about lining up the charge piping with the stock intercooler, but I thought the person with the problem was trying to do the piping without removing the bumper and that that is where the issue was. Has anyone else had this problem with lining up the piping (even with the bumper removed) or encountered rubbing? Hahn does have the option of t-bolt style clamps for an extra $50. In industry I only use these for quick/easy piping connections...is there another advantage of the t-bolts in terms of automotive use? I have heard very positive things concerning synapse in general (my husband has a WRX and recommends them for aftermarket parts), but I think that it may come down to nickel steel vs aluminum. The chem eng in me is always going to sway towards the more robust material but not having an automotive background, I may be making a decision that doesn't matter in the long run.... Opinions anyone?

 

actually getting back to the charge piping materials used- Nickel steel is not the best to have from the exhaust to the intercooler. You actually would want aluminum because it disperses heat better and then you want steel from the intercooler into the engine because steel keeps the cold air from the intercooler colder.

 

Ok...that sounds about right as far as heat dispersion. However, how does aluminum hold up to heat stress/ heat and cooling cycles? Is there a big difference in terms of automotive reliability. If not, then it sounds like aluminum may be the way to go and I may need to rethink at least part of my strategy....

 

well i mean aluminum is used in 99.9% of exhaust systems so i would say it holds up to heat stress pretty well. I'm just putting my 2 cents in. i'm sure the hahn intercooler piping works great or synapse or dejon or anybody's really. I mean have you looked at the stock piping? Anything would work better than that lol

 

oh trust me i'm sure i will lol. You know your stuff

 

Thank You!

 

Good point... I am now looking really hard at the synapse vs the hahn charge piping. You guys have really gotten me to thinking about joints/failure points and materials. I am thinking of changing my strategy to the synapse charge piping since it has less joints.

However I noticed something interesting on the synapse web site... the intercooler is $400 and the charge piping is $500...or you can get the kit for $999....huh? Am I missing something here???

 

u sure that is the right intercooler?

i don't think that is the right one. Remember our intercoolers has the inlet and outlet that face back

 

I think that the upgrade plan you have is perfect. I think both will get you what you want, just chose convienence.
You are smart.

 

Gee thanks!! Actually I am glad I started a new thread. It has helped me to modify my plan of action. Here is the new plan:

1. Charge piping (I am now going to go with either synapse or dejon... boostking I will be sending you a pm)
2. Hahn Catted DP
3. Stage Kit or Hahn CAI/PPC (I will probably require more research here)
4. IC (still not convinced it is needed for what I want.... haven't really heard a convincing argument either way)

Any other thoughts out there? I decided to move up the charge piping on my list after viewing a photo of the stock charge piping...that was a real eye opener...

 

You wont gain much if any HP from the charge tubes... They "can" blow up though, and have on some. PM Bill Hahn, he will hook you up with the charge tubes if you still would like them.

 

that sounds like an excellent plan. I am about doing the same

 

replied to pm

 

Yup synape's intercooler piping kit is the best one.... thats the one i would get if i didnt have my own. mine has only 2 pipes and i got hump hoses down at the intercooler to allow for engine movement and uses the stock mount that the stock piping uses but it bolts down not the rubber gromet.

 

nice!

 

Are you refering to "aluminized" exhaust tubing? Aluminum and aluminIZED are not the same thing.

 

Yes agreed:

Synapse > Dejon

Plus Synapse is a vendor here, Dejon is not.

I am sure he was... Aluminized is like galvanized, it is "zinc" coating on steel.

 

this might be a dumb question but how does switching to metal charge piping benefit over the plastic one. wouldnt the metal conduct more heat? i know that the stock piping is restrictive but i think that the heated metal would weigh that out