Main reason for the IWG is stealth and the less complex downpipe (def no VTA EWG for me). I live in kommiefornia and use this thing to drive to work, so last thing I need is more shiny tid-bits to stand out. With an EBCS ive held pretty solid 23-24psi boost curves on my old car evo (stock IWG turbo) , so im not so worried about that aspect of it on a 10-12psi setup

Just FYI, it is possible to get a Begi kit that is CARB approved. Then add in some other things once you have the sticker.

I never really got what the sticker was for? If it's such a deterrent why not just print out stickers and slap them on all sorts of setups?

Besides being highly illegal, they can actually pull up what all is included with the CARB number and see if those parts are actually what is installed.

Yeah if it was that easy and if the cops were that dumb, not nearly as many ppl would pay the premium for the Begi kit. And beyond that, its more the initial look. With a IWG low-mount/log setup with hacked stock heat shield covering everything up, it may not raise an eyebrow and you'll be on your way shortly. Full custom EWG with bling blang tial actuator and what now will automatically strike as odd

But how many cops know what is associated with that CARB sticker, I'm sure they can look up on their computers...but is it pictures or terminology they look up? I'm sure most if not all would know what an intake would be but what about other items?

Its actually a pretty big thing here, CHP and other local PDs actually have folders they carry with engine bay diagrams and pictures of what is kosher and what is not. Then there is the dickbag who will tell your CARB EO sticker to shove it and send you to the state ref anyway, thus my desire to keep it as low key as possible.

I would honestly order a CARB approved Begi kit and then add TSE Inconel Studs. Then add and intercooler and MS. Then a TSE radiator and your car should be good for about 200hp at the track.

A buddy pointed out something interesting to me about BEGI CARB stuff: their CARB legal kit includes, in the CARB approval, provisions for controlling timing; i.e. not specificially mentioned but therfore including Megasquirt. Now, if it's an OBD-II car, maybe that's another story, but what about for OBD-I? I haven't personally looked into whether that is correct, but that's certainly interesting. Of course, for OBD-I cars, a lot of us have taken the car to a smog shop and they never even noticed that it was running a standalone, so it didn't matter one bit whether it was CARB approved.

Interesting story:
I got pulled over one day down here in SD because my car was loud (and it realllly was - no cat, no muffler, just straight dump at rear axle), so he asks me why it's so loud and I told him I know it's too loud, I don't like it either, I am in the process of getting a quieter exhaust fabbed up, etc. etc. and I show him my old photo copy that I keep in my car of my trip to the smog ref, and the approval he gave me (of course that was with a stock greddy kit and a full exhaust), and he goes, "well, it sure is loud but looks like you've gotten it cleared, so have a nice night!" - he never even asked me to pop the hood, nothing.

I HAVE since gotten a better exhaust fabbed up. Still no cat, but at least it goes all the way out the back and has a straight through muffler w/ silencer for the street.

The CARB sticker is gold. Without it, don't matter what you say - you're getting sent to the ref and take it from someone who's been there, you don't want that. Maybe there's a couple cops out there who will question the sticker, but 49 out of 50 of them will appreciate that you've gone through the trouble of making sure you got a CARB kit, as long as you are polite and express how important it has been to you, through the process of modding your car, to keep it legal and to respect the law.

Now, if you've been pulled over for weaving through traffic at 90, so the cop is already not happy with you, you may be SOL.

Yeah being polite and respectful goes a long way too in avoiding having to pop the hood

Luckily I don't drive/act like a tool bag when I drive, I'm too old for that crap:p.

Interesting info about the BEGI kit...also that their carb legal kits INCLUDE the intercooler. That alone could be worth the extra $$ over just putting something together on my own. Hopefully if I'm patient I can snag one used from someone going absurdflow :giggle:

I mean what year car do you have? I might just have a portion of a Begi kit for a 1.8 FS Here.

1999

So far.. no problems after one weekend long hillclimb and 3 autoX's. It's only been on the car for a month but I love it. Easy to drive, instant throttle response, virtually no heat under the hood after I dealt with the headers and 230whp. On a 1.6L.

Ill keep you in mind Shu

Any info on the original FMII link kits for the 99-00. From my research these were built by begi...have a lead on a potentially great deal locally, only reason I ask. Are these 8mm or 10mm studs since it was originally built by corky bell? If they are 8mm, any reason why I cant just drill out and retap them M10 for the TSE kit?

Well, checked out the kit today. Manifold is indeed 8mm..I dont see any reason why I couldnt enlarge those to M10s with my mad drill press skills and go with inconel M10 studs

More so worried about the strange offset manifold (turbo sits between #1 and #2)..and the uber heavy downpipe with the 2nd cat. The pre-cat is already gutted, but the inlet is very restrictive it seems where it mates to the hot side, most notably around the waste-gate actuator. I can see that further heating up everything

BUT..its cheap for the whole shi-bang sans the turbo. Includes the older FM IC, all piping, the link ECU+lambda link, 99 IM with the 4 injector ports, a set of red tops, boost gauge, new BOV, cooling lines, etc etc. Confirmed with Stephanie on the phone they could issue a new CARB sticker. I could probably slang the link ECU/programing pad/injectors/manifold for a few hundred bucks (maybe)

Only downfalls are I cant see this system going too far past 210whp with the restrictions at the manifold and DP...and strange IC piping. That and if its gonna fail eventually or not
:eek4dance

Fix that gutted cat.

But of course, would be the first thing on my list

and do you ever post anything of substance/value? Or are pop-shots and non-stop trolling the aim of your game?

Just curious, won't hold it against you either way.

Most noobs think that a gutted cat will get them more hp. Just trying to help you out there homeslice.

As far as your question, everything I post is of substance and value. So are my poops.