Quote:
Originally Posted by dainese
I was told by a workshop that there is a difference but not a huge one. think 5kw or something, give or take, pending conditions etc.
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If you run a stock tune, that might be correct; but if you're looking to up your PSI (ie. run MHD Stage 2), the exhaust and intake restrictions are important.
The stock intercooler is restrictive, but nothing like the restriction caused by your primary cats.
If you want to go cheap, do it DIY. Take your stock downpipes off and bash the the primary cats out with a crowbar, then re-install them. It'll give you 90% of the benefit of VRSF downpipes for the cost of a couple of gaskets and a few hours of your time (maybe 10).
But the general consensus among the n54 tuning community is that your downpipes should be the first mod you make. Intercooler is your second.
(after the parts that are prone to fail - eg. coils and your chargepipe)