... better to get the Alta AccessPort or Alta CAI and Cat-back?

I want low-end punch with some mid-range improvement. I'm not a top speed-freak, just want more ooomph from the apex out.

Thanks in advance.

 

Seriously? If it were me, I'd get an intercooler and a CIA. Then save your pennies and get the accessport.

No reason to be able to make more power only to be choaked off/ heat soaked by a tiny little stock intercooler.

 

Um, don't buy any exhaust that is already made, you can get custom for about 1/4the price. AP would be best then an intercooler. No point really in an intake and exhaust unless you have a tune.

 

Good question, I should be in the same boat soon, with some $ to spend on mods but not everything on the wishlist.

I had planned on doing the AP tune first, since I was under the impression that this would unleash more HP stock than an intercooler and CAI with the stock tune.

Is this untrue? Will an aftermarket intercooler and CAI with the stock tune make more power than an AP tune with all stock hardware?

 

AP is your best first purchase, because the tune will improve itself with every peice you add after. But if you add the other pieces first your stock Map will keep you from making any seriouse gains. The ECM thinks for itself and does whatever it has to to stay in the maps specs.

 

agreed AP is is the best first mod you can do

 

Thank-you for the feedback so far.

 

Tune will give you the most results.

 

AP with everything stock will make more power then every bolt on and no tune ever would.

 

^ What he said. After that, and between a CAI and an intercooler, go for the intercooler. It's a proven upgrade as far as keeping things cool which, in turn, will prevent heat from robbing engine power.

 

I'd say tune or FMIC first. I still can't decide what order I'm going to mod my car in.

If you end up with the AP, caaaaan I have a ride??

 

Look, you can do whatever you want. But just from an engineering standpoint, by getting a tune, and upping the boost, you make more heat. The stock intercooler just can't deal with it, and after about 30 seconds of fun time, the intake air temp starts climbing, and you may be actually start making less power than stock. I haven't done any testing to actually look at the data, but I bet Adam and the boys at Alta have. And my little engineer brain thinks it's probably right.

No doubt the the Access Port is fun, (I've got the Jan tune with the Dimsport, effectively the same tune now, and the Alta intercooler), but, the longer you boost, the hotter it gets. Even with the stock tune. I feel pretty safe saying it would be worse with the stock intercooler.

 

Not exactly what you've asked for: My advice would be to spend your $1000 on the suspension. You'll go faster through the corners so you won't need the extra zip leaving them.

Camber plates, rear swaybar & a nice alignment. If that is not enough add a set of good sticky tires.

 

AccessPort would be my first mod. Then I would get a custom exhaust set up for cheap or pick up a used exhaust. Stay away from the CAI, they're just for noise. The stock air box is the best.

 

question; is an alta port tune really noticeable to a layman? I've got an auto 09 clubman s; would it be something I could "feel" enough to smile about my investment?

I don't plan on going down any mod heavy route (like, a CAI is about as far as I went last car) -- if I had free cash, I'm the kind of person that would pay for the mini jcw tuning kit, so if you could compare it to that it would be helpful.

thanks!

 

any tune will make you smile, if it doesnt then its a bad one .

 

Accessport 100% hands down, no questions asked.

 

$1000? Access port for sure. NO HARD MOD can compare at all. All the hard mods together can't compare.

Second power mod should be an IC so you can crank it even more.

After that I'd be looking at suspension as you'll have lots of power.


yes, just the accessport alone will give a very noticeable boost in power. More power than the JCW kit.