So after a long winter, the car went back for a clean bill of health and check-up with some minor tweaks thrown in.
After waiting a long while for a particular manifold upon arrival I wasn't impressed at all with the porting so it was sent back. Ultimately, I ended up going JMF instead which is tried and tested but also amazing quality. I wasn't expecting much in the way of gains as the stock manifold flows very well and isn't really a problem until upward of 500HP, however, I'm hoping the car will sound more aggressive. 4G63s aren't well known for being particularly great-sounding four-bangers. In tow with the manifold, also opted for an Evo 9 metal BOV and a turbo smart actuator.
Once on, the car was popped onto the dyno for a map check. Last year, the car made an impressive 466HP at 1.6 bar of boost. We upped the boost at the same 1.6, then up to 1.8 bar after surge with the aforementioned changes with a peak of 485 at the fly. Considering this is on a turbo based on the original MHI TD05 core found on an Evo 9 (but with 71mm (Exducer) HTA billet compressor wheel), you can't really expect more than that. In fact, Owens claims the range for this turbo to be within 460-480HP. The car was very snappy as it was, but that's going to be a reasonable uplift. It's what I'd call a "proper" 485HP!
Also installed an HKS Bright Gauge onto the steering column. One of the last ones available as HKS has since discontinued them. May not be to everyone's taste, but this is a 90s JDM car, and this is definitely JDM AF!