[NOS2Go4Me]

I'm operating on a no-food diet today as the drive to Timmins isn't exactly a smorgasbord of delectable delights. Bear with me if I miss something:

The base cost of the kit, stages 1 and 2 directly from FocusSport is $3994 USD. That doesn't count shipping or border rapeage. I'm still working on figuring out how to get it home.

The nice part about the kit is as I mentioned, they've thrown in the one stainless line upgrade for free now.

The remaining upgrades I want are as follows (so far, listed in order from most important to least important):

Bosch fuel injector wiring adapters (to save splicing the stock harnesses) - ~$65 USD plus shipping / border enema. The first two are equally important, but this isn't a spreadsheet :P

Coolant lines to/from the turbo from FocusSport - $89.95 USD plus the usual social penalties.

Bailey silver BOV - my only "nastiness" on the whole car - the BOV HAS to be loud. No exceptions. I'm told that's the loudest one FS offers. $159.95 USD plus annual colorectal checkup.

AEM boost gauge / controller and wideband O2 sensor combo pack - $599 USD plus "a new outlook on life". The stage 2 kit comes with the TurboSmart manual controller, but who doesn't want it remote? Plus I need / want / really want a boost gauge for the interior.

So, all except the AEM stuff will run me ~$4310 or so before shipping and alternative lifestyle lessons.

For 200WHP (or better) at 11-12 PSI... that's a freaking bargain. It's tuned and supported remotely by FocusSport (and folks can't stop raving about their service!). The parts come with a 1 year warranty (except for a few which are lifetime, exhaust manifold included!). The SCT XCal2 is included in the price, as well as 3 tunes and unlimited tuning to get the car to 100% stable / safe to beat on at my chosen level of boost. So, one tune for 11 PSI, one for 12 (maybe higher)... and no idea what the third one is, maybe a full-race tune with alternator-delete and other race goodness.

I really want the AEM stuff but I won't let it delay me from installing the kit. I know a wideband O2 sensor is very important, it just might have to wait a couple of weeks before it gets bought and a couple more for the install. If Randy tells me I can be 100% safe and making nice power without the O2 sensor, so be it for now.

I can't wait.

D-Dub - the transmissions are markedly improved over the Zetec transmissions for ATX. At least one FJ member has the stage 2 kit on a 2.3L Duratec and he apparently tracks the car on weekends without issues after several months, as well as it being a spirited DD.

Seeing as I'll have the occasional shenanigans and not much else except for maybe Cayuga / Mosport once or twice a year, I figure I'll be just fine. Depending on cash and how things go, I'll definitely consider upgrading to a Lentech setup and hopefully a LSD (available via Lentech).

I'm also switching to synthetic on the next oil change unless anyone here figures that's a bad idea? I'm just really emulating the "good practices" of my buddy Pete with his 2006 WRX STi as far as maintenance goes.