$2,000-$2,500 Modification Budget
 

Below is an upgrade list to get some added Wheel Horsepower to my FRS.

I would appreciate any suggestions.
If you think I should use another product, please let me know why and what adavantages there are while still maintaining my budget.

I am aware that the EcuTek's Stage 1 tune will get me at least +10whp if I leave everything stock, while EcuTek's Stage 2 tune will give me at least +20whp with the appropriate mods (exhaust + cai). Is Unichip's tune just as good as EcuTek's in the gains department? I would like to hear some community feedback on that one since pricing is very different.

All in all, will I be able to get another +20whp with the upgrades listed below? Of course, I want this upgrade to be worth it, even though my budget is arguably low...

Tune
Unichip - $445

Exhaust
Borla Stainless Steel Cat-Back - $830
or
T1R 70R Catback Exhaust - $995
or
T1R Sparrow Exhaust System - $1,100

Cold Air Intake
Perrin CAI - $280

Thank you. <3

Your drop-in + silicone inlet tube is already giving you comparable power gains to the cold air intake. I wouldn't bother with that at this point.

The tune should meet similar results to the ECUTek.

Header/Overpipe/Frontpipe will give you more gains than the catback.

Headers have been key to a a lot of power in our cars

It will also add noise and drone, which will get old quick if it's a DD.

Borla, Front pipe, and over pipe. Match it with a tune and you should see a significant gain.

Save yourself some money.

I have a protune BRZedit tune... LOVE IT. Also love my nameless exhaust. Getting my RevWorks header sometime next week. Id suggest RevWorks header (Even makes bomb power with no tune or full exhaust.... 15hp gains with stock exhaust and no tune) and Nameless downpipe for a couple reason: AMERICAN MADE, American steel, 302stainless, and awesome customer support.
Power priority for our cars.

#1 Header (kills torque dip) RevWorks $699

#2 Tune (12-20HP increase depending on mods) Depends where you live. BRZedit Protune is $600 here in Portland.

#3 Drop in filter (more top end) Almost every one is the same. I went with Perrin. $50

#4 overpipe downpipe (Brings more power out of header) $500
http://shop.namelessperformance.com/...aces-overpipe/

#5 catback (Brings more power out of header) Any cat back works. Ranges in price. Cheapest is Nameless axle back and makes the same power. $500
http://shop.namelessperformance.com/...eback-exhaust/

Also you can save some money with nameless and get the axelback + downpipe together. Give them a call for a better quote. $975
http://shop.namelessperformance.com/...es-overpipe-1/

Thats $2325 bucks. Enjoy your 25(+) HP

Since your local to the Bay Area, lets talk and i can help you achieve your goals.

We have exhaust, local dyno and tune

Headers UEL Borla off Jegs.com $588 shipped.
Over pipe
Front pipe
$600+

Catback $900+

Intake $300+

Tune $800+

As you can see, it adds up quick! (Not what I have or have paid but just generalizing)

Good luck on your car

AFE Intake Kit 285$ : http://www.advancespeedshop.com/take...b-p-18129.html
Borla UEL Header 600$
Greddy SP Elite Axleback 550$
FA20CLUB Stage 2 Ecutek Kit ( Cable + License + Tune ) 850$
Invidia or HKS resonated Front pipe ( 250$ to 310$ )
About +25WHP

Total : 2 550$ to 2 600$

When you are all set , you could always want to resell your ecutek cable for 200$ to bring down your modifications cost to 2350$ - 2400$.

OP didn't provide any parameters on noise, but I'm going to assume he actually wants some noise since he's considering a cold air intake and the catbacks he's listed aren't the quietest ones on the market either.

Jegs.com sells borla UEL @ $588 shipped. Cheaper than any other vendor I have seen.
My afe was $349, $380 shipped/taxes. No longer will I buy from third party lol.

Actually you brought up something I did not specify, you're right.

I would prefer to have more of a deep/low/throaty exhaust sound rather than a boisterous/obnoxious one that sounds like a lawn mower on crack.

Humm

Rofl yeah, just like that