cheapest HP improvements for under $500

[Brztuned]

I agree with this as well

Originally Posted by fstlane

I agree with this. It's hands down the best power upgrade you can do for under $500. It's easy to install, invisible for warranty work and you can update maps for future mods for free. The increase in midrange torque is very noticable and the engine has raspy growl to it now. If you have a few extra bucks add a drop in air filter to complete the set up.

[Maverick22]

The best way to create power in your budget range is to re-circulate the exhaust into the intake; and since you are such a big fan of household plastics, you will love the simplicity. This is how all of the honda guys are sh*ting on all the exotic cars at the drag strip.
connect two pieces of flexible 2.5 inch piping to your exhaust, then use a plastic PVC Y pipe and connect them. Now run a long piece of PVC pipe to the front of the car. You might need to connect it underneath with Zip ties or Duct tape. IMHO the pink duct tape looks the best.
Now once you have the pipe at the front, start the car and take a big breath of air out of the pipe to mke sure you installed it correctly. Now connect another piece of flexible piping from the long piece underneath, secure it with a hose clamp as you will have so much boost you might pop it off!
Connect the flexible piping to your intake snorkle under your bumper.
Now your car is pretty much a ram jet and your wife and you will have so much pOOWWWAAA you wont know what to do with it!!!!

[NYCsubaruBRZ]

intake ~250
pulley kit ~250

or

save 100 more for ecutek tune 600

FREE / CHEAP MODS
1 Cap the intake and delete the sound tube.
not sure if it actually does anything (some people say it makes a tiny difference)

2 Mod the stock stock snorkle. drill out 2 rivets. 1 on each resonator. remove the resonators. then cut off the 2 pieces that stick out. fill the 2 holes with plastic and epoxy to close off. at the turn (the long part) cut the front and using a heat gun bend the bottom. then use plastic and epoxy to close off the side(the original inlet). then fill the front, bottom and other side to close it off leaving a large opening in the front right behind the grill to create a ram air kind of effect. which probably wont have much of a ram air effect but in theory it should and it will defiantly help get colder air to the intake.

[Carlitoz3]

Originally Posted by garfull

Get the open flash tablet ecu mod. Nothing else will give you the same results for 495.

Agree as well.
It's right at your price range and really improves your car.