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Before beginning any performance upgrades, we recommend a "stage zero" upgrade that will get your stock DSM in prime running condition. Stage zero requires the following:

• New spark plugs, like the NGK Platinum plugs.
• New spark plug wires. We recommend the Magnacor wires.
• A new fuel filter.
• Timing and compression checks.

These will ensure that your DSM is running in top stock condition.

The stock air box and MAS is quite restrictive on the first generation DSMs. A lower-restriction air filter will yield a noticeable improvement in power over the stock air box. At Extreme, we recommend the K&N Filtercharger filter.

This stage also replaces the restrictive cat-back stock exhaust system and muffler with an aftermarket unit. An aftermarket exhaust will typically be a bit louder than the stock exhaust, but will let your engine "breathe" much better than stock.

• Trust/Greddy 60mm AWD.
• Extreme Technologies 3", stainless-steel (AWD only)
• Extreme Technologies Single Tip (FWD only)
• HKS 60mm AWD or FWD

Each of the exhaust systems listed above have a comparable price, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. The least expensive unit is the HKS, but it's not stainless steel and thus more prone to rust. The Greddy unit is the quietest. Our own Extreme Technologies unit is available with 3" piping (for maximum power flow) and is all stainless steel.

We recommend the Extreme Technologies exhaust - our 3" unit gives you maximum performance and value as its all stainless steel construction will not rust, and our exhaust is the freest flowing unit on the market.

The stage two modifications allow you to increase the boost levels on the stock turbo, from the stock level of about 10.5 PSI to 14 or 15 PSI.

The first step is to install a boost gauge - we recommend the VDO or SPI boost gauge mounted on an Extreme Technologies A-pillar mounting bracket. This will allow you to determine what types of boost levels you're really running - very important since excessive boost could destroy your engine.

The next step is to install some sort of boost controller. The least expensive solution is an Extreme Technologies XBC manual boost controller. For the ultimate in boost control, consider a Greddy PRofec or Apex Super AVC-R boost controller.

This stage will yield a major increase in performance.

This stage replaces the stock upper intercooler pipe with an Extreme Technologies one-piece unit and replaces the stock downpipe with a 2.5" Extreme Technologies downpipe (AWD or FWD).

This stage will also increase performance noticably, as the first generation Intercooler pipes and downpipes are quite restrictive.

This stage replaces the stock exhaust manifold with a ported second generation unit (which flows much better than the first generation manifold) and ports the O₂ sensor housing to reduce backflow and to eliminate turbo lag. Then we replaces the stock turbocharger with a new Mitsubishi TD05/16G unit. The 16G compressor wheel can flow a lot more air than the stock 14B wheel, which allows us to turn up the boost another notch to 18 PSI.

When replacing the stock turbo with a 16G, Extreme offers three levels of performance improvements:

• Level 1 - This level bolts on a new TD05/16G turbo.
• Level 2 - With level 2, the 16G turbine housing is ported to match the ported manifold and O₂ sensor housing. This considerably improves the response and flow characteristics of the level 1 turbo.
• Level 3 - With level 3, we take a level 2 turbo, clip the turbine wheel and balance the unit for the ultimate in 16G turbo performance.

We recommend the level 3 turbocharger upgrade. It's not a lot more expensive than the level 1 upgrade, and "flows" considerably better at high RPMs. You may encounter a touch more turbo lag with the clipped turbo, but probably won't notice it given the increase in power from the 16G.

At this point, we're ready to turn up the boost on the turbo. We recommend 18 PSI for the street. With the afformentioned upgrades, your car will now be a bit over 300 HP, and be able to easily run 13-second races in the 1/4 mile.

Whats keeping the car in the "13's"? Well...

It's sad but true... with your car now making over 300 HP with the stage four modifications, your clutch is probably slipping like crazy. The stock clutch isn't able to sustain that level of power, so you'll need to upgrade it with a higher-performance clutch. Several options are available for the first generation DSMs:

• Extreme Technologies/Clutch Masters clutch
• Centerforce Dual-Friction clutch
• RPS Turbo clutch

We recommend the Extreme Technologies/Clutch Masters clutch, which has the combination of holding power and smoothness that the other clutches lack. This is the clutch that we use on our 1992 Talon TSi.

With a new clutch, your car should be able to sustain the power that it's producing, and be able to run consistent upper-12 to mid-13 second 1/4 mile runs.

To give the car some more horsepower at this point, we need to improve the fuel flow a bit. The stock fuel pump has been adequate up to this point, but in stage 5 we're going to turn up the turbo boost again (for the dragstrip only) to 20 PSI. Once we're at 20 PSI, the stock fuel pump isn't going to "cut it," so we recommend that you replace it with a Extreme Technologies high-flow pump. To monitor the air/fuel ratio, we recommend the Cyberdyne Air/Fuel Ratio monitor.

With the stage five modifications, and 20 PSI of boost using race gas, the car should be able to run consistent mid to high 12 second 1/4 mile runs.

Stage six improves the mapping of the fuel and timing curves. This will allow you to dial in a good A/F ratio across the board and extract even more power. Several products address this:

• Apex Super AFC
• HKS's VPC
• EFI Systems PMS

Each of these products piggyback on the stock computer and have a control unit that lets you independently adjust the air/fuel mixture (and sometimes the idle) for maximum efficiency and drivability. In addition, the VPC and PMS units replace the stock MAS unit, which is quite restrictive on the first generation cars.

Each of these devices eliminates the dreaded fuel cut when running more than about 18 PSI of boost.

We recommend the EFI Systems PMS unit, which gives you a better range of control over engine performance than the other two units, and also acts as an electronic boost controller.

At the current level of performance, the second-generation DSM intercooler just won't cut it. Thus, we recommend upgrading it to an Extreme Technologies front-mount unit or a high-flow fender-mount unit, either of which flow much better than stock and eliminate heat soak.

This stage is for the autocrossing enthusiast, or for those folks who just want their car to handle better than stock.

We sell a full line of upgraded wheels, springs, shocks and other miscellaneous suspension parts. Some of our recommended items are:

• Intrax or Progress progressively wound lowering springs
• GAB high-performance shocks
• EVO or Forgeline wheels
• Suspension Techniques sway bar
• Extreme Technologies front and rear strut tower bars
• Urethane bushings