First off, let me start by saying that part of my job at Speedsport is to test new products before selling them to you guys. This doesn't mean that I keep everything I test but I really like these and I will explain later why I am keeping them so no flames please.

The setup:
Pretty much what is in my sig, APR A-Box version 1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it etc...

Install:
Easy except for a few things. Since I am running a bi-pipe, I had to trim the "U" hose because the valves sit high causing them to hit the hood. Also had to take off the trumpets to clear the bi-pipe aswell. These valves have 3 different things to move/adjust. 1. Spring tension, 2. vacume nipple position, 3. noise adjustment. Following the directions I found a happy median on the tension. These valves have 11 turns of adjustment, I eventually came to a setting on turn 4 from least to most tension, with the noise set to "really loud".

On the road:
Once I got it set so it would not stumble going back to idle (ie drop below 800 rpms)after stabbing the throttle, I was off to test them out. 1st to 2nd shift and I was grining ear to ear. Rowed through the gears and it felt like I was still on the Baileys, smooth. These are really loud at max boost when they blow. Sounds like a jet going by according to some of the guys when I did a drive by the shop at 15lbs. The noise adjustment really works well.

The good:
Smooth, noise adjustment, spring adjustment. Turns heads and did bring ALOT of attention to the car, almost to much. I had all types trying to run with me this weekend. Put about 200 miles with them on and enjoyed every shift.

No CEL, no fault codes. Unfortunately I did not do a boost log, but I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary and boost presure was right on all the time. Did a quick presure test and everything held. Will do some logging when I have time.

The Bad:
A few things. When letting off the gas in 2nd and sometimes 3rd, there was a slight shake to the car, mostly attributed to the fact that all the air was being vented out and nothing back into the intake. This went away when I started to close the valve (noise adjustment) more and more. Everything was normal when fully closed. With the valves wide open, I trained my self to clutch in when lifting off the gas when not going into another gear. I will have to midify my center engine cover which Im not looking forward to, anyway, moving on.

On the highway:
Exactlty as it was before except for one thing: running at a constant RPM around 3200. What was happening was that every now and then it felt like the car would slightly stumble for a split second, like it was not getting enough gas. Just for a split second though at random times and different road speeds but all around 3200 RPMs. We still have yet to identify what is happening at that point but we will put her on the dyno to figure it out. I think there is some more work todo on the adjustmet to the spring tension which I hope should take care of that. But in the mean time I am just staying away from 3200. At least it is consistant at that RPM and not at all rpm levels.

The rest:
Price, these are not cheap, 289 list each, you could have 2 hyperboost for 1 GFB. However we will slightly discount for 2. Obviously there are no performance gains from these over a baily/hyperboost valve. Like I said, I really like these and will try 1 valve open and 1 closed to check the differences in terms of driveability, or a variation of. There is alot of tweaking you can do with these and they look really cool. They are available in red, obviously, black and blue. I think there is a silver one but we didn't get any of those.

When you look at the pic, notice they are not perfectly lined up, damn f-hose, which is the original but knowing my luck as of late, it will probably tear tomorow. I am trying to locate a stock center cover to cut and make nicey nice like the rest of the car because I don't want to ruin mine because I painted it. I will say that the sound is very intimidating and caused a few would be racers to back off which probably kept me out of trouble with the police. Got pulled over by a cop because he had never heard a turbo car make such a nice blow off noise. He showed me a pic of his hooked up Talon and has been in the import scene for awhile and was impressed with the overall sound. He said the turbonetics and HKS sounded like ass compared to these. Like I said, I have more testing and research todo but wanted to give the AW community a review to help you guys who are on the fence about such a part. I am not trying to push these to someone that is just looking for a BPV replacement, but if you are specifically looking for them, I got'em. Anyway, if you guys have any questions you can email me, call the shop, 203-229-0590 or stop by. Thanks for reading my review and have a nice day. :)

• Speedsport Technik

ICS PERFORMANCE
Brian Rosenberg
377 Elm Street
Stamford Connecticut 06902
(203) 653-2394 Phone
(203) 653-2399 Fax
brian@icsperformance.com