ST205 Increasing Boost To 17PSI..., I need help on what to do and expect on raising boost to 17psi Options

[veadp]

Hi, I am sure this has been answered somewhere, but I need help on what to do and expect on raising boost to 17psi.

From my understanding, the stock computer/turbo/internals can handle up to 17-17.5psi.

Now, I was looking at buying an AEM Boost Controller, a Turbo Smart Fuel Cut Defender and put in a Down Pipe (I already have a 3" CAT Back Exhaust and an Intake).

So:
1. Will I need anything else?
2. What kind of Power Increase can I expect?
3. Will the car remain Reliable?

Kindly let me know. Thanks.

[malpaso]

There are many interesting points in this topic and sorry for not following original question. First of all. delusionz damn well knows what is he talking about. I would singn below everything he wrote here because I have the same conclusions with my ST205 after years.

It is like one year ago I made one small calculation. It was like thinking about "I made my dreams come true... really?".
In 2006 (two years after I bought it) I decided to move with my celica forward in terms of power. I got offer to swap 4th gen 3SGTE (so from Caldina) to my ST. So put engine that has 250HP (about) into front wheel drive ST. When consider weight of the car, loss you have between engine and the ground you can calculate ratio "how many HP on wheels you can have for 1000kg of weight". That was lets say my "target power". With ST205 I did the same. But this tome from "the other end". I had target ratio... I had weight of the gt-four... I had loss for AWD car (in fact is is double than for ST) and ended with HP on the engine I need to have to be at least "equal" to my dream in 2006. I ended with number 380HP. That is for 130HP more (about... who cares about few ponies) than has stock ST205 (on engine).

Second thing is "point of view". Someone is looking for "peak HP". Power with engine can survive barely 500miles before something breaks. But someone is looking for power that can give to the engine long life. Safe power. I found "safe" power for stock 3SGTE (with stock everything around) is around 280-290HP (on engine). Stock injectors simply can not give enough fuel and stay in "safe duty cycle" range. When you raise fuel pressure, you can get some HP more. When you provide high octane fuel you can again get bit higher. But not above 300HP (again. talking about engine power). That is bulletproof-safe power and you can run it every day like that. Not just for 10 seconds during drag race.

Last damn good point is age of engine it self. Most of those engines are 15years old and has more than 100k (kilometers or even miles). How much they lost from "brand-new-stock" power? In my opinion 10-20%. No problem.

Note: some say every 1°C of ambient temperature up can take 1% from power from your engine. So dyno during sunny day (50°C ~ 122°F) will be different than in spring when is around 10-20°C (50-68°F). That is why I do not care to say "stock ST205 power is 245...250...255HP". It really has no sense to point 10HP difference in engine like this.