Yeah, I've gotta agree. Not using an OEM core on a street-driven car sounds like a recipe for disaster/denied insurance (both medical and vehicle) claims. Show car/race car, sure. But if you're street driving, I'd think carefully about this.
Yeah, agree. OP made up their mind and was looking for validation. IMO, the AMS kit is overpriced and from what I hear a pain in the dick kinda to tune. AMS is also using old technology Garretts, which is fine, and decent for what OP is looking to do, but.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ no way you'd catch me with...
That's fair, though AMS becomes an interesting choice. If you're dead set on going top mount, a small turbo p2tuned kit is a good choice. Big top mount turbos aren't great for what you're doing because they will lag. AMS is an ok choice, but then you have to rely on the factory wastegate, which...
You'll almost certainly keep the power low to mid-700s on that turbo. Especially with the two port, and not pushing it too hard. It's a great turbo, but I don't know anyone that was really really satisfied with it long-term.
Which turbo did you go with? G35-1050 I assume, since you're upgrading from a pure? Or go with the smaller G30-900, since you're waiting on a precision?