After close to 3 years of waiting, I can now modify my car. This is the first car I've ever had that I've even thought of modifying, as I have mostly dealt with lifted 4x4's. For someone new to this (absolute noob), what would you guys recommend as a first mod to this car?

I'm really excited about this, kind of skeptical as well, seeing as I don't have a warranty anymore.. but, anything could happen, even if it stayed stock, so why not go ahead and have some fun, right?

The car is an 05, it has 41k miles on the clock. I bought it with 20 miles on it, 16 of which I put on it when I test drove it

Looking forward to getting familiar on this board.
Later,
Erok

 

Do whatever you want. Thsi is what I did and im happy for now. Espelir ASD springs, DCsports titanium strut bar, Berk header and test pipe, Buddy Club Spec III exhaust, K&N intaake, the threw a lip on it with some ap2 v1 rims. I got big plans but no cash so im happy with what it is at the moment.

 

I'm just collecting thoughts on what I should do to Christen the car. Just having fun. I will do what I want, I was just wondering what you guys had done.. My apologies, just excited..

 

LOTS ...

Check the link maybe you like something in particular

 

learn the car first....then begin to modify afterwards

first thing i would do is suspension (full coilover/damper set), intake, and test pipe

 

Track day or Solo, then decide.

Unless you just want to hard-park it. :D

 

upgrade the brakes...i use GT Sport pads from cobalt friction. they do ok when they aren't hot, and they are unbelievable when they are warmed up. also, if you're going to really drive it hard, or on a track, then get some superblue or something similar for your brake lines. also, get a good set of tires. there's a ton to choose from. right now i have khumo MX's. they are inexpensive and really let the car perform. Also, i currently have invidia testpipe. makes the car sound awsome.

These three mods are a really good start IMO. they will let you have twice as much fun with the car. plus, good tires make a more of a difference than almost any other suspension mod. And the testpipe should give ur exhuast note a little more excitement.

So you'd had the car for 40k and haven't touched it? damn. lol

 

given the fact that you have clocked over 40k miles into the car suggests you know the ins and outs of the car... so theres no learning curve other than tracking the car if you haven't.

from previous experiences the main visual changes are wheels and stance. So if you wanna keep the oem wheels go for it but lower the car to give it a better look and also for better handling.

there are many options for lowering kits, from full coilovers to simple springs, so it depends on your budget and your future plans for the car as to what suspension to get.

for performance, you will get minimal results from simple intake, header, test pipe and exhausts kits, so if you plan on buying any is gonna be more for looks/sounds/personal benefits than for pure whp.

other than that you can always add a hardtop and lipkit and new wheels.
enjoy modin'

 

i'd lower it first then think about wheels and a oem front lip

 

Grab a nice coilover setup and an oem lip if you don't have one already. After that, grab a hardtop.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen112 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Grab a nice coilover setup and an oem lip if you don't have one already. After that, grab a hardtop.
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nice....

just like that

 

I'd cut the springs and get an a set of OBX ITBs

Seriously, after getting familiar with the car, I'd go with an OEM front lip and some nice coilovers

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen112 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Grab a nice coilover setup and an oem lip if you don't have one already. After that, grab a hardtop.
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Beautiful car. That's basically what I have planned for mine. What is the drop on that car/ what set-up did you use? Thanks.

 

Well, guys.. Looks like a hardtop is gonna be the first thing I buy..

Thank you strangers who like to stab holes in convertible tops..

 

insurance helping out?

 

i would say just dont go mod happy with it and buy a whole bunch of stuff at once. cause you'll probably end up spending senseless money on unnecessary parts. search the forum and get a feel of what you like
the key is not only to know what you want, but to know everything available for your car and what is comming out soon

 

Get suspension then the lip. Makes the car just look mean....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GRAF-FITI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">insurance helping out?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Waiting to hear back from them..

I guess the first thing will be an OEM hardtop.
I'm kind of partial to my stock wheels, I've thought of painting them black. I'll end up changing them down the line.. I always do.
I am still going through the lip kit options. I just want clean, smooth lines.
Air intake wise, I figure, unless I'm doing forced induction, there really isn't that much of a noticeable gain to even consider spending 250-650 dollars on. (Although, later on down the road, this will happen.. I'm just not trying to spend too much money right now. )
The only thing that I'm really trying hard to figure out is what exhaust I would be happy with. I'm sure you guys know the stigma that 4 cyl. cars with aftermarket exhausts have. I absolutely hate the 'bees in a can' or stereotypical ricer sound and I am trying to avoid that at all costs. This is gonna take a bit more research on my part. I'm going to have to find good quality sound clips of different exhausts.

Suspension wise, I've looked into Espelir(sp?) springs. A few people I've talked with said that they like them, so..

Thats all I have for now. First things will probably be hardtop, paint wheels, and springs.

 

HKS exhaust if a good sound is what you're after.Mine is arriving this week, but i researched for a long time. I wanted good, but not too loud sound. And no ricey fart sounds either.
My mods are in my sig below...

 

Dude I heard that the HKS exhaust gives you no gains and actually take power away.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pinoy903 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude I heard that the HKS exhaust gives you no gains and actually take power away.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

you've heard this just like everyone else....but i have yet to see any solid proof


so i call BS

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pinoy903 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude I heard that the HKS exhaust gives you no gains and actually take power away.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nice s2k in your avatar...wish i had one..that was silver..with a HKS exhaust...even though it loses power...

Should've bought a berlina....

 

I'm just looking for a dual outlet exhaust.. I have never heard of losing power with an exhaust..

I know when I went no cat, true dual, 2chambers, dumped underneath the body of my lifted Yukon, It felt weaker off the line.. Top end, it felt like it could run to 115 and not fall on its face.

Is that what is meant by loss of power. I consider it a "transfer" of power in a sense.

I'm confused, I've got to do some more reading.

 

final drive?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pinoy903 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude I heard that the HKS exhaust gives you no gains and actually take power away.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

dude i heard people with under 15 posts have a tiny *****...