Getting ready to buy an 08 MS3, what are the first and cheapest mods to do

[jasonspeed3]

With all my previouse cars, there has been some free mods, or cheap mods to start out with. Just wondering for a MS3 newby, what are some of the first things I should do to the car. Already going to have an intake, but lets talk some engine mods.

 

[CHICO2003]

Welcome aboard. I think you'll find a ton of useful threads on this subject already. Other than searching, the easiest way to do so would be to look through some of the threads in the relevant sub-group...

As for your question... having done the same thing recently, I feel the mods I've done were certainly up there on mostly everyone's priority list.

You already mentioned an intake... Definitely a good start. I know you want to focus on the 'engine' but I'd recommend you buy a TWM short shifter along with the replacement bushings. Combined with an upgraded rear motor mount, the car will feel A LOT more crisp in every way. Unless you're planning on replacing your downpipe at some point... buying a testpipe is a pretty inexpensive, high return type of mod. That, combined with an upgraded turbo inlet pipe seemed to make a pretty big difference. Those two combined should only run you about $300 or less. Don't worry about getting a CBE since it's more than adequate. Other than that, an upgraded TMIC and (if you really want to take things up a notch) a Cobb AccessPort would be a great place to start. As you know, the car's already pretty badass stock so, unless you're interested in reaching some pretty ridiculous #s... there's not a TON that needs to be done. I'm relatively satisfied with its quickness at the moment... I'm now focused on improving its handling. I've heard good things about upgraded swaybars so that's where I'm starting. Good luck

 

[dizzin9]

anything more than an intake and a bpv for "power mods" for me is a waste of money. you will not see this thing run less than 12-12.5 sec 1/4 mile. it's a quick car, but not a rocket.

i'd stick to more "beneficial" mods like a short shifter like chico said and definitely, definitely a rear motor mount. if i were you i would work more on replacing the mounts, the wheels, the suspension, and some cosmetic mods.

dropping $5k on this car is not worth it.

 

[dizzin9]

mid 12's? that's it? ms3 is not like a mustang, camaro, or an evo. just wanna let him know this is not that kind of car.

 

[dizzin9]

LIKE I SAID WITH MONEY YOU CAN MAKE ANYYYY CAR FAST.

thanks for stating the damn obvious. AGAIN. like i'm arguing about putting money on a ms3 let alone any car will not make you go fast? of course it WILL go fast it's just that on a speed you will be reaching your limits, but on other cars modding them will not only be cheaper, but you can do a whole lot more.

all that effort to make it go to high 11's? hehe more power *wink wink* to ya. it's all about potential. our cars made quite a leap from a regular 3/6 that's why there's this "400 hp" barrier before you make your engine go kaboom. a chevy colorado has more potential than your car. sad ain't it?

 

[dizzin9]

and about that 3-4 years straight awards that the ms3 is getting, the raters rate the WHOLE car. not just the engine. sheesh. oh look i haz an award-winning ryde so it meanz thiz car will rulez da streetz homes!!11

the ms3 won the award because of the VALUE you get for the money. roomy, you actually have a trunk, a great interior, good suspension/brakes, and 263 hp for under $25k (much less now).

 

[GoFast]

first off if you knew anything at all about automobiles changing out the oem pistons and connecting rods will allow you to make much more then 400 hp buddy.......the street unit package is rated up to 800 hp (not like i will ever get that high) and who the hell knows my 1/4 mile time will be when i'm done...

as for a chevy colorodo having more potential then my ms6? i think you are dead wrong...maybe if you swap out the motor but then again it's still a dookey ass looking top heavy ride!

if you don't have respect for your car then why do you even own it!?

that is 400 hp on the factory internals tard!

and that is a pretty damn good limit for a car to have on stock internals...
there are not many cars out there that can handle much more then 5 to 600 hp on their factory internals (safely)

i'm done with this nonsense...

note to the kid who started this thread, it's a great car!, you will love it...and the potential is LIMITLESS don't listen to this tard he is probably younger then you and he has no idea what he is on about!!!

what is this age thing that you talk about in just about every post? you are 24 years old not 90 and leave the personal attacks and insinuations out of your weak arguments

 

[Killer]

besides your personal dislike towards me and besides me putting the "tard" word out how is my argument a weak one?...am I wrong in what i am writing, i doubt i am....

and again..i am not trying to start arguments with anyone... little disagreements with some people tend to turn into stupid e-fights about opinions!

i feel strongly about my OPINIONS and I feel like I am equaly insulted with the nonsense (in my opinion) this kid/ man whatever is talking about..

Tone it down a bit there fella. YOU are the one that is promoting an E-Fight.

 

[jasonspeed3]

Wow, I didn't mean to poke the bees nest LMAO. Not interested what 5 grand will do for me, and I know that that would make it a pretty dam fast car. I see little honda hatchback cars down here in texas running in the 11's that look lik POS. And if I recall right, I'm pretty sure in the drag standings that there are some sub 12 MS3's. But again, my car I am getting has. Cobb Springs and sway bar already, and the intake. I would love to be able to get some mods that are a couple hundred at a time or that I can kind of piece together instead of just dropping a grand. The shifter will for sure be on my list. Will someone be kind enough to post a link for me. Where I can get it and stuff. And any other mods lets say under 300 bucks to strart with. Im not looking to make it a drag strip car, just a little more fun (nana) How do these things pull up top say compared to mustangs and some of the V8 monsters?

 

[funksilver07]

This is such a personal thing, modification for our cars. It provokes all kinds of emotions. People need to realize we all have different needs as to where we want to take our cars with aftermarket mods. Let's face it, most of us use this car as our daily driver so, making a car that has 400hp, 500hp, 800hp and dumping a shitload of $$$ into it, is just not realistic for a DD. We all start with the same stuff in every car, CAI/SRI, Rear MM, STS, Exhaust upgrades, intake manifolds, suspension, bla bla bla... Some how we feel personally attacked when confronted with these questions. Drive your car for a while and see where you think you would like to see some improvement and go from there. We all have our own opinions on what to do, the ultimate choice is yours depending on budget, (and let's face it most of us using this car as our DD don't have 5k up front to spend on mods) and reliability of a car that is your DD. This is a great car from the get go so, getting it to a point of being relatively happy is not too hard for most. Nothing is perfect but this is one DAMN fun car to drive, stock or otherwise. (drive2)

 

[funksilver07]

Here's a couple to start with, I highly recommend Ken at PG he's great with customer service... also keep an eye out for used parts on the For Sale section. Always some great buys on slightly used parts. We all tend to ***** our parts out after we're done with them, haha...have fun.
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/index.php
street unit (can't paste this for some reason.)
http://www.cp-e.com/

 

[Sawce]

@ the OP:
Drive it like a badass, (read:spirited), once you are past the break-in period. If you don't miss-shift and are smooth through the gears don't feel like you need to get a rear motor mount. I don't know any one who has been able to on this board yet. 90 bones and 40-ish mins of your time, include a frosty beverage intermission of your choice, and the vague transmission shift will be gone. You will get some vibes and they increase with the A/C on, but if you have good clutch/manual tranny skills, you will not miss-shift again.
My 0.02.

 

[RC08MS3]

you have to be more specific when you say how does it compare to mustangs/comaro's. it will walk most mustangs, but a GT500 is another story(lol2) just pullin ur chain. 99-04 GT's cant hang on the highway, and bearly on the track. 05-09 GT's will give you a run for your money, well stock for stock. depends on the camaro also, LT1 wont hang, LS1 will walk.

 

[HOBDisease]

I believe he was saying that mustangs/camaros are made/built to be straight line runners whereas a ms3 is not.

 

[RC08MS3]

Wow, I didn't mean to poke the bees nest LMAO. Not interested what 5 grand will do for me, and I know that that would make it a pretty dam fast car. I see little honda hatchback cars down here in texas running in the 11's that look lik POS. And if I recall right, I'm pretty sure in the drag standings that there are some sub 12 MS3's. But again, my car I am getting has. Cobb Springs and sway bar already, and the intake. I would love to be able to get some mods that are a couple hundred at a time or that I can kind of piece together instead of just dropping a grand. The shifter will for sure be on my list. Will someone be kind enough to post a link for me. Where I can get it and stuff. And any other mods lets say under 300 bucks to strart with. Im not looking to make it a drag strip car, just a little more fun (nana) How do these things pull up top say compared to mustangs and some of the V8 monsters?

not what i got out of that

 

[HOBDisease]

Oh I apologize I thought you were talking about someone else's post.

 

[RC08MS3]

its all good, what does HOB stand for?

 

[SallySpeed3]

Completely off topic, but RX08 I saw that you're running Kumho MX's. I'm actually looking to get those in the exact same size, those or the XS's. What are your impressions?>

 

[RC08MS3]

lol i guess your talking about me? i love my MX's, alot say they dont grip as well as the BFgoodrich top of the line, but hey i got my tires for 80 a peice, shipped. ive got around 15k on them and they have more than 3/4 tread, with me beating the **** out of them. Street they hook like hell on a medium launch, but of course a hard launch will cause some spin.

 

[MSMS3]

If you already have a good intake, then you've picked up 15-20 whp. That's a great start.

If you are looking for relatively cheap power per dollar mods, next consider helping the exhaust breathe. That DOES NOT mean a CBE. It DOES mean DP/RP.

Unless you are very heavily modded, the stock CBE flows extremely well. Put your hard earned bucks into a good 3 inch DP/RP, either catted, or if you can do so, go catless. This is where you will see substantial "up top" gains, as you describe them. Expect that with your intake and with a good DP/RP into the stock CBE exhaust, to knock a full two seconds off of your 60-100 mph times.

No, you'll not break into the 11's or even the 12's with these basic mods, but you can do a lot for $500-700 or so. Actually with better tires (DOT drag radials on front) you can get easily into the 12's. Traction will be the problem, not power at this level.

A daily driver with room, comfort, lots of storage and civil manners that can also run "up top" like a car hitting mid 12's is not a bad way to spend most of your time behind the wheel.