beginner FAQ for mods please?

[nextcar]

I am trying to learn about mods, but there are so many abbreviations and things you can do to the car, that it would take me forever to understand them. Searching through this forum doesn't help much because every thread assumes you already know something. Would you guys be kind enough to spell out all these abbreviations and write a 1 or 2 sentence description of what each does? Maybe also add your own opinion about relative effectiveness? Eg, 1=essentially no benefit, 10=huge benefit to performance.

some of the letters i've seen are:
BPV
CS inserts
BOV
FMIC
STS
CBE
sway bar
engine mount
turbo back exhaust
down pipe

 

[hilmar2k]

BPV (2) - By-Pass Valve - relieves boost when you get off of the throttle
CS inserts (6)- reinforce stock rear motor mount. Helps reduce wheel hop and smooth shifting
BOV (1) - Blow off valve - similar to BPV, but release boost to atmoshpere as opposed to routing it back into the intake. Not recommended for a car that uses a MAF sensor, which the MS3 does.
FMIC (7) - Front mount intercooler. Better for heatsoak that the stock top mount.
STS (5) - Short throw shifter.
CBE (1) - Cat back exhaust.
sway bar (3) - Keeps the car level in corners.
engine mount (6) - Upgrading helps with wheelhop and shifting. Slightly better than CS inserts.
turbo back exhaust (8) - Entire exhaust system starting at the turbo. Doesn't include exhaust manifold.
down pipe (7) - First part of the exhaust system.

 

[mo08ms3]

Some other abbreviations just in case you didn't figure them out yet:

CAI - Cold air intake.
SRI - Short Ram intake
FSB - Front sway bar
RSB - Rear sway bar

Have fun learning, if you were like I was, you'll spend way tooo much time on these forums but you'll learn a ton.