What to do next?

[jri4]

For those who have experience with parts, help me out!

Hi guys! I am having some issues deciding what to get next for my car. I am pretty much ready to purchase something- I have $700+ waiting in the bank. I figured I would write my thoughts down and you could give me some input. Thanks!

1. New rims- there are a select few styles I am considering for my car. They must weigh less than stock and be BLACK
-------Rota Torque 18x8 (20 lbs) New $800
-------OZ Ultraleggera 18x8 (18 lbs) Used $800
-------Work Emotion 18x8 (19 lbs) Used $900
-------Enkei Imola 18x8 (21 lbs) New $700

Rims are pretty much the last thing I want when it comes to straight appearance and little performance enhancement.

2. Frount Mount Intercooler
-------PG FMIC with a core I have found elsewhere and T-Bolts from the hardware or autoparts store

This should be had for under $500 if I shop around. Black powdercoated FMIC, with a core off of eBay or somewhere else (I found one for $87 shipped). Then purchase TBolts from somewhere else. Gain of 20 whp. I have no EMS or tuning system-do I need that first for the car to run safely???

Ultimately I think the FMIC adds quite a bit to appearance and a lot to power gains, making it a good upgrade for my MS3.

3. Cobb Accessport
-------Cobb AP Used $500

Sure it may be fun to play with, but I don't know how much enjoyment I will get out of this thing with just a SRI. At the same time I want to make sure my car is safe. That being said, I am not looking to re-tune my car for 400 hp. I just want to keep it as-safe-as stock or safer! Any idea on power increases just with the SRI?

4. Downpipe (catted for Ohio emissions laws)
-------$500-600

I smoke already a little bit and I am afraid this mod would just speed up the problem. Honestly I think this is last on my list of things to do, but it would add to the performance of the car and the sound of the exhaust. Oh well.

5. BC Racing Coilovers
--------New $1000

Appearance upgrade which may not have the effect using stock rims. Also a big handling upgrade. Pretty expensive though, don't know if I could sway it at this time.


So that is it. Everything else I want can be purchased paycheck to paycheck. But I can only swing one or two of these items each summer for the next few years. Let me know what you guys think I should do. Thanks!

 

[shaneS]

I gonna vote coilovers because I dont want to see anyone get another pair of black rims

 

[bradboyd80]

+1 on the coilovers.

 

[jri4]

thanks for the input!

I only have an intake now. with a fmic, will I need a Cobb AP or something in order to make sure the car runs okay?

 

[darkthunder]

I say go for the AP, the difference in lower gears will be very impressive, and cobb just broke through the load cap. Now the possibilities are endless. Plus, tune = much safer if you plan to mod. That's what I did. And I couldn't be more pleased!

 

[Mistersix]

if all you have is an intake, forget about the fmic imho. if you want maximum hp/$$$ then hold out for a used ets tmic and grab a corksport dp. or grab one of those and get the ap.

you could do a lot with that loot. my advice.... be patient, wait for used parts to pop up. your money will go farther that way.

besides, never do aftermarket wheels without a drop. it will just look silly.

 

[jri4]

I hear ya on the FMIC, but look at what I'm proposing:

PG FMIC Piping Kit-$250 PG FMIC from their website

eBay Intercooler Core-$57.50 28x7x2.5 Intercooler Core on eBay

T Bolt Clamps from CXRacing-$16.00 for 8 clamps (plus shipping???) TBolts from CXRacing

Total cost- $323.50 + a lil' extra for shipping the TBolts

That has to be hard to beat; however, is the core going to be okay? And will I be okay without a tune? 20+ horsepower and an attractive FMIC for under $350 is looking good...

And thanks for all the helpful replies and everything---other sites wouldn't be reasonable about someone being interested in learning more about aftermarket part choices and options.

 

[Abysal]

I'd get the Cobb AP if you already have an intake, and replace your plugs with ITV22s. Also look at a rear motor mount.

Then if you want more power go for the Cobb catted DP, but also get a PCV restricting plug (or make ur own) to fix the back pressure issue that causes smoking. I've recommend the PCV plug to two other guys and it fixed their smoking issue when they had the DP.

Then I'd check fuel pressure and possibly go for a HPFP replacement if pressure seems low (below 1600 psi @ wot), then go for a FMIC or TMIC. I would of liked to go the FMIC route, but I think it would get beat up with all the driving I do, especially in the winter.

But to be honest the car would be very fun with just Intake, colder plugs (ITV22) AP Stage 1 tune, and rear motor mount. With just the above my butt dyno felt the extra power, especially past the 5800 rpm deadzone. It would pull all the way to 6500. I thought this setup was very safe. I monitored my short term and long term fuel trims, fuel pressure and read up on the minimal knock retard I was seeing (both stock and with AP tune), and everything seemed to be on target.

Outside I'd get 235/40/18 on 18x8, keeping an offset @ 50 to avoid rubbing. I don't have experience with springs or coil-overs, but I'd like to get something that helps cornering / handling as well.