What do I need to know before modifying my daily driven 86?

[86geek]

[TorontoNat]

Originally Posted by 305Alonsos

I purchased my first manual the other day (a base level 86) and I love it! It's the fastest car i'v ever owned!

About an hour ago I stumbled on a small local tuner scene in my neighborhood meeting in a parking lot. I never even knew they existed! It was late (like 11:00pm on a Thursday) so I didn't have time to look at the cars that showed up but apparently the group noticed me. I pulled out and drove for about 30 seconds, double clutched and sped off to catch a light; I didn't notice the tuner in a blacked out BMW next to me. Apparently he thought I was reving to race him or. . . something. I could have beaten him if I had remembered to bring my vape or eurobeat but thats nether here nor there. . .


My Question:
Is it possible to make this car faster without harming the engine? I come from a family that knows absolutely nothing about cars so I can't ask any of them for help on the subject. Im also the only one in my family with the ability to drive a manual!
Perhaps I could upgrade various engine parts to increase HP?
Pistons perhaps. . .? I don't know enough about cars to find a smart starting point for mods. I want more power but. . .I daily my 86. . .

It wouldn't be as simple as throwing a turbo on my FA20, right? I would need a tune! RIGHHHHT!?

How would you guys progress through mod upgrades?
Whatever information you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

That BMW guy will RUE the day he messed with THIS GUY! ---->

Welcome! Best thing to do is find a local autocross, see how slow (or fast you are). You will soon realize your first mod after driver-mods should be rubber. RE71Rs is what you get... once you can handle an frs on those around a tight track, then start thinking about power... You might not want to anymore though.

[the_ging]

Okay... well you guys are no help.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by the_ging

Okay... well you guys are no help.

The stock transmission will give up the ghost pretty easily. The stock clutch was specified to match the torque capacity of the transmission. I damaged my original one with an aggressive 1-2 shift but the spare that I bought is way worse. It's a whiny little bitch.

If you keep your stock clutch and are otherwise nice to your transmission, you'll be fine in the long run. Stock engine internals are ok for modest boost.

[Contender]

Originally Posted by bkharmony

I have not modded my 86, but I have been thinking about a cold air intake. Super easy mod and worth 2-3 HP, no?

Valuable contribution

[305Alonsos]

Wow, I didn't expect to get so much information from this forum. Thanks guys!

Just to clarify, i'm not really trying to push the engine super far or anything. The 86 is a really fun car to play with and learn from and i'm aware it's probably not gonna beat very many cars in a drag race. The car however does feel kind of slow at times which i've heard is probably the cars infamous torque dip rearing its head. . . I'll probably just have to deal with it for a while and eventually take my car to a tuning shop i've been looking at. They had a picture of a FA20 on their website so i'm sure they can get me up to speed on that damn torque dip.

In the end I think i'll keep the car stock for a while. I still stall once or twice a week (Miami traffic sucks) so i'm gonna wait till I can reliably handle what i've got right now.

First Mods i'll get will involve coilovers, wheels and tires.
Second set of modifications will likely be headers, exhaust and a tune.

I think i'll avoid forced induction (at least for a while haha)

I've never really considered a cold air intake. I'll have to look into that.

[VoltsFRS2013]

basic car knowledge.

Stay away from drivetrain modifications if it is truly a daily driven car.

TL;DR

Modifying your exhaust, suspension, wheels tires, cosmetic things are things you'll wanna do if its daily driven. However, things that will sacrifice the "daily" convenience of your car you'd wanna stay away from.

Get yourself a nice catback, good coilovers, wheels you like and some good tires and i'd leave it at that.

[VoltsFRS2013]

Originally Posted by 305Alonsos

I've never really considered a cold air intake. I'll have to look into that.

There is doccumented proof that a CAI does nothing but actually hinder your cars performance (at least on our platform.)

Stock airbox with a drop in filter & performance inlet hose (perrin) is the way to go

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by VoltsFRS2013

There is doccumented proof that a CAI does nothing but actually hinder your cars performance (at least on our platform.)

Stock airbox with a drop in filter & performance inlet hose (perrin) is the way to go

Yep. The whole "change the intake" mantra comes from cars that are initially designed as econobox family movers where they are incredibly restricted and sucking in hot engine bay air. These cars are not designed with those issues so a nice drop in is all you need.
Unless of course you want the bling factor since many do clean up the engine bay nicely.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by 305Alonsos

Wow, I didn't expect to get so much information from this forum. Thanks guys!

That'll teach ya. It's ok to call the next day.

[DarkSideFRS]

u need to know that it's a sloooowww car

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DarkSideFRS

u need to know that it's a sloooowww car

Only the white ones.

[Clutch Dog]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Only the white ones.

hey now










I would tire, brake pads, and good sway bar set and just let it ride

if you wanted to go more extreme stuff tht feels good per dollar is a straight 4.3 pumpkin swap and e85 tune but id leave the rest alone.

[why?]

the greddy, the afe takeda, and I think one other intake actually can make power. The rest though are just bling. You can get an intake tube from perrin or mishimoto so you can dump the sound tube. perrin inlet hose.