Absolute Favorite/Worst First Mods

[Clutch Dog]

Originally Posted by soundman98

first big mod was a shift knob. it made it mine. second big mod was the driver mod. drive it for at least a year daily if possible, with changing nothing. understand the chassis and the platform first, especially on the oem tires, and the positive and negative attributes will make themselves known.

uhhh ( 3 month ownership, everything driving dynamic and input was swapped)


Opps


Favorite first mod: Anything Driver input, so shift knob or pedal kit
Worst First Mod: cheap coilovers. OR Cold air intakes

[86MLR]

Originally Posted by soundman98

curious if you've got more info on this somewhere? i'd like to read it

There are 100's of papers, multiple how too's and other various guides on how to design and build a exhaust header.

The whole "tuned length" bit seems to get pushed out with good marketing.

Give them a read, all about torque curves, rpm, hp, primary lengths, secondary lengths, collector design, yada yada yada.

Every single one states to attempt to acheive a equal length in runner length to help with flow.

Lots of talk about reversion, sound waves, pulses, 4:1, 4:2:1, exhaust temps and other groovy stuff.

I actually had a play with a Tomei UEL header vs a OEM header with the cat punched out.

I found the OEM header performed better.

And that is a OEM header with the compromises in the pipe lengths due to the need of fitting in a cat.

It wasn't until the WRX STI turned up that the sound of a poorly designed exhaust header became fashionable.

Prior to the Rex the only other car that sounded like that was a VW beetle, who's exhaust was designed that way because of packaging and cost.

Opinions may vary

Why was the WRX STI header designed this way, from talking to some old rally guys it was about packaging and available room.

Opinions may vary

Why do the ACE headers and other top of the line headers feature so prominently in motorsport?

Hell, a UEL header is basically a excellent example of how "not" to design a exhaust header.

Opinions may vary.

Our racing series here, they all run EL.

The Jap STI, EL.

Nearly every man and their dog swaps the UEL header on the EJ for a EL.

Why do manufacturers still sell the UEL header? the sound....and the fact that with enough good marketing, some companies sell a exposed pod filter and call it a performance upgrade.

Disclaimer: opinions may vary

[Adam_L]

Best cosmetic upgrade : take off front license plate. Looks better, saves weight.
Cost = about 1 minute of your time, and a little energy = 10 calories maybe.

[NARFALICIOUS]

Originally Posted by 86MLR

In 3 to 5 years you will most likely have a different car, even if you think "I'm going to keep this car forever", LOL, YEAH NAH.

I'm going to keep my car forever.

[JD001]

I'm not in the same league as some of fanatical modders on this forum... I've done the following, no regrets:


Tomei UEL header
Berk fast cat fp
Miltek op
Takeda CAI
EucTek tune
Eibach sportlines
Eibach spacers
Negative camber bolts
STI Group N engine and transmission mounts
Williams Ceramic coating..


The car looks standard.. only other "fanatics" clock the different look.

[Riftur]

The most bang for your buck that I have found is running E85. You only need the OFT to tune it.

[PetrolioBenzina]

Originally Posted by Riftur

The most bang for your buck that I have found is running E85. You only need the OFT to tune it.

This right here.

[ermax]

E85 and obviously some real tires.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Best mod - Oil catch cans and tires.

Worst mods - Cold air intake and brake booster delete

Are you kidding or did you really do this?

[Qwimby1]

Originally Posted by Raven86WPB

Yeah, I've been looking into the Indy 500s heard they were good FL tires and rain is a definite concern here, thanks for the input!

I mounted Indy 500s after my MPSSs went. I'm very happy with them overall. Good in the often-heavy Florida rain.

[LimitedSlip]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

Best cosmetic upgrade : take off front license plate. Looks better, saves weight.

FYI: Illegal in many jurisdictions and just gives the local constabulary an easy reason to pull you over and look for other offenses.
Don't ask me how I know . . .

Originally Posted by Adam_L

Cost = about 1 minute of your time, and a little energy = 10 calories maybe.

This is an initial estimate. Both time and monetary investment will likely increase shortly after being pulled over.

[DandoX]

Better tires
Hood struts
Arm rest

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by ermax

Are you kidding or did you really do this?

Oh I didn't realize these were things you had to have done, they were just what I think are the worst mods for this platform

[Clutch Dog]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Oh I didn't realize these were things you had to have done, they were just what I think are the worst mods for this platform

I dont.... *sigh*

I dont think the brake booster delete is a "bad" mod. typically its done on one of two mindsets

Shaven Engine bay ( bad mod)
Better Braking feel

The dirt fish guys all have brake booster deletes and are running slightly better masters ( think ) for better feel under braking. and while yes you have to really push the brake pedal to make the car stop your control is almost unlimited. and when you get used to it, it doesnt matter
the whole boosted portion is for comfort on daily driving.