Basic/Easy/Cheap mods?
 

So, I recently asked someone on youtube what are some basic first-mods to look forward to doing with a new Toyota 86. and he said:

- Catch can (need to research what this is, why its needed)
- UEL header (same as catch can, what/why?)
- N1 exhaust (make it sound meaner, right?)
- New wheels (understandable)
- Coilovers (this is for lowering, right?)

Some things recommended by the Toyota dealership (these are services they said they offer):
- Tinted windows
- Rear spoiler
- Cold Air Intake
- Lowering

Some other things I've heard of/seen people do on Youtube (I won't be doing these, too expensive and warranty at risk of void)
- LS engine swap
- Turbo charger
- "Rocket Bunny" body kit
- Diffuser
- Sidesplitters
- Headlights (BMW angel eyes on a 86!)


These are pretty much all of the mods I've heard of so far. What do you guys recommend for a noob? Looking for mostly basic/easy/cheap-ish mods (under $500 each)
I'm definitely doing Tinted windows above all else. The sun is eating me alive.

Also quick question about spoilers: does a modestly small spoiler impact performance at all or is it just more for adding a little character to the car?

Also, from what I understand, exhaust is only about changing the engine sound, right? Not really performance enhancement?

This is exciting, I have a car I can do stuff to make it look or drive better!!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96158
See item #9


And don't mod for the sake of modding. Do what YOU need or want to do for the look YOU are after or how YOU plan to use the car.

There you go

I think my first one was running front floorboard LED strips off the dome light. Costs about $25 in parts. its easier if you find a LED board festoon kit that already has exposed positive negative and negative leads. then you don't even need to cut any factory wiring.


Edit: I did red leds of course.

I think what I want most is maybe like 50-100 more hp and then some small things that will make my fun car even more fun to drive / and less worrisome for a new driver.

Mud flaps, that's a good one... Every morning for the first block and a half, I hear gritty sound of dirt kicking up against metal while moving. Hopefully flaps will eliminate this. I should start a journal.

Brake pads, a helmet (if required by the track) and track time! :burnrubber:
Don't even get better tires for the first few sessions, it's all about discovering your car.

Do whatever cosmetic mod you feel like doing, it's your car afterall.

drop in air filter

Drive the car for a bit and see what bugs you most and change that. I hated the notchy shifter so I changed transmission and diff fluids with premium oil. New Weighted shift knob with mtec detent springs. Drove it for a while got bored with the sound/power so I gave a bunch of money to openflash and perrin. I haven't changed a thing in over a year because I'm happy finally. Could've gone forced induction, but bought another miata to distract me!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Holy crap. If you have no idea what headers or coilovers do please stop asking questions atm and spend a ton more time reading. You need specific questions to get proper info, not this. All the info you want is already here on the forum regarding everything you mentioned. If you still have specific questions post them up in the appropriate subforum then

First best mod is simply drive the car like you stole it. At the track of course. Trust me you'll know exactly what you want after you go through those OEM tires.

Driver mod.

After a bit of reading (thanks for the links guys), I've decided I'm going to just settle for:

- tinted windows
- mudflaps
- simple rear spoiler (for looks)
- free up the only 12v socket and get dashcam wired on its own line
- maybe something to protect the paint finish

That's it! Nothing more needed for what I intend to use the car for, as my daily.

Like it's been said, "Don't mod just for the sake of modding."

I had to snap myself out of fantasy land, too much excitement about the cool factor of my car being this loud and fast monster of a thing that wows the crowds and brings in the ladies.

When in reality, as cool as that sounds to me, it's not realistic for me. So I've settled on my simple tweaks, and be done until much later.

Thanks for helping me figure this out, guys.

Your car doesn't NEED any modifications for average driving.

I get the feeling (from reading your posts) that the car (right out of the box) meets or exceeds your driving capabilities.......and that's OK .....;)


humfrz

kinda counter intuitive there...break the car in for a few thousand miles & drive it hard between 5000-7400 RPMs (especially since you got the updated final drive..), if you are in that powerband it won't feel like it needs more HP for a beginner driver

more mods typically hurt the driveability and adds more concerns for a "new" driver..