Quote:
Originally Posted by stealth_fighter
Sweet, there is a lot of good advice here. Tires are a definate (guess i should have not included that in the $2000). Is anyone running like 200-ish WHP? is much better? Is chassis stiffening really neccessary?
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You probably won't hit 200whp NA without E85. That said, you also probably don't want it that much, not right out of the gate anyway.
Do you have tools? If not, take a few hundred and get tools, so you can do your own work. Pays for itself after a while, and it's fun.
Anyway, on to other things. Tires might be nice, but I *personally* wouldn't go with the 18x9 super-sticky stuff people are trying to run. If you wanted a go kart, they are available cheaper than this car. IMO, a little slip is better than infinite grip, and you will learn to be a better driver faster if you occasionally over-power the tires. It will show you where you aren't smooth enough!
So far I have upgraded the headlights with h9 bulbs (in the mail) and I have the master cylinder brace for brake feel. I'm gonna do the clutch adjustment too. Total cost there is like 125 for a lot of good returns, daily-driver wise.
If you just love the paint the way it is and are scared of a little damage, you had better spend the cash for the clear bra on the front bumper. I already have about a dozen chips up there. The paint is ridiculously soft.
Okay, about the winter tires. This is important. I got 16" steelies and continental extremewintercontacts. DON'T DO THIS. It's squirmy and depressing and I wish I could do it over with some lower-profile winter tires. They have good grip but you can feel the damned sidewall flexing over in every decent turn
We had a little heat wave here and I took the time to swap wheels just for that. That's how much they suck. Great grip on the snow itself, but TBH I always wonder if the bridgestones my car came with would have done just as well.
I have been considering borla headers just for the sound, either that or a cat-back exhaust. I live in an apartment complex though and I'm the first one to go to work, so my consideration for my neighbors is causing me to hold off.
In short, to hell with it. 4 Star-Spec tires on the stock wheels and spend the rest on track days.
And you don't need to stiffen anything, IMO.