what mod made the biggest diff? - random Qs :)

[koevasi]

Hi guys

I've given up on trying to get more power out of the car (daily driver, need decent mpg and warranty) and aesthetics can be such a subjective thing, so I've been looking at some more chassis/suspension/brake mods.

I have installed a fair few mods with varying degrees of success - some tend to create instantly noticeable effects on the car's behavior, but most of the time my mods have either been worse than what i expected or created 50% of the improvement i was expecting (at best).

I have covered enough miles with this car and familiar enough with it so I am bored with it now. I am spending extra money on the car just so that I can feel a drastic improvement or difference that each new mod could bring. This is what I like and enjoy, so please don't post comments about how I should just spend more time honing my driving skills instead of wasting money on things I don't need! Anyway to avoid turning this post sound like the weekly session with my shrink - what mod made the biggest improvement in chassis dynamics in your experience?

I have my eyes set on:

Robispec front lower arms: although not likely due to frequent snow+road salt where I am.

(Cusco) rear trailing arms: can anyone tell me what the heck more/less caster in the rear wheels does?.

a whole lot of bushings and braces: which of these are actually useful? From my experience, cusco front lower arm brace was a complete waste, as was their rear bumper brace, but their strut braces added some steering feel and look pretty. For what it's worth I was happy with Whiteline diff+subframe bushings I have installed on this car generally.

maybe a shorter final drive?

Any parts that just made you go WOW and made you fall in love with the car all over again??


Cheers
Steve

[Tye300]

The 4.55 final drive would help. Made the car feel peppier when I drive around town, and really made a difference on the track.

[YMAA]

First mod that did that for me was a Vishnu tune with the OpenFlash Tablet. I don't know how much power I gained but it did noticeably change the way the power came on in the dreaded torque dip area. It didn't remove it but it certainly made it more bearable.

The second mod that gave me a wow moment was the Perrin CAI and intake tube. Whatever horsepower gains I got from that mod are negligible I'm sure, but the induction noise alone won me over.

[tonystewart]

FA20club EL header and the tune for it, wow!

[koevasi]

So it's the power mods that leave a lasting impression - a no go area for me.

mind you, my fave mod has been the backup camera lol

[car_roll]

What are your goals? DD, spirited driving, or track?

When it comes to purely suspension/chassis/brakes, A nice set of summer tires and a nice aggressive alignment will make a HUGE difference. And if you plan to go to the track, a nice set of brake pads and quality brake fluid will make track time that much more fun

[jeffchap]

What about a Unichip? No warranty issues, and it really added some zip to mine.


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[donutfilling]

tires make the biggest difference.

[RehabJeff86]

OEM had the best chasis dynamic, if u start changing suspension parts, u will need to do the full nine yard and hv a professional dial it in for u, very complex- im heading this way cuz i track alot
For DD just keep it OEM, best NA power mods per my own experience- RaceSeng S2 Pulley kit, PST CF drive shaft, open flash tablet tune, Nameless header, OP/FP, and Tomei 60S or 60R, 4.556 final drive kit, and OS Giken LSD - car feels like 100 whp more

Dont waste money on front LCA, Cusco LCA, or any bushings

Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkfQ

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by koevasi

Hi guys

I've given up on trying to get more power out of the car (daily driver, need decent mpg and warranty) and aesthetics can be such a subjective thing, so I've been looking at some more chassis/suspension/brake mods.

I have installed a fair few mods with varying degrees of success - some tend to create instantly noticeable effects on the car's behavior, but most of the time my mods have either been worse than what i expected or created 50% of the improvement i was expecting (at best).

I have covered enough miles with this car and familiar enough with it so I am bored with it now. I am spending extra money on the car just so that I can feel a drastic improvement or difference that each new mod could bring. This is what I like and enjoy, so please don't post comments about how I should just spend more time honing my driving skills instead of wasting money on things I don't need! Anyway to avoid turning this post sound like the weekly session with my shrink - what mod made the biggest improvement in chassis dynamics in your experience?

I have my eyes set on:

Robispec front lower arms: although not likely due to frequent snow+road salt where I am.

(Cusco) rear trailing arms: can anyone tell me what the heck more/less caster in the rear wheels does?.

a whole lot of bushings and braces: which of these are actually useful? From my experience, cusco front lower arm brace was a complete waste, as was their rear bumper brace, but their strut braces added some steering feel and look pretty. For what it's worth I was happy with Whiteline diff+subframe bushings I have installed on this car generally.

maybe a shorter final drive?

Any parts that just made you go WOW and made you fall in love with the car all over again??


Cheers
Steve

Get the SPL arms. They're superior to the Cusco, IMO, and roughly the same price.

Biggest changes that I like? Forced Induction. If you strictly want to stick to your chassis/suspension/brake mods, then high end coilovers. You literally get what you pay for.

[koevasi]

Originally Posted by car_roll

What are your goals? DD, spirited driving, or track?

When it comes to purely suspension/chassis/brakes, A nice set of summer tires and a nice aggressive alignment will make a HUGE difference. And if you plan to go to the track, a nice set of brake pads and quality brake fluid will make track time that much more fun

I have all of those already and they can be hit and miss. From my experience I know that I have to go through multiple sets of brake pads and tires before you find the ones I like. Just haven't found them yet but I guess I will in a year or so.

[koevasi]

Originally Posted by RehabJeff86

OEM had the best chasis dynamic, if u start changing suspension parts, u will need to do the full nine yard and hv a professional dial it in for u, very complex- im heading this way cuz i track alot
For DD just keep it OEM, best NA power mods per my own experience- RaceSeng S2 Pulley kit, PST CF drive shaft, open flash tablet tune, Nameless header, OP/FP, and Tomei 60S or 60R, 4.556 final drive kit, and OS Giken LSD - car feels like 100 whp more

Dont waste money on front LCA, Cusco LCA, or any bushings

Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkfQ

I tend to get all geeky with suspension settings and I find the learning process to be very enjoyable. I am ok with the car not handling as flawlessly or as smoothly - I'll just scratch my head and try something else and see if that works etc. I am however tired of buying parts that result in changes that are imperceptible (e.g. a custom made engine damper which all my club guys thought were fantastic but did nothing for me except made traffic jam crawl a bit easier?)

4.556 final gear sounds better and better. I will definitely have to look into this.

[andrewFT86]

1. Driver Mod
2. Better Tires
3. ss brake lines and higher temp rated pads
4. re learn the car - driver mod

[RehabJeff86]

Originally Posted by koevasi

I tend to get all geeky with suspension settings and I find the learning process to be very enjoyable. I am ok with the car not handling as flawlessly or as smoothly - I'll just scratch my head and try something else and see if that works etc. I am however tired of buying parts that result in changes that are imperceptible (e.g. a custom made engine damper which all my club guys thought were fantastic but did nothing for me except made traffic jam crawl a bit easier?)

4.556 final gear sounds better and better. I will definitely have to look into this.

If u dont track, all the suspension parts upgrades u wont feel much different hence i said dont waste money lol cuz seriously OEM was set up sooooo good, try to read a info thread by moto-q on OEM chasis and suspension engineering.

So far im 1 sec slower on the track compared to OEM suspension but im still dialing in different setting and its a journal and waiting for CSG Spec Tein SRC

Brake pads wise - try PMu 999 it may be overkill for DD but it feels so good lol