New Owner performance upgrades

[TStafford]

Can we start a sticky for new owner performance upgrades that would cover these details.
General cost
Difficulty installing
Benefit vs. risk

Some of the upgrades I am considering:
Crank Pulley
Air Box or better air flow - na
Catback Exhaust
Bigger Wheels / Tires
Bigger Sway bars
Springs / Coilovers
Struct Brace
Crossmember-Mount Insert Bushings

[Freetime]

you want a single sticky thread to encompass the amount of information in 90% of the threads on the forum? We have whole sections dedicated to parts of what you want to know. Literally thousands of threads. Start reading.

[Adam Anthony]

Originally Posted by Freetime

you want a single sticky thread to encompass the amount of information in 90% of the threads on the forum? We have whole sections dedicated to parts of what you want to know. Literally thousands of threads. Start reading.

I think that's his point. Why scroll through thousands of threads if one post could have the majority of the information new owners are seeking? More efficient I would imagine than trying to locate the information in literally "thousands of threads" don't ya think?

[JohnJuan]

Originally Posted by TStafford

Can we start a sticky for new owner performance upgrades that would cover these details.
General cost
Difficulty installing
Benefit vs. risk

Some of the upgrades I am considering:
Crank Pulley
$100-200. Easy-moderate, but pay attention to the DIY guides. If you don't do it right, it can leak oil, and mess up the pulley's drive system. Benefit: engine revs slightly more quickly.
Air Box or better air flow - na
High-flow filter. Approx. $40-60, 10-20 min. Easy. No risk.
Catback Exhaust
$500 for cheap. Probably $800+ for " good" Most are $900-1200. Sounds nice. Minimal power gain No risk.
Bigger Wheels / Tires
$800+ Difficulty varies. Grippier, no risks come to mind. Could get stolen, I guess?
Bigger Sway bars
$200 for 1 to $800 for 2. Mild difficulty. Reduces body roll. Might make the wheel that didn't hit a bump feel the bump if the bar is too stiff.
Springs / Coilovers
$800-3000+. Moderate difficulty. Cheap coils or spring/bad adjustment can mess up the ride quality.
Struct Brace
$100-500. Easy. Stiffens the chassis. Slight risk of shearing off the mounting studs. Don't use anti-seize on the threads, and you should be fine.
Crossmember-Mount Insert Bushings
$50-ish. Moderate Difficulty. DIY GUIDE Makes the tail end more predictable. Low risk unless you botch the install.

That should cover it? Most of the links are stickies in the tech subforums.

Obligatory: The search function is your friend.

[charged86]

how about a TUNE first or wheels and springs.

[Freetime]

Originally Posted by Adam Anthony

I think that's his point. Why scroll through thousands of threads if one post could have the majority of the information new owners are seeking? More efficient I would imagine than trying to locate the information in literally "thousands of threads" don't ya think?

There are "thousands of threads" because there isn't any agreed upon answers. It's subjective. That's the point of the forum - for discussion. If it was just answers, it would be a Wiki.

[f0rge]

It's impossible for us to recommend anything unless you tell us your goals.

Are you after looks or speed or handling?

100% street car? Auto-x or track days? How many? What's your skill level/experience?

[J_kennington]

Don't we have vendors with websites that have every part listed with prices? How could we know what a parts price will be in 6 months?

I understand your concept, but it's just not feasible.

[TStafford]

What he listed is great. It gives a new user some options to research. I have been looking at this stuff since I got my car and I have learned much. Sometimes it helps to read the quick version so you can dig deeper and see what you want. I am going for handling.
The DIY and debates are great but it also helps to know you might not need coilovers for everyday aggresive driving.

[Demandred7]

You might want to consider a strut tower brace. I personally went with Grimmspeed. There is an immediately noticeable improvement in the handling.

[Model Citizen]

Originally Posted by f0rge

It's impossible for us to recommend anything unless you tell us your goals.

x1000


A shitty question gets shitty answers

[jeepmor]

I'm a new owner also and see where the OP is coming from.

My goals would be, at this moment, as follows

Protection - rally armors, tint, front wrap, weather techs. Still working here. Weathertech and rally armors in.

Power - drop in air filter, not much else yet. Easy 4-5ish gain. That's a lawnmower helping you along, not trivial for $50. The rest comes later in form of exhaust and other bolt on stuff. Intake tube and other drop/bolt in parts.

Handling - Once I understand the car more, I'm moving to stiffer bushings. Not sure just where yet, but I'm starting with shifter and trans mount bushings. Halfway there already with Perrin shift bushing in hand. Deciding on trans mount bushing, probably a slip in like Whiteline. After 3150 miles, there are areas I'd like to take some squishiness out of, some I'd leave. Shifter tail good place to start as it feels kindy sloppy under hard driving. Strut braces next.


NVH - I'm a commuter in this car on already rough paved roads. I don't want a racecar, too bumpy. This directly competes with ultimate handling of the car however. Finding the right suspension parts will be key here. I don't want to add weight, but I can see some dynamat doing this car a lot of good already to reduce NVH. But that's not the point of this platform, handling is.

Convenience - A euro center console armrest would be nice. Fog lights would be helpful, I'm in the PNW, I see a lot of fog.

And lastly, I'm a long term car guy. I have an 84CJ7 that is pretty setup for wheeling that I've had for 20 years. This car is my new jeep and will eventually replace it. Jeep is in the garage, my FR-S resides in the weather, PNW weather at that. I like this car, but I don't see myself going crazy with it just yet. But I have looked, it'd be pretty easy to just turn this into a racecar with what is already available, after only two years. I suspect I have to thank Subaru for this as I'm guessing there is a lot of cross-over.


Thanks to John Juan for providing actual data to help someone paint the picture.

[tennisfreak]

If I could start from scratch first thing I would do is forced induction.


Outside of winter time the car just feels so slow and lethargic. Driving down highway last night a freaking douche Accord was driving 55 in fast last (65 speed limit) and when I tried to get around they floored it. I felt embarrassed that even downshifted and revved up past 5k my car could not keep up with an Accord. My wife was with me and she said "at least it sounds fast", LOL.

You could do headers+full exhaust+tune and get ~40hp but by the time you do all of that you could easily be in $3000.


I wish I had just gone with stg 1 turbo and then upgraded other things from there.