Best mod under $500?

[RichardJ]

Originally Posted by Impureclient

Everybody with the 4.88 final drive swap say it's the best thing you can do for the automatic. It's gonna be about double your limit but
other than the header/oft tune, it seems it is consistently called the best bang for the buck when somebody gets it done. I read this below and it convinced me to make it my next purchase for the car.

Wow I always wondered if anything could be done to the auto tranny.
That seems like an extremely good mod tbh. I'll definately look into that, thanks so much.

[RichardJ]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Racecomp Engineering (RCE) makes yellow springs that are designed to work with OEM struts and shocks better than the OEM springs do.
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/race...rings-475.html

Camber bolts have an eccentric lobe on them, allowing you to adjust front camber. More negative camber results in sharper handling. Camber bolts can get you some for very little money. Strut top mounts can get you more, for a lot more money.
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/spc-...kit-front.html

The diff outrigger bushings get inserted into gaps in the OEM bushings. The OEM bushings are soft rubber, so when you shift or floor the throttle the diff flexes significantly. Watch this video and look at the two big round black bushings right behind the diff above the swaybar. The inserts fill those voids so they don't flex nearly as much.

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/whit...nsert-846.html

If the trans mount insert fits auto transmissions (not sure), then this bushing does the same thing for the transmission that the above bushing does for the diff.
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/whit...t-kit-307.html

A performance-oriented alignment will go a lot way to improving the handling. Lowering springs will induce some negative camber naturally, as a consequence of lowering the suspension. That will do for the rear for now. The springs plus the camber bolts will let you get negative camber in the front. Ideally, you want a little more camber in the front, but get what you can with what you have available. Mine is -1.7f/-2r with RCE yellows and SPC camber bolts. I would like to get the front to -2.3 to -2.5 if I can, without dropping hundreds on camber plates. Set your front toe to 0, your rear toe to about 1/32 in on each side. That will give you a responsive car without feeling darty.

Any suspension changes you do will need an alignment done to make sure everything is still good.

Wow thank you for your time and input to explain this all out. I really appreciate it.

[RichardJ]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

lol that's nothing, @Tcoat commutes longer just to get to work. It will be well worth spending three hours driving to the track and back for the fun you'll have. This handy site exists too:
https://torontotrackdays.com/
I'm 1.5 hours away from Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway, 3 hours away from Thunderhill, all one way and the driving distance is the least of my worries.

Looks like you could hit at least 2x autocrosses per month in the warm season at the Powerade Center in Brampton:
http://www.pitl.ca/seriesinfo.php
http://trillium-bmwclub.ca/content/autocross

Not sure who else runs in the area, could probably ask around here instead:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19

Haha it seems I came up with a nonsense reason. Thanks for the info, Driver Mod it is.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Hmm. That is definately something I need to get on with. The sad fact is that the nearest track in my area is well over 100km.

About 3 weeks ago I drove from Los Angeles to Austin TX and back, 20 hours each way. Spent a day at the track and drove straight home.

On a more practical note, I go to Buttonwillow Raceway often and that place is almost 150 miles away. 100km is nothing!

Sometimes it's just worth it...

-alex

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

- RCE Yellows - slightly lower, better handling than OEM.
- SPC front camber bolts - more camber = better handling!
- Whiteline diff outrigger bushings - keeps the diff from flopping around during abrupt throttle changes or when shifting.
- Transmission mount insert - keeps the transmission from flopping around. No idea if it fits AT.
- Alignment - more camber = better handling. With the springs and camber bolts, you should be able to get around -1.7 in the front and -1.5 to -2 in the back.

All of this should come out to about $500.

All that would be at least $1200 in Canada. With exchange, duties and shipping even such things as a drop in filter are well over $100 here

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Honestly I have no idea what you suggested, but few words like 'better handling' I recognize. Will do my research. Thanks!

There is almost nothing that you can do for real performance improvements for $500 here. You may be able to get some placebo, butt dyno improvements with things but there will be no real noticeable increases.
You need to budget for your mods, not mod to your budget or you are just throwing smaller amounts of money away. Do a pile more research on what things cost and what you are getting for that value. Remember when you look on a US site and those springs say they cost $300 you are going to pay another 30% on exchange, 20% on duty, 13% on sales tax, and god only knows what other brokerage fees and other shipping costs. My $79 Ebay diffuser cost me $230 by the time everybody grabbed their piece of it.

Like so many wise men here have said if you only have a small amount to spend then spend it learning how to get the most out of the car as it is now. I bet you find you are currently driving it way below it's capacity but just don't know it.

[spicyricecake]

ft86/velox rear diffuser

[Ultramaroon]

See, OP, the cool thing about this car is that, like the miata, s2k, mr2, ... its limits can be realized by mere mortals but we have to work pretty hard to get there.

The truly amazing thing is how, unlike the miata and mr2, it has been effectively tuned right down to the rubber to let you know it's getting close before all hell breaks loose. I am not referring to the stability aids. That's a whole other topic.

Seriously, don't discount the package as shipped. I have yet to touch anything of consequence on mine and am well into my second set of stock tyres. I'll start dabbling eventually but I'm in no hurry.

[RickyRacer]

Originally Posted by jxl00

a drop in filter cost 50 and slightly improves performance

I bought a K&N drop in and didn't feel a performance increase.. has anyone actually felt a difference or are there any dyno graphs?

Im sure it helps with breathing though

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

All that would be at least $1200 in Canada. With exchange, duties and shipping even such things as a drop in filter are well over $100 here.

You guys get screwed.


I guess you'll need to have it all sent here and then come down here for an install day.

[ZionsWrath]

Aesthetically?

Springs, tail lights, tint. Spacers if you can swing it.

Car will look so good

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by RickyRacer

I bought a K&N drop in and didn't feel a performance increase.. has anyone actually felt a difference or are there any dyno graphs?

Im sure it helps with breathing though

It sounds cool and makes the butt dyno kick in but most actual dynos on it show a 3 to 5 HP increase. Unfortunately 3 to 5 HP is also within the margin of error for most dynos so whether it actually gives you that is up for debate.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by RickyRacer

I bought a K&N drop in and didn't feel a performance increase.. has anyone actually felt a difference or are there any dyno graphs?

Im sure it helps with breathing though

I'm sure it's worth a WHP or 2, along with a muffler delete(track pipe) or catless frontpipe. all of which are under $500 USD or CAN, perhaps even under that all together if you shop wisely or have a welder and some piping. Though, aside from the noise if you choose to do exhaust mods, I seriously doubt you'll be able to perceive the difference of single digit power increase.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

You guys get screwed.


I guess you'll need to have it all sent here and then come down here for an install day.

You have any idea what it would cost me to go to Vegas????? Would have to tell the wife and it would suddenly be a $5,000 trip. The same applies for Cleveland, Detroit, Atlantic City or any other location that has a casino there/nearby/on the route.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

There is almost nothing that you can do for real performance improvements for $500 here. You may be able to get some placebo, butt dyno improvements with things but there will be no real noticeable increases.

Diagree, camber bolts and alignment or tires can be done for $500 for noticeable improvements to performance.