New here and know nothing!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Boom

Ravens are also 2hp faster than all the other colors

......actually, they are slower.

Why? Because, all the dirt they collect, is heavy and it slows them down ....

humfrz

[daftpunk]

Congrats on your new car and taking a dive into the tuning scene!

The car hobby is very rewarding and there's nothing like sitting back and appreciating your build as it comes along. The best way to learn is to jump right into it and get your hands dirty. Determine goals for your car, based on what you want it to be able to do. Research a lot and try to do as much of the work as you feel confident doing. Be thorough and persistant, and always do the adequate research before doing or buying anything.

It's gonna be frustrating at times. When you tinker with cars, things always seem to go wrong even with the simplest tasks (i.e. Replacing my mudflap...turns out a bracket was bent and ruined the thread on the screw, ended up spending an hour trying to fix it) but don't be discouraged!

Don't do everything all at once.. take your time to thoroughly enjoy each mod that you do. It's much more satisfying that way. All in all, it's gonna be a fun ride =)

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by fazm

Also! I'd definitely suggest just driving for about 1500 miles or so. My car keeps getting faster as the motor continues to break in. I've got 1800 miles or so now and it's a very different car than the one I brought home with 33 miles.

From what I've read, our motor should finally produce peak power at around 6k miles, so it's a while before it's all the way opened up. Just something to keep in mind.

Did you get a manual, or automatic?

Oh really? My car had 6 miles when I brought it home. It now has 556, I haven't even gotten to the point where I can play with it. I've gunned it briefly a handful of times, just to show my friends/family the cars capability but I drive the car below speed limit everywhere and I am shifting well under 3k rpm and just easy cruising everywhere I go....honestly, I'm driving like a paranoid grandpa. I take speed bumps at like 1mph lol.

I will only ever drive manual, so I got the 6MT, I would've been depressed if this car only had an automatic.

[Chee-Hu]

Welcome and enjoy the car! My suggestion before modding would be to enjoy the car stock and learn how to drive it to its potential.

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by daftpunk

Congrats on your new car and taking a dive into the tuning scene!

The car hobby is very rewarding and there's nothing like sitting back and appreciating your build as it comes along. The best way to learn is to jump right into it and get your hands dirty. Determine goals for your car, based on what you want it to be able to do. Research a lot and try to do as much of the work as you feel confident doing. Be thorough and persistant, and always do the adequate research before doing or buying anything.

It's gonna be frustrating at times. When you tinker with cars, things always seem to go wrong even with the simplest tasks (i.e. Replacing my mudflap...turns out a bracket was bent and ruined the thread on the screw, ended up spending an hour trying to fix it) but don't be discouraged!

Don't do everything all at once.. take your time to thoroughly enjoy each mod that you do. It's much more satisfying that way. All in all, it's gonna be a fun ride =)

See I'm scared of doing things myself as I've never touched anything other than changing a tire. I KNOW a little about cars, but I've always been nervous to touch anything. I have this weird brain tick where I just don't want to move anything from where it was because then I will always be conscious if I put it back correctly, if it's tightened enough, etc.

I also don't trust a lot of mechanics down here either, I don't even know where any performance tuning centers in Miami are located. I've looked but they all seem to work on Euro's like Mercedes, BMW, etc.

It is frustrating, I just want to take my car to HKS in Japan then get it back a month later lol. Can I just do that?!

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by humfrz

......actually, they are slower.

Why? Because, all the dirt they collect, is heavy and it slows them down ....

humfrz

[fazm]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

Oh really? My car had 6 miles when I brought it home. It now has 556, I haven't even gotten to the point where I can play with it. I've gunned it briefly a handful of times, just to show my friends/family the cars capability but I drive the car below speed limit everywhere and I am shifting well under 3k rpm and just easy cruising everywhere I go....honestly, I'm driving like a paranoid grandpa. I take speed bumps at like 1mph lol.

I will only ever drive manual, so I got the 6MT, I would've been depressed if this car only had an automatic.

I didn't exactly rag on it, but I pretty much brought it home and drove it like I plan to drive it: pretty hard.

I definitely put it under load a few times in the first couple drives to seat the piston rings.

Trust me, by the time you get to 1200-1400 miles, it will feel like more car than you bought. That's partly comfort level with the car, but the other piece is the motor opening up.

[Chee-Hu]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

See I'm scared of doing things myself as I've never touched anything other than changing a tire. I KNOW a little about cars, but I've always been nervous to touch anything. I have this weird brain tick where I just don't want to move anything from where it was because then I will always be conscious if I put it back correctly, if it's tightened enough, etc.

I also don't trust a lot of mechanics down here either, I don't even know where any performance tuning centers in Miami are located. I've looked but they all seem to work on Euro's like Mercedes, BMW, etc.

It is frustrating, I just want to take my car to HKS in Japan then get it back a month later lol. Can I just do that?!

Don't be scared. It is one of the most satisfying feeling after installing something on your car. All the frustration, cursing, throwing tools against the wall/ground during the install are quickly forgotten once it's done.

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by fazm

I didn't exactly rag on it, but I pretty much brought it home and drove it like I plan to drive it: pretty hard.

I definitely put it under load a few times in the first couple drives to seat the piston rings.

Trust me, by the time you get to 1200-1400 miles, it will feel like more car than you bought. That's partly comfort level with the car, but the other piece is the motor opening up.

I'm really excited now! lol We have this small strip of road with some mildly banked winding turns right next to a canal (with a very large and strong guard-rail lol) and I've run down that a few times whilst giving it about 95% throttle (I'm kind of conservative) and man the car handles really well, it hugs the shit out of the banked turn too. I actually feel the car SINK into the turn which inspires a lot of confidence and provokes me to give it more gas into the turn.

I'm also new to RWD vehicles, so I need to learn how to handle it a bit...we don't have a lot of options down here for tracks and such, or at least none that I know of.

I want to get some good performance driving lessons under my belt. I'll be 30 next year, sounds like a good gift for me. lol

[daftpunk]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

See I'm scared of doing things myself as I've never touched anything other than changing a tire. I KNOW a little about cars, but I've always been nervous to touch anything. I have this weird brain tick where I just don't want to move anything from where it was because then I will always be conscious if I put it back correctly, if it's tightened enough, etc.

I also don't trust a lot of mechanics down here either, I don't even know where any performance tuning centers in Miami are located. I've looked but they all seem to work on Euro's like Mercedes, BMW, etc.

It is frustrating, I just want to take my car to HKS in Japan then get it back a month later lol. Can I just do that?!

That's why there's torque specs! Get some tupperware to organize nuts and bolts as you take them off to remember where they go. Take progress pics with a digicam if you need to backtrack. Pro mechanics aren't superhuman or anything. They just have experience. Go out to local meets/cruises and make some friends in the scene! Us enthusiast guys are usually more than excited to talk about cars and share our knowledge. With some determination, you'll be a pro in no time.

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by Chee-Hu

Don't be scared. It is one of the most satisfying feeling after installing something on your car. All the frustration, cursing, throwing tools against the wall/ground during the install are quickly forgotten once it's done.

Ok, so assuming I'm not buying any actual engine mods now. What are some things I can do in terms of chassis stiffening, and such? I've seen the sway, strut, and tower options and I've heavily considered some, also they are relatively inexpensive and since I'm now making car payments, I can't be throwing too much money into the car all at once.

Any one have any experience with the HPS Silicone Tubing mixed with a drop in filter like the Perrin Filter?

Also, what are other things I can do.......better performance oil? Gasoline? There is a station here that sells 95 octane. It's unleaded and meant for auto's so I was considering even trying that too.

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by daftpunk

That's why there's torque specs! Get some tupperware to organize nuts and bolts as you take them off to remember where they go. Take progress pics with a digicam if you need to backtrack. Pro mechanics aren't superhuman or anything. They just have experience. Go out to local meets/cruises and make some friends in the scene! Us enthusiast guys are usually more than excited to talk about cars and share our knowledge. With some determination, you'll be a pro in no time.

I see you've owned some of my favorite cars too. Miami is a different animal at times, some of the "enthusiasts" here are elite assholes. When I had my 1.8T I was in a VW club, many of the members were pretentious bastards that would mock you for not knowing anything. I DON'T know anything and I'm not ashamed to admit it, but I want to learn and I would like someone to just be like "hey man, let me help you..." lol

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

See I'm scared of doing things myself as I've never touched anything other than changing a tire. I KNOW a little about cars, but I've always been nervous to touch anything. .......I also don't trust a lot of mechanics down here either, I don't even know where any performance tuning centers in Miami are located.

I suggest you jump on your local sub-forum for some leads on good shops.

Also, a local FR-S/BRZ club may be helpful....

humfrz

[mfbmike]

My theory on getting a brand new car on modding:

Drive the damn car. Drive it hard. Then you will begin to realize where YOU want to make improvements. Intakes and such are going to, in my opinion, for the most part, leave you disappointed.

The single biggest improvement anyone can make to their cars is tires. Get some sticky rubber and you'll far improve your car's performance more than an intake.

I'm in Miami. Previously owned a VW R32.