New BRZ owner, 700 left for mods

[bababooey]

id agree with the above. only performance mods on mine include the perrin inlet tube to remove the cabin sound tube, perrin drop in, and the OFT. best increase in performance per dollar spent. while the first two upgrades were minimal in feel, the OTS tune already loaded on the device was a noticeable difference over stock with improved drive-ability around town. i dont have dyno sheets nor quarter mile times to prove but i am satisfied with my investment.

other mods on my car are cosmetic. shorty antenna, clear sides, leds lights inside & out, perrin muffler caps and a rear diffusor. for 250 bux the final two help fill out the rear end.

ive got my eye on valenti's tails but im in no rush as ive funneled about 500 per month into upgrades since owning the vehicle.

[MikeM7]

Originally Posted by Jonsey

The system is a bit pricey, but it literally transforms the driving experience with the car.

Great.. after a day in the car with the disappointing stock speakers, all I can think about is how I can re-budget to squeeze this 1500 dollar system in. I'm starting to think I should have gone with a premium or an FRS.. I didn't expect the mod bug to bite.

I'm going to have to do some serious thinking. I do not like the stock audio experience at all. As others have stated, the more I drive the car, the more I'll notice what my personal preference tells me it needs. For the past couple days, it's been screaming at me SPEAKERS.

The interior was screaming at me before I even bought the car though, so the black trim pieces are a must. Maybe I'll just get the black trim, and the intake/filter/delete, and put away the rest towards a sound system.

Then later, wheel spacers and clear sidemarkers, and eventually tires.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

After browsing some of the threads here and seeing the obscene amount of money some people dump into their cars, I'm kind of shocked that "save it for car payments" is such a common response.

Because "$700 left for mods" sounds like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel...

What is your monthly disposable income situation like, after you've accounted for car payments, insurance, gas, and other regular maintenance items for the car? If you are barely breaking even, then save it for car payments.

I don't know about you, but my car mod budget is month to month, and every month I don't spend anything means it carries over to the next... or I just use it on something else, or save the money, or invest it. My budget is large or small depending on how long/short I wish to save up for.

-alex

[kberkel]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

I'm going to have to do some serious thinking. I do not like the stock audio experience at all. As others have stated, the more I drive the car, the more I'll notice what my personal preference tells me it needs. For the past couple days, it's been screaming at me SPEAKERS.

I installed a 10" with a LOC to tap into the signal, and personally I'm not impressed. I think the HU does weird things to change the output signal as volume is turned up. I'll probably upgrade the HU next year.

Ever notice how the door speakers cut low range when they're about to distort?

[MikeM7]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Because "$700 left for mods" sounds like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel...

What is your monthly disposable income situation like, after you've accounted for car payments, insurance, gas, and other regular maintenance items for the car? If you are barely breaking even, then save it for car payments.

I don't know about you, but my car mod budget is month to month, and every month I don't spend anything means it carries over to the next... or I just use it on something else, or save the money, or invest it. My budget is large or small depending on how long/short I wish to save up for.

-alex

I had no lien on my jeep, I sold it for 17k, I put $14,104.47 down on a $22,000 dollar car, and am financing $7,500 at 3.48% apr. For a 48 month loan I'm paying $165 and $88 for insurance, and kept $2,895 cash from the deal to pay tax and title, credit cards, and mods. I don't think I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel at all.

After mortgage, utilities, hoa, car, insurance, gas, and groceries, I have $625 a month disposable. I'm currently in a contract to hire position that is up in 2 months and I already know I'm getting the job, and my wife is waiting on her work documents. Our income is going to increase significantly over the next months. I'm really not stretching myself terribly thin as it is.

[jaorocks1]

Street car- crawford Billet Power blocks, drop in filter, front and rear lip

Track car: New Tires and Open Flash Tablet

[MikeM7]

Originally Posted by Tenament05

What I'm saying is that it really is a $900-1000 MAX system (a majority of that being the 'molded' box). To have the box paint matched is an incredible $+200 addition. 33-45% markup for the convenience of not spending 20-30 minutes researching subs and speakers and calling up your local sub shop to have a fiberglass box made (or just buy one of the custom boxes from a vendor on here for ~400-600) for a system that would blow the doors off this OEM+.. some think it's worth it due to warrantyable and plug and play/OEM looking out the box. Others love the DIY. I can see merits to both.. until you look at the specs

the sub amp is 120W @ 2ohms and 14L of air in the box driving an 8 inch DVC sub. I'm sorry but that is pathetic. That's a $50 amp at best. The door amp is decent. The factory harnesses are cool, but worth less than $50.

P.S. Look at Integrity Concepts' fiberglass box. Blows this one out of the water and at a pricetag that makes the OEM+ one laughable. There's not many packages I flame on but the OEM+ people are really gouging the hell out of us just because Scion endorses/warranties it.

Integrity Concepts-
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31813

These do look nice.. and are on sale
http://www.integrityconcepts.net/subaru.html

Do you have a sub, amp, and headunit you'd recommend? Do you think a 8" would suffice or would you go with 10"?

[Stealthy]

The first things I did were OFT then transmission fluids to Motul.

I have not once had buyers remorse from spending 500 on the stage 1 tune. I'm on stage 2 now and I don't know if I can go back to the stock tune.

Now I'm looking into suspension parts (lowering springs, camber bolts, spacers) as well as driveline parts like mtec springs.

Honestly 700 is a lot to play with and whichever route you go whether it's aesthetics, power, suspension I'm sure you'll love the result. That's the beauty of this car

[Tenament05]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

These do look nice.. and are on sale
http://www.integrityconcepts.net/subaru.html

Do you have a sub, amp, and headunit you'd recommend? Do you think a 8" would suffice or would you go with 10"?

I always recommend JL subs. Amp is your choice- I have a JL 12 inch W6v2 subwoofer powered by a JL 500/1 amp personally. It's beautiful and LOUD. I wouldn't hesitate to put something with half the wattage, though- such as a JL 10W6V3.

Head Units- pioneer all the way. I forgot what DIN units fit best, so do some searching through google.. here's a good one to get you started

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37534

[MikeM7]

Think I'm leaning towards black interior trim, intake/filter/delete, and OFT. Sounds like the most bang for the buck right now.

Then start saving/researching for a good sound system down the road.

[Tenament05]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

Think I'm leaning towards black interior trim, intake/filter/delete, and OFT. Sounds like the most bang for the buck right now.

Then start saving/researching for a good sound system down the road.

Don't forget to adjust your clutch pedal/remove return spring if you're not happy with the mushy, vague feel and weird clutch biting point of your pedal.

Those mods are free.

[kevman_101]

Why put heavy speakers to make noise, when you can install a lighter and great sounding exhaust . I never have my radio on anymore .

[MikeM7]

Originally Posted by Tenament05

Don't forget to adjust your clutch pedal/remove return spring if you're not happy with the mushy, vague feel and weird clutch biting point of your pedal.

Those mods are free.

Oh geez... how in the hell do I do that? Never mind, I'll youtube it. I was just getting used to it too.

[Tenament05]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8040

google is your friend mate, just type in what you want followed by the following code- site:ft86club.com

Originally Posted by kevman_101

Why put heavy speakers to make noise, when you can install a lighter and great sounding exhaust . I never have my radio on anymore .

Speakers don't necessarily have to be heavy to be of good quality. Some people dd their cars/sit in traffic for hours/enjoy listening to music as well as their vehicle