Mods to avoid

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Speed2th

parts that you cannot afford and need to finance for it. -> worse financial decision ever

To build on that.
Knockoff offshore parts that seem like the ones you can't afford but really aren't. Hold off for quality instead of jumping on junk just so you can do it sooner.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

To build on that.
Knockoff offshore parts that seem like the ones you can't afford but really aren't. Hold off for quality instead of jumping on junk just so you can do it sooner.

But, But, the widebody kit sitting on the floor of some Chinese warehouse looks totally legit! They claim "perfect fit" right in the add! And only $400 shipped!

What could go wrong!

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

But, But, the widebody kit sitting on the floor of some Chinese warehouse looks totally legit! They claim "perfect fit" right in the add! And only $400 shipped!

What could go wrong!

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Yep that Racket Bummy kit is a bargain. I have had great luck with the Crust toothpaste from the dollar store as well.

[DAEMANO]

- Avoid cheap bolt-on spacers. The lug nuts on them can be soft and round out easily. Also, on cheap spacers, the studs can be pressed in not securely enough. If you're going to get bolt-on spacers, make sure to get ones from a reputable mfg or vendor.

- Avoid plasti-dip if you're going to do a shit-job. Use it if you're going to learn, prep, and apply properly. Also avoid it if you have poor taste cause it can look cheap if not part of a cohesive design.

- Avoid external wet carbon fiber parts if you're not going to wax them monthly (for U.V. protection). It needs care to keep from oxidizing.

- Avoid cheap coil-overs (less than $600), they'll fuck up both your ride and handling and will probably wear or break prematurely.

- Avoid rod-ends in suspension parts if you don't plan on servicing them as wear items.

- Avoid the TRD quickshifter kit if you're not ok with using loctite to secure it.

- Avoid hood vents that unintentionally reinforce collision crumple points under the hood. You might regret this (dearly) in a collision.

- Avoid titanium exhaust piping unless you don't mind rasp and noise. They're light, expensive and beautiful, but man are they loud.

- Avoid lowering your car more than 1.6" - 2" in the rear without considering axle/diff geometry. Easiest way to have axle issues (even with aftermarket axles) is to run low without correcting this issue (diff risers work.)

- Avoid custom intakes on N/A cars as they generally don't add any power that a drop-in filter won't also add. Many mfgs that produce intakes compare the stock intake vs. their custom intake + a tune. "Secret" is, most of the 0-10 WHP power gains are coming from the tune not the intake. A Drop-in filter + tune nets roughly the same gains over the stock CAI give or take a 1-3 WHP "margin of error" as an aftermarket intake + tune.

- Avoid the 1st gen Innovate S/C kit (according to some. Personally, idk)

- Anything from vendors that rip on other vendors or try to outsmart customers by spreading FUD about competitors. It's painful to watch them do this. Pet peeve to no end.

- Avoid vendors that don't have a communication process that they stick to. This is tough to find in this industry, but there are vendors that do communicate well and regularly on things like drop-ship, back-orders, and order status.

- OFT is fine if you're not really going aggressive F.I. If you want ECUTek later, OFT's resale reliably for $400.

[pgranberg11]

bc coilovers......

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Yep that Racket Bummy kit is a bargain. I have had great luck with the Crust toothpaste from the dollar store as well.

"Leaves your mouth with that crusty feeling" Mmmmm!

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by kch

4) LED fogs. They look good, but piss people off and I never use them anymore.

Did you just get replacement LED bulbs or the proper housings with proper optics?

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Norville Rogers

Mods to avoid.

All of them. It's a car. Most aftermarket stuff is excrement compared to the dull but tried and functional OEM.

You asked

You like the dull but tried and functional OEM Prius tires? Or the terrible OEM base pioneer stereo? How about the OEM speakers? And the OEM hood "wire" to keep it open?

Cause I love my upgrades: MPSS tires, New stereo, Speakers, and hood struts.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Norville Rogers

You de man. I can't help staring at you.

Is this answer to just increase your post count?

Was expecting some sort of backup argument for your statement: "all of them".

But OK, uh, Thanks! You da man too!

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by Norville Rogers

Tell me about your tyres...

Why don't you answer his question first?

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by kch

There are a few mods I've regretted:

1) Pulleys. I don't wanna get into it.

2) Ebay lip. Fit like crap. Waste of money.

3) OFT. Nothing really wrong with it, but I should've just accepted the fact that I'd want ECUtek eventually.

4) LED fogs. They look good, but piss people off and I never use them anymore.

1) Yep, terrible investment (and potentially damaging).

2) There's a lot of cheap lips available on the forums that fit great. Just buy from someone reputable.

3) Can be resold for nearly as much as you bought it for. Totally worth it for that alone.

4) Depends. Factory fogs aren't even visible on the BRZ, so an LED assembly gives you functional fogs. Dunno what you have though...

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

- Avoid external wet carbon fiber parts if you're not going to wax them monthly (for U.V. protection). It needs care to keep from oxidizing.

Depends on the quality. If they used a proper UV stabilized gel coat it should be fine. Most don't though, so getting it properly cleared would alleviate that issue.

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

- Avoid cheap coil-overs (less than $600), they'll fuck up both your ride and handling and will probably wear or break prematurely.

Hell, I'd bump that up to $1600. Factory stuff was heavily tuned from the factory and anything less is only going to hurt handling...

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

- Avoid rod-ends in suspension parts if you don't plan on servicing them as wear items.

YES. The only exception would be ones with dust boots, but those are rare. If you're not inspecting these, you're risking your safety.

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

- Avoid hood vents that unintentionally reinforce collision crumple points under the hood. You might regret this (dearly) in a collision.

Likely wouldn't matter because of the way the hood works. You're more likely to have issues with CF hoods...

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

- Avoid custom intakes on N/A cars as they generally don't add any power that a drop-in filter won't also add. Many mfgs that produce intakes compare the stock intake vs. their custom intake + a tune. "Secret" is, most of the 0-10 WHP power gains are coming from the tune not the intake. A Drop-in filter + tune nets roughly the same gains over the stock CAI give or take a 1-3 WHP "margin of error" as an aftermarket intake + tune.

Some actually LOST power from what I remember. Long gone are the days of the K&N intake that adds tons of power, the OEM's actually put time into making good intakes because the engine will be more efficient.

Originally Posted by Norville Rogers

Mods to avoid.

All of them. It's a car. Most aftermarket stuff is excrement compared to the dull but tried and functional OEM.

You asked.

Ok, who let the troll out?


Anyway, my additions:

- One piece driveshaft.

- LED's in the door lights as it could blow the body control module (exception would be the version that replaces the entire assembly).

- Metal shift knobs (unless you live somewhere that never gets hot...).

- Most CF hoods. Unless you need some kind of ventilation, the factory hood is lighter.

- Nitrogen in your tires.

[Leonardo]

Speaking of tires....

I installed mismatched tires front and rear. Michelin front and Nitto rears. The TCS and VSC would activate around every corner. Took the Nittos off the next day, installed Michelin tires, fixed the problem.

So, I would avoid having grossly mismatched UTQG's. I now have had 30 tires on my car.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Poodles

- Metal shift knobs (unless you live somewhere that never gets hot...

Or cold. (if you ever got your moist hand stuck on a steel shift knob you know what I mean)

Originally Posted by Leonardo

Speaking of tires....

I now have had 30 tires on my car.

That is an odd number!

[radroach]

I'll add headers from overseas that won't have good support. There's people who've had their aftermarket headers crack, but they had support / rep in their country so we're able to get warranty / replacement.

On the lightweight crank pully, it's always interesting opening a thread for someone who spun a bearing and the lightweight pully is the first thing mentioned.