First Few Mods

[speeddemon]

First post on the forum! I don't even have my FRS yet, waiting on my current car to run out of life (so I'm driving it a little harder than I should admittedly) but I am already anxious to start my mod projects. I want to have some fun DIY bolt on stuff and feel a noticable difference in power to feel as if something was accomplished but do not want to spend a forture (ie going FI).

I have read alot on this forum and it seems like for the bang for your buck, I should start with headers; most likely Tomei. For some increased sound and flow I was thinking about just doing the axle back. At the same time as the headers I would go with a OFT stage 2 tune and a drop in filter probably HKS.

How does this plan of action sound to the guys out there who have been there done that?

[Koa]

it sounds exactly how the people reported in the threads you read about.. welcome

[brandonblt2]

Sounds pretty good. I myself am taking a similar route I have the greddy sp elite axle back, and K&N filter. Going to add headers next but don't forget some new tires/rims can be a nice visual upgrade and performance upgrade.

[speeddemon]

How do you like the Greddy? Do you notice a different in output with the axle back and drop in? And what kind of headers do you like? I have read alot about the borla's tomei's and nameless and I feel like the tomei might be the forum favorite.

[RobertPaulson]

i would never recommend an off the shelf tune for anyone.

[speeddemon]

I thought the OFT stage 2 was a pretty solid way to go esp for those that have no prior tuning experience? Why is this a bad route?

[2much]

Originally Posted by speeddemon

I thought the OFT stage 2 was a pretty solid way to go esp for those that have no prior tuning experience? Why is this a bad route?

works wonderfully for me.

[brandonblt2]

The greddy sp elite sounds perfect its adds some more bass to the sound note especially you go wot its a nice deep growl, with zero drone. The K&N filter increased the throttle response so my car definitely feels faster than stock even with my snow tires on. For headers I'm looking at FT86 catted uel headers just so I don't have to deal cel codes from going catless.

[Jman1759]

Honestly I have done what you are listing and its just not worth it. You are going to spend 50-75% of the cost for a used supercharger kit and get 20% of the power. Save your money up and buy a used supercharger kit. You can get them on here with everything you need for less than $4k pretty regularly.

[steve99]

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

i would never recommend an off the shelf tune for anyone.

Why ??

For NA guys with basic mods they represent good value. You get probably 90% plus of possible gains for far less cost and hassle, especially for people not located near a reputable tune shop.

Even for FI , Ecutek/OFT ect guys are offering OTS tunes for FI kits

[speeddemon]

Originally Posted by brandonblt2

The greddy sp elite sounds perfect its adds some more bass to the sound note especially you go wot its a nice deep growl, with zero drone. The K&N filter increased the throttle response so my car definitely feels faster than stock even with my snow tires on. For headers I'm looking at FT86 catted uel headers just so I don't have to deal cel codes from going catless.

This is a really good point. Amateur question here..there is a cat in the headers and downpipe on the stock exhaust? If that's the case if you go to catless headers then it will throw a code is that right? If you do have catless headers will you still be alright with emissions testing? I know you are NJ and I'm PA so i'm not sure the differences in the law specifics.

[skye67]

Remember kids, altering the factory header and/or the catalytic converter is illegal under federal law.

[speeddemon]

So is going 1mph over the limit.

[brandonblt2]

Originally Posted by speeddemon

This is a really good point. Amateur question here..there is a cat in the headers and downpipe on the stock exhaust? If that's the case if you go to catless headers then it will throw a code is that right? If you do have catless headers will you still be alright with emissions testing? I know you are NJ and I'm PA so i'm not sure the differences in the law specifics.

Yea we have to 2 cats without the cat in the header people usually get cel codes. And I dont know if you would pass emissions for PA you guys emissions testing is way more extensive than NJ's. We don't pay for ours and it literally takes 5 minutes of seeing if your exhaust gases meet regulations.