JFrank

I have an 04 Touring-completely stock. Set aside $2000 for mods but not sure what to get. I know I want exhaust and Intake but besides that I am stuck....... Any suggestions?

mgl

iTrader: (10)

i say forget the intake, as the stock intake is well designed. and any aftermarket intake has minimal gains.
an exhaust is a good addition. if you wanted to save $, you don't have to get a full exhaust, all you really need is a ypipe and change your cats.
another good mod is to get a plenum. there are 2 main ones out there right now, Crawford and Kinetix. there are more on the way. but i have owned both plenums, and i suggest you get the Crawford.
you can also change the pulleys, change the headers (dc is the cheapest, crawford is the best, imo) or work on the suspension (lowering springs, coilovers, sways, etc...)
there is more stuff out there, but i hope this helps for now.

JFrank

will i see the same gains from cats and y-pipe as opposed to a full exhaust? i know doing things such as headers will void my warranty but what is the deal with that- meaning does there have to be a problem caused by the part before the dealership voids the warranty? thanks for the help

Justin

LuksEaZy

Pop charger....140
Y-pipe.....300-500 est
plenum.........est 500
springs.......250-400 est
install on springs 200 est with alignment

if you want get helix test pipe for 200

$1950 at the most

$1590 at the least

then start saving for new tires b/c you will need them after those mods....you will want to hear your new sound of you car and POOF your tires are gone.

There really is soo much out there for you to be able to spend
2 G's. It is soo easy.....so just pick and choose wisly.

Have fun with your new ride

GregGSC

iTrader: (2)

Popcharger 120
safc 300 tuning 120
injen cat back 800
invidia test pipes 250
headers DC or Borla
hotchkis tvs kit springs and sways $315

Should be close to 2k and some good power and handling

49IS300

Buy a set of wheels. WHEELS totally change the personality of the car. Most NA mods give minimal gains. But thats just me.

Think about your future goals. Do you want high HP or are you just looking for something with a little more umph.

If you want huge gains just save up for FI if you end up spending on NA than move on to turbo your overall budget will greatly increase.

If you're not looking for that much power I think everyone else that posted has great info for NA power. Hope this helps.

KShep

iTrader: (4)

Decide on apperance or performance...I assume since you've posted here you're leaning toward performace.

All the suggestions listed above are reasonable...

Wheels and tires were the first thing I changed...and they led to all the rest.

JFrank

I am definately towards performance. I am happy with the stock 18s and they will probably be the last thing that i change. What kind of differences are there between full exhaust and just replacing the y pipe and cats. i definately want a good loud sound but nothing crazy. i like the exotic tone of the Z

Hazade

iTrader: (8)

i'll give you my paypal account and take it from there...

no seriously though, first thing i could do is stop by crawford's website and order the plenum/hi-flo cats combo

Hazade

iTrader: (8)

oh, and with the money left over a light weight flywheel is a good option

JFrank

Is the crawford plenum that much better than the kinetix, because if i remember correctly, don't you have to get a new strut bar with the crawford

KShep

iTrader: (4)

Yes, you do. Better...opinions differ.

Zmeflyby

save it up for a turbo or SC...or get some happy gas

mgl

iTrader: (10)

well the most restrictive parts of the oem exhaust system are the cats, then the ypipe. changing the muffler won't do all that much other than improve looks.

AREITU

Actually, removing the cats gives a noticeable gain in power. Changing the muffler alters the sound of the car.

Skip the intake, unless you can get a hardpipe that replaces the rubber thing from the box to the plenum. If you decide to get suspension, I'd recommend a package-type deal, like GregGSC suggested. That way, everything is co-ordinated.

Tires and rims might be a good idea, but that'd probably cost $2000 or so alone, depending on what rims and tires you get.

If I were you, and this is strictly IF I WERE YOU (but you are not me, so it's alright) I would probably get the Technosquare ECU flash, that one dude's 3.9 final drive (maybe) NISMO diff cooler and if there's anything left, the infamous tilton semi-street clutch-doohickey. I don't actually know how much that stuff all costs but it should be around $2000.

Or save that money for bigger and better things.

Steel Heals

plenum/hi-flow cats/Borla TD/UR pulley + install = about 2K.

JFrank

From what i have read here is what i am thinking about:
1.Popcharger
2.Kinetix plenum high flow cat package
3.DC Sport Headers
4.UR pulley
5. some sort of suspension (springs or hotchkis kit)

JFrank

and Y pipe

KShep

iTrader: (4)

Way off topic...

You should consider going to the Tail of the Dragon Run this weekend...the Columbia group will be heading your way to get there.

azrael

honestly, you should go to a performance driving school and save the rest until you decide (from experience) what areas of the car you feel need improvement.