I just joined a few minutes ago today.

Heres the deal:

I have an 01' Deville DTS thats modified. Im selling it. Why? I want to buy a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo. Im buying a black 95 TTZ in mint condition (once i find it - any hlp is much obliged). Problem: I live in Wisconsin. Why problem? Winter, Z, snow, and a 600+hp RWD car is no good in the snow. So WRX is the answer.

Im 17, a student, and work as a sales consultant at the Caddy dealership.

I test drove a WRX today, for the first time. It was allright. Brakes where nice and tight. Didnt get to test the suspension too much, but i have faith. Engine seemed strong, not so strong on the low end, especially from starts, but hey - can be fixed.

Only problem i found is the fact that i have difficulty getting in and out of the driver seat. You see i had back surgery last week, and i still havent really recovered, and its hard for me to move about. Reaching the clutch is a bitch when your back feels like crap - im sure some of you know exactly what im talking about if youve ever had a ruptured disc or slipping/bulging discs.

Anyhow, im usually over at www.twinturbo.net, which a TTZ forum (obviously). I did use your search to look for some info, but quite havent figured everything out yet. Any help is appreciated ;-)

My main thing is this, is there an UPGRADE CHART, or some kind of progressive stage process, or something, i mean, yes with time i will figure out what mods i need to do, but i am just jumping into this WRX market, and am interested how much i can modify this car. Allright, thank a lot, hope to talk to you all about cars, i would like to check out some of your rides too, any advice on what to look for before buying a WRX too, you know, thanks again,
-Caddy Daddy

<img src="http://members.home.net/akats4/dtsglowfrnt.jpg">

Welcome to the club.
Turboxs has 3 stages of up ugrades for the WRX.
I am sure that with all the ather upgrades that are availible already you could make the WRX into a 500 + hp AWD monster easily.

First upgrade rule for WRX: Don't get neon!
Second upgrade rule for WRX: See first rule.
:lol:
Just kidding! I'm no expert (heck, not even a specialist!) but I would think the first mods to do include:
-change the intake/remove silencer
-exhaust
-lowering springs
-adjustable rear swaybar
-rear tower struts
-a nice set of 17/18" rims with better tires*

That's for starters.

*Third upgrade rule for WRX: Don't get chrome rims!:D

A few commerical sites I know of to look at for WRX upgrades:

www.cobbtuning.com
www.turboxs.com
www.m2performance.com

i am just jumping into this WRX market, and am interested how much i can modify this car.
Your answer to that my friend, is endless modification. The WRX has been out overseas for years so just about everything for the car is already out. There are some small changes to the USDM WRX and things like the FMIC are not out yet, but in less than a month or two, that will change!! You name it, you can do it!! Might I add, you have made a good choice if you get a WRX!!

Mike S.

Given the state of the tune of the American-spec WRX, and the handling/braking issues I've been hearing - my upgrade path options would go this way, in order:

New tyres - better rubber needed! (rims optional)
At least STI 4-pot front brakes
pads/rotors to complement the new calipers
improved/stiffer swaybar endlinks
upgraded swaybars

I don't know the spring ratings in the state models, so it's optional on changing those.

After the suspension is sorted out, and the brakes will stop the car much faster than it can accelerate:

intake filter
exhaust from cat's back
ecu
hotter plugs
turbo timer

other possibles after that -
boost controller
4 or 5 point seatbelt(s)
boost guage

My standard is that you improve the handling and brakes first - then once you've got something that can safely handle more power, go for it!

Paul Hansen

NEON :eek:

I just saw a WRX or an RS (it was at night--so it was dark) with green neon, lighted washer nozzles, something lighting up near the the tires or on them, and a windsheild sticker in white that said "High Roller". It also had chrome rims. I almost puked when I saw it. Why turn something like a rex into a rice-eater? Damn high school jerkoffs.

steve-O

Originally posted by Caddy Daddy


Im 17, a student, and work as a sales consultant at the Caddy dealership.

-Caddy Daddy

<img src="http://members.home.net/akats4/dtsglowfrnt.jpg">


Are you really 17? You drive a caddy (albeit with neon:eek: ), work as a sales consultant at a dealership and had back surgery-arent you really 47?;)

hey Steve-o, glad your back on the i-club!
hope the knee surgery went aiight!
if you need your fix, i can come pick you up and we can go kick some $hit in my Rex :D

Bob

the AMAZING thing about neon is that it is making a comeback! thats unbelievable, i NEVER thought that stuff would come back.:confused:

Hoped and prayed that stuff wouldn't come back.

Do the rally gods demand a sacrifice so they will smite the evil neon tubes? ;)

Originally posted by shirokuma
Given the state of the tune of the American-spec WRX, and the handling/braking issues I've been hearing - my upgrade path options would go this way, in order:

New tyres - better rubber needed! (rims optional)
At least STI 4-pot front brakes
pads/rotors to complement the new calipers
improved/stiffer swaybar endlinks
upgraded swaybars


If you're going to upgrade the brakes to new calipers (STi or Stoptech), you HAVE to go to bigger wheels (17's). The stock 16's will not accept these upgraded units.

Originally posted by gallstone



Are you really 17? You drive a caddy (albeit with neon:eek: ), work as a sales consultant at a dealership and had back surgery-arent you really 47?;)

HAHA! :D

His nickname is a good hint too.

I hope you back gets better. A good friend of mine is still hurting from being rear-ended a year ago, so I've seen how ruff it can be..

The WRX upgrade path isn't as mapped out as the TTZ's or the DSM's, but that is because it is new. In time...

If you do get a WRX, please NO NEON! I'm begging you!

Mad bling, yo!:alien:

Wow, 17 and already have a back surgery to deal with! I got rear-ended by a truck when I was 26, lumbar laminectomy on L5-S1 when I was 27.
I can tell you I sure wasn't driving a week after my surgery! I was either walking on flat terrain or laying on my back playing Gran Turismo:D
Anyway, with some good luck, and work on your part your back pain should improve dramatically over the next 2-4 weeks and gradually improve for many months after that. I was snowboarding 5 months after the surgery, with my doctor's approval of course. Praise God for small miracles...
Getting out of a car seat with high side bolsters will be tricky but is doable. I just do a "trunk rotation" slowly moving my legs and torso simultaneously to the left then stand up keeping my back as straight as possible. I would bet that the Z car would be no easier to get in and out of because it sits so low...
If it hurts to use the clutch, don't drive for a while! Take time to heal. By the time you can use a clutch relatively pain free you should be in great shape to get in and out of a car.

Oh, here's a thought on the choice of cars...sounds like money isn't that much of an issue for you...perhaps you should look into a decent used Subaru to drive on days with crappy weather and keep looking for the Z? I love my car, but I can't imagine it handling or performing anywhere near what the twin turbo can without robbing it of much of the poor "weatherability" you're concerned with.

Ok. The Sti 4-pots (STI VII) are Brembo's. You don't really need these, though if you can afford, go for it!

The regular Subaru 4-pots are most likely what he is talking about above. These are the standard brakes on UK, Australia and the JDM WRX NB(non-STI essentially). Our rotors are supposed to be the same size, so all you would change is the caliper. www.subaruparts.com and various vendors offer the four pots. I've heard there is not a big diffierence between our 2-pots and the 4-pots. Perhaps somelike like the StopTech kit(www.stratmosphere.com) would be better.

Dan

Sounds like at 17 you have your act together, bravo. I can understand getting in and out of the WRX could be an issue with your recent back surgery. My dad had back surgery about 2-3 months ago and still has a hard time getting out of my car when I take him places. But he is comfortable when he is in the car because the seats are nice snug and supportive.