OK...I have my 2000 RS and have achieved the magical 1000 miles. So...it is time for a cool new improvement. I happen to have won $1500 from Marlboro Cigs (LONG STORY!) so I want to do something cool.

So far...I have made a home intake system...not too shabby I must admit!

Any suggestions for a first REAL mod? I don't plan on spending ALL of my $1500...

D. Neil Crawford

Congrats on the money! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif

As for the mod, it seems to be the general consensus to go with a rear sway bar. You can buy one through Dale Teague (Teague's Auto), Mike Shields (SPD Tuning), ISR Performance, Cobb's Tuning, JC Sports, and any number of other shops. Almost all of them are well thought of.

After that, everyone says to buy tires and then go with a UD pulley, exhaust system, brake pads, shiny rims, and so on. It's all your call.

Personally, if I had $1500, I'd go for the sway bar, UD pulley, and catback and still have about $500-600 in change. Of course many people reccomend Kartboy's short shifter but I have an auto so it doesn't apply to me. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/redface.gif

Have fun!

My first and second mods were my Kartboy shifter and Cusco shifter bushings. Talk about a difference. You can feel where you're shifting now instead of having half an idea. I suggest you go with Kartboy shifter bushings, though, because they are much cheaper and from what I understand, feel the same. You can get them from Teague's Auto.

If you are serious about handling, and don't mind playing with your car occasionally (to adjust if you feel the need) a Whiteline Adjustable rear sway bar is a must. If you just want to make the understeer go away, get a cheaper 18mm bar and a set of tires.

Yes, everyone always says it so I'll chime in, get new tires. Unless you are me, you get wayyyy too much understeer with the stock tires. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

WOO HOO! I just noticed I am a Scooby Specialist now...alright!

Yeah...I was planning on the sway bar for sure. And maybe one more toy for the car...pulley does sound like a good idea. Nothing like a bit more power. Thanks for the advice. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

I do want to save as much $$$ as possible, yet still have fun and see an improvement. Oh, choices! But one I am happy to make.

But how much would tires run me?

D. Neil Crawford

[This message has been edited by dcrawford (edited May 04, 2000).]

1) Sway Bar
2) Tires
3) Suspension
4) Other Crap

Sway Bar and Tires are a MUST!!!

Randy

I've paid about 680 for my Toyo's T1-S'es (including mounting/balance) and absolutely love them. Best upgrade I've done to my car so far.

BrianR

[This message has been edited by BrianR (edited May 05, 2000).]

My 1st suggestion is tune the nut behind the wheel. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/wink.gif

Take a course at a High Performace Driving School, if you can.

If I had a lump sum of cash, I'd do that 1st. Then buy mods as things warrant.

But hey, that's me.

After intake, I would do:
1. Swaybar (approx $150-180, whiteline adjustable, mine from Rallispec).
2. Shifter bushings (approx $40-50, also from Rallispec in my case, but others have)
3. Exhaust (catback - you can do it cheap and effective with a Borla universal, approx $70 at carparts.com, and get your local muffler shop to fabricate a pipe, 2.25")
4. Underdrive pulley
5. I haven't done tires, although as you can read they can make a huge difference.

Or, you could save your money towards a turbo! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/wink.gif

The tires are the most important part of handling and power if your tires suck you will never go as fast or handle as well as you possibly can I say TIRES #1 then go with a swaybar and short shifter.
Have fun
Chris
ATX

Yow...talk about advice! I am gonna have to make a little scale here...compare all of the responses and see which ones come up more often.

Seriously, I think sway bar is key...gotta go with the crowd on that on. Second...tires. Both at the same time!

Now I am torn between pulley or exhaust.

I do like the "nut behind the wheel" idea. I am selling my MG...perhaps the money from that? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

Thanks for the advice, seriously. I can't wait to do it ALL!

D. Neil Crawford

i say sway bar as a first thing isn't all that great sense the bottle neck more or less is still on those crappy OEM tires..

get

1.) kartboy shifter and bushings
2.) engine and tranny mounts
the rest go in whatever order u want