View Single Post
Old 06-17-2005, 09:17 AM   #20
ITWRX4ME
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 24472
Join Date: Sep 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Marshall, Virginia
Vehicle:
2001 Miata
White

Default

BD, nice thread!

I'd like to add one more point, which goes deeper into the "What do you do with your car?" question.

Try to learn about WHY you should, or shouldn't, use a given aftermarket component on your car. Reading the FAQs helps immensely. There are also great books on driving and suspension setup and you should read them.

What specifically are you trying to accomplish?

For example, I've seen many threads started by folks that want recommendations for aftermarket brake pads when they never exceed the capacity of their OEM pads. Why waste your money paying for upgraded pads when you don't need them? No one can see them. If you got 30k miles on your OEM pads, believe me, you aren't overtaxing them.

Understanding why and when you should upgrade your pads is far more important than what's the best pad. And the learning experience will benefit you more than all the opinions about which pad is 'best'.

Learn about the tradeoffs associated with the component. Harsher ride, more noise, more dust, shorter life, increased maintenance, warranty issues, more oversteer, more understeer, more bumpsteer.

You shouldn't put a stiffer rear anti-sway bar on unless you understand what lift-throttle oversteer is, when it will happen and how to counteract it.

Educate yourself on the 'whys'.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
ITWRX4ME is offline