In what order should i start Modifying my RA?

Can anyone give me the order they have gone so far?! There are so many things
I want to do, what is the best way?

 

Don't really know if there's a "best way"
I've gone through RRM for all my bolt-ons & got:
Axleback Exhaust
Short Ram Intake
Downpipe

In that order & next will be getting the piggyback...

It's up to you money sometimes can play a big part in it...
I think most people will tell you first: CHANGE THE TIRES...
They are very crappy... so...

Enjoy!

 

for performance, you address the intake, exhaust and then ecu.

For handling you do tires and then RRM rear sway bar.

For looks, usually eyelids are popular.

 

my first will be new tires and intake...after i graduate in december ill start saving for a turbo

 

performance order usually depends on what you want your car to be later. ie. turbo or n/a or rally/autox blah blah.

 

If going N/A I would go tires, intake, shifter linkage & base bushings, Clutchline. Then depending on what you want and if you want your warrenty, suspension and flywheel (if keeping the warrenty) or ECU piggyback (if you don't want your warrenty) and exhaust. Exhaust is already free flowing so its more for sound then performance. At least untill you get a piggyback.

For turbo I would get tires, likage and base bushings, RRM turbo kit, suspension. Or just save up for an evo. 20 grand for a ralliart pluss 5 grand for mods or 30 grand for an evo (25 for a used evo) on a nice monthly payment plan.

 

It depends. I'm kinda doing all my HP-related stuff first, THEN doing suspension (except for my springs, which should be going on today). I like the feel of the extra power first. Handling is second.

So if you want power first, you need to get the car breathing better and optimize how it burns fuel. How you do that is up to you, and there are tons of threads already covering those topics. The simple way to play around would be to get a CAI and see how you like it.

"Or just save up for an evo."
That's why I'm going NA. Unless you want a sleeper for fun, the best bang for the buck is still the EVO.

 

If i were you id play with the suspension first, you arent gonna feel crap from an intake thatyou spend over 200 bucks on, when you can get the progress sway bar and IMMEDIATELY feel the difference. Get some tein basic coilovers,, lower tie bar, some good tires and rear upper strut bar and you have yourself not only a fun vehicle to drive but a MUCH better handling vehicle.

 

BLK, it also depends on where you live. I live in Phoenix. All the roads run North-South, and East-West. Long, wide, flat, and straight. There are some twistys outside of town, but for the most part it's just straight. So, the only time I get to appreciate the suspension is when I'm turning 90 degrees at an intersection. Flat out speed, however, is something I get to enjoy every day. EVERYONE speeds in Phoenix, first of all, so going 50 in a 35 is common. In a 45, you can get away with 60. The freeways are like the autobahn.... for me anyway.

That being said, I will be upgrading my suspension. But I don't think it would have been as fun if I had done that first.

If I lived in a smaller town, or a hilly area it would be different.

 

I went for handling and shifting first. Upper/lower rear tie bars, RRM rear sway bar and perches, clutch line and base/cable shifter bushings. Tires are about due to be replaced.

Haven't messed with the engine yet.

 

That is very true, however for basic mods and best bang for your buck the suspension is the best way to go, at least to me it is. Lets say for instance you had a catback, cai and header. These prices are roughly estimates but lets say header=400 cai=250 catback=500. again these are just estimates. You just blew 1150 on parts that have maybe added 10 horses, and you certainly wont feel the extra power. Now if we had cams, pistons, rods etc available then those mods would be beneficial as they would be needed to get rid of the extra air caused by the cams (those mods as in the header and catback). Now lets look at the suspension setup, your lookin at roughly 200 for the sway bar and perches, 75 for the lower tie bar, 135 for the rear strut bar and 180 for progress springs. (I will not add in the teins as not many people can afford these). Thats 4 mods done right there and not only will the springs make the car look better but also make a noticeable difference in handling, and not to mention you spent 590 compared to 1150!. And combined with those 3 other mods, you have one helluva fun car to drive! Ok that was realy long so I will shut up now, i am not against anybody here, people will have different opinions about different things, but that all is just my personal opinion.

 

I also forgot to mention TIRES. Stick with your stock wheels but get some better rubber, and whatever you do, dont get NANKANGS

 

Im going with AEM intake, RRM downpipe, Custom Clutchline, HArdenened engine mounts, suspension, Piggyback(if I dont go Microtech), Tires I dont care much cuz I got sets flying around including drag radials, But after the basics I will get the head ported and polished, a valve job, Bore the throttle body....oh and THEN get tints

 

I've spent so much money on my car in the last 2 weeks it's sick. So I'll add this: don't forget the cost of installation on some items if you are not an experienced mechanic! For example, my Progress springs were about $175 + shipping a 25lb package 2 states away. I don't even know the exact cost, I haven't checked. Then plan on dropping another $140 to get them put on, and another $80 to get your wheels aligned after. All of the sudden those $175 springs are about $420 - $450.

 

Find a how-to on installing springs (there's one on these forums somewhere) have a buddy help you, then you only have to pay for the alignment, plus you'll learn something new Springs can be changed out pretty easily, just make sure you don't hurt yourself getting the old ones off.