I just got a RA Sportback. I don't know if I can get anything for it for a while but if I can it will only be one thing. I want the best bang for the buck like everyone else.

My priorities are low-mid range pull from a stop as well as freeway merge, not all out top end. I'd also like to increase fuel mpg if possible but in no case reduce it.

The exhaust seems to have a nice tone to it already and seems to be relatively unrestricted however that's just from observation while driving. It does have a good sound to it as is.

Which mod would you do first and why? If you'd do something different please say what and why. Thanks for the opinions.

 

definitely the cold-air. The exhaust, as you have already discovered, is free-flowing. To be more specific, it's 2 1/8" (inner diameter) from the cat-back. So it's a good start.

The intake, however, is the exact same design that all other Lancers get. That is the point of restriction, and that's where you should focus your efforts at.

just don't floor it once you get the CAI on to get "that sound", or else your mpg is going to fall through the floor!

 

I say get the CAI and High Flow Cat. Best of both.

 

I'm thinking about getting a header once that's available. If/when I do that I'd look into a 2.25 mandrel bent or 2.5 crush bent exhaust with maybe a magnaflow muffler.

I had the magnaflow on a Saturn I owned and it sounded really good, deep and a step above stock but not too loud and definitely not a million wasps sealed in a tin can like the Civic crowd. At that time I'd look into the high flow cat as well.

 

I personally felt more performance out of the exhaust, but would rather have the intake first all day. the volume of my cars exhaust is a little bit of a deterrant. Maybe that opinion would change if I had a resonator though.

 

Turns out the CAI won't work on the automatic so I'm stuck for a while on that one. There's supposed to be a SRI coming but no ETA on it.

After more thought I don't believe I want an exhaust until after the intake. I believe the current exhaust flows plenty well enough and opening it up would actually be detrimental without better intake to support it.

For the next few months it won't matter anyway since there's no spare toy money to use on it. Maybe I'll do a CD changer as my first mod and have that much more time to cogitate on performance mods.

 

Make a ghetto SRI? I havnt gotten my RA yet, but if the intake is almost the same as the old ES/LS/OZ, then could you rig your own with little hassle? Its always fun to be the first ;]

 

Or better yet, just get this one:

http://www.ultimate-racing.com/Produ...ntake-US.shtml
For about $200, maybe its not 'better yet' ;]

 

well if mitsu is mitsu...ur MAS adapter is just like everyone elses...u could use the eclipse or evo mas adapter plate off ebay and get a filter on it. and than u got a SRI for...$30 and yes...it sounds mean

 

^^^since you havent bought yours yet let me save you the trouble, the RA has a VERY VERY different MAS and the old intake DOES NOT WORK. I posted pics if you are curious in here somewhere...run a search and take a look. The pics suck but you get the idea.

 

Moving to LRG.