I'm still on the fence about buying a X or a 135i.
What are the best bang for the buck power mods for a GSR? TBE and tune? Maybe a few other supporting mods? How much would that run me for parts and labor?

What about suspension mods? Sways and springs? Coilovers (these tend to be costly for the good ones)?

I do not want to spend money on major mods. Just simple bang-for-the-buck mods.

 

BTW...I like to do about 15 track days a year.

 

- Drop-in air filter
- TBE w/o2 housing
- Tune
- and if you want, the Upper Intercooler Pipe

This should get you the most gains for the money.

There are some decent coilovers out there for a reasonable price. BC Racing makes a nice set for around $1,000.

 

- Drop in filter
- Tune
- Test pipe
- UICP

...that's my vote and what I am doing pretty much the same as post above me.

 

How much can I expect to pay for parts and labor for these?

- Drop-in air filter
- TBE w/o2 housing
- Tune
- Upper Intercooler Pipe

 

Drop in Filter u can do yourself, same with the Upper Intercooler pipe.
Get a friend, a jack and some stands and you could do the catback, and test pipe yourself.
Pay for the o2/dp install if you're not comfortable doing it.

With the money you'll save on labour it'll pay for a tune.

 

I say do a tune, and you should be set. Save the rest of the money.... Thats already a 60-80 flwheel of course hp addition!

 

What is the increase in whp and wtq over stock with those mods?

- Drop-in air filter
- TBE w/o2 housing
- Tune
- Upper Intercooler Pipe

I am hoping for the power and tq to be similar to an 04 STi with a TBE and custom tune. Of course the 04 STi only weighed around 3260 lbs so the X needs a little more power to have the same pickup.

 

you are probably looking at between 330-340whp on a dynojet or 300-310whp on a mustang dyno. it should be about 80-85 whp increase over stock.

I don't see much trouble keeping up with an 04 STi with that power.

 

You'll blow the doors off the 335i too on the track Heck, E46 M3's will need a good pilot too keep up as well.

Here's what I recommend if you are a track junkie, parts cost:
TBE: $1200 (including HFC/test pipe & o2 housing, UR)
Drop in filter: $50 (works/K&N)
UICP: $190 (Nisei)
Sway bars: $330 (Cobb)
Coilovers: Stance GR+Pro ($1200) on the cheap side, KW/ASTs on the $2k+ side
Brake pads: $200 (Something for the track -- HT10s ?)
SS Brake lines: $100? (Girodisc, works, etc.)
Brake fluid flush: $30 (Amsoil)
Harnesses: $300 (for a set, Schrothe Rallye 3/4)
Tune: $300-700+ (depending on what you go with)
Alignment: $60-150 (I get a lifetime for $150 and it's worth it)

If you're reasonably handy you can install everything yourself. If you go to a $$ shop, expect to pay at least $1k labor for all of this to be installed.

If you want more power, you'll need to budget for these items:
- intercooler ($500+)
- new clutch ($600+ + labor)
- injectors ($400)
- possibly a fuel pump
- intake piping/MAF housing

I would also budget for the following no matter what:
- track wheels/tires
- wideband and boost gauges
- street tires
- replacement rotors (I got 11k on my stock ones before they needed turned)

 

Tune by far. Instant gratification. Slowly once you save up money for mods, you can get more go-fast parts. I say always get supporting mods for everything you do first. That means all the small things. Brakelines, bushings, short shifter, brake pads, tune etc... Than go for the more expensive go-fast parts. By that point you have all the items that will support your mods.