i have recently graduated and received a fair amount of money, some of which i want to spend on either wheels or a turbo kit. i was debating getting some 16x7 gram lights 57s in bronze wrapped in bfgoodrich g-force sport or the tsi non-intercooled kit. both will cost the same amount, and i was just wondering others' input.

 

Turbo. Rims will be great to everybody outside the car. A Turbo will also be cool as hell to everybody outside the car, and inside the car it will be a whole new experience.

 

I'd save up and buy an RRM stage 1 intercooled turbo kit, I've heard the tsi kits have fitment problems among other things.

 

yeah that was the main thing that i heard about it, but i would make a custom kit preferably. i was thinking of buying the tsi kit and building onto it later in the summer.

 

I would go turbo!

 

Turbo

Wheels can wait

 

alright, i appreciate all the feedback, and i forgot to mention, this probably will be the last mod that i will do to my car.

 

turboooooo. I just have the RRM T-25 non-ic kit, and I love it. Its also very affordable, fits perfect, and your car still runs great with no issues (assuming the installer knows what they are doing and your car runs good to start with). To give you an idea what kind of speed you will be looking at... I can keep up with my buddy's 2003 Mustang GT convertible (stock 5speed) just about neck and neck. I think that is just a little more exciting than rims.

 

The TSI Intercooled kit has fitment issues. Not sure about the non-ic kit, seeing as everything was made differently and not for a mirage this time around; it may actually fit.

 

i thought the fitment issues were in the downpipe. i know there are a couple of people on here that have the tsi kit, and i would like to hear their input too.

 

I don't drive a lancer, but thought i'd comment anyway...

I had a friend who was recently asking the same sort of question, albeit for another car. The most important thing, i think, is what you actually want out of it.

If you're happy with how the car is power-wise but would like better handling, then go for tyres and wheels. Perhaps throw in some brake pads also. Plus the wheels will make it a little quicker.

If you're happy with handling, then I'd go with the turbo. It's certainly the better bang for the buck.

By the looks of it, since you already have a header, dp and exhausts, getting a turbo would probably mean throwing the first two away which would be a shame cos they look in good nick.

my $0.02, I'd go with wheels and decent tyres (+ pads + pulley if you can afford them)...

 

Wheels, or either save up for a nicer turbo kit.

I would not cut corners on soemthing so vital, especially if it is your only transportation. A non-ic'd turbo sounds like trouble in the South especially with summer time right around the corner.

 

Personally, Id go wheels and tires. It would be nice to get the Turbo, just cuz it's sexy and fast, but with the added power, wouldn't you like the proper tires to transfer that power? True, it might not be the biggest leap in power, but transferring what you have is essential to me, then again, worrying about stopping all that power comes into play too. IMO, go for the tires and rims, then a big brake kit from Brembo with 4 piston calipers, then save up and go for the RRM turbos. I mean, if they can put an EVO over 900 WHP, then they gotta know their ****, right? Now if I could only get to Cali.... LOL

 

Rims and tires are going to slow your car down, because there is more rotating mass than on the stock tires. THere are plenty of people running turbos on the stock oz rally rims which is what he has. Granted, full boost in 1st gear would be useless, but for second and up he'll be able to pull very nicely. Also, to the OP have you ever thought of a custom kit? You could build an intercooled setup for the same price, and even if you ran the same boost you'd at least be in the safe zone. Agreed handling will be slightly better with rims, but only if you're going to 16's. 17's and up and you put on too much weight to outweigh the handling benefits. Since you do already have a header and downpipe, you could sell those to put funds towards the turbo project. The exhaust would be used in either application.

It sounds like you are on a budget, and a more expensive turbo kit isn't an option. Rims + Tires, RRM Turbo Kit, and Brembo big brake kit puts you around 7000 dollars into your car, which is not in the budget I think you're proposing.

 

Gram Lights are not going to slow him down.