Beginner mods

[Ayoo98]

What should be my first mods or what should I work on to improve the car since it’s currently all stock

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[CrackedDSM]

Boring stuff first.

Make sure the maintenance is all up to date. Check timing components, check cooling system, go over all the electrical stuff. Check compression on the engine..make sure she's healthy, and happy. Replace and spend money on GOOD replacement maintenance parts as needed. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT just take the previous owners word for it that "everything's good".

If you're Auto, check the fluid. Wouldn't hurt to just do a drain and fill on it, pop in a new OEM filter.

After all that, research here on Tuners. There are a metric ton of "upgrade path" threads and walkthroughs. But to nudge you in the right direction, first thing I'd do after maintenance and health checks, is replace the 2G BOV with a 1G BOV and bolt on adapter, and a 14B turbo swap. I'll let you research as to how and what those two things are.

Welcome! Good luck.

 

[chrysler kid]

I like to upgrade the intercooler piping to the metal kit on ebay. really improves turbo response and punchiness.

next would be exhaust

after that some tint

 

[Ayoo98]

Boring stuff first.

Make sure the maintenance is all up to date. Check timing components, check cooling system, go over all the electrical stuff. Check compression on the engine..make sure she's healthy, and happy. Replace and spend money on GOOD replacement maintenance parts as needed. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT just take the previous owners word for it that "everything's good".

If you're Auto, check the fluid. Wouldn't hurt to just do a drain and fill on it, pop in a new OEM filter.

After all that, research here on Tuners. There are a metric ton of "upgrade path" threads and walkthroughs. But to nudge you in the right direction, first thing I'd do after maintenance and health checks, is replace the 2G BOV with a 1G BOV and bolt on adapter, and a 14B turbo swap. I'll let you research as to how and what those two things are.

Welcome! Good luck.

Thank you! so far I’ve done most of the maintenance just been checking and running it most days that everything isn’t in bad condition. I’ll look into more what you said and do more research

I like to upgrade the intercooler piping to the metal kit on ebay. really improves turbo response and punchiness.

next would be exhaust

after that some tint

Thank youu! It definitely needs some tint bc it has none but I’ll look into that kit your talking about and do more research on it

 

[CrackedDSM]

I'm gonna disagree on the piping kit. Even if yours is cracked and old, I'd just save up and do a FMIC kit. Otherwise if you upgrade the pipes, when you upgrade to a FMIC you're essentially buying pipes twice. I say save money and do it once.

This is my personal favorite style.

This is also an acceptable style but don't pay $600 for it.


I'd avoid the "Greddy" style with the pipe that runs over the intercooler because they suck efficiency wise.

That's just me though.

 

[DSMPT]

It depends how you prefer. It's interesting that it's different between North America and Japan.

In North America, most of people's first upgrade would be power adding-wise things, something you gain power since streets are wide and long.

In Japan, it's drivability-wise first since 80% of Japan is mountain, like good tires, upgrade brake system, suspensions etc.

My suggestion would be to buy ECMLink, a wideband O2 gauge and upgrade the fuel delivery, then would start from boost up. In this way, you would be able to learn many basic/important things by enjoying driving the car.

 

[jdxnc]

Shameless plug

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[SixBolt_16G]

Replacing the leaky blowoff valve should be first, followed by building/buying a boost leak tester and learning how to perform the test because the car might look and run fine for now, but it might not be as fine as you think.

From there, you need to be very honest and realistic with yourself as to how much time you have, your overall goals and mechanical abilities you have. Theres a big difference between modding to compete in some type of serious track racing/autoX vs having something reliable for car meets/carving the backroads with friends/personal pleasure driving on weekends. The deeper you dive into modding, the more stress you add to the car and yourself, so at least have a direction you want to go and how much youre willing to complicate things.

 

[steve]

Which ever direction you go please get a set of spark plug wires that fit.

 

[jaysouth]

I would recommend starting with intake and exhaust upgrades for better airflow and a noticeable power boost. A boost gauge and manual boost controller are also great early mods to help manage turbo performance safely. Have you considered upgrading the intercooler or going for a lightweight flywheel? Those can make a big difference too as you start building up your car.