first thing you do to a DSM

[MikeMara]

Lets say i bought a DSM (second gen) and i just want 13s or so.

Its either a GSX or TSi AWD 5 speed

whenever i ask people what you should do first i get a few different answers.

"Get a 16G turbo, downpipe, injectors and start saving for a front mount."

does that sound right?

or "Fix whats broken or about to break. "

problem is i dont have any idea whats about to break. so what breaks all the time?

 

[Dieselboy]

Anything and everything can break. Do as much preventative maintainance as possible before modding. Change all fluids, replace timing belt and balance shaft belts (if not replaced within the last 40-50K miles), make sure the clutch is disengaging properly, tranny is shifting properly, and so forth.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

exactly as dieselboy says. a DSM will break like any other car if you dont take care of it. just replace all of the usual things and check for major valve/drive train failures and you should be good to go for modding.

the stock t25 will get you fairly deep into the 14's and a 16g will carry you into high 12's with good driving and tuning.

 

[crankbender]

whenever you get a DSM you should

replace:
timing belt
balance shaft belt (or remove balance shafts)
water pump
timing belt idler pully
oil
tranny fluid
xfer case fluid (awd)
rear diff fluid (awd)
plugs
thermostat
air filter
oil filter


check
plug wires
tightness on turbo and manifold bolts
drive shaft carriers for play (awd)
cv joints/boots
brakes
alignment
tires
tightness of stearing components
all vacume lines for correct routings
make sure the bov is recirculated
make sure the maf honeycombs are in there
fans for running correctly
boost leaks

that should get you started.

 

[saw wave analog]

the first mods you should get are a boost gauge and manual boost controller, and if you value the health of the t25 and plan on raising boost with the mbc, a blowoff valve that isnt a log of shit.

 

[67goatpimp]

Home Depot MBC, . 1g BOV, and a boost gauge would be my first mods right after all the preventative maintenance that was just mentioned.