The Official "What Should I Spend Money On?" Thread [Merged 10-6]

[mach1one]

Well I have an idea anyway, just wanted to make sure I was on the right track. I searched the forums yesterday and spent the better part of the day sifting through the stuff (lots of info ). Anyway, RnR has a "special" (been running awhile) on exhaust for awd cars. 500$ for 3" turboback or 630 for 3" 02 elim. back. I'd rather just have the o2 elim. d/p, so I think I'm gonna wait. But I'm having trouble deciding.

Right now I'm leaning towards a 3" catback from RnR, then down the road getting a 2.5" dp. I don't plan on putting huge hp through the car, but there's still a chance.

But that'd leave about ~200$ left, and I'm unsure where to go from there. I have an MBC and gauge. Maybe an upper IC pipe or some susp. bits? I'd like some more hp, but I'm not gonna drop a good bit of money to only have a couple more. I'd rather put the money elsewhere like in susp. or fixing minor things.


Thanks for any help.

 

[boostedinaz]

There was another post that was similar to this so ill give the same answer. Get the 3 inch O2 elim exhaust. It will make a HUGE difference in your car. Save up and do it right the first time. You will be so much happier that way. Other than that I would fix all the little shit that bugs you about your car and just do regualr maintnence.

Michael

 

[g0tEclipseD]

Originally posted by boostedinaz
Other than that I would fix all the little shit that bugs you about your car and just do regualr maintnence.

Michael

yeah thats exactly what i would do to. make sure its lookin clean and fix anything that bugs u. for example i have a huge crack on the armrest/cupholder cover thing that im trying to find a replacement for. btw (sorry for hijack) anyone know where i can pick one up at?

 

[mach1one]

Thanks for the info. I'd check the for sale forum here, they have a good # of cars being parted out.

 

[BUCK]

Just wondering... How old is your Timing belt? The Tensioner? Your Water Pump? Your coolant hoses? Your Alternator? Your Valve Cover gaskets? Your struts? What about fitting the better 91 Camshafts to that 90? You can drop $500 in a heartbeat on these things... make sure you keep a reserve on hand!

 

[mach1one]

Good point, the timing belt was changed at 60K I believe, and the little I drive it'll take me a good while to get to the 120K mark (at 108K now).

I think I'll take yall's advice and replace a few things, and fix my speakers and such. The shocks are kinda worn and some of the hoses look a bit iffy.

 

[g0tEclipseD]

Originally posted by BUCK
Just wondering... How old is your Timing belt? The Tensioner? Your Water Pump? Your coolant hoses? Your Alternator? Your Valve Cover gaskets? Your struts? What about fitting the better 91 Camshafts to that 90? You can drop $500 in a heartbeat on these things... make sure you keep a reserve on hand!

i totally agree. I would definetly recommend having some "back up" cash for when something unexpectedly goes wrong. Which it will.

 

[BUCK]

Originally posted by mach1one Good point, the timing belt was changed at 60K I believe, and the little I drive it'll take me a good while to get to the 120K mark (at 108K now). I think I'll take yall's advice and replace a few things, and fix my speakers and such. The shocks are kinda worn and some of the hoses look a bit iffy.

GREAT! And GET RID of the BALANCE SHAFTS if they are still in there too!! How about your Harmonic Balancer? Get this thing thru the mid-life crisis - it will run better & handle better too - It just hurts me to see guys blow bucks on a Turbo upgrade or a Freaking Exhaust etc... and the balance shafts are still in the motor along with some old Timing belt & tensioner - Their BASIC preventive maintenance isn't done - Then they blow the thing up & come crying on the boards!

 

[Spoolin95DSM]

I have $800 to spend this week on my car.So far my only mods are an Apexi N1 catback,Injen intake,MBC & Gauge.I was thinking about buying an EVOIII 16G while I have all this money but im not sure.I obviously dont have all the supporting mods so if I did get it,It would sit for a month or so.Then I was thinking maybe Upper & Lower IC pipes but I plan on getting a FMIC in the near future. I could buy a downpipe,tubular header,O2 housing,and/or walbro fuel pump.What should I do?So many paths to follow but not sure which one I should take.

 

[Slider]

I think you should look at what you are looking for. More HP? Better handleing? Looks? Does the car have any problems that need fixed first? Just a thought

 

[Spoolin95DSM]

Well i need new struts.That doesnt bother me but what bothers me most is under hard acceleration the turbo makes a weird noise.As if the fins are scraping the housing or something similar to that.It does have 135,000 miles on it so im sure its a little worn outBut yeah More HP is my goal.400 HP would be great

 

[fish3rboi]

Personally I would upgrade the fuel system before you shoot for a larger turbo. Injectors, Pump, and an AFC would be right in your price range, plus you will have some extra money to mess around. Dont forget to get some BPR7ES plugs if you dont have them already!

 

[1gE.T.]

PayPall the money to me and I will help you spend it. J/k for real though I would save up for a long ass time and buy the turbo and all the fuel stuff at once so you dont have to tune the fuel system several times.

 

[Spoolin95DSM]

I might just buy the turbo this week,and the injectors,pump,and afc next week.Then throw all of them in on a weekend.Does that sound reasonable

 

[fish3rboi]

I suppose. But I still am in favor of the AFC first. Tuning it several times = Practice. So unless you plan on paying someone else to tune it all the time, you should learn! And the easiest way is to buy some 550s and get your car running on the stock turbo. Then upgrade the turbo and use your aquired knowledge to tune some more! You will need an EGT gauge and Pocketlogger though to tune correctly!

 

[VEE-DUBBER]

I would buy a 3" downpipe and fuel pump, 660's and an S-AFC. Extreme PSI is doing a good deal on pump/injectors/S-AFC II right now. save about $200. upgrade the turbo to something with an external wastegate so you dont have to deal with the Evo boost creep crap.:thumbdown

 

[98RedGs]

Originally posted by Spoolin95DSM
Well i need new struts.That doesnt bother me but what bothers me most is under hard acceleration the turbo makes a weird noise.As if the fins are scraping the housing or something similar to that.It does have 135,000 miles on it so im sure its a little worn outBut yeah More HP is my goal.400 HP would be great

If you are going to go with a b16g have you considered a big-t-28 instead since its a direct drop in? If I had 800 to spend right now I would honestly buy a used bigt-28 (500) and a safc (150) then possibly a fuel pump (100) and then gaskets and misc smaller parts to install this stuff plus food and drink = the other 50.

Boom!
Happy installing!

 

[Spoolin95DSM]

Can you give me some more info on the big t-28?

 

[98RedGs]

Originally posted by Spoolin95DSM
Can you give me some more info on the big t-28?

Search.

Thread #1
Thread #2
Thread #3
Thread #4 (dsmtalk review)
Thread #5 (dsmtalk t28Killer review)
Evo16g vs Big16g
FPbigt-28 vs BIG16g

Search.

 

[Spoolin95DSM]

Done alot of searching,but im getting alot of mixed oppinions on the Big T-28.I think I may go with it because it bolts right up.Im just a little worried if it'll be enough power for me.From what I read it supports about 350HP.Im looking to put down 400 or so eventually...Thats my goal.But I think the 28 might suite my needs for right now.I just wanna hand Stangs,TransAms,Camaros,etc thier asses Would this be a turbo sufficient enough for that task?

 

[chris26969]

Man you dont need a T28 to take the GT stangs or the Camaro z28s for that matter. A stock t25 will do, and exhaust,Ic piping, Boost Set @ 15psi etc etc, you know the rest.

If you put a T28 on with the supporting fuel mods and the AFC your looking for the Evolutions and the STI, Mitsu 3kgt Vr4, HondaS2000. Etc.

 

[midnght]

Originally posted by Spoolin95DSM
Done alot of searching,but im getting alot of mixed oppinions on the Big T-28.I think I may go with it because it bolts right up.Im just a little worried if it'll be enough power for me.From what I read it supports about 350HP.Im looking to put down 400 or so eventually...Thats my goal.But I think the 28 might suite my needs for right now.I just wanna hand Stangs,TransAms,Camaros,etc thier asses Would this be a turbo sufficient enough for that task?

You my friend, need to concentrate on SUSPENSION.

It is like your parents telling you to do good in school. People don't understand the importance of the suspension in a FWD car until after the fact.:laugh:

You don't need 400whp to and them their ass. Just about 325whp and you got it in most anycase. Once you do the upgrade you will soon see the headache it consist of with a modded DSM. Anything after around 325 crank hp is getting in the 'buy new shit every once and awhile' dept.

Have fun and you can do it all with that Big T-28. It is all in the tune!

 

[midnght]

Originally posted by Spoolin95DSM
I have $800 to spend this week.........

My bestfriends call me CASH !!! :laugh:

 

[Eliminat0r]

i agree with upgrading the suspension and all before you get the t-28 killer.

 

[Spoolin95DSM]

Yeah suspension will be coming soon.Im getting Illuminas & Prokits.Anyways I need to get my arse a turbo.Im debating between the EVOIII 16G or the BIG T-28.Obviously I could put out more horsepower with the EVOIII,But I like the words ''bolt'' ''right'' ''up''.The t28 is almost $800 while the evoIII is only around $590.Yes ill need an install kit but it seems like the t28 is a little overpriced so im leaning towards the evo.Walbro pump,Injectors,and SAFC and I should be all set right?Is the SAFC a must have right away with the turbo?Or can I hold off on buying it a little while?Thanks