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

[Pro3racer]

You don't have a distributor or a rotor.........maybe before you start digging into your engine, to first buy a manual for it, and read...a lot!

 

[laserdsm]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/1gturbo/

Read it, learn it, embrace it.

GOOD ANSWER

 

[TUI2I30]

thats the first thing im gonna do is a big tune up, distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, oil, engine flush, check all belts and hoses, and at school we have a motor vac that cleans out the valves real well with some special mv4 chemical or whatever and it does a leakdown test, deadhead test.. then ill spend what little is left probably do all the free mods ive read about and get bigger intake pipe, k&n, and a downpipe, and maybe a mbc

good news! you don't have to replace the distributor cap and rotor! It doesn't have one. Make sure you do the regular maintanace as the tuning-guide explains.

If you do not have a 3" cat back, this guy sells turbo back exhausts on ebay for less than $500. Example.

http://www.appliedforce.com/

 

[SpoolinV8ETR]

If there is ANY doubt when the Timing Belt (and associated parts) were then change it. Im sure youd rather save another 2-300 bux then save for a motor rebuild.

Chiltons ect...
FULL tune up. (people always say these cars arent reliable, its only as reliable as you make it)
id finish the exhaust
Intake pipe with better filter
gauges.


Then save for more stuff. Just dont forget that maintence is CRUCIAL on these cars.

 

[dwdsm]

OK time to voice your opinion, I have about 6,000 left on my equity loan and last year bought my 97 talon tsi awd strictly as a project car. Everything has been checked and replaced as needed. compression is still good #4 was the lowest @ 145 cold.
Here's what I got so far.
Engine upgrades only. I am getting it painted but an old friend has a spray bake that I can use.
HAHN super 16G (came with the car but still pretty new, would like 50 trim but 16g is new)
turbo timer
95 e-prom
denso 660's
Aeromotive AFPR
no EGR or any of the cold start sensors or other BS (fun car not daily driver)
greddy type s bov
Relocated optima red top.
That's about it.
getting,
DSMLINK-700
shepard rebuild$1,200
need,
exhaust 2.5 or 3"
intake mani? TB
how big FMIC?
clutch?
ETC.
I want mid 12's

 

[Snobordin8]

exhaust 2.5 or 3"

I would definately go with 3" exhaust. You probably could get by with 2.5" but with 3" it leaves more room to upgrade if you decide to in the future. Either way good luck and have fun with it.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

yeah, go 3inch exhaust. You can get a 3inch downpipe w/ cat eliminator on ebay for under $100 and then whatever type of exhaust you want to run. I personally went with Thermal R&D because they are suppost to be a nice quiet exhaust. It is quiet until you get on it anyways.

 

[Stoner]

Clutch ACT 2600
6 bolt with 1g intake mani and TB
Definately 3" exhaust, I have the thermal also and it is a nice exhaust
Wide Band O2
A Cheap Ebay core will let you meet your goals, I have the Johnny Race Car 8" but if you have the money a good bar and plate would be nice. Size depends on if you plan to upgrade your turbo soon.
Make sure you have a nice flowing air intake, I have the FP Mongoloid. It is huge and works very nice. Good price as well.


Good Luck

 

[dwdsm]

Would I really need a wideband with dsmlink?
Also 2 fuel questions 190 or 250, I already rewired just waiting to choose a pump
And should I run 6an from tank or hard line?
thanks

 

[bkruahnndon]

i agree with Stoner, 6bolt swap should be up first with an ACT 2600lb clutch. do you have an aftermarket or 1G BOV? i didnt see it on your list or your profile, maybe i missed it. wideband o2 makes it easier to get a good tune, if your good you can get by without it, but i would definitely look into one.

 

[dwdsm]

You think I should do the motor swap or the intake manifold?
If I did do the swap I would retain my 2g head ( for autocrossing)
but how much cash would I have in that alone.
I would do the swap myself, my shop is pretty well supplied.
Dave

 

[SethA]

You think I should do the motor swap or the intake manifold?
If I did do the swap I would retain my 2g head ( for autocrossing)
but how much cash would I have in that alone.
I would do the swap myself, my shop is pretty well supplied.
Dave

I don't understand the rational of pulling out a perfectly good 7 bolt just to replace it. If you crankwalk or blow it up then do a 6 bolt. If you are worried have some money earmarked for the 6 bolt. But why do it now? (especially on a non DD) I would spend your money on other stuff.

By the way, I'm pretty jealous. I wish I was trying to figure out how to spend 6 grand.

Seth

 

[Stoner]

If he is going to spend 6k on parts I would include a 6 bolt in the list along with the 1g head and intake manifold.

Why do you need the 2g head for Autocrossing? And if you are going to be autocrossing that car on a 16g definately do not get a sheet metal intake manifold, stick with a stocker.

 

[kgtalon95]

First of all its a project car, I'd dump that hahn16g turbo on some other poor soul and pick up a turbo that you will really enjoy, like a pte 50trim or the best turbo I have ever owned......20g Get a turbo to really make your project car feel like an accomplishment. Because you'll fall off the 16g wagon just like everyone else.....its cool for a few months then you'll want bigger.

Oh, and the best and FIRST thing you should buy..................A Daily Driver

 

[gsxtasy]

Buy a MBC and a $5550 hooker . Otherwise, it really depends on what your doing...It sounds like your gonna be more autocrossing than draging. Maybe a ball bearing turbo, and supporting mods. Maybe thats not what you had in mind. I say run the 7 til it blows, which it WILL do.

 

[szewczyd]

Six bolt motor! I have seen things like this fall throw so many times, cause the guys say there seven bolts are still good. They get all kinds of bolt ons and then the motor walks. Plus adding a six bolt will increase the value quite a bit more than just a bunch of bolt ons if you ever are going to sell it again. I am a strong believer in six bolts!

 

[na90dsm]

down payment on a evo

 

[dwdsm]

(I do have a DD it's my faitful truck evil pacman) don't ask!
OK
I do want to hit the strip now and then.
now and then I want to autocross.
I pretty sure that the 2G head helps spool a tad faster due to a smaller intake valve.
could be wrong.
I think I will stick with the 7bolt untill it goes and start a build up of a 6bolt on the side (with a 50trim)
I have all the small stuff like
MBC, BOV, AFPR, ETC.

I'll go 3" cat delete but do I need stainless if it will not see winters?
dave

 

[szewczyd]

down payment on a evo

My god what was I thinking, your right!

 

[BLampinen]

if its that big of a problem... u could just give some of it to me

 

[mirkoelek]

have 3g saved , you never know

 

[GermanDSM]

Aem Ems

 

[kgtalon95]

down payment on a evo

Why aren't you a wiseman

 

[mirkoelek]

Why aren't you a wiseman

i like 2g better

 

[ryanx99GS]

I recently bought a 1999 Eclipse GS OZ Edition with only 2,000 miles on the engine (rebuilt). I have 2,000$ to spend on upgrades and i don't really want to turbo it. Is there anyway i could make it almost as fast as a stock GST/GSX with headers,intake,exhaust etc? Please post what parts i should get and the best brands of them. Thanks