Being surrounded by "car guys" is nice, but on the other hand, it also SUCKS because daily at work, I face a guy with a modded STi putting 290 to the wheels, a dude with a Z4 M class, another guy with a 335i, and another guy who's buying a stinkin' S4.

Then I run into a friend tonight who's driving his 530 AWHP Dodge Stealth (one of my dream cars) and his buddy with another highly modded STi (those things are more common than the H1N1 virus these days!)

One of my old Karate buddies has another modded Stealth TT, and my old friend's teenage son has his 300 AWHP Eclipse (which, incidentally, just blew a turbo because the prior owner bought it on E-bay...lololololololol).

So yes, the mod bug has finally bitten me, and since my factory bumper-to-bumper is up in February, I think it's time to start saving for mods. This is my plan, and the order in which I think I'll do things:

1. CPE rear diff mount (have to be able to handle the new power without breaking shit)

2. Upgraded TMIC

3. Upgraded BPV/BOV

4. Cobb AP

5. CPE Catted Downpipe

6. SU Front engine mount

7. Someday, when hell freezes over and the Bills win a Super Bowl, I'll upgrade the turbo to a 2871R.

Of course, money for such fun is going to be HARD to find, since the Finance Minister thinks modding cars is stupid and that money should be spent on trips to Disney World instead, but eventually I'll grow a pair and start setting aside $50 a payday to pay for these mods. At that rate, I should have up through step three done...oh, in about 3 years. And the rest...well, back to that hell/Super Bowl analogy.

Oh well. Nice to dream, anyway, even if they'll never happen. Sigh.

The best thing I can suggest is come up with a game plan on modifying your car. Write down your goals and what you want out of the car.

This will ultimately save you from buying parts you don't need or just end up selling because they get replaced, and in the end you will be happier. It will also allow you to budget easier as well.

You list sounds pretty nice. Modding is like a crack addiction LOL

My ultimate goal, I think, is about 290-300 to the wheels. I don't know if I can do that, though, without an upgraded turbo.

But yes, I have this all in a spreadsheet, along with the more pie-in-the-sky items like sway bars and rims. All-total, if I get EVERYTHING I want, I'd drop about $6K. More likely I'll drop about $3K over a couple of years.

That is a nice list! I am also feeling the mod bug, but i worry about warrenty issues. I have decided that I am going to save my money until I go to my nearest drag strip (Douglas, WY, 4800 ft.) to lay down a baseline number in May, 2010 (also I will have the engine significantly broken in). Also I am having a hard time finding updated lists of parts that are for sure to fit the 2010 (any help?). But I also have a goal and a "wishlist" in mind, so keep saving and be patient and you will have one badass ride to enjoy!

Yeah, owning a 2010 might make modding a bit tough at first. ANd I worry about warranty, too, which is why I am waiting until February, when my factor bumper to bumper is up. I still have a dealer's 100K mile powertrain warranty at that point, but it only covers 50% anyway....Now I just have to get that job as a stripper to earn mod money...

ANd I know I should probably add a CAI to that list, but I hate the possibility of hydro-lock, and an SRI doesn't seem worth the $$.

Stealth01 wrote:Yeah, owning a 2010 might make modding a bit tough at first. ANd I worry about warranty, too, which is why I am waiting until February, when my factor bumper to bumper is up. I still have a dealer's 100K mile powertrain warranty at that point, but it only covers 50% anyway....Now I just have to get that job as a stripper to earn mod money...

Please dont get a job as a stripper. Just save......

TheNewBlack wrote:Please dont get a job as a stripper. Just save......

Man, you take the fun out of everything....

the mods are just an excuse to strip right? sneaky

Hehe stripping doesn't pay all that well unless you have boobs...hate to break it to ya

TheNewBlack wrote:the mods are just an excuse to strip right? sneaky

You're on to me!

tbot wrote:Hehe stripping doesn't pay all that well unless you have boobs...hate to break it to ya

Dang it. Well, there's always silicone....

yah man the mod bug just sucked the money outa me!!!

Stealth01 wrote:My ultimate goal, I think, is about 290-300 to the wheels. I don't know if I can do that, though, without an upgraded turbo.

But yes, I have this all in a spreadsheet, along with the more pie-in-the-sky items like sway bars and rims. All-total, if I get EVERYTHING I want, I'd drop about $6K. More likely I'll drop about $3K over a couple of years.

300 to the wheels is doable without an upgraded turbo. I am at 282 right now without a downpipe or a proper tune. I could probably get there with just a custom tune.

bobopud wrote:300 to the wheels is doable without an upgraded turbo. I am at 282 right now without a downpipe or a proper tune. I could probably get there with just a custom tune.

You just made my day!

You can always add an AEM water bypass valve to any CAI that protects from ingesting any water, it works pretty well.

That's another reason I love rotaries- impossible to hydrolock