so i get on stage right!? drop the mic...
walk up to these hot chicks n im all like...
"whats up ladies? my G drivin u crazy!?!?"... blah blah blah

ok so heres the deal.

i've had my G for a good year now, it is a 2dr auto and i am looking to start making improvements to it. I currently have the non-brembo brake setup, which isnt that great but it is covered by the factory for the first 3 years. Basically i would like to steer away from the perfromance aspect until i switch to better brakes. but a little hp never hurt nobody.

I also did not opt for the NAV screen in hopes of installing my own down the road. speaking of which, i saw a DIY for a screen install in the lil cubby hole, but i cant find it today.

so my question is "where do i go from here?"

..o ya, only mod so far is clear corners. =)

 

Sounds like your into looks. Drop it an inch or two! Maybe upgrade the wheels? Paint the calipers. You could get a meaner sound by intake or exhaust or even buy high flow cats. Lots of stuff out there. Good luck.

 

do this!

04/BO/G/aero/splash/prem/perf/cc/22%tint

268865-3small.jpg

 

Nothing changes the look of a car more than new wheels.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

 

um lambo doors



Black/Black 04, 5AT, Premium, Navi, Aero,Nismo CAI, 8000k hids in foglights

 

(i never said that "i" liked them...)

04/BO/G/aero/splash/prem/perf/cc/22%tint

 

i think stock 18" wheels are nice enuf already. just that it's on most of our cars.

 

Don't ever paint your calipers. They look stupid painted.

Start with new wheels.

 

hmmm... k besides rims... i picked out those suckers, and its gonna be a hefty some. im talkin additions that are under a Grand. exhaust intake n headers all cost about the same? seeings as i have an auto i may want to do something to the ecu first? pulleys?

lmao @ lambo doors!! little much...but nice.

also if i get exhaust now, ill have to buy new exhaust again when i buy turbo, right? are there additions i can do that would be 'prep' for the turbo but not overkill for my car...

/\ /\ seems like i want speed!! /\ /\

i was also toying with the idea of putting a screen in the double din dash, and placing the cdplayer in the above cubby or something to that affect.

- open for comments -

 

Sounds to me like you are lacking a mission. What is your mission?

Is it:

1) Speed
2) Handling (if so, what type of handling)
3) Appearance (extremely subjective)
4) Accessory functionality
5) Sound system
6) Anything, just so long as you get to mod something.

Until you can define your mission you will wander aimlessly in mod land and not make the most effective use of your money.

"seems like i want speed!!"

Ok, if this is your mission, then placing the cdplayer above the cubby will not get you speed.

Rims will most likely make you go slower, if you're not careful.

If you want speed, first you need to define "how much speed" and what your budget is. You mentioned "under a grand"....then you mentioned turbo. Turbo and "under a grand" don't belong in the same sentence.

Intake - $200
Upper manifold collector - $500
Headers - $800-$1600 installed
Cats - $400- $600 installed
Exhaust - $900-$1400 installed
ECU flash - $650 (not yet available for 2004)
Torque converter - $1200? help me out here gurgen
Pulley - $300ish? (be careful here)

Decide up front what you're going to do because these mods are all interactive and dynamic. Different combinations result in different results. Some will actually DECREASE your speed.

If you find a lighter wheel and lighter tire you can also reduce weight which will increase your speed as much if not more than any of the above mods individually.

If you just feel like tinkering and improving functionality go to the DIY thread and there are a dozen mods you can do if you can crimp a wire and cut plastic carefully.

If you've just got $1000 burning a hole in your pocket and you want to spend time with your G, you will end up unsatisfied in the end without thinking it through all the way. Think it through, write it down, make a plan and a budget.

Start here, read it all:
http://www.g-owners.com

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5

 

thank you very much catatafish for your help... i guess i should have been alot more specific in my original post.

I do not wish to install the turbo for a good year or 2 down the road. because i do not wish to replace my brakes until the factory warranty they gave me runs up. these brakes arent the greatest, so i dont think i would wanna make it go to fast until i get new stoppers...

rims sound intriguing, but i am not in need of new tires.."why fix whats not broken" in otherwards its no use taking off these tires when they still have tons of tread on them.

handling may be a wise choice...what in terms of handling could i do to make my G smile? i have many friends that live in apartment complexs so lowerin the G may make me frown more than smile. (lots of speedbumps)

appearance... in the end it should resemble the batmobile... i dunno what u had in mind...but prolly not till later.

sounds would be nice... is there a way to hook up an amp n subs to the bose system?!?!? my buddy was saying i probally need to splice one of the rear speakers in order to make it work... i hope not.

dot com

 

Comments:

Your brakes aren't the limiting factor in stopping distance, your tires are. Better brakes will only reduce fade. So if you aren't autocrossing, don't worry about your brakes for performance, maybe worry for appearance. Thus, make it as fast as you want.

Handling:
What's your mission? More oversteer? More understeer? Show? Will you be autocrossing or do you just want to slam your car for appearance? What skill level of driver are you? Can't answer your handling mods until you answer the above. Also define what percentage of the time you'll want any of the above. You definitely don't want more oversteer for daily driving, for instance.

Sound:
You can hook up and amp and subs tapping in to your current system, no prob. Don't worry about the deck speakers, they'll be superfluous once you put a sub in anyway. Browse the Audio forum for tons of good ideas.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5

 

If handling is a wise choice to you and you don't want to lower the car, then start by putting in sway bars. Hotchkis go for about $250 and are adjustable. Then you can start cornering like you drive a Mini Cooper.

 

You said you're staying away from the performance aspect and want to spend less than a grand.......

Clear corners, splash guards, tint, upgrade fog and clearance bulbs, new grille.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

 

splash gaurds? can u describe these?

replacing the headlight bulbs maybe? which can i put in that are still legal? aren't the 'blue' looking ones illegal?

dot com