so i bought my car about 5 months ago and im an 18 year old kid about to go to college and have no money. i want to do some very simple things to my car, cold air intake, lower it, and a new muffler. i would like to do a new exhaust but i cant afford a whole new exhaust system.... any suggestions for a cold air intake or muffler?
If you are a "poor student" as you say, here is my advice: Unless you are looking to change the sound of the car, a CAI is the worst mod for the money. Don't lower your car unless you have the money to buy tires every 18-20,000 miles. You will spend another $1000 or more correcting the alignment of the chassis to stop the tire wear.
Now what you CAN do "on the cheap", that's worth the money: look for a used HKS axel back muffler. I got mine for $150 used in good shape, easy install, sounds great. Your best "bang for the buck" is Hotchkis Sway Bars. You should be able to pick up a used set for a couple a hundred dollars. (New they go for around $350) Set them up "hard" in front and "medium" in back. It will transform the car. Then save up for a set of Tokiko D-spec adjustable shocks. If you don't mind a bit of a harsh ride, set then four knotches from full stiff. You will not believe how well the car handles. They are fantastic.
All this supposes that your suspension is good. You may want to replace all your bushings with polyurethane bushings and check the wear on the differential bushings first. They are known to leak by this age. (They are filled with silicone oil) also watch your oil consumption VERY CAREFULLY. Once you establish a baseline, you won't have to worry as much.
... Your best "bang for the buck" is Hotchkis Sway Bars. You should be able to pick up a used set for a couple a hundred dollars. (New they go for around $350) Set them up "hard" in front and "medium" in back. It will transform the car. ...
I was once looking into sway bars for my '06 G35X but never got far enough to really decide if I wanted them, let alone which ones. Now you have me considering them again.
Do you happen to know if the rear sway bar will conflict with aftermarket exhausts and I'd need to do a lot more research before just buying one that claims to fit? I have the Stillen cat back dual exhaust.
I know having AWD is a limitation for some kits and I also recall reading that the AWD has a thicker front sway bar so I might be fine just replacing the skinny rear bar and calling it good. The other thing i remember seeing is people I think putting on stock rear bars from newer model G/Zs or perhaps sport editions only, I'm not sure which ones fit 06 if any.
If I remember correctly, there was a problem with the rear sway bar and the X models. However, I think they have solved it by creating a new swaybar just for the X model. If anybody knows different please correct me.
Hotchkis does make X specific sway bars. They're a little more expensive (at least on Amazon). I also remember someone mentioning adding some collars from McMaster Carr to stop them from sliding back and forth. I'll try to dig up that post from the sway bar threads.
did you clamp your muffler on or weld it.. how did you take the old one off, does it effect echeck or anything.. just want to make sure before i do this! thanks for the info though
Thanks for the info on the rear sway bar, I will have to research some more or find a used one because I am not paying $600 for it lol.
Honestly the more I think of it, if I have been content with the handling for almost 5 years I likely won't jump on a single rear sway bar for more than $150. At this point its probably best to just relax and put any future mod money away for the car i trade into in maybe 2 years.
MrTBahgs - I actually just picked up a single Hotchkis rear sway bar and Whiteline endlinks for $300 from B2 Auto Designs. If you're able to stretch a little from your $150 limit, you could get a rear bar for $200, but I would also add on new endlinks if I were you.
I'll post a review when I've installed the rear sway bar on my 2006 G35x with 125k miles...
I'm installing the Stillen gen 2 catback at the same time, so I can comment on any interference.
Do you have your stock catalytic converters with the Stillen catback?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrTBahgs
Thanks for the info on the rear sway bar, I will have to research some more or find a used one because I am not paying $600 for it lol.
Honestly the more I think of it, if I have been content with the handling for almost 5 years I likely won't jump on a single rear sway bar for more than $150. At this point its probably best to just relax and put any future mod money away for the car i trade into in maybe 2 years.
MrTBahgs - I actually just picked up a single Hotchkis rear sway bar and Whiteline endlinks for $300 from B2 Auto Designs. If you're able to stretch a little from your $150 limit, you could get a rear bar for $200, but I would also add on new endlinks if I were you.
I'll post a review when I've installed the rear sway bar on my 2006 G35x with 125k miles...
I'm installing the Stillen gen 2 catback at the same time, so I can comment on any interference.
Do you have your stock catalytic converters with the Stillen catback?
Awesome, I still think I am on the fence with spending the money on it, but am anxious to hear if it fits without modification and also how much noticeable difference you feel.
Yes I kept the stock cats, at the time I considered added HFCs down the road, but I don't think it would be worth the 500 or so dollars. I still have this back and forth on if I will get a newer car soon or not just for the sake of change so I am hesitant on spending any serious money on something that might not get much use. I suppose I did later put that money towards an UpRev tune instead though, but that is something I could pull off the car and resell for a fair bit back unlike the cats.
I am likely more cautious with my money than others on here and am sure if I had a lot more expendable income things would be different, but I have been pretty happy with my purchases thus far.
