Any advice on ranking my intended mod's in order of highest to lowest impact on performance for my Silver '05 Sedan (w/Sport Suspension)? I've never modified a car before - a mod-virgin, if you will! Unfortunately, the budget is tight, so I'll have to do these over a few months. Also, in addition to performance gain, are there any other practical reasons (besides cost) to prioritize these differently? (FYI, my main performance objective is to improve cornering response and eliminate body roll. The OEM Sport package just ain't doin' it for me.)

Here's what I'm wanting to do:

- Replace the lousy Turanza ER33's (Unfortunately, this is probably the most expensive mod - but man, do I hate these tires!)
- Sway Bar upgrade (Probably go with Stillen, based on reviews)
- Firmer Springs & Drop (Tein H-Tech 350Z)
- Firmer Shocks (If I go with the H-Tech 350Z's, will I need to upgrade these?)
- Camber adjustments (H-Techs will lower about 1.25" - will this require aftermarket camber adjustment? Hope not!)
- Wider (and cooler looking) aftermarket wheels - should I go up to 19"? (the 18" sport wheels are decent, but not really wide enough (7.5"), and I just don't love the looks)

Any thoughts or experience on this stuff by you experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-T

 

Here's what I'm wanting to do:

- Replace the lousy Turanza ER33's (Unfortunately, this is probably the most expensive mod - but man, do I hate these tires!)
1 Sway Bar upgrade (Probably go with Stillen, based on reviews)
3a Firmer Springs & Drop (Tein H-Tech 350Z)
3b Firmer Shocks (If I go with the H-Tech 350Z's, will I need to upgrade these?)
4 Camber adjustments (H-Techs will lower about 1.25" - will this require aftermarket camber adjustment? Hope not!)
2 Wider (and cooler looking) aftermarket wheels - should I go up to 19"? (the 18" sport wheels are decent, but not really wide enough (7.5"), and I just don't love the looks)

Any thoughts or experience on this stuff by you experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-T


i put shock and springs are 3a n 3b cause they will probably need to be done at the same time to save $$$ but i would prob go with Tein Basics or Flex.

If your planning on going with aftermarket wheels dont spend money on changing tires on OEM wheels.

Camber adjustment i would leave for last cause only time you will need to do it is if you really need it and i dont think you will find that out until the other things get done first.

 

Take high performance driving lessons.

 

wtf? Is that supposed to be an insult?


PS As a relative newcomer to this site, I'm surprised at how many sarchastic, critical, and generally unconstructive posts I read. This is supposed to be fun, right?

 

Here's what I'm wanting to do:

4b - Replace the lousy Turanza ER33's (Unfortunately, this is probably the most expensive mod - but man, do I hate these tires!) Why spend $$$ on replacements for the stock rubber when you plan on getting new wheels?
5 - Sway Bar upgrade (Probably go with Stillen, based on reviews)
1a - Firmer Springs & Drop (Tein H-Tech 350Z)
1b - Firmer Shocks (If I go with the H-Tech 350Z's, will I need to upgrade these?)
2 - Have an alignment done and do #3 if needed
3 - Camber adjustments (H-Techs will lower about 1.25" - will this require aftermarket camber adjustment? Hope not!)
4a - Wider (and cooler looking) aftermarket wheels - should I go up to 19"? (the 18" sport wheels are decent, but not really wide enough (7.5"), and I just don't love the looks)

 

Whoa, relax. If you get your Jockey's in a knot everytime someone responds to your posts like that you're in for a long ride. Plus I don't think he was being a smart@ss.

 

Eh, it happens. You can either give it right back if you're indeed being slighted, or you can choose to ignore it. You just need to realize that it is going to happen.

 

Sorry, no sarcasm intended. After throwing about $10K on each of previous cars in mods and consistently autocrossing and going to track days I realized that good driving school or even having someone experienced ride along and give pointers is better investment than sway bar or wider tires or even extra 100hp. I havent' touched my G until I trashed it on autox few times and had some experienced guys ride with me and take it out on fun runs.
I got impression from your post that you are newcomer to modyfying. I ve been doing it for quite a while and only was trying to share my experience and save you money-didn't you say that yout budget is tight?

 

Thanks man. I obviously misunderstood your initial response. My apologies.

 

Lessons will help you learn your car while it is still stock. It might help. I believe that learning how the car changes as you modify helps, you get to know the car better.
Also, like mentioned above, some people here are sarcastic, others aren't. Shake it off. But I think the intention was advice. Any one of us could be a better driver. If I could afford it, I would take classes. And that's not saying that I think I'm a lousy driver.

Now,
I wouldn't swap springs without swapping shocks at the same time. I would however opt for coilovers, but if you want to go one by one, I would consider shocks before springs. But that's an opinion. I feel that breaking in shocks either way is fine, but breaking in springs on stock shocks isn't as good as aftermarket.
I wouldn't get tires for stock wheels, but wait out for rims. Being that they are A. the most expensive parts for your car when you consider that you replace them more. With of course, exception to gas, but I wouldn't tell you to go buy 100 octane.
I would do sway bars at the same time as shocks/springs or coilovers. When you think about it, it's like a full package deal. None will be quite right without the others. Or, wait until after. You may feel that they are unnecassary. You do have the sport package.
I am happy to agree that you work out the suspension prior to power adders.
Other than being a handling-minded person, seeing a car dropped without pipes is fine, but a car riding rodeo making noise is laughable.
(I realize that I don't say much on the boards and hardly anyone knows me, but I used to work for a suspension company if that holds any weight as to my credibility on the suspension subject)