$4000 to spend on performance...
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 79
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Pulling these numbers off the top of my head. Don't judge me, LOL.
Cats: $400 - $700
Catback: $800 - $1600
Swaybars: $400
Springs: $300, or Tein CO's: $500
Front & Rear camber arms: $400
Dyno tune: $800?
You're pretty close to your $4000 budget. Over, actually. As long as that's a number for parts, and not installation. However, there's no rule that says you have to buy top-shelf, or *new* for that matter. G'luck.
Or... you could also spend all that money on wheels & tires, while still wishing you'd spent more.
Or... you could also spend all that money on a GT-Haus Meisterschaft catback. You know, for the kids.
Stop it. Add value by answering the question, not by repeating the same lame retirement BS.
Cats: $400 - $700
Catback: $800 - $1600
Swaybars: $400
Springs: $300, or Tein CO's: $500
Front & Rear camber arms: $400
Dyno tune: $800?
You're pretty close to your $4000 budget. Over, actually. As long as that's a number for parts, and not installation. However, there's no rule that says you have to buy top-shelf, or *new* for that matter. G'luck.
Or... you could also spend all that money on wheels & tires, while still wishing you'd spent more.
Or... you could also spend all that money on a GT-Haus Meisterschaft catback. You know, for the kids.
Stop it. Add value by answering the question, not by repeating the same lame retirement BS.
With you potentially spending my entire $4000 down to the penny...I guess I'll HAVE to do all the work myself. lol.
I have no problem going with quality used to put some $$$ back in the budget for some labor or towards more improvements. Going used just could take longer gathering the pieces. but hey...I can be patient if it'll save me a few hundred.
To my other dilemma...does anyone know of a shop in the Atlanta area or within like a hundred miles of Atlanta?
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From: Ft. Campbell / Chicago
Z1 or Forged, both will take care of you.
I'd do some research to find the springs that offer the drop you want, and start collecting there. Install all suspension pieces at one time since every change alters everything else ie: alignment/camber. Unless you want to be able to adjust the suspension you don't really need coils whereas spring/strut combo is mostly set and forget. Since you have the journey, look into either getting the G37S struts or new from Koni to mount the springs...could save some $$ there as well.
Fast Intentions also has great sounding and quality exhaust parts if you come across those would be worth the cost.
I'd do some research to find the springs that offer the drop you want, and start collecting there. Install all suspension pieces at one time since every change alters everything else ie: alignment/camber. Unless you want to be able to adjust the suspension you don't really need coils whereas spring/strut combo is mostly set and forget. Since you have the journey, look into either getting the G37S struts or new from Koni to mount the springs...could save some $$ there as well.
Fast Intentions also has great sounding and quality exhaust parts if you come across those would be worth the cost.
Thread Starter
Registered Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
Z1 or Forged, both will take care of you.
I'd do some research to find the springs that offer the drop you want, and start collecting there. Install all suspension pieces at one time since every change alters everything else ie: alignment/camber. Unless you want to be able to adjust the suspension you don't really need coils whereas spring/strut combo is mostly set and forget. Since you have the journey, look into either getting the G37S struts or new from Koni to mount the springs...could save some $$ there as well.
Fast Intentions also has great sounding and quality exhaust parts if you come across those would be worth the cost.
I'd do some research to find the springs that offer the drop you want, and start collecting there. Install all suspension pieces at one time since every change alters everything else ie: alignment/camber. Unless you want to be able to adjust the suspension you don't really need coils whereas spring/strut combo is mostly set and forget. Since you have the journey, look into either getting the G37S struts or new from Koni to mount the springs...could save some $$ there as well.
Fast Intentions also has great sounding and quality exhaust parts if you come across those would be worth the cost.
Thanks why this is forum is on point. not only a wealth of knowledge...but a wealth of knowledgeable people that's willing to actually help.
I'll check out Z1 and Forged. I know that Rochester has the Fast Intentions exhaust and it sounds great. I think I'll probably be going with that per his video's and your suggestion. I'll probably go with that spring/strut combo and I don't see needing varying adjustability (I think I just made that word up lol).
I look forward to your research findings.
do yourself a favor and don't do springs only. you will prematurely wear your OEM struts and ask Rochester, have to go through extra work to avoid the "saggy booty" syndrome he had. Tein Basis coilovers are just fine and give you height adjustments only with slightly stiffer ride but still very comfy.
Tein Basis: $450
Berk HFC: (best power adder from my research) $500
Sway bars: $375
Cat back exhaust $1000(ish)
Akebonos: (admittedly not necessary for street driving but they set off the look and do offer performance increase) $650
Tune: $700
Total = $3675 so the rest can be shipping/install charges, some interior bits, whatever.
you absolutely do not need an intake. it's been proven time and again that replacing the OEM airboxes lose power as often as gain so you're throwing money away.
Tein Basis: $450
Berk HFC: (best power adder from my research) $500
Sway bars: $375
Cat back exhaust $1000(ish)
Akebonos: (admittedly not necessary for street driving but they set off the look and do offer performance increase) $650
Tune: $700
Total = $3675 so the rest can be shipping/install charges, some interior bits, whatever.
you absolutely do not need an intake. it's been proven time and again that replacing the OEM airboxes lose power as often as gain so you're throwing money away.
Rochester also had a good suggestion on Camber arms. I have the full SPC kit and paid about $600 iirc but I don't know if it's going to be necessary on your car unless you plan on an aggressive drop and need to realign more than factory will allow. but I think it's a solid choice. I don't know what I would choose between those, Akebonos, and a tune to be honest.
Great advice there from Iracknback. Maybe not the brakes... if the OP's focus is performance. Can't deny the looks, though. The Akebono BBK is gorgeous. And he's right, the intake is a minor thing, somewhere between negligible and an actual detriment.
Those are more fine-tuned pricing estimates, too, assuming minimal cost while still getting quality components.
Meh. Just drop the whole wad on wrapping the entire car.
Those are more fine-tuned pricing estimates, too, assuming minimal cost while still getting quality components.
Meh. Just drop the whole wad on wrapping the entire car.
Last edited by Rochester; Apr 13, 2017 at 10:23 AM.
the pricing I provided for the coils, high flow cats, sway bars, and camber arms are what I paid from a vendor on this forum. I don't have a cat back. The Akebonos I see for sale here all the time at $650 which is what I sold my last set for. And tunes here locally are $700....... so pretty close pricing. :-)
Thread Starter
Registered Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
do yourself a favor and don't do springs only. you will prematurely wear your OEM struts and ask Rochester, have to go through extra work to avoid the "saggy booty" syndrome he had. Tein Basis coilovers are just fine and give you height adjustments only with slightly stiffer ride but still very comfy.
Tein Basis: $450
Berk HFC: (best power adder from my research) $500
Sway bars: $375
Cat back exhaust $1000(ish)
Akebonos: (admittedly not necessary for street driving but they set off the look and do offer performance increase) $650
Tune: $700
Total = $3675 so the rest can be shipping/install charges, some interior bits, whatever.
you absolutely do not need an intake. it's been proven time and again that replacing the OEM airboxes lose power as often as gain so you're throwing money away.
Tein Basis: $450
Berk HFC: (best power adder from my research) $500
Sway bars: $375
Cat back exhaust $1000(ish)
Akebonos: (admittedly not necessary for street driving but they set off the look and do offer performance increase) $650
Tune: $700
Total = $3675 so the rest can be shipping/install charges, some interior bits, whatever.
you absolutely do not need an intake. it's been proven time and again that replacing the OEM airboxes lose power as often as gain so you're throwing money away.
I like the break down. I was planning on getting an Intake...so you just saved me some doe. And the Tein Basis are a good idea for me too cause I'm not sure which size rims I'm going with yet so that would help me line up the right wheel fender gap no matter which size I go with, even though I'm leaning towards 19's.
Hey Irack,
you have any pics or vids of your ride?
And how the heck do I add pics on here so I can show you guys where I'm at so far with my ride?
Last edited by NYTEG37; Apr 13, 2017 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
Great advice there from Iracknback. Maybe not the brakes... if the OP's forcus is performance. Can't deny the looks, though. The Akebono BBK is gorgeous. And he's right, the intake is a minor thing, somewhere between negligable and an actual detriment.
Those are more fine-tuned pricing estimates, too, assuming minimal cost while still getting quality components.
Meh. Just drop the whole wad on wrapping the entire car.
Those are more fine-tuned pricing estimates, too, assuming minimal cost while still getting quality components.
Meh. Just drop the whole wad on wrapping the entire car.
???
Good thread w/ some great advice. Can't go wrong with the Tein Basis (they're actually called Tein Basis Z now), if you source these they will probably only state that they fit coupes, but they work just fine for the Sedans too. They are a mild drop coilover which is perfect for a daily driver and along w/ the upgraded sway bars should provide decent handling when push comes to shove. If you want the ability to adjust the damping pressure you can opt for the Tein Flex Z, they are basically the same as the Basis but have the adjustable dampers for about $300 more. These Teins use the factory top shock mounts which is good, many aftermarket coilover mounts can contribute to noise issues over time (the premium KW coilovers also use the OEM mounts). T
Agree on the intakes, a good final piece to the puzzle when included w/ a tune, but the true cold air intakes such as Stillen Gen 3, Takeda, and Injen long tubes are about $500ish and the gains are mainly at the top so your initial low end torque will be lacking (something these VQs are already short on).
Light & Strong wheels combined w/ great gripping summer tires will be your most noticeable mod, be sure to browse the wheel folder for ideas. I was on heavy 20s but now on light 18s and much better, plus the tires are cheaper
Only DIY that's really tough is getting the OEM cats changed out, most other DIYs are just time consuming, but check the DIY folder, most every project is in there so you can judge if it's something you can perform.
And VenomGT is THE MAN when it comes to finding steals of deals on quality wheels.
Have fun, and here's a thread about sourcing the Big brake kit on a budget
https://www.myg37.com/forums/brakes-...the-cheap.html
Agree on the intakes, a good final piece to the puzzle when included w/ a tune, but the true cold air intakes such as Stillen Gen 3, Takeda, and Injen long tubes are about $500ish and the gains are mainly at the top so your initial low end torque will be lacking (something these VQs are already short on).
Light & Strong wheels combined w/ great gripping summer tires will be your most noticeable mod, be sure to browse the wheel folder for ideas. I was on heavy 20s but now on light 18s and much better, plus the tires are cheaper
Only DIY that's really tough is getting the OEM cats changed out, most other DIYs are just time consuming, but check the DIY folder, most every project is in there so you can judge if it's something you can perform.
And VenomGT is THE MAN when it comes to finding steals of deals on quality wheels.
Have fun, and here's a thread about sourcing the Big brake kit on a budget
https://www.myg37.com/forums/brakes-...the-cheap.html
