What to do with 1200????

[shadow1144]

So... Opinions, opinions, opinions!!!

I was thinking of upgrading a few things.... BUT WHAT!?!?!

I have a stock MSP with no upgrades other than a sway bar!!! I was thinking of dropping about a grand... but dont really know how to spend it...

If I could upgrade the looks and the performance (a little of both worlds I would be happiest...) BUT WHAT!?!?!....

Or maybe I should just invest it all under the hood! BUT no one looks under the hood... exterior upgrades will turn heads... hmmmmm!!!:confused:

How would you guys invest the money...

Opinions?!?!?! (bang)

[TurbomanProtege]

I think you should intest under the hood. cuz the MSPs already look nice, which MSP you got?

[mazdaspeedwerx]

fmic? its an engine upgrade that is visible without the hood open. and you will have money left over

[special--k]

+1 on the FMIC option. Looks sick with the Grill off. then get a LOUD ass BOV, kill the turky, and Heads will turn every time you shift

[haze20]

Get a exhaust. It will free up the most power. You really cant do much apperance wise in my opinion with 1200. Thats just me. I won't buy just springs but you might be able to get rotas and springs.

[special--k]

good call on the exaust too,
when you say you only want to spend 1200. Does that mean right now. or forever. Becuase 1200 doesnt go to far, thats what i have been learning by reading the forums. Dont forget the CAI, and Gauges are always fun.

[tracknfield423]

personally i would invest in tools if you don't have them already then invest in parts. . . but if you already have tools then i would say either the FMIC or exhaust

[geomatics_tech]

Vibrant exhaust and a SS AFC, save the rest for some sort of upgraded intercooler.

Don't waste your money on CAI, it just makes noise.

Or, buy some light weight wheels.

[nato]

Vibrant exhaust and a SS AFC, save the rest for some sort of upgraded intercooler.

Exactly what I was gonna say. You will be much happier with performance upgrades. Also, an Eibach ProKit would give you a nice drop, but that might push you over the $1200.

[Prodigy]

$500 FMIC w/ hardpipes + BOV
$300 custom 3" exhaust
$300 springs + AWR rear sway bar
$100 MBC + boost gauge

That's the "Best Bang for Your Buck" set-up.
The MSP has enough exterior upgrades. Leave it stock.

[Viralphrame]

So... Opinions, opinions, opinions!!!

I was thinking of upgrading a few things.... BUT WHAT!?!?!

I have a stock MSP with no upgrades other than a sway bar!!! I was thinking of dropping about a grand... but dont really know how to spend it...

If I could upgrade the looks and the performance (a little of both worlds I would be happiest...) BUT WHAT!?!?!....

Or maybe I should just invest it all under the hood! BUT no one looks under the hood... exterior upgrades will turn heads... hmmmmm!!!:confused:

How would you guys invest the money...

Opinions?!?!?! (bang)

Save it until you know what you want to do with your car.

[special--k]

SS AFC is a good call too, i just got mine yesterday. Ill install it this weekend and let you know how it feels!! cheap too, if you can wait, look around and find a used one for 150-200 on the forums. Or you can be a baller and get the v2 new for 400.

Tools is a good idea as well, im trying to buy tools as i proceed with my car. There expensive tho.

[special--k]

Hi us back dude,
what are your plans?

[flaps720]

"Go" before "show" ...make sure she can actually move, not just look like she can!

[Rush]

Save it until you know what you want to do with your car.
Best response in this thread.

You need to figure out where you want to take your car, before you can figure out what to spend the money on.

[stdntDrvr]

neons...lots and lots of neons...and a big ass tach. you'll have enough left over for a GT-R or VTEC decal.















sorry, couldn't stop myself.

[derekb727]

forged internals if you can build it yourself...if you want to save money go ahead and get your lsd welded. it will break eventually...

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Down payment for a different car.

[benflagg]

Down payment for a different car.

win

[zuku26]

Here's my $0.02:
Get a used FMIC Hard pipes and decent FMIC. I would worry about the whole exhaust for now. Just get an upgraded Mid pipe. I prefer catless. Get some gauges, boost, A/F Ratio, possibly oil pressure. Good tune up with quality parts, oil change and run synthetic of you haven't already. Upgrade the WGA cause it's going to go anyway. Definatly get a BOV and relocate the MAF (that's a free mod more or less).. Kill the turkey!! As far as visual goes paint the caliper and get a badgeless grill. Tint the bitch it she aint tinted already. I think that's it But I may add more

[benflagg]

Before Performance,
The very first thing before performance is making sure your car is ready to be modified, this means it needs to be in tip top shape. Replace all the fluids including In the transmission. Ensure that the brakes, and other wear items are in good condition. Track down and fix any leaks, knocks, or squeeks. You will also need a better set of motor mounts to replace the no doubt broken ones that came stock, almost any vender has these parts listed. Do not over look broken motor mounts, trying to wait on replacing those will lead to headaches, trust me on this one. Also take a look at all the bushings and end links under the car, replace or lube as needed. (especialy the rear sway bar bushings). These little things are often overlooked in builds, it is very prudent not to make that mistake. After all, you would not send a quarter back in to the game with a busted arm now, would you?

Performance round one
If you are deadset on tuning this car, your immediate concern is going to be elimating compressor surge, all vacuum leaks, and getting the fuel delivery in check. The best way to accomplish this is getting some hardpipes, relocating the MAF, and getting some type of fuel controller. I also strongly recomend an upgraded intercooler. Custom MSP's side mount is highly recomended for its stock location, and high quality (I installed this part and had an immediate improvement on performance, and have no trouble with heatsoke). You can find Weapon R hardpipes on Protegegarage.com for around 290 dollars, and instructions for relocating the MAF right here on the forums. You will also probably want a BOV although the stock unit could get you by. Once you relocate the MAF any type will do, there are several threads here in the forums that will lend you advice and instructions to that end.If you haven't figured this out by now, all the first round of mods I chose were addressing what I felt to be factory deficiencies with the engineering of this car. There are more but this I think is a good first step.

I dare say you should be able to accomplish this for twelve hundred if you are frugal.

Performance round two
Now its time to balance out the things you did in round one, this means you will need some gauges to keep track of whats going on with your car. Wide band Air to fuel Ratio should be your first and most important choice. Than I would recommend boost, and probably oil pressure. You may also want to consider coolant, and exhaust temp as well. Now is a good time to get away from making power and look at your tires brakes and suspension. Usually I would do these first before changing anything else, but since the MSP has an exceptional set up to begin with I saved these till this point. What you want here is up to you, I could write a book on this subject. However, I advise keeping your ambition in check less you end up with a car thats no fun on the street. Also look at some exhaust work, and that intake you have no doubt been eyeballing since before you started working on the car, and possibly a clutch upgrade. Before you try to make any more power I strongly recommend
You get your Differential welded, you can find many threads on that here on the board.

Beyond
Going past round two requires some serious thought, because you will be venturing into the realm of true high performance. That means true High performance prices, and competition. It also means you will probably want another car to daily drive, although some crazies prefer to tough it out.

Also before you do any of this I can not say enough about DRIVER IMPROVEMENT!!! Take a performance oriented driving class!! It will make you faster and safer, than the equivalent money spent on any part!!

[benflagg]

Sorry for the book, I meant just to say a little bit, but I was on a roll lol.

[Ricktalife]

[U]It also means you will probably want another car to daily drive, although some crazies prefer to tough it out.


hell yea man turbo DD ftw!

[benflagg]

hell yea man turbo DD ftw!

lawlz