Budget around $500. What would you do?

I spent approx $250 on H&R springs, and only $100 to install at a local shop. Then get the 2 rear lateral GTSpec braces and your right at $500...maybe a bit more.

Or get the a Technosquare tune for $500.
 
A tune is also a good thought but Technosquare is out of the biz, UPREV perhaps?

Another option is to send me the $500.00. I'll purchase the parts, test them on my ride and report back to you :tup:
 
Hey Hanjo, I would spend the $500 on H&R springs and GTSPEC STB brace. The brace gave me the most noticeable improvement in the car's handling. This combo will run you about $100 your budget though. I think this will give you the biggest bang for your bucks.

Or (I'm totally agree with Logan's suggestion too...send me the $500), but you get to chose what parts to buy, I'll test them out on my ride for you and then I'll send them to you after testing them. Deal?

Good luck man.:wink (2):
 
I know all these guys are saying springs and about a year ago I would have agreed. But now that the coilovers are available, I think you should just save up for those. That way no matter what you do to your car/wheels in the future, you can dial in the ride height and dampening for the perfect look/feel. If you wait until your shocks/struts need to be replaced anyway, you'll get more value out of that buy.

Now for the GTSpec braces. I felt a positive difference when I installed the STB, but the other braces were less noticeable. I question if the front engine tie brace does anything at all, and the rear lower subframe brace seems to be sort of small against the frame member to which it is bolted. If I had to recommend a set of GTSpec braces, I'd go for the STB and the 4pt ladder brace. The brand new mid-chassis brace hasn't really been proven out yet. A few guys have it but haven't reported back any benefits.

As for the $500 now - yes, absolutely get the plenum spacer. I will preach it every day - the best power mods for the FX (that you will FEEL) are intake, plenum spacer, exhaust and a tune. Everything else is fluff and style.

Plenum spacer can be found used, or if you go with a Skunk2 or other composite spacer, you can find it for around $100. A spacer is a spacer - no need for those iso-thermal features or any other add-ons. They might work a little, but not for the money you pay for those features, IMO. All you need is the volume increase.

One other suggestion would be for a shift kit. These run about 250 plus install, but make a big difference in the feel of your FX. Shifting is different - more aggressive and I never regretted how it came out.

Pick two:
Plenum spacer
4pt ladder brace
Shift kit

Good luck - looking forward to reading about your choice and the results!
 
You guys rock! lol
Thank you all for your inputs again!
As for the springs I will just wait a little longer and get the coilovers in the future :)
I have about 44,000 miles on my FX and soon or later my shocks and struts are going be worned out and I will end up getting those replaced...
So why not just save up a little more and get coilovers later since shocks/struts/springs/labor will cost about getting coilovers :) Sorry Aerobfa.. :(
As for plenum spacer, I've been wanting to get one, but why would it decrease MPG?
Some say there is an increase in MPG, but some people experienced decrease in MPG.
I have the intake and CBE which it suppose to increase the MPG a little, so I guess even if the space decreases my MPG, it will somehow cancel out each other...
Can anyone else verify and explain whether the space will decrease MPG or not?
Oh Jumbo, can you explain what is shift kit and how it works exactly?
Do you have a picture of it? Any brands you recommend?
Thank you !
 
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Why would you need new shocks and struts with lowering springs? Btw does the when chamber gets messed up when lowering springs are on (aka tire life cut in half)
 
sir21 said:
Why would you need new shocks and struts with lowering springs? Btw does the when chamber gets messed up when lowering springs are on (aka tire life cut in half)
Click to expand...


no, the point is that when you get to the point where your shocks and struts are bad anyway, and you are considering springs, you may as well get the coil overs.

This is my case: my struts and shocks are shot from the Eibach springs, and the cost to replace struts themselves is basically the price of a new set of coil overs.... ~$900, so I figured "why not go for them anyway, I can get lower and have a more comfortable ride!"

So yeah.... and with springs, tire life wont get cut in half, the camber doesnt get that wild.
 
Ya, you should definitely save up for coilovers at this point. I got mine springs done back in July and I should had just waited on coilovers. Would've saved a lot of money in the long run for other mods. As for the plenum spacer, I have the full upper replacement and I've definitely have decreased mpgs and I'm not too happy about it.
 
Hello guys :)
Just placed on order for Motordyne 5/16 Plenum Spacer, Stillen Z-Tube and an In-cabin Filter (Charcoal Activated)
Will post a review on the spacer and Z-Tube when I get those installed this Friday :)
Thank you guys for your inputs!
 
I have the H&R springs boxed up and ready to ship to you if you want them. :wink:

Ah, just kidding. You really should save up for coilovers. :balanced:
 
springs will not give you the satisfaction of having coilovers trust me I went with both setups and with the coilovers you will completely satisfied with ride and adjustability.
 
Sooooooo
I got the plenum spacer and z-tube installed today!
Wow what a differene!
I've driven my FX for more than 5 years without the spacer and Z-tube and I felt the difference right away.
Sound is now deeper and definitely louder.
Felt more power too.
Now I gotta see the fuel economy.
Since ECU is resetted I have to wait and see how it goes after a few miles.
Overall, very satisfied!
 
Excellent, you have to love power mods. Screw the mileage and don't look back, millions of years ago a LOT of dinosaurs gave their lives so we could haul ass around this planet today. Whats a few extra pennies when your smile ratio goes up more than the price of gas?
 
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