[bolson1982]

Im looking for suggestions on what is the best way to spend $3000 total on the look and performance of my STI. I know $3000 may not seem like alot but I figured it would be a good start.

I looking to spread the money around to looks, power, and handling. I want to try to take full advantage of the factory warranty before I start going crazy with power add-ons. So OEM items are preferred but not essential.

I am also looking for the best places to purchase the parts as well (beset price and most reputable)

The $3000 is for just parts, installation costs are not a concern.

My initial thoughts are as follows.....

08/09 Silver or Gold OEM BBS Wheels (to eventually paint black)
Springs OEM Pinks
Cobb AP
OEM STI Front lip Spoiler
KartBoy SS with bushings
Whiteline Front Swaybar 24mm
Whiteline Rear Swaybar 22mm
Whiteline Front and Rear Endlinks

Please let me know what you think: Any suggestions, substitutions, additions.

[Dfv2]

The path most take is a stage 1 or 2 setup with springs/coilovers and sways. There are of course a LOT of ways to easily blow $3k!!

I fully recommend an AP and protune. To me, a stage 2 setup with the stock catback is WAY more bang-for-buck intelligent than a stage 1 with an aftermarket catback.

AP + invidia catless downpipe + clark turner stage 2 (~$1,100)
Springs (take your pick) + sways and various bushings (~700)
Wheels (again, the choice is yours but I wouldn't go stock BBS if you have the choice) and mount stock rubber/balance (~1,200++)

That's my vote...

[zergling]

If it was me:

Full Front Bumper Clear Bra - better pay $5xx now, than repaint+clearbra later
Rally Armor Mudflaps
OEM Gold BBS
RCE Springs
Swaybars
AP Stage 1 (or 2 if you can fit a catted downpipe in the budget)

[traction]

/\ I agree with this, minus the OEM BBS...... plenty better wheels to buy in my opinion.

[TexRyker]

I would start out performance wise:

1) Some form of cold air intake (~$200)
2) Tactrix Cable ($170)
3) Downpipe ($200)
4) XPT map for ECU ($130)

Then go spend the rest of your $2,400 on some suspension, wheels, and exterior mods

[A1ainSTI]

he said he wanted to keep his warranty.

Frankly, i ditched mine and all is well. You won't get alot of power if you want to retain warranty.

To be or not to be...

[k38s]

I would not spend money on a CAI, it requires a protune and really does nothing unless you are going with BIG power. I would wait unitl Kartboy releases their endlinks. Stocker will work until then.

Other than that, the other suggestions seem reasonable.

I would buy a used AP
used downpipe, go stage 2, I do not know of anyone who has been denied a warranty claim for a down pipe. It could happen but I think it is worth the risk.
If you really do not want to risk the warranty just go stage one.
sways
springs
tint
TiC super short shifter
your choice of assorted bushings

By the way I have the Whiteline endlinks and a CAI.

[jph]

Originally Posted by bolson1982

08/09 Silver or Gold OEM BBS Wheels (to eventually paint black)

you can probably find nicer/lighter wheels for less, warranty is not an issue

[QUOTE=bolson1982;2497813]Springs OEM Pinks

why not opt for some SPT springs instead?

Originally Posted by bolson1982

Cobb AP

bye bye warranty!
also get a protune, some cars still run pretty bad on the OTS cobb maps (mine did)

Originally Posted by bolson1982

KartBoy SS with bushings
Whiteline Front Swaybar 24mm
Whiteline Rear Swaybar 22mm
Whiteline Front and Rear Endlinks

throw in as many of the whiteline bushings that still fit within your budget.
start with ALK, rear diff and subframe inserts, add more if you still have cash left over


J.

[Dfv2]

As far as stage 2 and warranty work is concerned. I do believe we are all adults here, and assuming he runs a Cobb OTS or a protune from a qualified tuner - we can all agree any motor-related failure requiring a warranty claim is not the fault of the stage 2 setup. Enough engines have popped STOCK, to know that some of these puppies were born to die.

That said, I have no problem seeing a guy running a stage 1 or 2 setup returning to stock prior to a warranty claim to avoid the hassle. Flame on fellas, but I would never risk a warranty claim *knowing* my tune was safer than the stock mapping.

[A1ainSTI]

Originally Posted by Dfv2

That said, I have no problem seeing a guy running a stage 1 or 2 setup returning to stock prior to a warranty claim to avoid the hassle. Flame on fellas, but I would never risk a warranty claim *knowing* my tune was safer than the stock mapping.

Sure... try explaining that to SOA.

/me drops flamethrower, turns away