Well, I walked into a tuning shop today...being as though I know next to nothing about car ****, I don't think driving over after work in a suit helped either.


Anyways this guy I spoke to gave me a few prices on some mod's and I was wondering if they were in line with what they should be. Keep in mind I have trouble installing my cigarette lighter back in it's hole so all these prices include install.

Custom Exhaust and CAI (AEM?) = 605

H&R Springs = 400

Told me he couldn't find any sway bars for an 03 Protege and Strut Bars aren't worth a crap.

 

One more thing...

Are springs something you do by themselves or should they be done with struts? I was thinking about doing the springs and then grabbing 16 or 17 inch rims...good idea?

Thanks all

 

Well, in my area, a friend paid about 400$CDN for a custom exhaust including muffler. I've been quoted up to 550$ for a CAI for my car. Is the exhaust mandrel bent and stainless steel??
The prices seem reasonable to me, for 600$ you get an intake and exhaust,
400$ for springs, do these prices include installation??

 

First things first.....Rwt1, Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!


IF those prices INCLUDE installation...then they are in line and fair depending on the brands that you are getting....what exhaust are you talking about?

the springs.....just the springs alone are $200.....so if they will install them AND ALIGN the car for another $200....I would call that fair...IF they are reputable and have the proper equipment to do the alignment....and the back up their work.

Strut bars ARE NOT CRAP....and do a vital job in the handling area....

the sway bars that are listed for the 2001 - 2002 are the same as for your 2003.....there is no difference.

the Struts and Springs quesiton......there are two schools of thought on this......

1. yes you can do just the springs......keep in mind that the struts will wear out prematurely do to the fact that they are not valved for the new spring rates...but how fast that will happen will greatly depend on the roads you drive on.....

2. Yes you can replace them both at the same time.....and then the life of the new struts will be more along the line of what you would expect for a stock strut....

there have been members that went years with no problems out of the stock struts and lowering springs.....then there have been others that within 12 months their stock struts were shot and they were replaceing them......

so its sorta your call. Keep in mind that a new set of struts will run you about an additional $450 or so....but if you are installing springs....there should be no additional cost for the install since the stock struts have to be removed for the spring install anyway.

 

Thanks man...I got the idea that the "sales" guy wasn't all too bright, but the head installer came out in the middle of our conversation and really seemed like he knew what he was talking about.

I think I am gonna hold off on the springs for now and do the CAI and exhaust, then get some rims for when the summer months come around.