(This question is for anyone who has confidence in their car knowledge)
Whats the FIRST engine/exhaust (anything to add HP to be exact) modification would you make with a price range of $100-$300(the less the better)?

 

An intake.

 

Yep, I'd have to agree with seattleprotege and intake would be a good choice. However, not your only one...

In that price range you can also get a set of ground wires (Hyperground). This will add a minimal amount of HP gain (maybe 1 or 2) but it will help in your fuel economy, throttle repsonce, brighter headlights. This was my first choice in the work on my car as an intake will drop your fuel economy some. (more air = more fuel to burn for more power).

My next step is to intall a Ractive air intake (just ordered). This will only add 2-4 hp. I would have gone with an Injen CAI but in my opinion it's not woth the extra money (4X more than the Ractive intake) for double the hp gains. Plus I live in a snowy area and I'm too lazy to be pulling it out in the winter. I'd rather have something there I can just leave it.

Also, new spark plugs and ingniton wires might give you some minimal gains as well...

 

Don't bother buying Hypergrounds. If you're gonna go this route, get yourself some 2 or 4 gauge amp wire and make them yourself. Total cost, will be around 20-30USD.

 

Are there any articles on how and where to install home-made ground wires? If it's $20-30, and improves mileage, it's probably worth the cash... I just don't know how to do it

 

Why don't you consider a short shifter/shifter bushings first... if you have a 5speed, you will feel it 100% and it improves the fun factor by 100%.

P

 

Why would you be taking out the Injen CAI in the winter Redfyre? The only way you'll do any damage is to submerge the intake in water aka a big-*** puddle. Snow won't do anything harmful.

 

Astral check out Gro Harlems site on how to make your own. It really helped me when I installed mine 'cause I got my instrucitons in Japanese.

http://www.protegenetwork.org/pro/1s...to/groundwire/

I've noticed a small increase in my throttle response and some better fuel economy since my install. I recently changed the location of some of the points too and found that I may have had better ground points in my original setup so I'm gonna have to change it back. *sigh*

Lerxst, as for taking it out for the winter... I'm pretty sure it's safe to leave it in. But for me personally, I'd rather not have to worry about driving through a big slush puddle is all. That and I'm a cheap bastard and the Injen is 4 times the price of the Ractive at double the hp gains. Don't get me wrong though... I'd like an Ijen...

 

Does an intake really increase the mileage on the car?

 

akaveli, you must mean decrease the fuel economy right? If you increase the amount of oxygen that your engine takes in, it dumps more fuel to burn. More oxygen + more fuel = more horse power.

That was my theory in getting grounding wires before an intake. The grounding wires will help increase my fuel economy while the intake will decrease it some. I'm hoping to even out the numbers.

 

you kinda have to plan it a little more, do you want to go BIG on stereo, BIG on power or BIG on handling?

stereo = deck
power = intake/exhaust
handling = springs

and if you want just looks then RIMS+tires or body kit

 

oh well, basically I ain't so thats why I asked

 

I'm running an AEM SRI Redfyre, and the filter is about the same height as the Injen. I thought you might know something I didn't know... just checking.

 

Lerxst, I suppose I could just get an Ijen. I mean, I really, really want an Ijen. I'm just not sure I can fork out the $$ for one. And I guess if I get a bypass valve I should be good to go in large puddles and in the winter... hmm... now I'm thinking... *drool*

 

Just get the AEM. Easier to install, easier to clean as well as the filter doesn't sit inside the bumper. It sits just as low as the Injen, costs a little less and will give you the same amount of performance. You don't need the bypass valve either. It'll rob you of the power gain the intake provides. Plus, water won't get in to your engine unless you've completely submerged your filter underwater. I've driven through rainstorms on the highway and it's never been a problem.