Advice on First Mods?

[Condooo]

Hey there, this is my first post to the forum. Been reading for a little while, now, but never made the step to posting.
I've been interested in mods for a while, but I've never really looked much into them: partly because of my technical know-how (or lack thereof), but also since my last car was a 1.6L diesel Citroen Saxo. Classy.

To cut a long story short, the bonnet flew open on the motorway and smashed the screen, and with all it's other fauts we decided to scrap it. Recently bought myself my new car, my 1.5L Yaris T-Sport. Loving every minute of it.:cool:

As I'm still a 'young' driver, I'm looking to keep all mods I make official and through the books, while I'm also not wanting to spend silly-money on insurance. What I'm really asking is for your advice on some performace mods that aren't going to have me spending so much as to leave me begging, and won't hurt my insurance too much. Currently, I'm looking towards a new set of Roto alloys, EBC Greenstuff pads and a K&N Typhoon CAIS.

Any and all advice would be great. When anything actually happens I'll make sure to get pictures up.

[cali yaris]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but I'd like to be helpful. I don't know what this means for where you live; more detail would probably get you better advice:

I'm looking to keep all mods I make official and through the books

[BEEF]

the way I have always heard it (please remember, I am in the US) any add-ons you do to the car isn't covered. the insurance covers your vehicle the way you bought it. it won't cover your $2000 rims or your $3000 turbo or if you put a $5000 paint job on it. that way you don't have to say anything about it to the insurance.

I think it is a little different for theft but in the case of a collision, that is what I have heard.

honestly an intake and exhaust won't change much anyway.

[thebarber]

lowering springs and stickier tires

[Condooo]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but I'd like to be helpful. I don't know what this means for where you live; more detail would probably get you better advice:

Hey there, thanks for replying.

Yea, sorry, wasn't really made clear. I was just saying I'd prefer to keep things legal and up-to-date with the insurance company, just so there's no problems if I ever have to make a claim.

[.Kevin.]

Stock intake is best intake

[cali yaris]

Stock intake is weakest intake.

[matthewai]

^^^ hahah

[BEEF]

the stock intake takes air from behind the radiator and runs about 15-20 degrees warmer than ambient. a good CAI design that increases flow and reduces temps will make more power.

most of them are louder but some of us like that.

one bit of advice i can give is to call another insurance company (not yours) and ask about adding a car that you have modified. see what they say. do it anonymously. I know how things go in the states so it isn't an issue for me. either that or don't you have any cop friends? talk to them. if you don't, get some. they can help you out a lot.

a big thing about mods is more about what you want. the stickier tires and lowered suspension may not be your thing, it may be exactly your thing. it is all about what is important to you. I would start with the cheaper stuff and the stuff that is DIY so you can get a feel for your vehicle. if you start with the hard stuff, you may never get around to the easy stuff.

exhaust = 2 bolts
rear sway bar = 4 bolts
rims = 4 nuts each
turbo = many many nuts, bolts, screws, electronics, gauges, etc and so on

(hopefully that made sense)

[.Kevin.]

Also no fear of getting ricer comments. Having that boldness helps alot, if anyone laughs at the Yaris tell them Garms would rape their cars with their parents engines combined ;)

[cali yaris]

exhaust = 2 bolts
rear sway bar = 4 bolts
rims = 4 nuts each
turbo = many many nuts, bolts, screws, electronics, gauges, etc and so on

That is good stuff. Some mods are just so easy and fun to do, others.... not so much. :smile:

Also, there are some mods that don't make power, but make the car a LOT nicer to drive.

these couldn't possibly be illegal:

Center Console
Foglights
Shifter extension/short shifter
(I could think of some more, but I'm cooking, lol)....

[Condooo]

Thanks for the replies guys, some good help there. I know it's stupid of me, but I completely forgot paying much attention to the tyres.:eek: Going to get right on it. And definately, need to improve on the fun-factor. Not to be a ricer, but I think I can manage a sub in my boot... just.

[JTDBT903]

That is good stuff. Some mods are just so easy and fun to do, others.... not so much. :smile:

Also, there are some mods that don't make power, but make the car a LOT nicer to drive.



Like your whole store! lol... [the fun and nicer part]

[bzinn 1]

Some great mods that make a great improvement and are easy to do are a rear swaybar,takes about 30 min to install and really improves how car drives in corners.

Another great mod is lowering springs and new wheels,they dont have to cost a fortune to look good.

Stereo upgrade to aftermarket deck with amp and sub and components in the doors is a great mod,one of my favorites.

Sound deadening is also a overlooked mod that we really benifit from as cabin noise is just stupid in the Yaris...lol.

Exhaust as stated is 2 bolts and car sounds great with one,there are nice ones like the TRD that are not overly loud and still sound great.

Intake is also an easy mod,if they are not legal where you live then may want to skip.

Shift knob and boot is one of the esay cheap mods that makes the car feel more personal to the driver,even an ebrake gaiter makes it look nicer.

Tinted windows are a big visual change to car,depends on legality in your area.

Clazzio seat covers are also another great mod,time consuming to put on but they look really sweet and fit perfectly,not sure on seats on Tsport as never seen in person....

foglights,a bit harder to install but also a great mod,brighter headlight bulbs also make night driving better and they look good when headlights not dull white stock bulb.

Those are some of the first mods I always do to a car.

[MUSKOKA800]

Start with a shift kit if it's a standard. Your driving experience will be much improved for very little cost. Then...suspension upgrades to further increase your smile ratio and shock any free-loaders.

[Bluevitz-rs]

I think you should start by saying what year the car is. I'm pretty sure it's a first gen like mine. So some of these suggestions won't apply.

[Condooo]

I think you should start by saying what year the car is. I'm pretty sure it's a first gen like mine. So some of these suggestions won't apply.

I was really just looking for a very general overview, not needing many specifics. However, I'm driving a 2002 first gen 1.5L T-Sport.

[why?]

the most important thing to do is to check the laws in your area. The second thing is that most insurance companies won't cover mods at all, unless you get a special policy that will charge you an arm, a leg, and usually your first born as well.

Have fun modding!

[skootdog]

What about the accessory pulley? Adds a couple of HP for the fun of it, One bolt.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Yup. Just about all the parts made for the scion xb first gen will work on the first gen yaris.

[johnny_vitz]

One of my favorite mods was putting in the short shifter. It takes almost all of the play from the shifter and lowers the height to the perfect level (IMO). It's cheap and an easy DIY if you take the time. Intake was up there too, adds a little power and it sounds pretty good. Lower and sticky tires is good too...
Well, once you start it's hard to stop...:biggrin:

[2005rs]

this may be a dumb question but is lowering more of a performance or a cosmetic mod?

I have some some used apex springs in the garage that I can't decide on using or not.

+1 for short shifter, intake and lightened accessory pulley

[Bluevitz-rs]

depends on what you're after. Do you like the looks of a lowered car, or the handling of a lowered car or both? Because you can get different springs for different applications.

[2005rs]

I'm more interested in the performance vs the looks. I couldn't find a lot of data on the apex springs other than they lower the ride 32mm, so I'm thinking they're more cosmetic than functional.
I know coilovers are the way to go for performance, but I have a low performance wallet.
I need new shocks this summer, but it's looking like KYB or Munroe.

[marcus]

so much stuff to do on this car so little time and money..lol

[tire]

I'm also new to this car and configuration (small, auto, FWD). I am surprised no one has mentioned an underdrive pulley. They improve power or mpg, depending how you drive. Are they available for our cars? That was my favorite bolt-on on my Mustang because it improved everything and was under 200$. Do the accessories work fine underpowered though? What is the weak link and what %? 10, 15, 20%?

[2005rs]

mine is 10% underdrive I think. haven't noticed any negative effects
getting rid of weight everywhere else makes a noticable difference too

[BEEF]

I've always been real funny about underdrive pulles as it slows down things like the alternator and the water pump in particular. there are light weight pulleys that do help but keep the ratios the same so nothing slows down.

there is a user here named garm (cali yaris) that has is own online store. he is a promoted vendor here that has a lot of cool stuff for our little car. I only found out about him about a month and a half ago myself but he has a lot of cool stuff. y'all should check him out.

http://shop.microimageonline.com/

I haven't given him much money yet but figure he will end up with quite a bit of it before I am done with my yaris. lol

***edit***

he sells both light weight pulleys and underdrive pulleys for about $100 each