Beginner Modding

[david_827]

Hello Everyone,

As you may know i just got my 07 Yaris Sedan. It is my first car and im eager to start modding :burnrubber:. I have never modded a car though i do my way around a car somewhat. I can perform the simple things, like maintenance. I was wondering what you guys think would be a good beginner mod to install first?

[tooter]

If I could pick just one mod with the best bang for the buck, it would have to be a rear sway bar. :thumbsup:

[Black_griffin6]

It depends on what YOU want to do to it.

Hell, anyone here could suggest to put a turbo on it, or swap an LS1 in it, but you may not want that.

Rear sway bar is a good place to start actually.
My first mod was a weighted shift knob, probably the simplest thing ever.
There's some pretty cool mods in here (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365)

One mod that I did recently was take out the air baffle in the intake as well as put in a high flow drop in filter.
Ever since I took out the baffle I can hear the intake sucking in air. :biggrin:

[spocksleftball]

I am also a noob at modding in the modern sense. My first was a bolt on exhaust. Simple and confidense building. The truth is, go for what you want most...performance, looks, sound, personalization...because it is all very simple stuff untill you get into the turbo, cams, roll cage level. Most of the stuff mentioned here just bolts on with no fabrication necessary :)

[cali yaris]

Need to know first if it's a manual or automatic transmission.

Just a few ideas

Power:
Intake
Crank Pulley
Header
Axle-back exhaust
Remove Weight
Lighter wheels
Short shifter kit


Handling:
Grippier tires
Rear Sway Bar
Stiffer/Lowering springs
Performance Struts/Shocks
or Coilover kit instead of the last two things

Cosmetic:
Window tint
Side visors
Rear visor
Foglights

[tooter]

It depends on what YOU want to do to it.

Hell, anyone here could suggest to put a turbo on it, or swap an LS1 in it, but you may not want that.

Rear sway bar is a good place to start actually.
My first mod was a weighted shift knob, probably the simplest thing ever.
There's some pretty cool mods in here (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365)

One mod that I did recently was take out the air baffle in the intake as well as put in a high flow drop in filter.
Ever since I took out the baffle I can hear the intake sucking in air. :biggrin:

Thanks. :smile:

I haven't even looked at the intake yet.

[cali yaris]

Drop-in filters:

http://shop.microimageonline.com/AFE-drop-in-filter-30-10150.htm

http://shop.microimageonline.com/KN-drop-in-air-filter-33-2360.htm

[LA Yaris]

Let the fun begin

[david_827]

Thanks for the input, i love this place, you guys are a great source of info

@cali Yaris it is an automatic

[why?]

first question I would have is how are you going to use it? Is it a family car where you need to have the full interior, or is it a car you will drive on your own with almost no one else ever in it?

Removing stuff is a good first mod. Especially when you can follow the manual on micro image so you don't break anything. The more you remove the better your car will do everything, gas mileage, handling, braking, etc.

The sway bar is a mod everyone has raved about, and it is also really easy by the account of everyone who has done it.

My first mod was removing the daytime running light module. Great mod, i hate drl's with the passion of a billion burning suns.

[cali yaris]

you can delete the short shift kit from my list. :laugh:

[Golddeenoh]

leave it to someone called "Why?' to start by asking questions :P

but he is right, the place to start is to understand what you want and/or need.

efficiency, performance, appearance, or practicality are the common routes for modification

if you want better fuel mileage you can do it

if you want a weekend racer or a fun slightly impractical driving car you can take that route as well

If you want your car to stand out from everyone else's you can certainly do that.

If you want the car to be practical, or more practical you can chose that path as well.

or you can mix and match your options to make your car truly your own.

[david_827]

I can't really remove seats because i usually have people back there. The things i'm looking to do are:
-Give her more power, so i'm not always getting smoked, and so she doesnt sound like a vacuum cleaner
-a few visual modifications to add some uniqueness
-last but not least, SOUND, i love driving around with the windows down and letting the music BUMP

[david_827]

First thing ima do is order the sway bar everyone raves about and possibly lower her about an inch or so, dont wanna lower her more than that cuz the streets in Boston here are pretty shitty

[Golddeenoh]

a lot of answers right here > http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365

more power, all depends on how much you are willing to spend, there some guys on here that have dropped several thousand into the 1nzfe and have crazy hp numbers but if you want more pep and have a budget I would say cold air intake, header, exhaust, and maybe a Micro Image Crank pulley would be a good start for power.

appearance wise you luck out body kits for an 07 are fairly easy to get, look around and pick your poison.

Sound is easy to get as well, a lot of people doing sound upgrade on here.

[tooter]

Give her more power, so i'm not always getting smoked, and so she doesnt sound like a vacuum cleaner...

Instead of airbags... my Yaris has dustbags. :wink:

[cali yaris]

Instead of airbags... my Yaris has racing harnesses. :p

[why?]

how much power? 130 - 150 hp seems to be a sweet spot that gives the Yaris enough power to be fun yet keeps the engine in decent working order, and there are a few tuning shops in the greater boston to Nashua NH region that know how to handle imports.

But a good turbo kit with a good tune from a reputable shop can cost $3 grand or more. Unless you have the ability to do it yourself of course.

and I feel for you on the Boston roads. the Highways are in good shape but the roads in some area would be better off as just dirt. Same way on the Cape unfortunately.

As for lowering, there are 5 or so lowering springs on the market for the Yaris, and people have used the stock shocks or added Tokico shocks, it justs depends how stiff you can handle the ride being.MI has the best selection (http://shop.microimageonline.com/Suspension_c4.htm) for the Yaris and the prices are lower than almost everyone. And the ones they are not lower than you don't want to order from because they are shady.

I am in the process of having Megan coilovers put on my car, they should be finally on and correctly on later today. I can't wait to see how the car handles, even on wrong it felt amazing.

[david_827]

130-150hp sounds good, cuz i do want the engine to remain in good working order...What shops do you recommened in the Boston area?

Im saving up to buy the UR sway bar and the tein coilovers from micro Image as i want to upgrade suspension and handling first. I should have them within the next month :)

[tk-421]

Check my sig (last link) for even more answers to this question. I would also add my vote for a rear sway bar as starter mod. :thumbsup: