Suggestions for $300-$400 worth of mods please!

[CtrlAltDefeat]

Well I just got permission to buy up to about $400 worth of mods from the wife, and as usual I'm not going to rush my decisions. I have a bone stock black sand 08 LB MT with the 15" wheels. I'm looking forward to installing mods myself with the forums DIYs.

My initial thoughts are to improve the suspension with springs and a strut bar. A short shift kit would also be sweet and should improve acceleration.

I found these parts at wesellcarparts.com(with free shipping in the cont US):

Tanabe DF210 Lowering Springs $168

GT Spec Front Strut Bar $145

NST Short Shift Kit $90

Total $403

I'm not sure if these are the best bang for my buck, nor do I know if these are the best prices for these parts. I'm also concerned about the Tanabe DF210 springs. The Tanabe site shows these springs are for lowering the car specifically, not necessarily better performance like the GF210 or PRO210 springs. I would like to get rid of the 4x4-like wheel well gap, but I prefer better performance over sheer height drop. I'd consider the GF210s or PRO210s if they made them for the Yaris, but baring that, I wonder if there's a better performing part out there.

Like I said, I don't rush these things, so I'm looking for alternative opinions and suggestions. Any thoughts on it would be appreciated! Thanks!

[eTiMaGo]

If you want real bang for the buck, I'd say skip the strut bar and get an NST underdrive pulley. Springs and a SSK are great too because all of these give you results you can immediately feel.

[Black Yaris]

underdrive pulley set, short shifter and lowering coils would be the best start

DF's on my Yaris made a huge handling difference, I loved em

[CtrlAltDefeat]

the under drive pulleys are that good? Are they hard to install?

[CtrlAltDefeat]

btw I was sad to hear about your yaris (a while ago). It was kinda my inspiration for my black yaris...

[RagnaCaT]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDefeat

the under drive pulleys are that good? Are they hard to install?

Let's make it simple they are the best thing that can ever happen to the Yaris period. Install is fairly easy do a search there should be a DIY around also you can get more info on them Remember NST 10% underdrive pulley and +1 on DF's and SSK! it will be like driving a new car!

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDefeat

the under drive pulleys are that good? Are they hard to install?

Not with the proper tools. Here's a DIY on the subject:
http://yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3964

NST products are highly recommended. Check out my thread on best & worst investments link on my sig to get an idea

[cleong]

Let me suggest something else:

DF210 lowering springs

TRD rear anti roll bar

Camber bolts to get -1.5 degrees camber for your front wheels

Save the remainder for gas

[eTiMaGo]

that's certainly another great direction, focus on handling, it is the strong point of the car after all

[thebarber]

megan lowering springs (1.5") $132
http://www.wesellcarparts.com/store/...idproduct=4491

camber bolts $35
http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...4&productId=72

dragon intake $109
http://www.wesellcarparts.com/store/...idproduct=4858

NST 10% underdrive pulley $112
http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=46

TOTAL $388

[PETERPOOP]

Afe Intake $171.50

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=74

NST 10% Underdrive Crank PUlley $112.00

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=46

Tanabe DF210 lowering springs $158.00

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...=4&productId=8

total = $441.50 * $40 more than you planned, but I would get these...

All of these will change the look, feel, and sound of your car!

[PetersRedYaris]

Skip the strut bar and replace it with an NST pulley. Don't do the whole pulley set if installation worries you as the alternator pulley seems to be the trickiest. And shop around for DF210 springs, they can be found for far less than you have listed.

[TEHxFALLEN V1.2]

Originally Posted by PETERPOOP

Afe Intake $171.50

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=74

NST 10% Underdrive Crank PUlley $112.00

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=46

Tanabe DF210 lowering springs $158.00

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...=4&productId=8

total = $441.50 * $40 more than you planned, but I would get these...

All of these will change the look, feel, and sound of your car!

NITTO Upper Front Strut Brace $112.00

[CtrlAltDefeat]

Originally Posted by PETERPOOP

Afe Intake $171.50

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=74

NST 10% Underdrive Crank PUlley $112.00

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=46

Tanabe DF210 lowering springs $158.00

http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...=4&productId=8

total = $441.50 * $40 more than you planned, but I would get these...

All of these will change the look, feel, and sound of your car!

I have considered an intake, but I've heard the bang for buck is pretty bad for intakes. How much HP does the $170 for that intake actually get you? I hope to possibly mod my air box to make it less restrictive later if I do not get an intake now... Altho It does look good...

[ZING]

Yargh how jealous I get. Cost me 300$ for springs alone..including shipping and customs tax.


You didn't mention NF210's up there. They are great.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

Originally Posted by thebarber

megan lowering springs (1.5") $132
http://www.wesellcarparts.com/store/...idproduct=4491

camber bolts $35
http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...4&productId=72

dragon intake $109
http://www.wesellcarparts.com/store/...idproduct=4858

NST 10% underdrive pulley $112
http://shop.microimageonline.com/pro...2&productId=46

TOTAL $388

The camber bolts are scary... I've read the wrong camber settings can ruin a car...

so far I think springs and the under drive pulley are on the list of what I'm going to get(which springs, I'm not sure yet but the DF210s seem to be most popular so far...) So far what I'm unsure of is whether to get more HP with an intake or better handling something else...

[dexter_5000]

springs short shift kit should work well i'm debating about pulleys for my xa still too. i've only heard good things though about the nst set.

[blacksandiegovitz]

Originally Posted by eTiMaGo

If you want real bang for the buck, I'd say skip the strut bar and get an NST underdrive pulley. Springs and a SSK are great too because all of these give you results you can immediately feel.

^^^^^ +1 for that set-up !