I've been resurrecting my dark evergreen 1996 SE for the last month or so and it's time to spend some money. It has about 128k on the ticker, came with an auto, sawblades, 4x4 ride height and dealer installed leather.

So far, I've replaced the lower rad support and am getting ready to embark on some body rust. That stuff's no fun though...

I've added/swapped out - some maintenance stuff too (not all installed yet - some on the way):

• SL 17" wheels w/235/50R17 tires (CL find)
• I30 leather seats and door panels
• I30 steering wheel (same as mine but like new)
• New pocket under radio (mine was broken)
• New Battery
• New Hood Struts
• Did the resistor fix in the Bose for no power, no display and no CD.
• Chrome interior door handles
• Subframe Collars
• Sweet Maxima trunk carpet
• Autodim Mirror
• Clear bumper lights
• eBay red/clears

So you get the idea - not exactly earth shattering stuff.

The remaining need/want list is what I'd like some opinions on.

1. Retrofit HID's - thinking of using glass 97-99 with single Bi-Xenon.
2. Lower it! Looking at the D2 CO's or some other strut/spring combo
3. Navigation Radio - double DIN, iPod controlling, yada yada yada
4. 00VI - never have too much power.
5. G35C 18's (for the summer, but getting some wheels that need some work will be a good winter project)

...and someday FI, but that's for another thread...

I plan to do everything eventually, but don't have a plan of attack on what to do first. These mods will happen over time of course...

 

I'd say lower it. It honestly will change the look of the car and make it more aggressive. IMO get coilovers so you can change the height whenever you want. That's what I would like to do with my max but if you'd rather just get lowering springs then go for whatever you prefer.

 

I want to lower mine, but I am going to do cattman full exhaust, intake, and hids first I think. I have a family and its a daily. Lowering will be last after everything else. Yes it looks good, but more practical while I make everything else nice.

 

Do you prefer power or looks? Id say 00vi or a drop.

 

Yeah I'm going to have to agree with you there. Getting a drop kit will be last on my list as well. I have a catback exhaust installed and in-dash gps. I'm starting a new project with the interior and next will be a cold air intake. It's tough being limited on cash

 

a full cattman exhaust from headers to tip will set you back around $1900.00. I just put cattman headers and a new y-pipe and one of his fast cats on. I already have the catback from 5 years ago and it is still holding up great. Cattman is for sure a great exhaust choice.

 

drop that *****!!!! rims with no drop.... NO! oovi?? too much for eh power. navigation? get a new phone with it. HID... overrated

 

I'd say lower it, Not slam, But a nice 1.4 or more in front.

But that's me, Do what you'll enjoy, Maybe slap on a short-ram and enjoy a few roars

 

I say wheels....maybe because thats what i did lol

 

Drop it

 

I have go with the majority and vote for drop.

 

Its not on your list...But Id say WS Y pipe and drop w/ parts from the fs section.


Best of both worlds!

 

I've heard that I'll fail emissions testing (isn't PA great?) with the aftermarket y-pipe since it eliminates the precats. Since this mostly adds power higher in the RPM band and might be an issue at inspection time is why I opted to keep it off the list for now.

 

Drop, 00VI, exhaust, retrofit..

 

1.4??? then whats the point?? our stock heigth is monster truckish!!! lol i dropped 3.7 in front and 3.1 in back do it!

 

and it STILL doesnt look low from the back....

 

00vi, drop, navigation, hids, wheels. Really important ones are 00vi and drop. Then you have wheels already so you can skip that and get the navigation and hids.

 

oovi?? geezz..... i guess.....

 

drop gets you looks and suspension upgrade.

 

court adjourned

 

drop....then worry bout performance, and dont be scared bout the 1900$ shiz, its not that much unless ur going over the top end. ur lookin bout 5-600 for a headers back exhaust if you go through someone on here for the headers n y, but youll probably have to go to a local shop and have it done for a few hundred from the cat back, as they dont show up for sale too too often onhere. they do, but not everyday..cold air is nice, gives a good roar and wont cost you more than 50..as for hid's, they really set the tone for the front end if your worried bout looks,...oovi is in my lisst too lol...so if i had already done it..i have a feeling ide be pushing it too lol...soo imo, looks then power...or a lil a both at the same time

 

sorry bout the block print*****....didnt realize it till i already posted it!..still a newb

 

IF you want performance first - 00vi or y-pipe.
If you want looks first - drop.

 

Blinker fluid and muffler bearings. Safety first

 

Y-pipe, then JWT ECU + MEVI with spacers/00VI

 

Hardy Har Har...I'd better change the air in my tires too.

 

Whats your beef with the 00vi?

 

i agree with The Wizard..

 

Shouldn't I get some engine mods in place prior to the JWT ECU? I mean, with an auto trans and being n/a, what can I expect out of it. Or should this be something that happens at the same time as the 00VI?

 

Those high profile tires may rub with a drop. When I first got my SL wheels they had 235/50/17 tires. When I put them on the car and put the car back on the ground they rubbed like a bish

 

00VI
I/H/E
Coilovers
250 shot of nitrous

 

I'm leaning hard to CO's so I can adjust for now (winter setup), then when I get 18's for the summer I'll get a more suitable tire profile for the wheels/drop. I can't use a ridiculous amount of drop around here since I need to maintain driveability.

What was your drop that rubbed with the 235/50/17's? (2"+)?

 

Tein S.Tech's on Monroe OE replacement struts

 

:SOLUTION:

Save all of your money and then buy everything at the exact same time. there

 

Oh, that's right - you already told me that.

 

Married with 3 kids and that statement don't go together...

 

feel you there....

 

Besides force induction, there isn't much that you can do to these cars that actually produce any real gains.

IMO, JWT ECU should go in at the same time or later than a MEVI/00VI (not before), or you can do the MEVI/00VI and notice/appreciate the gains, then get the JWT ECU later when funds are available.

Intake-worthless (maybe a true Cold Air Intake like Place Racing ~5hp)
Ypipe ~20 HP
Catback ~8-10 hp
MEVI with spacers/00VI ~30 hp
Force Induction-oh yeah baby!! Totally different car. +100hp right off the bat.

 

My understanding of the JWT is that it's a reprogrammed oem ECU with no adjustment in it - is that correct? Could I (should I) use a piggyback (e-manage blue, or similar) to have flexibility to modify the profile as the engine mods change over time?

Thank you for the list of mods and HP gains - that helps!

 

I would say if your going performance:
--MEVI(easier to install than a 00vi less problems if your not that mechanically inclined)
--Cattman y and 3" exhaust if your thinking F/I in the long run ( always be prepared so you don't spend $$$ on more than one exhaust) I'm learning the hard way.
--Keep your headers for F/I
--Then you can do all the visual drop, rims, tint, body kit, etc.
--Then Forced Induction FTW!!!!