hey i'm a proud new owner of a '02 merlot Max SE 6 spd, i've been researching the heck out of this forum, reading all the faq's and stuff. i have a few questions It seems to me, everyone has different ideas about mods (mainly performance and suspension/handling) but i was wondering if any two mods serve the same purpose, and if one is purchased/installed then the other isn't necessary to install. or if i install one i dont' need to install the other. The following is a list of mod's i've been researching and saving up for. Please inform if any is extraneous/unnecessary, or if i'm missing anything i need...

suspension/handling
-Rear Sway
-Front STB
-Springs (drop)
-Short Throw shifter (HP or TWM?)
-bushings (gear bushings and shocks)

performance
-intake
-exhaust
-Y-Pipe
-Catback
-flywheel
-UDP
-headers (hotshot or cattman?)
-ECU (any cheaper ones than technosquare?)
-rims

do i really need b-pipe? cat converter/straight pipe?

how do you guys deal with the emissions/smog tests?? re-install stock?

thanks for all the help fellas... sorry for the newbie questions... just trying to treat my max as well i can. she deserves it. i love her.

 

bushings are unnecessary.

No ECUs other than TS for the 3.5

UDP is not necessary unless you intend to road race.

The B pipe and high flow cat work well, but the cat isnt necessary unless you go with headers. B pipe will increase the noise level significantly. Also, most high flow cats pass emissions, but you will want to have had the car running for at least 10 min prior to the test.

Headers are great, but a PITA to install and not cheap to have installed. I personally went with the HS, and they put down great #s. The cattmans do too, from what I see, so the choice is yours.