Hi all,

Great site! I'm looking to buy an Xb within a week and I'm having problems "creating" my box with add-ons. I did a search on this site but there seems to be contradictive information. I'm looking to add the following:
TRD spring /struts, TRD lowering Kit, Borla exhaust, strut bar and the cold air intake. I rather do it all at once at the dealership because for one they know how to do it and two, I'm not voiding the warranty. The spring/struts/lowering kit is to give better look/ handling. But I don't want a bone-jarring ride. Will these TRD Springs/struts actually will make the ride better or worse ( comfort wise)? The Borla exhaust and cold intake is just to add HP...obviously any HP increase is good....but will the Borla give me as much HP as ...let's say a magnaflow? Any other mechanical add-on that would increase HP or comfort????
Thanks

The trd shocks should make yor ride a little less harsh if I am correct. I am looking into if i should go with the trd or some aftermarket ones myself.


The intake will add alittle hp and the exhaust will add alittle hp also . The exhaust that comes from the dealer is and axle back exhaust more than likely. if you want alittle more than that then go with a cat back exhaust.

ANyway hope that helps alittle.

To answer your question about springs & struts, getting springs will make it handle better and adding struts with make it handle even better, but will make for a rough ride (from what I have read). As compared to stock springs anything different will be rougher.

For the question on the muffler, if I were you I would go for the Magnaflow exhaust. I am not sure about the HP boost difference, I am sure there is not much if any. I like the way the Magnaglow sounds.

Welcome to the forum
-nt
Send me a PM (Private Message) if you have any more questions! :D

Whichever exhaust you go with, get a cat-back design for max performance. Most people would agree that the TRD springs are fine without the struts. If you get just the springs and are still not satisfied, get the struts later (still warrantied as long as you get them thru the dealer). Just be careful... The add-ons add-up. I was going to do the same thing and get a boat load of accessories, but then I got serious and saw that $16k doesn't get you much car and accessories with the Manufacturer. The accessories are overpriced mostly and you'll find that they won't be as useful as you think. Wheels are out of the question thru the dealer. Go aftermarket. Factory accessories in small doses = good. Just a suggestion... Good luck! Keep us updated. :D

I have the TRD Exhaust and am very happy with it, gives a nice tone ! I also have the 1" lowering springs from TRD and the ride is smooth as glass ... I am very happy !

I will be getting the TRD springs next week (when I p/up my xB) and CAI, I think Im going to go aftermarket on the exhaust anyways

I hear from SEVERAL people that springs alone will only help your situation, I also hear in about 10k your struts may go but keep in mind they are still under warranty.......I say get the most out of your dollar, Im trying to get it all done upon purchase of vehicle even though a few things are a little pricey..My dealer will add on the aftermarket rims in ''the deal'' so I dont have to wory about coming up with 1500 all at once..

get some pics once you got it hooked up!

Hi all,

Great site! I'm looking to buy an Xb within a week and I'm having problems "creating" my box with add-ons. I did a search on this site but there seems to be contradictive information. I'm looking to add the following:
TRD spring /struts, TRD lowering Kit, Borla exhaust, strut bar and the cold air intake. I rather do it all at once at the dealership because for one they know how to do it and two, I'm not voiding the warranty. The spring/struts/lowering kit is to give better look/ handling. But I don't want a bone-jarring ride. Will these TRD Springs/struts actually will make the ride better or worse ( comfort wise)? The Borla exhaust and cold intake is just to add HP...obviously any HP increase is good....but will the Borla give me as much HP as ...let's say a magnaflow? Any other mechanical add-on that would increase HP or comfort????
Thanks

Just out of curiousity, what is your dealer charging you for all these accessories, parts and labor? The reason I'm asking is that my dealer wanted $400 labor just to install the TRD springs, and that didn't include an alignment. I got them installed at a local tire shop for $180, which included a 4-wheel alignment. If you go with the TRD springs, you won't really need the TRD struts. Let the stock ones wear our first, then upgrade. From what I remember at my dealer, their labor prices to install most of the things you listed were obscene. If you're halfway mechanically inclined, you can install the STB and CAI yourself. The Borla exhaust is way overpriced. You'd be better off just replacing the stock muffler with something like a FLowMaster knockoff from eBay, or a Magnaflow, or something similar. I'd suggest searching on eBay for things like the springs, STB, CAI, etc. You'd be surprised how much money you could save on parts. Heck, I devised my own CAI, using a Uni foam filter, some 3" aluminum flex ducting, hose clamps, and black window mesh screen. Cost for parts was about $35, it definitely added a few hps, esp in the mid to upper range. Also, regarding wheels, I agree with the advice to get those on your own. Wheelmax.com has some really good deals on 17" and 18" packages, which are WAY less than a similar package you'd get from a dealer. On the xB, a nice set of bigger wheels makes a HUGE improvement in how the car handles, rides, and looks.

Good luck!

Socal,
My dealer carge me $350 for the cold air, $350 for the cruise control, $450 for the TRD struts/springs....(all parts and labor) I'm not sure what I'm going to do on the exhaust. I don't want one that sounds loud but i want to gain the HP....How does your sound?
I wish I could install/modify/repair my cars but it's seems like a have two left thumbs...Let me put it this way, I get Xmas cards from all the mechanics within a 30 mile radius.... :o

Notus

The stock exhaust has a nice purrr to it. Anything louder and you'll be annoyed if you are used to a standard stock exhaust.

Notus -

Regarding your exhaust, you could start gradually, and replace the stock muffler with something else. If that doesn't get you the tone or performance you're looking for, you could always eliminate the resonator and go with 2.25" pipe from the muffler to the cat. I think the stock diameter exhaust pipe is something like 1.75", so going to a 2.25" muffler and pipe will really open up the exhaust side. I didn't go with one of those ricer-type mufflers, but opted for a chambered FlowMaster knockoff I got from eBay. It's a seamless oval muffler, offset inlet with centered outlet, then had the muffler shop fabricate an end piece with a 3" tip. If you go this route, I'd suggest a seamless oval muffler with an offset inlet and offset outlet, instead of the centered outlet I had. It'll make the piece from the muffler to the tip be more straight, instead of an "S" shape like they had to do with mine. But, even with the "S" piece, it still tucks up nice and high, the tip fills in the cutout nicely, and it has a nice tone to it. Not too loud, definitely not ricey. I think the muffler, tip, and labor cost me less than $100.