Best inexpensive mod?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Best inexpensive mod?
New TC owner here (just broke 1,000 miles on my '08 tC) 
However while still being in college i find myself rather low on money to spend on mods for the car, what do you guys consider to be some of the better, yet still inexpensive mods?
However while still being in college i find myself rather low on money to spend on mods for the car, what do you guys consider to be some of the better, yet still inexpensive mods?
Senior Member
ScionERA
SL Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,400
From: Back in AZ!!
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 680
From: West Lafayette, IN
^^ Please say "just kidding." Just humor me and tell me you don't actually thing that stuff works.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_saving_devices
Can't find the link now, but the fact is, none of those aftermarket fuel gadgets will help your performance. They will at best change nothing, at worst, damage your car and lower performance drastically.
Nearly all of the cheap mods to be done are listed in the thread above. Something else to consider if you are handy with a soldering iron is an LED swap on the gauge cluster and HVAC unit. If you already have soldering equipment, you can get the LEDs you need from Dave (engifineer) for the whole deal for about $30. Do that and paint the needles with $1 paint for Walmart and you've got a new instrument panel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_saving_devices
Can't find the link now, but the fact is, none of those aftermarket fuel gadgets will help your performance. They will at best change nothing, at worst, damage your car and lower performance drastically.
Nearly all of the cheap mods to be done are listed in the thread above. Something else to consider if you are handy with a soldering iron is an LED swap on the gauge cluster and HVAC unit. If you already have soldering equipment, you can get the LEDs you need from Dave (engifineer) for the whole deal for about $30. Do that and paint the needles with $1 paint for Walmart and you've got a new instrument panel
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 180
From: Near Gainesville, Florida
Yea this has def been beaten to death in a previous thread but I'll still throw out some of my favorite cheap mods. Not sure what cheap means to you though...
1. LED Dome Lights (people seem to really like these)
2. s2k Antenna
3. In Cabin Air filter (homemade)
4. Chrome tire valve stems
Borderline cheap:
1. Tint
2. HIDs
1. LED Dome Lights (people seem to really like these)
2. s2k Antenna
3. In Cabin Air filter (homemade)
4. Chrome tire valve stems
Borderline cheap:
1. Tint
2. HIDs
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 680
From: West Lafayette, IN
I read a very well done test before (by Car & Driver or someone), but I can't find it it now. Here's some reading material on these things for now:
http://fuelsaving.info/debunk.htm
Fact is, if they worked, why aren't they used by manufacturers? Everyone wants better MPG! Since we don't see them, I have to conclude that they're bogus.
http://fuelsaving.info/debunk.htm
A typical claim is that the combustion with the device fitted is somehow "better" or "more complete". There is never however any detail as to what is meant by this. And it is a firmly established engineering fact that, on any reasonably modern engine under normal operating conditions, the burn is already at least 98% complete. The unburnt fuel in the exhaust (even before the cat) represents 1 or 2% at most of the input fuel. If you factor in the energy in the CO emissions, the figure still only rises to 3% maximum. So even if the fuel "saving" device could totally eliminate unburnt fuel and CO in the exhaust, and give an absolutely 100% complete burn, you would only save 3% of fuel.
Often these devices claim to alter the combustion process in some way. Even assuming that this were possible, remember that the engine has been optimised for the "normal" combustion. To get any benefit from this "altered" combustion you would need to change fuel delivery, ignition timing or even the design of the cylinder head to suit!
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 680
From: West Lafayette, IN
Can someone post a pic of this mythical home depot lip? I've been browsing the forum for a few months now and seen several references to it... Without any photographic proof of it's existence
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,862
From: Lurking Inside Your Garage!
Originally Posted by rcf22
Can someone post a pic of this mythical home depot lip? I've been browsing the forum for a few months now and seen several references to it... Without any photographic proof of it's existence
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...906&highlight=
