I'm planning on getting my tC some where around May or June although i've already started making plans for it. I want to do a few power mod's right from the start, nothing too huge though. Don't want a turbo since i can't really afford one , But I plan to start off with an Intake, Headers, a Muffler, and lowering springs(tein probably). I want to get an AEM Intake with the By-Pass valve (my block tends to flood when it rains hard), DC headers, and an HKS Hi-Power Axle Back muffler. Any suggestions and any ideas how much power i'd be looking at. Yea I'm sure u've guessed that I don't know much about cars yet.

 

auto or manual?

 

You'll probably get ~10-15 peak horsepower and nothing but a lower ride from the springs.

It'll feel quicker than it is and sound louder than it should, most likely.

 

The intake will give you no noticeable gain. Niether will the axleback. Like matt said above.. figure 10 - 15 WHP tops.. maybe not even that. Manufacturers like to inflate thier numbers by not letting the ECU relearn, only telling you peak numbers, etc.

If you want it to handle better and still be decent on the street, dont go too low (for either of the above reasons). The biggest handling increase IMO is stiffer sways. I would go with about a 1.5" drop and a rear sway (or front and rear if you go stiffer than the TRD). There are lots of choices though, so do some searching on here to see what other people are running. If you want to get a little more serious about handling, get some good adjustable coilovers and the hotchkis sway set.


For intakes,, like I said, they are all looks and sound. Dont get the K&N, it is poorly designed and will break one of the mounting points. For the rest, I would say AEM or Injen.

For exhaust, if you go axleback, the TRD sounds great if you can find a deal on it. Havent heard the HKS axleback. But niether will give you any real performance gain.

For a header.. be prepared to have a big resonator installed or it will sound like a weed eater in a tin can :D The headers make it sound like **** without the right exhaust and resonator combo.

 

hmmmm. Ok. The car would be a manual. My dad's got a Manual 96 Ford Aspire and my mom's got an Auto 2000 Chrysler Concorde, even though her car is better in basicly every aspect, I can't stand it just because it's an auto, I always take the Aspire if i need to go somewhere. Call me dumb if you will. I guess I'll just not bother doing any power mods until I can afford a turbo or somthing that'll gimmie alot rather then little. I'll start researching a little about sways and what not. Thanks.

 

my advie...take your time with it...dontjump right in, or u might waste ur money on something u dont like....research the exhaust for waht u like, considering the header will cause noise problems..intake, just really depends, injen/AEM are the best2 really

something else to consider(consider, im entering dangerous territory here)would be a crank pulley, possible the stiffy, sways, possibly trd sc