got my tC (flint mica) last week and I love it. The '92 Ford Explorer with 180k miles on it just wasn't cutting it

Anyways, I got some dealer options, like the body kit, subwoofer, 6cd, wing spoiler, fog lights, steering wheel, door sill, pillar...

I was considering adding some of my own mods, but having never really been in the mod scene I don't know... well, much of anything

Things I am considering are:
- window tint
- engine performance enhancements (sub 1k)
- suspension enhancments (sub 1k, and I don't want to lower the height)

I guess what would be useful is general price range and ease of install (or whether i should let pros do it), and whether the mod is really worth it...

Also any other suggestions you guys have on cool mods that aren't super expensive or complicated...

 

i'm new to the tc world myself. i get mine on friday if all goes right. anyway, just from modding experience and looking around the boards a little, here's a couple suggestions:

Engine - 1) cold air intake (aem is a proven brand- prices can range from $100-200 for a nice intake); 2) header (dc sports makes an excellent header. i know they have a 4-2-1 out there, but if it were up to me i'd run a 4-1)- prices are $300-400; 3) catback exhaust (not sure what's out there. i know dc sports has one and i believe greddy. those are two good brands, but it comes down to the sound u'd want. i know the greddy evo has a nice tone to it- prices from $200-600+ depending on company)

Suspension - 1) front upper strut bar (dc sports is a good choice. i don't know much difference these make on the tc. i know on my wrx it was more for looks, but on a civic i owned it made some difference- $90-130); 2) rear sway bar (probably one of the most noticeable suspension mods u can do - $100-180) ; 3) struts (a nice set of adustable struts can make a nice improvemnt. u can really stiffen up the feel of the car - $400ish); 4) springs (i know u said u don't want to lower, but a nice set of aftermarket springs really gives the car a different look and feel. tein is a great choice - $100-180)

hope that helps. ~nick

 

I don't think there's an aem intake for the tc.........
Injen, k&n, and Weapon R are your main choices intake-wise. Think about the warranty and if you care about voiding it or not before you get into somewhat irreversable mods, esp. considering you could go faster just by developing technique first, and thats free. That said, if i had money to burn i would get an intake and a nice set of rims.

 

i wasn't sure. i know aem makes intakes more most vehicles that are mod friendly.

 

I would say rims/tires & tint. Tint does wonders for your tC. Makes it look completely different. Rims/tires add that personal touch that allows your tC to not look like every other tC on the road. All of this can be accomplished between $1500 - $2000. Easiest mods you'll never have to do!

 

I'd do tint
Tires/rims
rear sway bar

If you'll do some reading on the OE tires, you'll find they are not so great at handling water puddles. Several people have wrecked their cars after hydroplaning...
If you are in an area where this may be a concern, I'd do this FIRST.

 

i heard AEM quality has dropped ever since they stopped using K&N filters. Is that true? who knows, my smart-___ friend said that and i should stick with k&N

n e way, welcome to the new scion club
it's Day 7 since i ordered it and yet the dealer didn't place the other yet cuz there are freakin 3 orders in front of me >_<

but i planned for headers, intake and exhaust
im not sure should i get the 4:1 or 4:2:1 header from DC, can someone tell me the difference between the two? *edit* Performance wise, thanks

 

About the warranty... do I void it if I have any mechanical work done on the car outside of a Toyota dealership? That would kind of suck, seeing as how I paid a bunch extra for the 7year warranty.

And if I do the tint, how much does that run? And does it matter that I got the stock windows? I've seen some pretty crappy tint applications out there... crappy tint < clear windows.

 

everyone who can tint your windows consider yourselves lucky. In Chicago you can't tint your front winows at ALL. you can tint your sunroof and rear windows all you want...WORTHLESS. i see some people with pratically black windows in back and 0% tint in front. looks horrable. im doing it anyway, IL cops can kiss my ****.

 

Why would you want to tint your front? Seems unusually dangerous, especially at night..

-The Grinman :D

 

The front/SIDE windows...not the windshield...

 

bacically, useless mods. The only thing i may agree to what you did is the spoiler. Everything else was a pointless thing you bought, and could have gone aftermarket with better quality and much much cheaper.

Your gonna outgrow the 6cd changer, and def. the subwoofer. The body kit does no justice. and the fog lights?? def not worth 300. Steering wheel i've heard people complain about it. Door sill and pillar ... ehhh i would have prolly have gotten it. But on ebay. Much cheaper.

 

Anyone? I'm curious how the mod/warranty works too? If I buy the TRD short shifter can I install it, or does the dealer have to? Same with suspension and exhaust? I'm very accustomed to doing my own mods, but not at the sake of warranty.

 

I dont know much at all about car engines at all but what does replacing the headers do and what are headers?

 

QUICK TIPS:

-If you install any engine parts (including trd) yourself (intake, headers, cams, etc) you void your warranty.

-tint is very helpful, not only does it give you privacy of what is inside of your car, but it doesnt allow nearly as many UV rays to enter your car and fade your dash, seats, etc.

-headers (depending on which you get) allow easier airflow out of the engine, it also gives more horsepower and torque (usually). if you do a modification such as this, it is usually a good idea to finish your exhaust (down pipe, cat-back), and also add an intake

-warranty can be very touchy... it is at your dealerships finger tips to void or keep.

-dealerships can only void a warranty for an aftermarker part installed if it is the PROVEN reason why there is mechanical issues with your car. If the dealership does "proof" it, have them put it in writing, and go to another dealer to get a second view on it. If they agree, you are usually screwed, but if you want you can continue your travels to dealers, as well as calling scion themselves.

hope i helped. <(^_-)>

 

Tint? Mine ran about 3 Bills. But, I got 3M Tint. If anything goes wrong, it gets replaced for FREE! I did 20% on the Hatch & 35% on the rest. It looked real dark at first, but now its starting to lighten up. Whatever you do, DON'T tint your drivers' & passengers' lighter than your rear windows! That looks cheap IMO. I did the Hatch darker so it makes the whole car look darker. (I wish I would have done Limo tint to the Hatch ) Click my "Profile" for pix of tint.

 

I know your pain. We have the same dumb laws in Michigan and same dumb ___ cops.

 

[quote="BrEaK_AwaY"]QUICK TIPS:

-If you install any engine parts (including trd) yourself (intake, headers, cams, etc) you void your warranty.



Before you post, and decide that your information is worthy of a reply, you should make sure your information is correct.

In NO WAY, will your warranty be voided by modifying the car, unless they are the parts you wish to warranty.. The parts you remove would not be covered, but just because you install an intake, and the transmission starts to grind does not mean they void your warranty. There is a law/act in place for this, and if you would like I will look it up for you.

 

keep on reading my post...

-dealerships can only void a warranty for an aftermarker part installed if it is the PROVEN reason why there is mechanical issues with your car. If the dealership does "proof" it, have them put it in writing, and go to another dealer to get a second view on it. If they agree, you are usually screwed, but if you want you can continue your travels to dealers, as well as calling scion themselves.

so if an intake is the reason your engine blew (which it wont), your warranty is gone, for all of your powertrain. i know my facts buddy.

 

he's correct