I purchased my 2005 scion xa in california but now I live in North Carolina. I understand that the emmisions requirements in CA. are more stringent than NC (or so I've heard) Are there any modifications that I could legally make to improve performance of the vehicle or fuel performance?
Thanks, Jack

 

you would probably want to post this in the regional forum, but you could probably put bolt-on exhaust and intakes now.

 

^^This. Bolt on may give you 2-5hp and may give you roughly the same with mpg. Nothing too big.

 

booost it!

 

You would see very little performance gains by doing an exhaust + CAI = maybe 5-7 more horsepower = $300-400 (new stuff).

I'd recommend going 100% fuel efficency (gas is supposed to be upper $3, if not lower $4 range this summer).






You could spend $ 100 , and get the following that would surely increase your mpg, long term durability of car usage, and only looks good on the service records if you ever go to sell the xA:

• Irridium spark plugs X 4 (either Denzo or NGK, they last like 80-100K miles) = $25
• Synthetic oil in engine- 5w-20(during winter) or 5w-30(rest of year) : $20- (Valvoline or Castrol Syntec) + transmission(if its manual)-Redline MT-90 for $20 = $ 40 total
• drop in K&N or TRD = $25-35 range (pull off snorkle, let car breath warmer engine air)

Also, when you go to replace your tires, get a Fuel efficent tire(Goodyear and Cooper have one = about $70 per tire, for a 15") , or a good Michelin (Hydro-Edge or Energy) and be sure to keep 35-39 psi in them at all times to get good mpg.

I'd also recommend getting a Scangauge II for about $100. With this aid, you'll learn how to drive as efficently as possible, as you get second by second feedback of your current mpg. It could be the differnce in getting 35mpg (no scangauge) vs. 39mpg (with following Scangauge)

 

My 2005 xA has 136,000 miles now.
For 1 year i didnt drive at all (out of country)

I hope this little baby goes strong till 200,000

 

it will, so long as you keep up on the maintenance(oil changes, etc), and your car is not involved in any kind of bad accident (keep fingers crossed/knock on wood)

 

NC is a great state for modding. you can do almost anything to it as long as it doesnt throw codes re: emissions. we still have to pass emissions, retain the cats but other than that its fair game. ( cat has to be on the car but is not checked to see if it has been gutted)