DrGonzo

I will be receiving a pretty tidy bonus next week, and after putting some away and paying a few debts, I have decided I want to buy myself a present. I am torn between what I want to do, so I wouldn't mind hearing a few opinions.

Here are the options so far:

1. Suspension upgrade - most likely Whiteline bits - sways, shocks, springs. I don't want to go too low, nor too firm. I just want to 'tighten up' the car a bit. The car will not be tracked so I don't want anything too hardcore, and it's a daily driver so has to get over speed bumps and into driveways etc.

2. Exhaust - I've heard good things about the Hymee but am keen to hear other opinions. I'd also like to hear some members' cars also, to get an idea about what I want, as I don't want something that is overly loud or drony.

3. Wheels - Maybe some nice Buddy Club or Volk wheels, but these will be significantly dearer than options 1 & 2. Plus, if I get wheels I will most likely want to lower the car also. They will be no larger than 18".

4. Forget about spending on the car and enjoy it as is (I love it!) and spend some money on a decent surround sound system at home, or perhaps a new PC (I only have a work provided laptop) - I doubt this option will be popular here.

Any other suggestions?

takahashi

Suspension and sway. I will say.

Or sway and brake pads. Project mu will give you better street response. But it will be more dust to clean up.

privatepang

I vote wheels!

Transform the car, if u dont track the car, stock susp set up seems pretty decent to me

Revolver

Well, it really depends how much you're spending and whether you're aiming for function or form.

For the price of a set of Buddy Club's or Volk's, you could get:

1. MazdaSpeed shocks and springs - landed from the USA for a tick over $1K, 20mm drop and quite liveable on the street.

2. Whiteline or MazdaSpeed sways - at under $500 for front and rear, best bang for your buck mod there is. You will definitely notice the difference, especially in the rear end and the car will be nicer to drive whether street or track.

3. Hymee or similar catback - about $1K for the stainless. Tame noise under 4K and no highway drone. Nothing in the way of extra power but aren't you tired of the vacuum cleaner noise yet? A feel good mod.

4. Short shifter kit - about $400 from memory. Depends on personal preference but myself and many others love theirs.

I reckon the above will make you love your car even more when driving it. If you'd rather love it more when looking at it, get the rims.

PS - a warning - modding can be a slippery slope. You start off with something small like sways and before you know it you're $15K in on various bits and pieces and tossing up whether that $12K turbo kit is necessary. And of course you'll never recoup the investment. If you're hopeless with temptation, buy that sound system or PC and enjoy the car as is.

DrGonzo

Thanks for the respionses so far... I would prefer to improve the driving experience but I am also keen to make my car stand out a bit, aesthetically. Not that I'm an attention seeker, I just like being individual.

I am a mod addict too, and I bought the RX8 with the intention of leaving it stock (I have wasted too much to even want to think about on previous cars), but the bug is starting to bite.

I'm leaning toward the Whiteline suspension although I might do a bit more research into the MazdaSpeed bits. Exhaust is a close second.

Not too interested in a short shifter as I am pretty happy with the stock shifter as is, and my brake pads are due to be replaced soon (I've heard good things about Hawks but the stock pads are pretty decent) but I don't want to spend my bonus allocation on a consumable product either.

DrewMan

I would vote for sussy bits


the rx8 was made to hug corners and a suspension upgrade will make it even better

Revolver

See if you can find some other cars with Whiteline and MS suspension, whose owners are okay with you taking them for a test drive. Personally, I think the MS bits are tuned for the car and better value than the Whiteline shocks and springs (if bought intelligently) but it's up to you.

As for the short shifter, again, try one if you can. That sells it to many people...after all, as with most mods, there's 'happy' and 'happier!'

As for brake pads - I agree. If you're not tracking the car the stock pads are more than adequate and create less mess.

auzoom

I would say (for the reasons said alread):

1. Suspension.
For reasons of resale I would agree with Revolver, go the MazdaSpeed path. JapanParts will do you a good deal.

2. Exhaust.
For a non turbo car I would say Hymee. Sounds is great and is local. If not that then look into the Magnaflow. Same price I believe, is 3" from the cat to the splitters (Hymee is factory 2.5" unless it has changed??). BUT I have to say that there is not the same aural quality as the Hymee.

3. Wheel.
It pure personal taste. Have a look at http://www.workwheels.com.au/. My favourite at the moment is the Works XC8.

4. Come on a cruise and shout us all a beer Joking.

Ohh and congratulations on the bonus.
Cheers

Andrew

DrGonzo

Thanks for that link Andrew - I have been thinking about things including resale and for the sake of resale, maybe wheels would be the way to go, as they can always be returned to stock very quickly and easily. On the other hand, if I upgrade the wheels, I will almost certainly want to drop the car slightly and I would want to do that properly, rather than just buy lowered springs without upgrading the shocks.

Exhaust is still on the radar but I think it may have moved down on my wishlist.

The XC8 is a nice rim, but doesn't quite float my boat.

I really like these Volk CE28N and I think the bronze will suit the Strato Blue paint well.



Or maybe these in 22"

takahashi

You are out of the mind if you have the chrome one.

I love the CE28N too. But nothing as nice as my Wedsports TC105N

Even Andrew loves some Japanese wheels. They are awesome!

Revolver

I think that was a joke Taka...at least I hope it was...

DrGonzo

I was joking about the chrome wheels.

Are these the Wedsports? Very nice but I think I still prefer the CE28N although they are very similar.

Revolver

Until you had to wash it, I reckon...

retro

A multispoke fan I see - ditto. I looked at the CE28N as well very nice wheel and lightweight.

If you want to "tighten up" the car a bit then like others I would recommend the mazdaspeed suspension - the car drops 20mm looks good and feels good. The mazdaspeed swaybar is only just a little stiffer than stock so if the car is the daily driver then this package could work quite well for you.

My view get the drive right and then the looks but just my opinion. I am sure whichever way you go you will have fun doing it.

Good luck deciding and welcome to the slippery slope.

Cheers

Alan

DrGonzo

The Volks are out, I just can't justify the cost (I thought they'd be a little cheaper). XD9s are my second option but still haven't made up my mind.

Volk CE29N Bronze 18 x 8 = $4595 Wheels Only

Work XD9 Bronze 18 x 8 = $2395 Wheels Only


Argh.

takahashi

Go for 8.5 +38 for the CE29N. They are perfect for driving in the 8.

I go for the Wedsport because they are +32. So I can be absolutely sure that they will clear my aftermarket caliper.

(with evil voice) go for the Volks.

erx8s

Save your hard earned dollars go overseas to Japan and bring back some goodies ,travel and see the world .

Short shifter all the way followed by sway bars then exhaust


Cheers
Michael

DrewMan

those prices are horrendous!


try www.perfectrun.com.au

Revolver

Just to save us all looking and reaching for the currency calculator Drew, what sort of saving are you looking at with perfectrun over the prices DrGonzo posted?

Revolver

I keep forgetting the offset on my 8.5 Enkei's Taka. You reminded me earlier this year. Was it +35 or +38??

DrGonzo

I had a very brief look last week (haven't had time to scope the costs out properly), and it's almost half the cost.

Oh, just to update, I picked up a set of Endless CC-A front pads on the weekend, initial thoughts are they perform similarly to stock pads when potting around town, haven't given them a hard time yet but once there's some warmth in them, they seem to bite down pretty well. No dust thus far (about 100km), and they are fairly quiet.

takahashi

+35 Dave

Revolver

Thanks.

rotarenvy

+ 38 please +35 offset and your not road worthy widen you wheel if you want to fill the guards

auzoom

If they are anything like the rest of the endless range they will most certainly dust up...I dont own silver wheels anymore...they are black!