Prospective Upgrades
 

First of all, I want to point out that I've read the New and Potential Buyers thread and the modification threads through several times. I'm aware that there is not much easy power to be made.

Now that that's out of the way, I have three performance modifications that I plan on doing in the foreseeable future. The first two are the BHR mid pipe and sway bars (Eibach/Whiteline). I was disgusted with the sound of mid pipes until I read and of course, heard of the BHR mid pipe. I love the idea of a catless mid pipe that improves flow and fuel economy while providing a louder, tasteful tone. I love the sound of my RX8 but it really is too quiet. I plan on countering the CEL by using spark plug non-foulers to space out the O2 sensors and prevent dirty gases from being detected. The only thing I'm worried about is the 3" diameter of the mid pipe. Since the stock exhaust is 2.5", I'm worried about losing some of the exhaust velocity through the larger piping. I'm sure that it won't make too much of a difference and the additional power will make up for it. I am, however, worried about the deeper sound that the mid pipe will cause. I love high pitched exhaust and would much rather have a sport bike tone over a deep rumble. I guess my question is how much does this affect the tone of the stock catback and is there a catback that raises the pitch of the exhaust? My state doesn't do emissions testing.

About the sway bars, I don't really track, although I'd like to if there were one close. I think the most uncomfortable part about a car is body roll. I also find that my RX8 tends to understeer. I want a set of bars that are nice and stiff and adjustable. Eibach, Whiteline, and Progress seem to have equivalent bars with Eibach being the cheapest and my personal preference. Are there any others that fit my needs? I'm getting BFG G Force Sport Comp 2s very soon and that may influence my decision to buy bars or not.

Coilovers are my 3rd potential modification. By the time I buy lowering springs and shocks, I would almost be in coilover territory. I highly doubt I do coilovers while I'm in college and will probably wait until I'm out of school and do them around the same time I install a turbocharger and make my baby a track car(unless I do an MX5). Coilovers are a possible, but unlikely upgrade.

Depending on how much the tires help, my first mod will either be sway bars or a BHR mid pipe. The two will probably not be done near the same time so I would be thankful for some wisdom and insight.