So I bought my s2k about 5 months ago and am wanting some more hp. I think to start with intake/exhaust and injectors but i think about the cost of that and am like well shit I'm half way to buying a used turbo!! What do you guys think are some of the best mods for the price?

 

First and foremost, have you done all the required maintenance to your car to make sure it's performing properly? How many miles does it have - that is the best money you can spend up front.

Secondly, get some great tires when you can. Once you have those tires, if you are interested, get some driving time at an autox or HPDE.

Then, if the mod bug is with you, think about your end goal. Do you plan on going FI at some point? If so, then start with the exhaust (70mm is a good size for FI). Then think about the pieces you will need for FI and start working on gathering those. Check out the FI subforum to find out what that is.

If you are not going FI, then think about what you want from the car. You can do the aesthetic mods and you can do the traditional bolt on mods. Just realize that bolts on will not give you a great amout of power or torque. Most of them will only give you 3-5hp (if that) but they will change the sound and feel of the car.

Here is my recommendation:
Full vehicle maintenance
Tires
Exhaust (70mm)
Test Pipe (70mm)
Intake (if not going FI)
Audio system
Aero upgrades (front lip, splitter, side splitters, rear diffuser, rear spoiler/wing)
Suspension upgrades
Braking upgrades
Forced Induction

Good luck and have fun!

 

This. I say if you want power, and don't want to go FI, ITBs with a tune + headers (plus catback) is the best way to go. Although costs might easily reach FI costs. But its good ol reliable NA power

 

Test pipe, 3" single exhaust and a tune. Will be the cheapest way to make decent power on these cars.

 

This. I say if you want power, and don't want to go FI, ITBs with a tune + headers (plus catback) is the best way to go. Although costs might easily reach FI costs. But its good ol reliable NA power
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By the time you install and tune an ITB setup it could easily cost the same as an entry level turbo kit. Plus there isn't much gains to be made. I reserve ITB's for diehard N/A drivers

 

This. I say if you want power, and don't want to go FI, ITBs with a tune + headers (plus catback) is the best way to go. Although costs might easily reach FI costs. But its good ol reliable NA power
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By the time you install and tune an ITB setup it could easily cost the same as an entry level turbo kit. Plus there isn't much gains to be made. I reserve ITB's for diehard N/A drivers
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Granted it is more reliable but something about the spooling and hissing under the hood just makes me feel good about my money that was spent. N/A is great and ITB's sound vicious but its too much money out of my pocket for not enough gains IMO.

 

It has 77k miles on it and when i bought it the only thing i did to it was had the valves adjusted and an oil change. and it has pretty good tires. BF goodrich g force sports. I def think ill start with buying a test pipe and exhaust.

 

This. I say if you want power, and don't want to go FI, ITBs with a tune + headers (plus catback) is the best way to go. Although costs might easily reach FI costs. But its good ol reliable NA power
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By the time you install and tune an ITB setup it could easily cost the same as an entry level turbo kit. Plus there isn't much gains to be made. I reserve ITB's for diehard N/A drivers
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Granted it is more reliable but something about the spooling and hissing under the hood just makes me feel good about my money that was spent. N/A is great and ITB's sound vicious but its too much money out of my pocket for not enough gains IMO.
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I definitely agree! I'd love to have a turbo kit but i cant afford to just outright buy one. Is it a bad idea to slowly piece one together off used parts being sold on here?

 

if your goal is to make more power and to have a faster car, then all NA mods are a waist of time, energy and money

 

test pipe and flashpro are the ebst bang for the buck. testpipe is cheap, flashpro lets you tune for more torque AND lets you tune if you ever go FI. for about $1000 including a custom tune, it will transform the S and keep it 100% reliable.