Ok I am fed up of the sleepless nights. Its all getting too much. As much as its all your fault, I am relying on your sound judgement to help me sort this out.

As my first major modifcation do I:

1. Buy an aftermarket exhaust:
For: HKS is popular, I heard it, seen it and like it. Any other aftermarket exhaust being used?
Against: It may rot!

2. 18" wheels
For: Looks, handling.
Against: Weight increase? Power reduction? Tyre costs

3. CAI - Probably Aus
For: Stop me driving around Leeds like a learner
Against: I think I worked it out at

 

I would rate them:
Oem front spoiler
GPS / Radar / Laser protection.

ICE
Exhaust
CAI
Wheels

CTR

 

I've gone for Exhaust Marc. I seem to remember Mark T putting it well once, something along the lines of the pounds for pleasure factor!

1. Exhaust - big change in sound, more looks, bigger grin!

2. Wheels - Already have 5 spoke alloys, okay they could be bigger and 18" ers do look the biz - but expensive for just a slight look enhancement.

3. CAI/AIE - A close second but as you say not cheap, easy workaround is to blip the throttle before pulling away (with an aftermarket exhaust that workaround is even more worth it!)

4. Audio - hard to stop at a

 

What Frisky said

 

I read a lot about the mods on the board but the ultimate decision is yours.

I've done a few bits to the car now but in no particular order - just what I felt like doing at the time.

As for the HKS rusting - I doubt it very much. I think there have only been two cases in the US where their mufflers started to rust at the welds. Like I said in another post the newer versions of the HKS have been changed somewhat.

 

What Frisky said I said

People seem to have automatically taken the HKS step once they had decided to go down the replacement exhaust route, but maybe it's worthwhile giving consideration to the Spoon and Mugen exhausts that Brian Marshall refers to in Frankyknuckles' thread.

Don't get me wrong - I probably wouldn't do it any differently if I did it again since I love the sound of the HKS and I didn't buy it in the hope of any power gains. But I suppose I went down that road because I knew it was a tried and tested part and, given my own lack of technical knowledge, I didn't want to chance fitting something that was an unknown quantity. It's just worth bearing in mind that there are other equally valid options.

(I'm also now vaguely troubled by the idea of my HKS rusting, after the references on the other thread........ )

 

Mark, just look at Cheshire Carper's HKS pics and all your troubled thoughts will vanish like snow in the sunshine

 

Exhaust all the way. Like Frisky said. No stereo needed then!

To confirm Mark (et al`s) fears......the welds on older HKSs can(and do) rust. Inspect the pics of mine through the cleaning stages. This was Petes old one, which probably was one of the original ones. The only rust, was surface rust on the welds. This was easily removed via wire grinding and treated/complete reprayed. I reckon there`s many years in it now.

I`m not sure of the unit age, as I believe Pete bought it used (which was reflected in the VERY LEAN price I paid for it) but my point is, after years of use only VERY slight surface rust in places very easy to resolve.

Summary, do not panic. They seem to be pretty bullet proof.

 

Many thanks so far. Exhaust looks to be the one.
Cheers
Marc

 

It depends what type of mods you desire really,

Increase in Speed/Handling
Improved looks
Additional noise
Improved comfort

Judge what you want and pick the best mod to realise it.
I think you have to have some sort of goal in mind, or have you got a wad of cash buring a hole in your pocket?