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Thread: Staged Upgrades

  1. #1

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    Staged Upgrades

    Most other car related sites have a list of staged upgrades, we don't! I've put this list together today, note that this is it's first draft and not a set of rules. I want to see what others have to say. Also not too sure if things like springs and wheels should or shouldn't be included, let me know what you want! It isn't going to focus much on maintaining the car, everyone who is modifying their car should have nothing but Fully Synthetic (capitalised intentionally) 0w30 oil that is less than 5000km old at all times, a functioning O2 sensor, clean driveline oils, etc.

    1st Stage:

    Cat-back exhaust system
    Decat (if legal in your country)
    Manual Boost Controller, Boost Gauge (optional)
    Replace Spark Plugs and check Leads

    2nd Stage:

    K&N or Ralliart Panel Filter
    Downpipes
    Upgraded Intercooler
    Replace Stock Blow Off Valve

    3rd Stage:

    17-18" wheels, aim for around 8" wide and 35-40mm offset. Allow for Brembo clearance if you are considering them
    EBC Red pads (or similar) for fast road driving or Carbotech's for track use
    Replacement Springs or full Coil Over system

    4th Stage:

    Hard Piping kit - possibly combine with Cold Air Box and Battery to boot
    Fuel Pump such as Walbro or similar
    Rear upper strut brace (Legnum's Only)

    5th Stage:

    Fuel Controller, Piggy Back or Full ECU
    Fuel Pressure Regulator
    Removal of MAF and change to MAP with compatible ECU's

    6th Stage:

    Turbo Upgrade
    Forged Internals
    Larger Fuel Injectors
    (no need for further explanation, most people should be smart enough to do their own research at this stage)
    Last edited by bradc; 02-09-2008 at 09:50 AM.

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    Looks good. Maybe have the air filter on stage one. Its a pretty easy mod to do.

  3. #3
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    Should an FPR be added along with the fuel pump?

    I'd do fuel pump, FPR and ECU in one stage
    Christchurch
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    Hi Flyer (Matt wasn't it?) I don't think the air filter actually gives much power, hence not putting it on stage one which is all about bang for bucks. The main advantage of the K&N or Ralliart filters is that they can be removed and cleaned then put back in.

    Lee - I didn't put the ECU in with the fuel pump because most people could do a fuel pump themselves, but not an ECU install. Realistically Stages 1-4 could be done by most people here. You are right about the FPR though, using it to maximise the amount of fuel the stock injectors can deliver

    Edit - first post fiddled with slightly
    Last edited by bradc; 02-09-2008 at 09:51 AM.

  5. #5
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    Interesting post. I suspect others will have their own ideas, although it does seem that the VR-4 does have a very obvious set of mods to be done in comparison to other cars I've owned, where 30 different people will go down 30 different upgrade paths with wildly varying choices.

    My guiding principle in modding cars was always to aim to build a factory special (OEM+ is a term that gets used too). What I mean is to update the car to current performance levels (and maybe beyond) without losing the essential essence of the car.

    By way of example, my first mod was to fit Brembos. The stock items with decent pads are perfectly adequate for road driving, but to my mind the extra confidence made the car better to drive. With previous cars I've swapped in more powerful standard engines rather than tuning what I've got, again to make it a better all round car as opposed to a peaky track beast.

    I'd be interested to hear what everyones top 3 mods are?

    Feel free to split the post as I've sort of taken it in a different direction.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by bradc
    Lee - I didn't put the ECU in with the fuel pump because most people could do a fuel pump themselves, but not an ECU install. Realistically Stages 1-4 could be done by most people here. You are right about the FPR though, using it to maximise the amount of fuel the stock injectors can deliver
    True, I'm just lazy / lacking confidence for fuel related mods

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    Looks like a pretty good list there.
    Only other thinks i can think of are exterior. Like a vented bonnet to release some of the heat. Maybe HID lights etc.
    Matt

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    HID lights won't make it, they aren't going to make the car any faster

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by bradc
    HID lights won't make it, they aren't going to make the car any faster
    Maybe they might... driver in front might see the HID lights from much further distance in his rear-view and move over to allow you to cruise past, therefore making you go a little faster...

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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by bradc
    HID lights won't make it, they aren't going to make the car any faster
    Yes they will on dark twisty roads.. Especially when they are unfamiliar roads..

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    I agree that brakes should be right at the beginning as the standard setup is poor. Even just fitting better pads, if you cant go Brembo - the thing needs to stop as well as it goes!
    '97 Manual Legnum in silver with some subtle mods

    My first VR4 - '97 Legnum Dark Green & mean ...it was love at first sight - now sold

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    They still don't count as a performance mod

  13. #13
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    But whats your definition of 'performance'.

    Surely it is anything that makes the car perform better than stock.

    So better handling, better acceleration, better top speed, better braking.

    Its all performance at the end of the day.

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    I agree with those 4 things Tim. I think things like lights are purely cosmetic

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    Quote Originally Posted by bradc
    I agree with those 4 things Tim. I think things like lights are purely cosmetic
    so a ralliart sticker wont help then.

    good thread brad

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    you have to get ride of those turbos if thats 2 hard maybe get them hybrid(larger wheel and waste gate front inlet bored) did it on my rb25det much better top end.

  17. #17
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    Interesting thread Brad. Although, I do also think that brakes should be upgraded before fitting a boost controller. Perhaps include uprated front discs and pads as a stage 1 upgrade?
    1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition

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    bonecracker - by that stage I think people will be able to come up with their own ideas on performance

    Wayne - I do agree with you, but having brakes first would be a little boring don't you think

  19. #19
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    As much as common sense would indicate brakes before boost. I don't think hardly anybody would actually do it, myself included.
    I'm not arguing...I'm just offering an endless series of contrary points of view.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by TAR
    I agree that brakes should be right at the beginning as the standard setup is poor. Even just fitting better pads, if you cant go Brembo - the thing needs to stop as well as it goes!
    Nothing wrong with the standard setup. Clean rotors and new decent pads work well.
    Why would they spend millions in RD to give you poor brakes?
    This is a top of the line road car not a track car!


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