[wins76]

What is/are the cheapest Mods combination(s) for our car that will increase HP w/o degrading the engine?

[BigNate]

cheapest mod with the best gains=software, jb4, cobb

[DrAmazing]

what do you consider "degrading" the engine. Technically just driving the car stock is degrading the engine since it wears on it over time. Anything that adds HP is going to stress components more than stock.

Anyway... get a tune. jb4 second hand would be cheap. Meth is always a good boost for cheap(but not my thing). After that the cost/HP increases but would be intercooler and downpipes.

EDIT: I forgot about DCI.

[ZTZ1010]

why would you cheap out on mods after buying a $50k car?

[DrAmazing]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

why would you cheap out on mods after buying a $50k car?

Just because you buy a $50k car doesn't mean you like to throw money away.

[cstavaru]

JB4 + cheapest downpipes you can find + BMS dual cone intake + Big Tom intercooler (large and cheap).

[ZTZ1010]

Originally Posted by DrAmazing

Just because you buy a $50k car doesn't mean you like to throw money away.

That's exactly my point. You didn't ask what are the BEST options for power mods; you chose to seek out the cheapest. Why would you want to throw money away on cheap parts that will likely yield problems down the road (and need to be replaced), rather than researching the BEST products to protect your expensive investment? I'm not equating best with most expensive by any means, I just don't understand why price is more desirable than quality on a $50k car.

I'd also agree with cstavaru on the JB4.

[adictedtopoker]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

That's exactly my point. You didn't ask what are the BEST options for power mods; you chose to seek out the cheapest. Why would you want to throw money away on cheap parts that will likely yield problems down the road (and need to be replaced), rather than researching the BEST products to protect your expensive investment? I'm not equating best with most expensive by any means, I just don't understand why price is more desirable than quality on a $50k car.

I'd also agree with cstavaru on the JB4.

For the most part, they are not $50k cars anymore. They are low, and sometimes sub, $20k. This attracts a younger and cheaper audience. It is only going to get worse as time marches on.

[DrAmazing]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

You didn't ask what are the BEST options for power mods; you chose to seek out the cheapest.

Actually, I didn't ask the question, but it's still valid. I chose the JB4 because it was 1. good and 2. cheap. I think the OP is looking for the best bang for his buck. Is there a problem with that ?

[nailer335]

Get a JB4 with a DCI and do an E85 blend on map 5. If that is still not enough plug in some meth. There are lots of meth woes to be read, but you'll be fine with a trunk mount kit and some common sense. Reading about others' experiences on the Internet might help you learn as well.

[E93Blackhawk]

JB4 and DCI, first 'best' mods to do in my eyes, cheap, and recruit good power gains.

Catless DP's after that

And if thats not enough, adding meth will scare you.

[Eric335]

Originally Posted by adictedtopoker

For the most part, they are not $50k cars anymore. They are low, and sometimes sub, $20k. This attracts a younger and cheaper audience. It is only going to get worse as time marches on.

JB4 + DCI + DPs + FMIC + METH.

Compared to other platforms, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

[oma3710]

JB4+ downpipes

[wins76]

My goal is to have at least 400 rwhp. I already surpassed my warranty period; therefore, wanted mods that will not harm or shortern too much the life of the engine components (ie. using COBB will degrade the spark plugs from 40,000 miles to 20,000 miles) drastically

[rdeterman]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

JB4 + cheapest downpipes you can find + BMS dual cone intake + Big Tom intercooler (large and cheap).

+1.. and E85 that would get you 400rwhp

[adictedtopoker]

Originally Posted by wins76

My goal is to have at least 400 rwhp. I already surpassed my warranty period; therefore, wanted mods that will not harm or shortern too much the life of the engine components (ie. using COBB will degrade the spark plugs from 40,000 miles to 20,000 miles) drastically

[ASAP]

Tune, downpipe and intake...

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by wins76

My goal is to have at least 400 rwhp. I already surpassed my warranty period; therefore, wanted mods that will not harm or shortern too much the life of the engine components (ie. using COBB will degrade the spark plugs from 40,000 miles to 20,000 miles) drastically

Using any tune & increasing the requested performance over the stock tune is going to shorten the life span of ALL the parts, especially wear & tear items like the spark plugs & ignition coils.

Originally Posted by adictedtopoker

For the most part, they are not $50k cars anymore. They are low, and sometimes sub, $20k. This attracts a younger and cheaper audience. It is only going to get worse as time marches on.

While they might be ~$20k, maintenance costs are still going to hit the wallet like it's a $50k car. While you don't need to buy the most expensive parts, don't be surprised if the cheapest parts available tend to have problems (fitment, quality of materials, durability, efficiency, etc).

OP -- If you wanna go fast & spend bare minimum on mods, you only need three things:

1. JB4
2. BMS DCI
3. Windshield Washer Meth Kit w/ Meth Elbow

If you buy used, that'll be the cheapest way to get over 400 WHP. If you search & find some deals, you can get everything for under $1k. But before you start running meth, PLEASE read up on how meth works, the hazards of using it & frequently check your meth lines.

[Wedge1967]

I know a lot of people on this forum have been playing on this platform much longer than me, but over the past two years I have taken my car to the limits of a stock turbo car accept for the catback exhaust which is the worst $ for $ return on performance. I think if I were to do it all over again considering the changes that have taken place over the past year I would first go buy a COBB AP. Although it's not the cheapest tune up front, but consider with the JB4 & PROcede you'll eventually end up needing to flash your DME anyway, so in the long run getting the COBB AP is probably the cheaper route with the most flexible tuning options you can buy today. Not to mention the fact you don't have to rip open the DME box to remove your tune every time you need to visit the dealership.

If you plan on using Meth, safety should be your only concern. Spend the money and by the Aquamist HSF-4 system with the Aquamist trunk mount tank. You truly get what you pay for and this system is far superior to anything out there today.

Everything else is just fluff. As you turn up the power you'll need DCI, DPs, FMIC. VRSF and BMS offer low cost solutions, you'll just need to shop around and see who can give you the best prices.

[n54gte]

Cobb Tune
Downpipes
DCI
Run E85 mix

[135Pats]

400whp will require FBO or close to it with Meth or a pretty aggressive E85 mixture...these cars will clear 400 lb/ft without too much trouble, but getting the whp there will take some more investment.

Tune (your choice)
DPs
FMIC
DCI

Without Meth or E85 i'm not even sure if the above will clear 400 wheel, you'll be close but we're talking about a HP delta of about 130...that's serious. And pushing that type of power will put significantly more stress on your engine, that's just the reality of power modding. Take care of the car and it'll be fine, but understand 400whp doesn't just happen on the cheap and easy.

[blackbeast06]

After uprgrading the performance of your car you have to be prepared to dump money into plugs/coil packs/clutch/and maybe injectors. So keep that in mind pertaining to "degrading the engine".