[Mehran333]

*** :brentil: I know so many threads involving modifications :brentil: ***

Hi, what are some of your favorite modifications that you own/have seen and would recommend/looking forward to buying?

I am considering a few modifications and so far I am looking into:
A front brace
A spoiler
A turbo(?)
New headlights
New rear-lights
New tires
New rims
New custom plates
Painted calipers
Painted grills
Painted window trims
Removal of baffle box (a ? kit)

Any other modifications or specific brands, if so reviews, usage and a list of what to do first/install first. Additionally, what have you found to be a NEED-TO-HAVE after installing on your own kappa and can not see yourself without.

Thanks for advice, thanks for information.

 

[ChopTop]

1. Adjustable coilovers or lowering springs followed by F&R alignment.

 

[twowheeladdict]

My first mod is a wind restrictor.
I did ask for a Pontiac key chain for Christmas.

Other than keeping the car running, the mods will be based on need over want.

I tend to throw about $3000 to $5000 extra on my bikes so they take up all my mod money.

 

[SolNut]

Tires, suspension, and fuel.

 

[wspohn]

Everyone has their own answers and asking them what works for them really isn't going to help you make up your own mind unless you subscribe to the hive mind theory of what you 'should' do. In other words, gather information and make up your own mind as to what will please you.

I've never bothered with mods that change appearance - chrome this, repaint that, they all strike me as a waste of time, though apparently desirable for some, so I'll only comment on what changes the performance of the cars.

Chassis (in order of efficiency)
Add stiffening members to the frame. A heavier plate across the bottom of the transmission tunnel, a reinforcement of the rear suspension and a stiffener in the front, more or less in that order. On my car I used a DDM Backbone and Probeam and an LV front brace, all of which had an effect.

Suspension - decide what you want and what you'll be doing with the car. Hard street driving and solo events give slightly different answers. I replaced the shocks and springs (BC Racing) and the sway bars (factory ZOK).

Power - decide whether you want a warranty friendly tune, because a tune is the only thing that unlocks the ability for other mods to add power. If the answer is yes, then the factory GMPP tune is the only one, and offers a nice bump in power. If the answer is no, you want more, there are several tuners around that can help you.

Once you have a tune, there are some things that add power and some that don't.

Cold air intakes = no more power
Intercooler = no more power unless you have a considerable amount of tune/turbo mods, but it will delay the onset of power reduction due to heat soak.
New turbo - lots of options, read the threads.

Do your homework and read the many threads on all of these before spending money.

 

[Robssol]

My wife and I agree. We both love the GMPP tune. We also have the backbone brace, CAI, and windrestrictor.
:driving:

 

[rob the elder]

This question has been asked several times in the past so many have their answers ready to go.:thumbs:

My list runs like this in priority order:

1. ProBeam or equivalent to take the wallow out of the rear end

2. Backbone brace sized to fit your driving style.

3. V8

4. Given that the V8 is out of your price range, a tune- GMPP worked great for me. Others swear by (or maybe its at) other tunes.

5. High flow cat (only hardware mod that has demonstrated consistent HP gains on a tuned, otherwise stock car

6. Oil Catch Can, frequently the tune and increased HP will result in more frequent excursions to higher RPM ranges. Several users have experienced oiling in the turbo as a result that is addressed / eliminated by use of a catch can

7. Charge tubes. With a tune and a heavy foot, you will run into the limitations of the factory charge tubes at higher RPM. The majority consensus is that at the very least, the after market charge tubes by reducing turbulence at higher RPMs delays the roll off of HP that the factory tubes experience. There is a minority of owners who have stated that aftermarket charge tubes actually increased their HP.

8. After market intercooler. Unless you live in a very hot climate or engage in high power operation over an extended period of time, there does not appear to be a large benefit of an after market IC over the factory unit. However, the factory IC has experienced failures on tuned cars that can be avoided with a good after market IC, and there is almost always some small benefit as the greater heat rejection of the after market units will at least delay heat soaking.

9. Suspension mods. BC coil overs in my case. Gives ability to finely tune the ride height, damping and spring preload.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

I always to stereo first, gotta have some bass. Then I like to do exhaust and finally, More power. Then if I must continue, Tires and Rims, suspension.

Oh, and Tint, that's usually up at the top of the list. Gotta keep that beer cool.

 

[rob the elder]

I always to stereo first, gotta have some bass. Then I like to do exhaust and finally, More power. Then if I must continue, Tires and Rims, suspension.

Oh, and Tint, that's usually up at the top of the list. Gotta keep that beer cool.

Nice list.

I usually drink the beer to keep it from getting warm. :devil:

Dragon has tint and Punisher does not. I like it without the tint because if its hot out, the top is down. But I do not live in the Oven of Texas. When we were there for the Nationals I got a taste of the Texas sun and am sympathetic to your need for window tint.

 

[wine_lover]

Wind restrictor. Helps so much.http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/images/smilies/smile2.gif

 

[TX08manualGXP]

well Rob,

I think tint improves the overall look of the car as well as provides protection from the sun. But yeah, in the summer when it's 100º and 90% humidity, it helps keep the inside of the car cooler. The 06 does not have tint and I have to keep the AC fan on 2 or 3 to be comfortable but the 08 has tint and I can set it on 1 and it's perfect. That's one thing I liked about the kappa's, glass rear window!

 

[Mehran333]

I was thinking more on appearances: spoilers, nice rims, paint suggestions (all with respectable brand names/stores bought from.

Gotta look nice before you drive nice! :thumbs:

And wow thanks for the small inspiration to get me to look at the topic that 'window tinting reduces thermal rays.'

Guess I'll stick to front & rear beams, suspension, and a few appearance mods. Probably get a windrestictor & tint first off the list (after my amazingly beautiful custom plates!!)

Also, I've been seeing how some threads ask for the order of mods installed and... In short, what is the reason? Is the car more prone to failure if a mod conflicts with another? How can you know/stop this? Do you just drive until you see smoke, because I don't believe this is a very good route to take on mod procedures...

Tha'nks!

***Edit: THINKING OF GETTING RED TINTS! WOO-HOO!!

 

[Mehran333]

OH, and another question (MOSTLY APPLIES TO DAILY DRIVERS ONLY!) What wax/special paint/etc. do you apply so your Solstice's paint/body is ... ?

Here's the deal guys, today has been filled with pouring rain and street-roads gently flooded. And I know you're thinking, "What a dumb kid, driving a nice car in this weather!" but guess what? It's my only transportation, I have school, and it's just a child. (Yes, my child and I'm very fragile to its wants & needs).

So is there anything special y'all do for daily - extreme weather? Extra coats of paint, special wax or substance, modifications under the body/bumpers? Every time I drive through a puddle I can hear like a tearing sound on the sides of my front bumper where the water SMACKS my car and I feel like my car is about to just die, or the paint is being corroded off. Is that sound against water just normal for our car's material or driving too fast in the rain? :devil:

The only car I ever had before this car was a 93' Lexus LS400 and its framework was not as flimsy and so could this be the cause of this noise and my car's not about to die?

 

[wspohn]

I was thinking more on appearances: spoilers, nice rims, paint suggestions

Already got all that in stock form, except the paint, and believe me, a complete repaint to change colour isn't in your budget!

 

[Mehran333]

Already got all that in stock form, except the paint, and believe me, a complete repaint to change colour isn't in your budget!

I was thinking of a few red stripes and painting the grill (all myself, of course!)

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Mehran, that tearing sound you hit when you run over a puddle is the water blasting the wheel well covers. It's fine but you want to limit it as much as possible. I know that the 06 has a leaky top and trunk and with all the rain expected today, I decided to park it in the garage and carpooled with my son. Our cars are low and there will be some flooding today. I'd avoid going thru high water as much as possible. And what john said, a nice custom paint color change will easily run you north of 15k. You'd better stick to plasti dip and frog tape.

 

[idkfa]

Here's the deal guys, today has been filled with pouring rain and street-roads gently flooded. And I know you're thinking, "What a dumb kid, driving a nice car in this weather!" but guess what? It's my only transportation, I have school, and it's just a child. (Yes, my child and I'm very fragile to its wants & needs).

So is there anything special y'all do for daily - extreme weather? Extra coats of paint, special wax or substance, modifications under the body/bumpers? Every time I drive through a puddle I can hear like a tearing sound on the sides of my front bumper where the water SMACKS my car and I feel like my car is about to just die, or the paint is being corroded off. Is that sound against water just normal for our car's material or driving too fast in the rain? :devil:

The only car I ever had before this car was a 93' Lexus LS400 and its framework was not as flimsy and so could this be the cause of this noise and my car's not about to die?

I have a few but the solstice is my DD beater. There are a number of detailing threads with some good procedural steps and there's also detailing-specific sites I read back in the day to get my technique on like autopia.

The sound you hear is fine, just hitting hollow plastic of the liners/air damns, etc. I've noticed it's louder on this car but it's literally not a thing.

The only thing I would suggest for a DD is a 'clear bra' to protect from rock chips, my quarters are absolutely ****ed up from sticky tires (edit: pay no mind to the tires in the picture, cheapo all seasons for the one day it snowed around here).

Practically any wax or sealant will protect your paint from sun fade some just do a better job or last a little longer in between applications.

edit: my favorite first mod was an alignment. Everyone's a little different but -2.3 camber up front max caster, -1.5 camber out back (don't touch the caster) really brought the car to life (makes the back end more lively so if you're not familiar with rwd it might be better to leave alone until you're comfortable controlling over and understeer). This was the thread for that.

 

[Mehran333]

Thanks to both of y'all in the previous posts. Charlie, I thought John's name was Bill as his signature.. :willy: ahhh!

Good to hear it's just the plastic wheel well covers; like I said, not use to this car at all so that sound scared me as the rain filling it up through puddles would make my car slow down (duh, water friction causing less traction, road block, etc etc) but just a totally different handling experience than my 93' LS400 I use to have.

Charlie I hope to see you at Kerrivelle!

 

[rob the elder]

In my experience, the first mod should be a probeam or equivalent. The cars all have a rear suspension that can and does flex over undeven pavement. Adding the stiffner to the rear is not only a huge improvement in handling, it is by some considered a safety improvement. Its that good.

 

[idkfa]

I thought the flex was "intended" to absorb torsional force and minimize oversteer.