Modding advice please

[HFB]

Picking up a bog standard 1999 MRS this week.   s:D s:D  

Aside from getting it checked over and changing oil, filter, air filter, I want to get it a bit livelier and better handling to have an occasional blip round a track.

My thoughts are to replace (preferably with a little better performing, but not bank breaking parts) the likes of;

Shocks and Springs

Brake Disks, Pads, Hoses.

Tyres

With an overall budget for parts of around £800 - £1K, what would you informed people recommend as reasonable quality replacements for the OEM stuff?

What are your thoughts on fitting stiffening kits ( I read there are front, mid and engine brace parts.....really?? That many?) Which is the most useful of them?

Thanks in advance

HFB

[Jrichards20]

Brake Disks, pads and hoses good idea. I like the EBC discs and pads.

Huge amount of stuff on tyres on this forum, there's been about 4 threads in the last week on tyres alone.

Get an underbody brace, there's a few different types but the all seem to have very similar effects. You want the full middle one preferably. The rear already has the brace across the engine, you can get a front brace as there isn't on there. But I felt the one that makes the biggest difference is the Large, middle, underbody brace.

With a set of semi-slicks or decent tyres, news brake kit and a underbody brace you are already pushing your budget. But you will feel like your driving a different car  s:) s:)

[Jrichards20]

 m http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorspor ... quantity=4 m

4 R888s will be about £450

 m http://ebcbrakesdirect.com/en-gb/Store/ ... c54ad5795f m
 m http://ebcbrakesdirect.com/en-gb/Store/ ... c54ad5795f m

EBC pads front and back around £100

 m http://ebcbrakesdirect.com/en-gb/Store/ ... c4febdf1ae m
 m http://ebcbrakesdirect.com/en-gb/Store/ ... c4febdf1ae m

EBC discs front and back around £250.

 m http://www.corkyandcompany.net/BP.php m  

Underbody brace between £100-200 depending on type and style etc.

And that's your £1K  s:) s:)   You can probably find them cheaper but I did a quick main dealer type search, the FS threads here may help lower your price. But just a rough guide  s:) s:)

[Joesson]

I suggest check/ replace radiator( and hoses), check steering UJ at the same time.
Replace all fluids, engine oil (and filter) gear oil, coolant and brake.
The auxiliary drive belt will likely be coming  towards the end of its life so check/ replace.
Basic stuff but it helps keep the " goodies" going.

[1979scotte]

A mid brace is a must IMHO.
Good quality tyres in the right sizes are a must.
Brakes are fine for road use a set of uprated pads if you like but stock disks are fine. Maybe some braided hoses if you want.
If you've done over 50k I would buy new kyb dampers and tte springs at a minimum. I personally have meister r coil overs and think they're great. People drive for too long on suspension that is past it just because the springs haven't broken or the shocks aren't leaking. This is not a shopping trolley it's a sports car suspension is of the utmost importance.

Joesons post above is full of good ideas also.

[AndyM]

Good suggestions above, I'd take a slightly different approach personally (but it's all subjective  s:) s:)  )...

Tyres: I think my Toyo T1Rs work really well and value-for-money they beat pretty much everything. The 888s are a good shout, especially if you are doing extended track time, but for me (on your budget) and focusing on normal use I think they are a bit of a pricey option. T1Rs approx £250 fitted.

Brakes: I'd go with normal disks (Pagid etc...) and decent pads like the EBC suggested above. However I'd also chuck on some HEL/Goodridge braided lines which really help the brake feel. Approx £250 for pads, discs and lines plus fitting.

Suspension: If your shocks are in decent condition I'd highly recommend some lowering springs, my Teins transformed the feel (more so than any other single mod) and will set you back about £130 plus fitting, the official TTEs are a good shout too and similarly priced. If the shocks are shot then you might as well splash the extra on coilovers but it'll hammer your budget significantly.

Bracing: A 'matt brace' for £120 is the way to go here as a one-stop-shop to tightening up the car. I (controversially) actually found it didn't have as much effect on mine as expected but that is because I had other bits and pieces of bracing on the car already. Most people that go just with it sing praises about it's performance. I also found the front strut brace was a noticeable improvement and you can pick them up for £100 ish. Approx £250 all in.

Shifting: Get some of Nathan's shifter bushings in there and consider some solid cage mounts. It makes the shift feel nicely notchy and direct and is cheap (sub £50).

Seating: Obviously buckets/harnesses are out at this budget level but get a CG Lock for your seatbelt. I can't recommend them enough as it gives the stock seat and belt a much more secure feeling and gives confidence to push on a bit more instead of sliding around the seats. About £40.

That takes you to about £850-900.

If you have the extra spare then certainly consider more track focused tyres, but bear in mind the day-to-day wear on decent/expensive rubber if you are using the car for other things. Also, although largely cosmetic, an exhaust wouldn't be a bad thing to consider either. They make the car sound sportier and that effect makes it feel faster, drive harder and feels like a more encompassing experience.

As I say though, the art of modding is a very subjective one based on what you want to achieve.  s:) s:)

[HFB]

Thanks gents

Some very helpful advice there.

The MOT apparently had an advisory for one of the shocks misting slightly, so I think new shock system will be one of the first things on the list.

Once picked up the car (this week hopefully), will have a good look over, lob up some pics and start browsing for bits.

Hoping to do some of the spannering stuff myself, so this will be my novice mechanic training car too!

Expect loads of 'HELP' posts from me shortly!!

HFB

[Mark A]

I have done much of the above over the last 3 months and it has tranformed the car.

Apexi springs £100 and KYB shocks £250
Mintex discs and Pads £120
SS braided brake lines £50 dot 5.1 brake fliud £12
Solid topmounts £100 (SH) and rear camber bolts £25
Toyo TR1s £180
New radiator £25
Corky's underbody brace £100
K&N £25 (SH)
MKiii pipe £75
CYE exhaust and manifold £450ish
Alloy flywheel £100 (SH) with LUK clutch £60
6 speed gearbox £200ish
Gear linkage bushes £12
Bluetooth ODB & Torque app £25
Spare wheels £70 (SH)
Short shift lever £20 (SH)

Last bit for me is poly bush the car and 4 wheel alighment plus replace weeping rear diff oil seal. I need to replace the damaged front bumper but the forum is excellent if you can wait for the right part to come up.

What I love about these cars is the cheap and accessable parts, spend a bit of time searching and you usually find the parts for good money.

My background is high powered Imprezas which can be mega expensive, I have one sitting waiting for me to put it back together some day, but at the moment it cant get a look in!

[jonty]

My advice for discs is you don't need to bother with anything branded - if they are round and flat you're onto a winner. Braided hoses not needed in my experience if the OE ones are in good condition - best feel brakes I've ever used with yellow stuff pads, no name discs, OE hoses.

I'd see if you can pick up a cheap second hand bucket seat and harness if you can stretch your budget to it, the leather lets you move far too much.

Oh, and by £800-1000 budget you did mean £2-3k yeah? In which case we'll give you a shopping list for the rest  s;) s;)

[HFB]

Found Corky's

Anyone have a link for Mattperformance - only seem to have a near empty Facebook page.

HFB

[jonty]

send a PM to 'Mattperformance' mate, he's not actively posting much any more but I think he's still selling them. Thoroughly nice chap too  s:) s:)

[1979scotte]

Matt is a member here but isn't as active as he once was.
I believe there is a group buy thread.

[cptspaulding]

I will have a part used set of Toyo T1R's for sale soon. I can't live with the soft sidewalls. Some love the T1R's, others can't abide them.

Rears have done less than 1000 miles, the fronts a bit more, I'll have the tread depth checked on them all once they're off.

I got a new set of KYB shocks from Buypartsby for £260 delivered. Springs - I just got a deal on the Eibach (they who made the TTE springs) from a German place for £145 delivered. Then there's your front top mounts, bump stops & replacement droplinks to consider too. It soon all adds up.

Bear in mind you just bought a 16 year old car. If you don't know much of the provenance on the car & don't have the luxury of a full parts & labour warranty, then you can expect other things to go wrong that will soon eat into your £800-£1000 budget. Apologies for appearing to  spiss piss spiss  on your Weetabix, just being realistic  s;) s;)

[HFB]

Hi Captain S

Fully appreciate your viewpoint and am fully aware that things are going to go wrong on the car.

Hopefully nothing too serious (will see what can do about working out how to check if it has had a de-cat and if not get that done as a matter of priority)

Did look into the engine bay and that looked nice and dry and not oil covered. Wasn't sparkly clean either, so hadn't been cleaned up for sale, it was just usual, older car grubby looking - which is good.......I hope.

Mainly it is a sunny day, weekend jolly car, but want to have a bit of fun in something that won't devastate me if it goes bang or I sent it spinning into the bank/gravel.

HFB