Performance Mods for the Cheap Bastard - Bang for Buck!!!
As many know, I just posted in the war stories section about me getting completely obliterated by a Benz. Now, nobody will deny that Benzs and Beamers are normally fast stock, but this was just a dinky C class, Mercedes's economy car. I would've liked to be able to keep up with him, or at least be able to hold my own.
I'm not looking to shell out thousands, nor am I even looking to shell out several hundred. I just want to know what are the best bang-for-buck performance mods a cheap fuck like myself should consider. I hear a CAI is very satisying, but only if you have the exhaust to support it. By exhaust, does one mean an entire re-piping of the car, or just a muffler? Also, I was browsing the plumbing section of the Home Depot yesterday, and the ideas started soaring through my head. Is there anything wrong with making a CAI out of PVC piping? It would probably be a hell of a lot cheaper, and also, my friend with a Z24 Cavalier with a 3400 motor swap made his own intake from PVC, and he said it worked phenomenally. It could be spray painted silver or black or whatever, and I could make it to go exactly where I want it to.
Also, remember, I have 148,000 miles on my car, and counting. I drive a hell of a lot, and with that kind of milage, something like a turbo would probably be a bad idea.
So, I ask the pros. If my budget is only a couple hundred, what are the most bang-for-buck things I can do for my car to make it somewhat respectable in the speed book.
Thanks!