I've had my '05 MCS for a couple of months, and I guess it was time for more. Installed the Alta 15% pulley on Monday...WOW.
Tommorow in goes the Milltek exhaust. Monday , new wheels/tires from Tire Rack arrive. Tuesday it's the M7 springs. All choices I've arrived at from the great information on this forum. Thank you all.

Now.. a couple of questions..

1. Before doing too much research, I bought the K&N TYphoon Intake. I'm wondering if I made a mistake and whether I would benefit enough from a change to an Alta, JCW, Dinan..etc. to justify the expense ?

2. How much should I be looking to spend on labor to install the springs ??? The shop that installed the pulley (A Dinan Dealer and really well reccommend foreign car tuner) told me 6 hrs with alignment...for a whoping total of $590 labor which seems to me extremely high from the couple of posts that have mentioned installation costs.

 

Springs and exhaust are rather simple to install, even for the newbie. Ever consider doing the work yourself? It's a fun and rewarding experience to mod your own car....and saving money is never bad

 

No. The Typhoon Intake is rated pretty highly for intakes if you're talking about power. I doubt any other intake out there will make more than a hp or so more than the Typhoon so you're good with what you have.

 

Ooops,
Looks like you did a back flip off the cliff down to mod city.
Oh well, it's happened before.


1. If you want the most sound and good power then Alta is what many install. The JCW and Dinan and nice closed intakes but costly. Will the K&N Typhoon work? Yes, it will. Does it look nice? Yes it does. Is the difference that big between these intakes? Not really. M7 just is releasing their AGS so no official feedback on that one yet.

2. Springs should be about 3 hours. I had coil overs installed for about $280 in labor with adjustable Alta endlinks for both front and rear swaybars. Also had ride height adjusted at the same time. As I recall I had the same shop install H-sport springs and H-sport rear lower adjustable control arms for about $300. Alignment in my area is about $90 for 1.5 hours. You don't need a specialty shop to install lowering springs. A good specialty alignment shop can do the springs and alignment for less than your quote.

 

Congrats on the purchase of your goodies. Look around for people in your area that might be willing to help you out.
If you happen to be in the SF area and are not a Dodger fan , I could help out. Springs and sway bar are easy and save you a bundle doing yourself.
Good luck


James

 

Thanks minihune.

By the way, anyone out there wondering whether or not to do the pulley upgrade.....just do it.....I still can't believe the difference.

 

OH NO!!!!!!!!

I believe there is a 12 step program for our addiction

1. Pulley
2. Intake
3. Cold Plugs
4. Exhaust
5. BBK
6. Rims
7. Software
8. Springs
9. Swaybar
10. Larger intercooler
11. Ipod adapter
12.

 

yeah do it urself!! save some $ and get more goodies. AND u learn how cool our cars really are

 

See
http://www.soulspeed.com/services/Prices.asp
That will give you an idea of rough cost.
Prices will vary with labor rates which are as low as $65/hr in small shops to $110/hr at dealerships.

Ouch, you're hurting my wallet!

Next stop.
Quaife!
Just kidding. Go for a ride in Quaiferized MINI first.

 

I highly reccomend doing your own work if you're getting the mod bug. I started many years ago by changing my own oil, next I did my own brake pads, I jumped into a clutch change head first, then changed a timing belt, and eventually started swapping engines. Doing my own work not only saved me $$$ (which means your next mod comes sooner) but I also know exactally what is going on in my car. Once you learn how a car is put together, it really increases the 'bond' you feel with that car.

 

I'm with you Coop, 100%. Whether it be a car, house or virtually anything else, I've found 3 reasons to do so:

1. Save money (especially important when I was younger)

2. Doing it right, the way you want. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen contractors skimp, or mechanics not do things properly, or the way I would! As an example, for 5 bucks more, a much stronger thinset (tile mortar) could be used on a project, but to save a few dollars, it often is not. I'm sure the guy will use the good stuff in his house though... For attention to detail, and doing things the way you want, DIY baby!

3. A sense of pride overcomes one when others comment favorably on finished projects. And as said above, this has a way of further encouraging one to tackle more and more. Damn, it's addicting! Confidence is a good thing. I have rebuilt a "house" in a canyon into my dream home, constructed two kit cars, and have done some rather unique work on my MCS. This is all started from spackling a wall and changing oil...

Enjoy!

 

Unfortunately for some of us, life gets in the way.

I own my own retail business and have exactly zero time to contemplate doing the mods myself - as much as I'd like to. It's hard it enough finding the time to get it to and from the mechanic. So, I'm stuck paying for it....as much as I hate someone else touching my precious little car.