So I DD my 2018 ST1, and currently it has some pretty basic mods (one-step colder plugs, shifter cable/trans-side mount/shifter base bushings, 3" catted DP and no resonator plus some other stuff in my sig below). I'm going to have about $500 to spend on it pretty soon, so would like some opinions. I'm probably more interested in things to make it a more enjoyable daily driver, and just so you know, my speeds are typically in the 45-50 mph range with only a few miles at 70-ish mph on the way to and from work.... there are some days when there's lots of sitting in lines of traffic waiting for idiots to move, too...
First, I live in CO, so we deal with a bit of heat in the summer, so I'm thinking about getting a depo 3.5 to install. I figure after the t-bolt clamps and a couple various other items (locking nuts) I'll have about $400 in it. I realize it won't do anything really for performance since I'm not tuned, but it will help with heat-soak in the stop and go traffic I have to deal with between May and Sept when it's 85-100+. With the current temps, though, it's a non-issue... Another item I've looked at is getting a better shifter for it since I don't like the stock height or throw, such as a JBR or Boomba short shifter. JBR has the weights you can throw on it to help, but a lot of folks like the Boomba... I do have a 500 gram weighted knob I use from time to time on the car, although in the winter it's freaking cold to grab onto and in the summer it'll burn your hand. That would probably leave about $320 for other stuff if I go the shifter route, too.
I could just skip those things and get a tune from Stratified or JST, but I'd still need the FMIC at some point to be safe about things, and I'd rather have the supporting mods in place first before I got a tune (since I'd have to pay for a revision at that point anyway). I could get a 3" exhaust for it, which may help with flow and efficiency, but for the cost I'm constrained to it would mean an MBRP 3" using aluminized pipe. Some folks have reported drone with the 3" systems, and I rather like the quietness of the car now and the lack of drone. It really wouldn't bump up the performance much either with the stock turbo (and I have no plans of going BT).
I'd rather stay away from suspension mods since the roads here suck and if the idea is to make the drive nicer, a stiffer ride wouldn't be a great thing for me... I've got back problems already.
So what would you guys do next?
First, I live in CO, so we deal with a bit of heat in the summer, so I'm thinking about getting a depo 3.5 to install. I figure after the t-bolt clamps and a couple various other items (locking nuts) I'll have about $400 in it. I realize it won't do anything really for performance since I'm not tuned, but it will help with heat-soak in the stop and go traffic I have to deal with between May and Sept when it's 85-100+. With the current temps, though, it's a non-issue... Another item I've looked at is getting a better shifter for it since I don't like the stock height or throw, such as a JBR or Boomba short shifter. JBR has the weights you can throw on it to help, but a lot of folks like the Boomba... I do have a 500 gram weighted knob I use from time to time on the car, although in the winter it's freaking cold to grab onto and in the summer it'll burn your hand. That would probably leave about $320 for other stuff if I go the shifter route, too.
I could just skip those things and get a tune from Stratified or JST, but I'd still need the FMIC at some point to be safe about things, and I'd rather have the supporting mods in place first before I got a tune (since I'd have to pay for a revision at that point anyway). I could get a 3" exhaust for it, which may help with flow and efficiency, but for the cost I'm constrained to it would mean an MBRP 3" using aluminized pipe. Some folks have reported drone with the 3" systems, and I rather like the quietness of the car now and the lack of drone. It really wouldn't bump up the performance much either with the stock turbo (and I have no plans of going BT).
I'd rather stay away from suspension mods since the roads here suck and if the idea is to make the drive nicer, a stiffer ride wouldn't be a great thing for me... I've got back problems already.
So what would you guys do next?