To Modify Or Not? Is It Really Worth It

[LatinR33]

Ive got a bone stock R33 skyline with only a 3 inch turbo back exhaust which is running pretty well The thing is i have collected some parts to modify my car (ebc,fuel pump, fmic etc). Im going through this site and the amount of threads of people who have lighly modified there cars and have had problems is frightening. Missfires and knocking problems. Im starting to think is it worth it??

[lingeringsoul]

if you think about it logically then the answer is no.....but then when it comese to modifying cars, all logic goes out the windows.

[RBwhatever]

Totally not worth it. Your skyline will run your life onto the pits if you do......na just kidding

Of course it worth it!

Do it and you'll be very happy. Try and fit everything yourself and you'll save a lot of money in labour costs. Also if you do things yourself, you'll learn more about your car, gain confidence and knowledge on what to do if something goes wrong and what went wrong.

You'll have a greater appreciation for your car as you work on it, curse at it, and watch it develop as you modify it.

You will come across some small problems every now and again, but nothing some aftermarket bits won't fix.

Unless of course you have one dud of a car, then you'll have second thoughts.

[Oblivion]

As linger said, we do it cause we want to be faster and quicker. If you want it to last forever, then leave it.

I personally have a 32, with minor mods...exhaust fmic, fuel pump, tune(remap, chip), more boost, coilovers, swaybars. i havent had many problems with it, and its fun. I replaced my coil packs, but as they were 16 odd years old, i expected that.

Its up to you really man, if you want it to go quicker..then mod it lol

[evil_weevil]

dont do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought my 33 dead stock

was a really nice, clean looking car!

then it....bit me.....I couldnt stop.....bought a pod.....then a cat back exhaust.....it just kept on going.....It over took me.....the car controls me!!!

Im broke now cause of the car!!

[R33GOD]

it is worth it to a point. i wanted to modify my car heaps but it does take over your life when it comes to money, epecially when you push your car. i blew my 5 speed. so im down to minor mods and just leaving it alone.

if i were you id run the ebc on 10psi, cooler, and pod. sell the fuel pump

you would be very surprised in the power output.

good luck

Edited May 22, 2007 by R33GOD

[benm]

Do it and you'll be very happy. Try and fit everything yourself and you'll save a lot of money in labour costs.

I'll go the other way and say to find yourself a nice respectable mechanic that you trust that doesn't charge the earth and get that 1 guy to do everything.

Sure their are some things you can do yourself (basic maintanence) but when you start modifying it's often cheaper to just pay a mechanic to do the job right the first time and never have to worry about it again.

You will read many stories about people getting a cheap $200 ecu tune that took them 45mins. Then a month later you will hear them whinging about how their car stalls with the a/c on or they get high knock levels as soon as the weather is warm etc. Pay the $1000 upfront and get the job done properly the first time.

[andz]

just do it

you're not going to drive that car for 10-15years are u?

[RBwhatever]

I'll go the other way and say to find yourself a nice respectable mechanic that you trust that doesn't charge the earth and get that 1 guy to do everything.

Sure their are some things you can do yourself (basic maintanence) but when you start modifying it's often cheaper to just pay a mechanic to do the job right the first time and never have to worry about it again.

You will read many stories about people getting a cheap $200 ecu tune that took them 45mins. Then a month later you will hear them whinging about how their car stalls with the a/c on or they get high knock levels as soon as the weather is warm etc. Pay the $1000 upfront and get the job done properly the first time.

I'll do all the bolt on mods and stuff that requires only your socket and spanner set and few screw drivers etc. I mean honestly, how hard is it to fit a pod, boost controllers, exhaust, strut braces, sway bars, intercoolers etc.

But I agree with you on the tuning bit. Get the tuning done properly by someone that's reputable.

[msnismo]

I'll go the other way and say to find yourself a nice respectable mechanic that you trust that doesn't charge the earth and get that 1 guy to do everything.

Sure their are some things you can do yourself (basic maintanence) but when you start modifying it's often cheaper to just pay a mechanic to do the job right the first time and never have to worry about it again.

You will read many stories about people getting a cheap $200 ecu tune that took them 45mins. Then a month later you will hear them whinging about how their car stalls with the a/c on or they get high knock levels as soon as the weather is warm etc. Pay the $1000 upfront and get the job done properly the first time.

Agreed....

Although.. do you have the will power to say enough is enough and I am happy with the car? I know I don't

[typevu]

Its soooooooooooo worth modding the car.......... until time to sell up you tend to kick yourself in the ass at the amount of money wasted away.

[NAman]

First Mods:

1) Comp insurance

2) Alarm

3) Pay of loan (if any)

Then set your self $xxx a year to spend- this should not included the cost of maintaince

My plan is:

If something breaks- replace with an upgraded part. I intend on owning my R32 for a while!

Edited May 22, 2007 by NAman

[benm]

I mean honestly, how hard is it to.....

Just because a user on here owns a Skyline doesn't mean they know how to use a spanner or hookup a boost controller. Many of us enjoy the look, sound and way a skyline drives yet don't even change our own oil.

[eMsta]

modify only till a point i reckon...at one stage i was gonna pour all my money into the car, aiming for a 230/240 rwkw monster....but then i figure, if im gonna do deca or track, why not just spend on the minor stuff (aim for around 190rwkw), upgrade the brakes/suspension/tires, and just enjoy it when the clubs got special days on.

i mean, the car was bought for around 18k + $15-20k on mods = 38k max - not worth it, as i will only be able to sell for about 18k. I think it was INASNT - he had such a mad r33, but wasnt able to sell it for a long time.....seriously was teh maddest r33 i seen in a while....and if something like that only went for 22k or something...one has to realy think if its worth going all out on mods....

your better off with the minor mods, enjoy the car - put what ever else into investing and savings for a rainy day....thats what im doing now....main thing is to not let the car take over....

[TokyoTaxi]

Here's my suggestion.

You've got a turbo back exhaust system and a nice set of wheels already. Install the FMIC and that's it !!

Almost every other significant mod you do will lead to MORE work needing to be done.

THEN...... Take $50 per week out off your pay and put it in a seperate bank account and don't touch it for at least 1 year ( but keep putting the $50 in per week ).

Now, go and enjoy your car, and know that when the time comes that you have to pay for tyres, rego, insurance, maintenance etc, etc, you will have the money there to do it.

OR

Completely ignor the above and do what I ( and most other's do/did ) and go spend every cent you have on mods and only stop when you sell the car ( for less than you paid for it a couple of years before )

[RBwhatever]

Just because a user on here owns a Skyline doesn't mean they know how to use a spanner or hookup a boost controller. Many of us enjoy the look, sound and way a skyline drives yet don't even change our own oil.

Yeah I see where your coming from.

I just think it's beneficial to know what goes on under the bonnet.

LatinR33, if your confident with touching things under the hood, then go for a do-it-yourself approach.

If your not confident or don't have time(I might add), then take it to a good mechanic to make sure these things get done properly as per benm's post

[KISIN]

Money-wise, hell no its not worth it. But the satisfaction i get out of it, compensates for "wasted" money.

[FineLine]

I ran some hot cars as a youngun and had to give it all away to do the wife kid deal. Well the kids do their own thing now and the wife and i stay out of each others road mostly, She has her pursuits and i have mine but we still have plenty of common ground so its a way good deal.

I am modding and enjoying every moment of it. At 53 I intend to take max advantage of the time I still have to be able to enjoy it as much as is humanly possible. I started with a lightly modded car and now i am aiming for the moon.

Its different strokes for different folks. If the car is your daily then i guess you need to consider reliability. fuel economy etc but, If as in my case the car is your toy then I say go for it.

[gun32gtr]

i bought my gtr for 22k and have now spent another 12k its not going yet so i cant say if its worth it or not,time will tell

[Birnie]

If you already have these "ebc,fuel pump, fmic etc" oh man!

There's a good DIY on the fuel pump swap so Do It Yourself.

FMIC, heaps of different threads, think about giving it ago for DIY again, or get it installed.

EBC, get that in now! 12psi should be ok...and don't forget to get some sparkies gapped to 0.8mm or pop pop pop...

All that should be cool, then do the Power FC tuned on the 12psi and that should see your car right on about 200-ish and freegan hell it will feal good

You've got most stuff so just do it !