I've had my car for a while now, went ahead and weighed all the options for extending the warranty etc. and decided to go against extended as the car had been reliable thus far.

Knock on wood, this car hasn't given me any problems at all since I have owned it (bone stock).

I'm about to mod the car with typical upgrades - pulley(?. not sure with who), TB(82mm), headers(?, not sure with who), OE tune, E/C heatexchanger, Johnson IC pump.

BTW, I am not a track guy and the car will be street/daily driven - so I likely don't want to get a huge pulley, make a 168 or 172 at most, thoughts?


I'm curious from the all the modded guys, how reliable is the car with the above upgrades? Did you guys start experiencing problems after modding with these upgrades?

Granted, modding any car that is the potential and danger of things going wrong, but I'd like to hear real world experiences. What problems have you guys faced?


Side Note: I have about $6/$7K I'd like to play around with ...


Thanks in advance, guys!

So far thousands and thousand of miles and not major problems. HOWEVER, I am picking up a bit of smell in the cabin from the long tubes....we think. Meaning tiny bit of exhuast leak. My wife won't ride in it anymore as she is paranoid we are all gonna die (drama). I bought a 300$ CO tester and it picked up a tiny bit and startup in the garage and then it goes away slowly as I drive away. I have a strange collector setup so maybe that is the culprit. Never heard of other guys having this issue.

Also with my setup (long tube into X pips....no res into stock mufflers) she does drone quite a bit at 55-65mph.

Mine is not DD so all things to think about when going long tubers.

My Kleemann headers picked up NICE gains with their tune and IC pump. That baby would daily drive forever, then get up and boogity boogity. Went K2 before going ballz out on modding. LOVED IT!

Just go conservative on the headers like the Kleemanns or some shortys and you will be happy.

Pulley seems like 172ish. For SAFE power without fear of all the codes, go 80mm TB. Plugs in a plays ASAP. 82s seems to be hit and miss on codes etc.

Those mods and you will be a happy DD.

I run all these mods, and it drives better than the day I bought it. You would never know it was modified unless you hear the little extra rumble. Mine is a Daily driver (most of the time, I have a truck for hauling crap).. but overall, perfect daily. Only issues I have had:

Motor Mounts
Door Handle (Auto Open Function)

Those were handled under warranty.

My suggestion: If you are going for power, don't compromise. Many go easy, only to upgrade again and again.

Throttle Body: Its a pain, go with an 82mm and do it once. (See Bruce at TTM. I do not think anyone has thrown a code with his kit). Pulley- I run a 180, but that is up to you

Headers, same deal. You can get cheap, or you can get good. '

There are just so many options, but doing anything twice will eat $$ fast. Ask those of use who cant seem to stop. We are addicted@!!!!!! and so shall you be my son....