Preferred Option??

[Mini-beast]

HI All

This is just a general question about performance kits for the MCS.

Lets assume that warranty wasnt an issue here, and comparing power to costs benefits
would be better to :
(a) go for the JCW?
(b) just modd it myself? ( basically upgrading things like pulleys, exhausts, air filters, sparkplugs etc )

Thanks.

[Mugami]

Being a guy who's gone the cheap-mod way (except the rims) i would vote B. in the case of power vs expense. With all my performance mods I've spent approx 3900.00 and I'm left with a car that is Faster, handles better and gets better Gas mileage than the JCW car. Now you can just do a Pulley, exhaust and optional intake change to get the same performance of the JCW kit.

Just a minor note. I was a hunter for Bargain bin, Scratch and dent, discontinued and other items when i did my projects. A good example of this is the Lightweight Flywheel, Stage 3 clutch, Short shifter kit (gave away cause i made my own already) and the Phantom grip normally going for approx 1000.00 from a certain website (i wont say which so don't email me either). I was able to get for 600.00 from the same site going through around about way.

Until we meet on the road
Have fun, Be safe and Keep MOTIVE8N

[Mini-beast]

Cool, but now that u've done plan (b) , would u go through the frustrating process again?
i mean, if going about and modding it urself only saved u say $1000, would u rather just simply get the works kit and be done with it?

Iam trying to simply determine if its more better to get the works kit or just modd it myself.. obviously modding it myself will require more research and understanding of the car and components involved ( which i hope to gain from this forum ) , but im interested in seeing what others here have done .

[RedUn]

sounds like one for a Max

[Mugami]

You've miss understood in what i stated. ALL the performance mods was 3900.00 This included Suspension upgrades, the Flywheel, Clutch, LSD and prototype rims from centerline These parts alone were over 2000.00. Which aren't touched by the JCW kit. Also was able to create Custom roof decal, stripes, paint the interior, complete stereo system all under the 5000.00 JCW price. But if you want just a quick break down on what i did to match JCW performance wise.

15% pulley.. 440.00 / installed at Helix13
Supertrapp exhaust.. 150.00/ Ebay
installed exhaust.. 75.00 and a pack of beer / Econo Muffler
intake .. 20.00 for cone filter. then Modded the stock box similar to the way Dinan has done. (mine was first)

And thats it. Matched Performance of the JCW for under $800.00.

So would i do that part again to match the JCW kit.. in a heartbeat. The only DIY that i did was the airbox.. took about 20 mins

As for some of the rest.. I wont do another Roof decal like the one i did. i went blind trying to put all the DS checkers on that Bright White roof. For the front stripes from what i understand im still the only one with them.

Then comes the exhaust. For the intended purpose of the exhaust. Yes i would do it again. If the car was to be strictly a daily driver with added performace. Then no i would go with another type of exhuast. one that isnt as loud.

Rims are in the same manner. did i need to purchase Prototype rims 275.00 each Wieghing in at 11.7 lbs. Not really i could have bought a set that was 400.00 for all 4 with tires. then of course the rims wieghed 22 lbs each. Also for those reading the rims when i bought them were called Impulse.. but the production ones are called Storm and wiegh in at 16 lbs each. which can be purchased for 179.00 each. The stock rims and tires are very very heavy. just by going to a good LW rim and tire combo. The car itself will feel like you just put the JCW kit in the car.

Suspension (so far): only done lowering springs by Racing Dynamic and tweaked the rear swaybar a bit. this is a YES to do over again.

Until we meet on the Road
Have fun, Be safe and Keep MOTOV8N

[The_Bster]

Basically for the same price that you pay for JWC, you can do a whole lot more by modifying the car yourself. JCW is good only for the warranty.

Besides, it's more fun to mod bit by bit!

[Mini-beast]

Ah excellent, thanks for the input everyone..

My dilemma was that every article ive read was praising the JCW as if it was the be all and end all, further to that i wasnt able to bump into any one here mentioning mods of their own and why they chose that over the JCW.

When i get around to modding a MCS , you'll hear alot more from me. Cheers again.