Mods to throw on my gen 2 ms3?
 

Having recently turned 16, my parents and I drove about 2 hours away to pick up a 2012 ms3 with 72k miles on it. I have saved money from as early as I can remember, and thought that this would be a nice and reliable car for me to purchase as I only had to pay half the price -- thankfully.
As I am somewhat new to the car "scene" and speculation depends on model, I decided it would be best to come on here and ask for a few opinions. What should I do to my car next?

What was on the car when I bought it:
motegi ff7 wheels
ultimate racing catback
injen cai
cobb shift knob :naughty: :slomo:
cobb lowering springs (1")

what I have put on it so far:
cs short throw shift plate




As for what to do now, I have no idea. I assume upgrade the fuel pump, then get an accessport, etc? I have no idea! If someone could guide me in a good direction that would be great. I'm a bit lost, thanks!

All you need to start is ap, or versatune, high pressure fuel pump internals, intake and e85 tune if you have it available. Most will say that is one of the best ways to get started and really enjoy the power of these few mods. Just search and read. Also before any serious mods figure out what your end goal will be. There is much fun to be had with this platform!

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

I've also got the Corksport TMIC and Cobb TBE. With the e85 you'll be knocking on 300hp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

6 months till zoom zoom boom or crash.

That's harsh.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OP thinks an MS3 is a nice and reliable car after having been abused for 72k miles. No HPFP internals on it, but got a CBE and CAI.

Probably will be blowing up in about 3k miles.

Also, asks the same questions that have been asked over and over...

The forum members have little patience for newbies that don't research. Save up for an engine rebuild, Cobb AP, and internals. It is a roll of the dice with the mods currently on the car, if it will ZZB. Donate and they may all be nicer to you... That's a roll of the dice as well.

Don't harp on the kid too bad...I don't want to back up improper mods, but he bought the car with these mods on it. At that age we should all be helping with guidance and not criticism. Gotta learn the right way one way or another, if we can try and be helpful he may not zoom zoom boom! That is why we are here! This forum is for support and knowledge. Let's show that we can all still be helpful to a young man that is trying to do the right thing with his car, and help him not blow it up!

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

OP, first thing to do ASAP is get fuel pump internals. If it doesn't already have one, get a RMM. If cash is tight, stop there and get a OTS+ map from one of the tuners on here and enjoy those mods for the time being. The RMM will tighten up your shifts and make the car "somewhat" drive completely different. Or at least feel like it does. Good luck and congrats on your new ride. I can definitely respect anyone who saves up for their vehicle they want at such a young age.

Much respect for saving and buying your first car. I will say this car can be a lot for a new driver. Get your hpfp, and an ap and enjoy before going any further. This car is plenty fast as it is. Keep the car maintained, oil catch can, good oil, and valve cleaning. Research mods along the way and as time goes on and you get more comfortable then continue on your path.

Post some pics too

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Kid is barely 16. This is more than enough car for him stock.

Agree with cheapspeed, respect the car and the power and be responsible. It may be difficult, but if you really love this car, take care of it and if will be a very enjoyable experience. If you don't you may regret it. And always do your research before you do anything. And listen to people that have been around this forum for a while. They speak from experience.

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

But I said it first!!!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Best thing to do is find the closest Nator group and have them look at the car. They will know what to look for in the way of mods already on the car and issues the car may soon have. Always maintenance before mods, car may need Chains and VVTA, have the valves been cleaned? etc.

I forgot to mention, I've already installed a cobb RMM.

Accessport and a proper tune since you're already modded without an upgraded fuel pump and call it done for a few years. You're driving a FWD car that can rival many modern v8s. Don't underestimate it's ability to get you in trouble.

Good for you on your purchase! Like everyone else is saying... keep up on the maintenance. When I turned 18 I bought a Eclipse gs-t. Threw an intake and boost control on it. Was it fast? Yes. Did it last? No. Too naive to take care of her and bent some valves due to timing belt going. Lesson learned. This has caused me to be a hypochondriac about the speed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wasn't the first one to put stuff on it of course, only 1 owner though. Had full maintenance log; I didn't ask too many questions at the time. The things I listed are the only things I know that have been done to the car.


I've done:
cs shift plate
hmm (the old one that I replaced wasn't stock, I had no idea what it was so I picked up one of the cobb ones like I mentioned)

What was on it:
tmm? I believe
cbe
1" lowering springs
injen intake

and that's pretty much it as far as I know.

Considering how much that seems to be necessary for this car, before I get to ordering a new one, are there any other comparison pictures besides: Screenshot by Lightshot ?
I can't even find the thread this came from, I'm sure you can maneuver these forums better than me.

Hopefully there is already one installed -- would assume there is due to the shear amount of money put into cosmetics and nic-nacs alone :32:

Still waiting on pictures or it doesn't exist!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

this is all I have for now :pat:

Those wheels....what the fuck. Had to be tuned in mexico.

wheels look like shit unless you look from the side lol

Umm... no. Good wheels look good at all angles. Truly not being a dick but even the stock gen pu wheels look better. Actually they look hella clean on a drop. After seeing the taste of the last owner, maybe you should look into that hpfp and maintenance more like stated earlier. FYI pic is not my car. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fb3ad5784d.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sell the aftermarket parts, and replace them with OEM. In stock form the car is plenty fast, as well as reliable. With the hodge-podge of parts on the car, its safe the say the previous owner wasnt "in the know" with these cars.

Id spend any money worth spending on the car on maintenacne and upkeep. Have you changed the spark plugs? Changed the diff oil? Compression test? Save your money for gas, insurance, and women.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...12bddbf714.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OP congrats on your car. Props for saving up to buy your car.

Now, please for the love of God! Listen to all these suggestions above. Hit up your local Nator and bring lots of Vaseline.

in love regardless



For anyone that was telling me about the hpfp, I was asking if there were any comparison pictures besides that one linked, to guide me when I do decide to take a look. I currently have fender liners on order to replace, so I won't be driving it anytime soon.

Something like this?

http://www.ctsturbo.com/wp-content/u...-1-600x400.jpg

Oh man. The things I would have done with this car if I had it when I was 16. Minimum of one accident within one year. Smartest thing my parents did was only let me drive a Civic. Hell even with only like 70 whp, I was still driving like an asshole.

I would upgrade the fuel pump internals, then just get a half decent 93 tune dialed in and leave the power alone until it's paid off honestly. Being a student you will need what little money you have just to maintain your car. The harder you work the engine and the K04, sooner you'll be replacing both.

^ That, so much that.

You're young, half my age, the mods it has now are fine, get hpfp internals as stated. A good 93 tune, and you'll be one of the coolest 16 year old kids around.

Also, compression check asap. Just to be sure and safe.

Gen2s have depreciated to the point that 16 year old kids are now buying them? Good lord... I still think of mine as a new-ish car. I guess it really has been almost 5 years.

I hope you're ready for the operating costs. You don't want to end up as car-poor. Between 93 octane fuel, eating expensive summer tires, and other consumables, keeping it on the road is going to cost you. Especially at 72k. It's going to need a valve cleaning and probably new struts if they're the originals.

Just remember to use good judgement when behind the wheel.

I have 160k and no valve cleaning.

Invest in a passport radar detector haha. I would've gotten into way too much trouble if I had a fast car when I turned 16.

Welcome to the forums. Good luck with the car. Be safe out there. Wouldn't wanna see any speed's or drivers get hurt.

This became an awesome little tool I use a lot to search the forums.
Custom MSF Google Search

And like everyone else said, make sure you have the HPFP.

Also I didn't look more into it yet but I just read a few minutes ago the COBB ap v3 is not going to come with AccessTuner Race software any more???? if that's the case you will want to look into a different brand. Something about having to pay for a class and passing it before being able to own the software??? Thats the biggest load of crap if it is true and they will definitely lose a lot of sales. If i am wrong on this please feel free to let me know in the harshest way possible fella's. :squintfinger:

If you still want the AP then look around for a tuner who sells it and can tune the car for you with it.

If someone mentions HPFP internals to this kid one more time my head is going to explode....Fuuuuuk!

Kid, if you're not driving it search the how to's and pull the pump already. Takes little time. Snap photos of the internals, and post them here. Then go from there.

I cut my driving teeth in a 74 Ford Station Wagon. LOL. Then I got to drive the family 65 fastback mustang for a while before building a 72 mustang with my dad I could call my own at the young age of 18. Long gone are the days of V8 muscle. Now all the kids want rice and turbos.

Many drag races and unnecessary displays of speed later I had amassed 14 speeding tickets over the course of 2 years. I suddenly had a keen interest in air cooled Volkswagens.

Speed safely and welcome to the forum. Don't drive over your head if you catch my drift....

14 in 2 years!!! That had to hurt the pockets

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Just wanted to note, that i made that custom Google search. It's very helpful when you need to search for anything on this forum.

sent from my Nexus 6P

Internals.

Pics of head exploding or it didn't happen :-)

HPFP

It happened.

http://imgur.com/gallery/3jjdk4p

I use that link regularly, literally several times a week. Its a fantastic tool, thank you for the contribution.

Haha, I was thinking the same exact thing. My first car was a Civic as well, but 125hp, VTEC, YO! Watch out now! In reality it was probably the best thing for me and limited the shenanigans a little bit. :rolleyes2:

I got this car when I was 19 and it's safe to say you can get into pretty big trouble with it.
My first car was an FJ Cruiser tho. My parents didn't want me speeding but if I did, they wanted to make sure I rolled over in spectacular fashion.

I had a '97 and a '98, both non-VTEC. Guarantee they didn't make more than 80 whp. Both cars topped out around 94 MPH, flat out in 5th gear (the fact that I know this tells you about my usage of those cars)

Not sure I ever topped 80 in my '95 F150...not sure it could honestly.

The '99 4.3L sonoma could do 100 but that's where the speedo ended.

I'm guessing this car goes head on into a curb or ditch in the next 8 months

Mods to throw on my gen 2 ms3?
 

I have full faith in you kid. When I was 17 I bought a 98 Pontiac Firebird with an LS1 that thing was quick. Would fuck with Chargers, Challengers, Mustangs, and Camaros alllllll the time. Never hit anything. Then I bought my Speed when I was 19 brand new as my daily driver so I could start building the firebird. Just be smart and you'll have no problems. Radar detectors really do help btw.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...9c44ea3b1f.jpg

Radar detectors don't help when you smash into a wall.

My advice is dont mod the thing. Drive it and go attend some autocross events. There is no need to show off on the street especially when you are an inexperienced driver.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

subbed for inevitable response to above picture and results of said reponse.

Your absolutely right about that. Radar detectors are designed to keep a speeding driver from being pulled over. I also don't recommend modding like you said.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Get an AP and run a valet mode tune in it for a year is what people are trying to say.

Haha! I have yet to use my valet mode on anyone. Mine has zeroed out WGDC, speed limited to 35mph, 3500rpm, and 1.00 load. :biggrin:

@WetzMS3; I too am waiting for a response to the mod in front of the firebird. What has happened to this forum :-)

Since we are sharing stories, when I was 18 I had a 2005 sti, one of the first off the lots. Slid off the road in the rain. Totaled it after only 3 months and that was still in 2004! Just be careful and fully respect the power.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I had an RX8 back in undergrad. The last night I had it, I went...um...well...nearly twice the highway speed limit (137mph) with three people in the car...in a light drizzle...at midnight-ish in rural deer-country.

I've gotten a lot smarter and more reasonable since then, and knowing what I know now, I would never do such a bone-headed, dangerous thing, and especially not with other people in the car.

I used to ride motorcycles, I maxed my r6 more than I would like to admit lol.

My first car was a pontiac bonneville (not supercharged) and I managed to do burnouts and get plenty of tickets. I'm glad that thing was slow.

My 2nd car was a Ford Probe, I raced it daily. Due to shitty maintenance and lack of giving a fuck I blew the headgasket and sold it for a lot less that I got it for.

My 3rd car was a 01 Mustang GT. I got caught doing burn outs in high school parking lot. This was the peak of my tickets. My lawyer knew me fairly well. He would always say me and few of my friends paid for his new Jeep. I didn't crash but I did lose control at like 60 mph on the highway but saved it.

Then, I got smarter and thankfully didn't kill myself.

When you are young you do stupid shit, all the blood rushes to your dick and you think you need to flex your muscles by flooring whatever the fuck you are driving. If you don't crash you will have many close calls. The MS3 is too fast for a 16 year old in stock form.

Do update us with your progress in court and pics of accidents.

Does everyone do burn outs in their high school parking lot? It's amazing the cars people let their kids drive. Fastest car in our parking lot was my buddies 2012 GT500. Constantly powersliding out of the lot into the street was the coolest thing to me until I saw him almost lose it.

Judging by the color of that Firebird I'd say he's the kind of guy who masturbates to The Sound of Music.


Sorry, that was a low blow. Speaking of low blows, how's your girlfriend?

Woooooo, shes damn cute.

Anyway my first vehicle was a 2000 Ranger 4.0, the slowest, weakest and biggest gas guzzler piece of shit EVER, next vehicle is my current speed 3 2010, within a week it was still slow for me.

I have a 97 2.3 ranger. Slow, not great on gas but bulletproof.

So did we just hijack this thread into "What was your first car?"? If so mine was a Mercury Tracer shit brownish-tan. With a fucking green neon installed on the passenger side dashboard. Thank you Advanced Autoparts for the American instant rice! All of 80hp. I took that bitch off-roading a few times. Why? Because I could turn the steering wheel and go into the dirt. And I was high... maybe. So yeah that was crashed. Claim to fame though was getting 8 people into my Crx and driving to the beach. I feel sorry for the girl in the middle and the two lying down in the trunk now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

HAHAha This reminds me....I bought neon fucking lights that flash to music and installed them under the dash on driver and passenger side. I used to show it to people.....so much rice....and cringe...

And yes someone should rename this to "Your first cars and dumb shit you have done to them"

But it was the shit at the time... to us. Rivals modern day Mexican custom cars. I'm not racist btw just see the shit that they do. Mods can we change the title to this thread to; "What was your first car... also with updates on current teenager's immanent driving violations"?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

not yet :drive:

I had an 91 MR-2 Turbo when I was 16. With great power, comes great "responsirbirity."

Not every 16 year old doesn't understand power and physics. If this kid has half a brain, he'll be fine. The best advice is to forget modding and put the car back to stock and just save money for car maintenance and college. I wish I had someone telling me that back when I was a teenager.

1984 Dodge Colt Turbo... replaced the TC03 with a TD05 and added a 50 shot of nitrous as antilag (shut off under boost). My GenPu is the spiritual successor to that ‘car’ and it handles a hell of a lot better...

Question For @same2me; How Much Was Payed For The Car? Not Including Tax And Registration And Stuff. Looking At A 2012 With Tech Package And 54,000miles That's Listed For $14,995.

What's with this bullshit candy land thread??

My first ride was your girlfriend.
My second ride was your mom.

;)

Stay safe on the roadway, kiddo.. And congratulations on the new ride!

Yup, my feeling too. About to turn 30 this year and I need to lose the 16 year old age image the cars are bring to this college town I live.

Fuck I'm old

Gen1's and MS6's are for more mature speed owners.

My first car was a 94 4.6l thunder bird. Ohh the burnouts and doughnuts. When it snowed i had so much fun drifting. I fucked that car up but it made me love car's...

Yes,I want to get a speed6 (build it). I have reached the point of giving up with FWD. Just isn't doing it for me anymore.

$13,599
Mind you the car was purchased in April

Damn these fucking thing's aren't that old yet the resale is shit.

I was considering buying a gutted, built motor gen 1 for 8k here in dfw.

Wow nice, missing seats except drivers side I guess?

What turbo etc.?

Skimmed a lot of this, but I agree with a lot of people here. If I had even the stock power level when I first started driving, I probably would have put it into a wall or over a center divider. Cars are expensive, I would keep it stock and learn to drive it and maintain it properly. It's much more car than a lot of people can handle even at stock power especially with the understeer. Once you know its gonna be reliable, you can add a CBE or something just for some sound to keep it interesting, and take it out to your local auto x or HPDE event to learn to drive it. If you have to think about how to correct over/understeer, it's usually already too late. By the time you remember and put in your corrections you're already into the wall.

2 race seats in the front. I believe a bnrs3, but I forget. I decided I'd rather build my faithful donkey.

Hey OP, hope you're having fun with the car! I see a ton of great posts on here, especially about how to safely and reliably add power to an already great platform. Unfortunately, I don't see any posts about suspension, or more importantly, driver mod!

Get out on a road course for an HPDE and you'll see how great this car is with what you already have. You can participate in tons of events with clubs around you including NASA, SCCA, BMWCCA, PCA, or tons of others. Plus, you'll also become a better driver with everything you learn out on track.

In terms of hardware, the most valuable purchase to me (that I would have gladly paid 2x over) were the KW V3's. They changed the dynamics of the car completely and blew me away in terms of performance. Setting them up properly takes a fair amount of time and patience, but once you get that down, you'll dream about driving your car.

Congrats on your first whip man... you've done better then most.. but deff listen to all the other folks on here. I'm new to the forum and the speed platform as well (not new to modding cars) I've always done a lot of research before buying any kind of part you want to see the good and potential bad of everything you can first.. I just picked my 13 speed3 up about 3weeks now. From driven faster cars deff be careful with the speed so far there fun as hell and can deff get you in trouble for your first car. When I was 16 my rents bought me a 95 mustang gt totaled it 3 weeks later...blew through a intersection and a car was making a uie and tboned them. So deff stay off the throttle for now get used to it and always do maintance first... but enjoy I am and don't be afraid to ask s*** on here there's a lot of helpful people that been there done that especially with these cars here some can be harsh


Just ordered
Hpfp
Cobb sri
Cobb ap
Rmm
Cobb downpipe