Advice needed on mods approach!

[M-Sport fan]

the best advice is just to follow the steps Cobb and Mountune have created for you. Drop-in filter, Accessport with Mountune tune, and RMM. Start there and see how you like the car. So many modifications are way more than what the car needs and probably close to pushing the car into an area where reliability, warranty concerns, and driveability start to be affected. I have built too many cars that ended up down that path. The ST comes to life with an Accessport, filter, and lower/rear motor mount. It is a minor investment with huge returns. Don't waste your money on monster intercoolers until your data gathering on the Accessport indicates the need. Don't waste money on braces claiming to improve all sorts of things on the car. Your tires will give up grip way before you generate enough force to deform the chassis and suspension. Don't waste money on a cat-back, unless you want sound and realize there is very little performance change. Don't buy a questionable tune because it is cheap and end up with the car on a flatbed heading to get a new engine. Research, pick your modifications carefully, and enjoy the car. Don't get in a hurry to build a dyne sheet monster to be popular on the internet. Enjoy the process of modifying the car over time. I had huge plans for my ST when I got it and quickly realized a few minor tweaks was all that was needed to make the car perfect for me. It isn't popular on Facebook or at car shows or putting down FTD every weekend or throwing down big dyno numbers. It instead is the right balance of performance for what I want in a car that I drive 90% of the time.

^^^Some of the best advice I've yet heard on this WHOLE forum/site, for those NOT building a 'dyno queen', show car, or all out race car (which few seem to do on here, since they do NOT; gut their interiors/dash, delete the AC, install full race shells, and complete certified cages)!!

I will add though that for some in extremely hot environs (especially during the middle of summer), the bigger aftermarket IC might be a necessity, even without/before any data logging info.

Also, for me at least, the aftermarket wheels/tires ARE a necessity, even if they are not drastically lighter than stock (like most on here say they MUST BE in order to be of any benefit at all), since I just cannot stand the looks/aesthetics of the factory wheels, and the 'rubber band' profile tires mounted on them.

 

[M-Sport fan]

If you want a big horsepower car, buy one that already has the power level you want.

Although I DO admire (and respect) those on here who 'push and test the furthest outer limits' of this 1.6 EB platform and drive train, I could not agree more with the above, at least for MY viewpoint.

 

[OCS12]

Although I DO admire (and respect) those on here who 'push and test the furthest outer limits' of this 1.6 EB platform and drive train, I could not agree more with the above, at least for MY viewpoint.

I'm inclined to agree, but I'm addicted to tinkering. I'm happy to say though, with simple bolt on mods and turning Adam loose on the tuning.... This does not feel like the FiST I bought back in June. Soooooooo much more power and no sacrifices in driving quality. Even if it means a few more bucks in maintenance, I wouldn't dream of going back to stock. I'll admit, it's an addiction though.

 

[Crooked Letta]

Although I DO admire (and respect) those on here who 'push and test the furthest outer limits' of this 1.6 EB platform and drive train, I could not agree more with the above, at least for MY viewpoint.

I think people get too wrapped up in power and forget the other main criteria,weight. Even the FiST's bigger brother gets bottlenecked with power. Currently only the FoRS is the one taking on big power easily but it is still unproven and barely being pushed as of yet.

With the FiST you have and amazing starting point when it comes to weight. Adding 20-30whp makes a bigger difference then adding that to a heavier car like a FoST with an extra 400lbs. I think the main key is just balance with the chassis.

 

[letitreign]

I should add, that I'm not looking for power just for the sake of it. A couple of buddies of mine and I like to go for a rip in the mountains on Friday nights. One of them has a '14 STI and the other just got a '16 Golf R. In corners there's no issue, but when the road opens up they leave me behind a little bit. I'm just looking to stick with em so they're not waiting on me.

 

[BoostBumps]

thread closed per Op's request