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Old 05-27-2020, 08:04 PM   #1
Mach5racing
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Default Favorite mod under 200$

With so much EL vs. UEL talk I wanted to switch things up and start a favorite mod for under 200 thread. I’m talking things different than intake exhaust etc.. and I’m not including shift stop and bushing because those are necessary. Could be performance mods, suspension, steering etc... name the mod, the rough cost and why you like it.

Mod: Perrin steering damper lockdown
Cost: 75$
Likes: it was easy to install and really tightened up the steering feel. Steering wheel responsiveness improved and I have not noticed any negatives in the 5000 miles it has been installed.
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Old 05-27-2020, 09:50 PM   #2
gathermewool
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20mm Subaru RSB - ~ $100

After much hemming and hawing, I finally just bought the Perrin Lockdown kit from Amazon for ~73, incl. tax.

Last edited by gathermewool; 05-29-2020 at 12:46 PM.
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Old 05-27-2020, 11:45 PM   #3
dogtrumpert
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billet aluminium oil filler cap.
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Old 05-28-2020, 08:37 AM   #4
rustyshackle42d
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Group N trans mount - $80

Makes low-speed driving much smoother, minimal cabin noise increase.
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Old 05-28-2020, 08:53 AM   #5
idiosyncrisia
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Fumoto Oil Valve makes my life significantly easier. Put that on all my cars. ~$30

A dashcam can also be found under 200.

In terms of performance parts? I am going to be doing a Group N trans mount with super pro positive shift kit and diff inserts. Not sure if I am going to like them, but it is under 200 total. But first I have to buy new jack stands since harbor freight made some death traps...

I think I might be an odd one when I say I like convex side mirrors too... Better visibility in my opinion.

A grimmspeed shift knob was pretty affordable for a piece of machined steel. The increased weight helped shifter feel significantly, and did not cost as much as other weighted knobs.

Other than that... a SNELL 15 helmet can be had for ~$140 on Amazon, which leaves you 60 bucks to go do an AutoX to actually try out your mods. Worth it, even if just once. Pretty humbling when you see stock cars with good tires and drivers destroy your modded car.
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Old 05-28-2020, 09:03 AM   #6
SkrubbinBubb1es
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Group N trans mount and also the Cusco master cylinder brace. Both I highly recommend and both can be gotten for under $200.
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Old 05-28-2020, 09:48 AM   #7
Mach5racing
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I did the group n mount and bushings. That was a great improvement. Another real cheap mod was new brake fluid. I did stainless lines at the same time but that made a big difference.

I figured this post would help people find some new worth while mods that won't break the bank.
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Old 05-28-2020, 11:15 AM   #8
2018wrx_newbie
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I do not have any engine/power mods. All my favorites are already covered here - Fumoto valve, Group-N tranny mount, Whiteline inserts. Once the tranny mounts go in, a Group N pitch mount also helps. A couple that that did not result in any noticeable difference to me were the Perrin Shifter bushing and stainless steel brake lines. I really would like a firmer pedal feel, so will try installing the Cusco brace.
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Old 05-28-2020, 11:33 AM   #9
Muffin15
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Aside from the group N mounts already mentioned above my hood struts are my next favorite purchase for my 06 wrx. It’s amazing to be able to open the hood with one hand, not to mention them keeping the hood open much farther than with just the hood prop
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Old 05-28-2020, 12:03 PM   #10
gn4rwhals
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Group N Transmission Mount, car should of had it from the factory.
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Old 05-28-2020, 12:38 PM   #11
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Boomba shift plate with chinese copy of perrin brass bushing. Incredible difference in shift feel.
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Old 05-28-2020, 12:44 PM   #12
3eyesraver
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For under $200 I can only think off handling/chassis mods. The below mods are the ones that I currently have which can be found under 200 each or even combine.

-Group N transmission mount (mentioned tons above) $80 = hold your trans tighter than OEM, less tranny movement but more NVH which I like even more. OEM tranny mount is a joke. Don't get me wrong, it's soff, it's comfy as it should be designed for but too much trans movement make the overall driving experience feels like ****.
-Whiteline positive shift kit $45 = stiffer bushing basically enhance the Group N mount^
-Boomba short shifter plate $90 = installing is a bitch but counter weight is amazing, worth every penny
-Boomba STS $165 = I like the feel but it sits low and pricey for its value
-Perrin Shift Stop $35 = The space between 1 - 2 drove me crazy. This is a necessity mod that should come stock with the car.
-Perrin Steering Damper lock down $75 = It makes a huge difference but I got used to it really quickly.


Whiteline rear swaybar. I was able to find a set of Whiteline front and rear swaybar with endlinks and bushing under MSRP for around $420 so $210 each? Not under 200 but very close. I currently set it on medium but might change to stiff. It wakes up my tail and got rid of the under-steer. Their endlinks are super noisy at low speed. You have been warned.

$200 also got me Sunshade, Rain Guard, Dashcam.

I love them all equally but if I only have 200 and do from the start: Either

1 - Group N + Whiteline positive kit = The car will transform completely from super sloppy to more tighten up, less body roll, more joyful to shift, your gear and trans will thanks you.

2 - Sun Shade + Dashcam = Shade to protect your interior surface. And you already know bout the cam, you never know. #calilife #traffic #accident

Throw in some $10 shift knob
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Old 05-28-2020, 02:04 PM   #13
Mach5racing
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Yeah those are all great mods. I did the Cobb short shift plate. It wasn't bad to install with the correct punch. And it made shifting much more fun.
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Old 05-29-2020, 08:21 AM   #14
Mach5racing
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Another pretty cheap mod I did that I really like was adding the jdm piano black interior vents to get rid of the silver. They were around 80$ for the pair from rally sport. Then I wrapped the hydro dipped carbon fiber trim with 3m dinoc matte carbon fiber.
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Old 05-29-2020, 10:47 AM   #15
TifosiWA
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Functional but not performance mods, I think they are all under $35.

1) JDM Coin holder
2) JDM Armrest extension
3) Perrin trunk handle
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Old 05-29-2020, 11:53 AM   #16
Mach5racing
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Where did you find the armrest extension so cheap?
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Old 05-29-2020, 02:52 PM   #17
chris0809
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Seconding Fumoto Oil Drain valve.

Weighted shift knob as well. I have the Raceseng Ashiko
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Old 05-30-2020, 09:05 PM   #18
nostake1
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if i only had 200 dollars to mod the car.
1. group N tranny mount 78 dollars
2. generic shift stop 26 dollars
3. short shift plate 90 dollars
comes to 194 so 6 dollars left to buy a sticker lol
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Old 06-01-2020, 07:27 PM   #19
Bcbi2000
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This might sound stupid but... shift knob.

There’s not a lot you can get under 200 that will give you a lot of performance, but you are constantly using and touching your shift knob and I think it just gives the car a better more sold feel in a simple way
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Old 06-01-2020, 08:30 PM   #20
dogsfoot68
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A 2 cent piece of shrink wrap for the reverse lock out rattle
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Old 06-04-2020, 10:10 PM   #21
rexster
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Best mod under $200 would be a good alignment. Adding some negative camber up front helps to reduce understeer and improves steering response. It’s one of my favorite mods...
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Old 06-05-2020, 09:48 AM   #22
SkrubbinBubb1es
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^ agreed, handling is so much better with maxed out front negative camber on the OEM suspension. It should have came from the factory that way.
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Old 06-05-2020, 08:51 PM   #23
chunktwo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idiosyncrisia View Post
Fumoto Oil Valve makes my life significantly easier. Put that on all my cars. ~$30

A dashcam can also be found under 200.

In terms of performance parts? I am going to be doing a Group N trans mount with super pro positive shift kit and diff inserts. Not sure if I am going to like them, but it is under 200 total. But first I have to buy new jack stands since harbor freight made some death traps...

I think I might be an odd one when I say I like convex side mirrors too... Better visibility in my opinion.

A grimmspeed shift knob was pretty affordable for a piece of machined steel. The increased weight helped shifter feel significantly, and did not cost as much as other weighted knobs.

Other than that... a SNELL 15 helmet can be had for ~$140 on Amazon, which leaves you 60 bucks to go do an AutoX to actually try out your mods. Worth it, even if just once. Pretty humbling when you see stock cars with good tires and drivers destroy your modded car.

Do you have the part numbers for the super pro stuff. I found the diff inserts. But having trouble for the shift kit.
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Old 06-07-2020, 10:49 PM   #24
idiosyncrisia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chunktwo View Post
Do you have the part numbers for the super pro stuff. I found the diff inserts. But having trouble for the shift kit.

Sorry, I guess SuperPro doesn't call it a positive shift kit, thats what whiteline calls it.


What I just bought was:
  • SPF3199K
  • SPF4297K
  • Group N Transmission Mount
Got the Group N mount in the mail, will probably get the others this week. I have a track day in a week, so I'll wait until after that to install the parts.
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Old 06-08-2020, 06:02 PM   #25
raulz888
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Thirding the fumoto valve. It is a life changer if you change your own oil
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