my first GT

[littlehadsell]

ok so this is my 5th legacy and all iv done previously is an intake mod or spark plugs and rims..... but now i got my dream car, 1998 2.5 GT stick shift sunroof and leather and its time to get serious so i need some help; what parts do you think have made the most deference in your car, best and worst mods you have done and any other help you can think of.

p.s. i'm not looking to turn this beautiful car into riceburner, slamed to the ground sounding like a weed wacker with bigger wings then a 747. i really like the look of the JDM '97 BG5 GT-B Wagon and vary interested in any info on foe to get parts.

[httrdd]

Welcome man. Exhaust, intake and suspension should be first on your list.

[02_Legacy]

I personally haven't done it but I know alot of people have said cams are the best mod if you are looking for just a little more out of the engine.

[BG5guy]

Find bg5 projector fog lights and headlights, get bg5 side markers and wire them into your lights. Search eBay. The side markers and headlights are easy to find and install, the foglights not so much.

[Huffer]

Suspension. Mild lowering and swaybars. Handle better, go quicker, brake less. Woo!

[littlehadsell]

so whats the best suspension and i have found all the lights side markers fog lights( even the BG5 GT-B fog lights) but i cant find the bumper anywhere.

[prodriver1]

so whats the best suspension and i have found all the lights side markers fog lights( even the BG5 GT-B fog lights) but i cant find the bumper anywhere.
I like the feel of strut and spring setups over coilovers, my GT had H&R springs (1.5" lowering spring) and KYB GR-2 shocks. it was pretty good but next time I would go a little stiffer on the shocks. best though in my opinion is stock STi stuff.

[prodriver1]

and your title is funny :lol: its like my first bakery or little Jimmies first christmas :lol:

[Drakien]

Neon Coilpack upgrade was a nice jump in performance and overall smoothness of the power-band. Also allowed for quicker starts.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=5195

[BG5guy]

Cut ur bumper. Cheaper and easier. U can find the bg5 one but its around 4-5 hundred shipped

[Huffer]

so whats the best suspension and i have found all the lights side markers fog lights( even the BG5 GT-B fog lights) but i cant find the bumper anywhere.

The general consensus around here for a setup that won't kill your budget but delivers decent performance and comfort is the H&R spring + KYB GR2 shock + stock tophats

The nicer version of this is the H&R spring + Bilstein shocks + Group N tophats

A possible alternative to the Bilsteins is stock/KYB struts with Koni inserts (this allows rebound and dampening adjustment)

Par these setups with a thicker (19-24mm) rear swaybar and you'll have a very nice handling vehicle with a pretty good looking stance.

[racingking951]

I personally feel that the neon coil pack paired with a set of lightweight pulleys would be a nice cheaper first upgrade that would give you some better throttle response and make your GT a bit more "peppy" Then you could move to suspension and a few nice JDM pieces.
Since you don't want to be like those riceburners out there, I'm assuming you checked your engine throughly for wear and tear, changed all your fluids, and fixed all your problems before you start this lol i just don't want a legacy breaking down on the side of the road like those flashy riceburners that have a POS engine.

[Dead91silvia]

Suspension is next on my list of mods... I love my GT other then the fact it cant handle for crap... Car gets REALLY unstable at about 110mph with stock springs... haha

I do have some KYB GR2's and they have done well for still having stock springs...

[chuckthefuk]

Short Throw Shifter.. nothing worse then rowing with a stock shifter.

[Dead91silvia]

Short Throw Shifter.. nothing worse then rowing with a stock shifter.

Sawzall and a welder! :grin:

[littlehadsell]

so whats the best exhaust that you have found. i would love to go with a big strait pipe (cat delete) headers and everything but what is best for power increase and best for the engine.

[mike-tracy]

How about a custom 2.25" or 2.5" pipe for the midpipe? Then you could put whatever muffler you want. Borla sounds good, STI is a little quiet but still is good, SPT (subaru dealership option) is my new favorite. Tons of bass but not too loud.

[prodriver1]

so whats the best exhaust that you have found. i would love to go with a big strait pipe (cat delete) headers and everything but what is best for power increase and best for the engine.
NOOOOOOO!! dont do it! that sounds rubbish TRUST ME! check out my youtube vid with my 98'GT I had uel header, 2.5"straight pipe (no cats or resonators) and finished off with a WRX muffler it was LOUD but not at all in a good way, just check it out and you will see. and if you do cat delete dont forget a O2 extension or you will throw codes and your engine will run lean.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntw0ddsXYSk

[grayguy]

I ran borla knockoffs, 2.5" to a Moroso Spiral flow, 2.25 to a MAgnaflow straight through, then 2.25 manderal and the last 18'' or so were 2.5 again. it sounded AMAZING! loud, but everyone in town said it was the best sounding subie they had ever heard.

[prodriver1]

I ran borla knockoffs, 2.5" to a Moroso Spiral flow, 2.25 to a MAgnaflow straight through, then 2.25 manderal and the last 18'' or so were 2.5 again. it sounded AMAZING! loud, but everyone in town said it was the best sounding subie they had ever heard.
+1 for sure :smt023

[goodnight1985]

How about a good service?

Before modifying your car, you should make sure the car is in good working order.

Change all the fluids, replace the plugs and wires, check the last time the timing belt was done, bleed the brake fluid, coolant flush, new air filter, fuel filter, new belts, check battery electrolyte level, vacuum the car out, wash the exterior, check and correct tire pressure, etc....

Most importantly, figure out the upcoming service schedule of the car and stick to it.

There is nothing worse than have a car with Bilstein PSS9 shocks, AP racing brakes, Quaife LSD, Recaro seats and a bad oil leak with a timing belt getting ready to let go.

[httrdd]

I just have to let you know the more you mod the more likely you are to blow a head gasket. Before I had all of the bolt ons my engine ran great, but after modding the shit out of it my hg blew out at 93,500. Just beware.

[DarkPhoenix]

^^ What he said again!

[anothernord]

JDM Projectors

Swaybars

Short Shifter

Brakes

[littlehadsell]

so whats the best suspension and i have found all the lights side markers fog lights( even the BG5 GT-B fog lights) but i cant find the bumper anywhere.
I like the feel of strut and spring setups over coilovers, my GT had H&R springs (1.5" lowering spring) and KYB GR-2 shocks. it was pretty good but next time I would go a little stiffer on the shocks. best though in my opinion is stock STi stuff.

will stock sti suspension just bolt onto my car?

[chuckthefuk]

USDM 2004 STi will with some rotating of the top hats. I cant remember if you need to reuse your legacy rear top hats.

Anything past 2004 STi will technically fit but the bottom bolt hole needs to be enlarged (not recommended)

-Chuck

[littlehadsell]

I'm going with the MSD ignition as my first upgrade. What would be the best wire and plugs combo for this?

[Huffer]

Stock wires and plugs.

[ouch1011]

Assuming the car is well maintained, the most beneficial mod I did was suspension. I kind of went nuts since I knew my car was getting an STI swap and my goal was to make it out handle an STI, so I did Tein Flex coilovers. They are probably stiffer than most would prefer for daily driving (I like it actually), but the suspension, wheels and tires completely transformed the car. Its an absolute riot to drive, and it may be the most consistent and predictable modified car I've ever driven. I wouldn't suggest the same suspension to most people since its too stiff for most, but a proper performance oriented suspension setup is probably the biggest and most beneficial modification I can think of, aside from an engine swap :)

[littlehadsell]

i just ripped off my passenger-side side skirt... help!!!!!!

[prodriver1]

where are you? I'm in MN so shipping?

[ScaryFatKidGT]

For shock I'm surprised nobody said AGX's if you want an upgrade from GR-2's.