Preparing for school car show, need advice!

[RDKamikaze]

Ok, here's the deal. Early next year (I think Jan. or Feb.), there is going to be a school car show. I want to submit my car this year, so I need some advice on what to do to it. I have an '06 4cyl SE Automatic. I know there's not much you can do to these cars, but any help or advice to spruce it up would help. The best thing is that SG will benefit if I win anything because I'll donate part of my winnings as a thank you . Let's get these ideas rolling!

[Down2TheC]

Check the list of mods that PXLpainter (Jeff) did. All of those would be great. But I'm guessing you have a budget.

His turnsignal LEDs would be good and cheap.
Drop is $$$
wheels - $$$
Injen intake $200
RSB $180
Tacti put in s/c from a Tc I think. Check his posts.

Basically, do what you really want with the money you have. Then make her really, really clean for the show. Make a prioritized wish list, start at the top and skip what you can't afford.

[iinokturnolii]

first of all... how much are you willing to spend? and what do you have already?....

here try this: lowered with nice wheels... nice tint... '07 tail light conversion... intake... exhaust... etc...

-:crazyeyes:

[RDKamikaze]

I have exhaust, 6k HID and red calipers already. I'm probably looking at around $500 give or take a little on the whole project. What are some good cosmetics that I can get (pedals, shifter, inside lights, speakers, ect)? I have a set of pretty cool 12" Dual subs and amp that can glow blue for the show that I'm condisering installing, as well as a new stereo and HU (anybody know the silver color # so I can repaint the HU?). My dad won't let me lower the car, so that's out because of safety issues.

[jhenty]

I wish I had a 5-speed 4cylinder SE gen 2 because truthfully there is boatloads you can do. Stock body looks good, just add 07 tails, clear headlamps, drop it, add some 19" wheels or keep stock, aftermarket grills. Right there you have a really killer outside look, then because its the 4 cylinder all you need for performance is a modded TC turbo kit and you got yourself an original package. It will cost some cash but if I had a 4cylinder gen 2 I'd have done all this already. Then your looking at a real car.


You've got plenty of areas to start its up to you to pick where and how much you wanna spend.

[**PoshPepper**]

With 500 I would reccomend: Lower, 07 tails, tint... ??
Since your dad wont let you lower it (what saftey issues is he concerned about???????)... then I would say 07 tails, tint, grills...???



Good luck at the show...

[RDKamikaze]

I can't lower it because it increases my chances of being injured in the case the I get t-boned. I guess the fact that b/c it's lowered means the car hitting me doesn't hit the frame and instead hits the door is the safety issue. My sister got t-boned in my old Saturn SC1 and the car barely hit the frame, which supposedly stopped most of the damage. Therefore, lower = bad and lift = good according to safety.

Maybe I could convince him into letting me get some adjustible coilovers so I can keep it stock height and then lower it for the show .

[**PoshPepper**]

Yeah, but COs are a bit out of your stated price range

Airbags would be better for that anyway...

So then I assume that your family would never consider cars that already come that low, (i.e. corvette, porsche, s2k...)

[PhreakdOut]

I think your Dad's argument is a little weak. (No offense)

Consider this, lowered cars have a lower center of gravity. (Thus less likely to roll over.) The stock Solara suspension has ALOT of travel allowing the car to lean in turns and float when hitting dips at highway speeds. When the car floats, it is unloading the suspension reducing contact pressure with the ground.

The likelyhood that you will get "T-boned" is rare versus a roll oversituation. Besides, were talking 1" where the crossbeam on the door is about 2" wide. You'll be just fine. Remember, the Solara also has side airbags in the front seats.

Back to topic:
What other cars will be there? No sense killing yourself if the other cars will be increadible show pieces. Take it nice and slow. The smallest details and workmanship will make the difference. Detail, detail, detail. Ultra clean can trump messy with mods.

[RDKamikaze]

My dad considered a Porsche for his business car but decided not to because of the height. I've been doing a little thinking as well with ride heights. When you get bigger rims, does your ride hieght increase or is it the same because the tires are thinner? If there's any increase in height, I've got an idea to get lowering springs . Just get bigger rims and then get lowering springs to almost cancel it out

[RDKamikaze]

Oh and Phreakd, there are gonna be a lot of cars there. There are a good 10+ divisions as well, ranging from import, upped import, stock US, stock import, luxury, performance, muscle, ect. I'll probably have a good chance in either stock import or even best sound system (if I can figure out the speaker sizes!). The best car overall last year was an old Shelby Corvette signed by himself on the back. Thast thing was sooo nice and prolly cost a pretty penny too.

And what about the crossbeam on the door? I never understood how those work on doors, maybe I should do a little research on that. Besides, you have to remember I live in AZ, the #1 state for carr accidents/deaths .

[woa_its_j3ff]

id either go with a drop or tint. maybe both?

[onefiend]

You can trade in the 06 SE for a 06 Lexus IS350!

You'll win it for sure!

Just kiddin...listen to these others guys.

[Duyquach]

07 Tails is a must...i need to do that myself. Grills for sure.

Considering 500...i would get the tails (215) and gotta get it lowered (200).

[tacti]

Tacti put in s/c from a Tc I think. Check his posts.

I wish!!!
i'll be like if i can get S/C on my car....
only if i would have won the ruffle from the Elmhurst Show.....

I would do lowering and tint first, and don't forget Mike T's Grille.
probably this will put you around 500 range.

after that, take your time and add more mods a little by little.
on 4 cyl, you can do SRI, JP Header, SplitSec airflow ratio controller for bolts on.
you can also go for custom, and add Cold Air Extention, CatBack, or anything you want... just cost $$$

go around gen2 people's CD site, and take some ideas. that's what i always do...

Tacti