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mod advice for a n00b

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Old 04-27-2007 | 08:37 PM
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Default mod advice for a n00b

So I purchased an 06 xb in Thunder Cloud back in September and I love it. I used to hate them until I took one for a spin and fell in love. It's got something alot of cars don't have. Character. That said, the only thing that bothers me is that it is the first car I've owned thats begging to be modded. I'm not a car buff nor have I modded a car so this is going to be a fun little project for me as I'm thinking of doing most of the work myself.

This is my daily driver so I'm going for ride comfort and looks. Look-wise I think I'm going for TC w/ black accent. no or minimal chrome.

Hee's my shopping list so far. Please let me know what you think. (I've already done a ton of research on these)

Suspension:

-Tein S-Tech springs
-Monroe SensaTrac 5987 shocks (or do I go with monroes for an xb? stayed up til 3am reading up on this and don't know If I should still go with the Echo monroes since monroes for the xb are available. The threads I read suggest going with the Echo's for S-Tech's, but not much was mentioned about using xb monroes w/ S-Tech's)
-Progress or TRD rear sway bar. (The body roll just kills me)

Appearance:

-Sonar Black Halo's (probably with blue lens)
-Sonar Black Tail lights or Black Altezza LED tail lights
-Black mesh uppper grill (don't know who makes it, seen it on ebay for around $35. Kind of matches the stock lower grills)
-Windshield 'brow' tint (straight)
-Wheels......undecided. lightweight 17's w/ appropriate tires (probably Kumho's) matching OEM specs as close as possible. I don't want to throw of my speedo/ mpg too much. Thinking black with machined/chrome/ss lip. a little bling here is o.k. Don't care much for the all black wheels.

Sound and Misc.:

-Scosche cargo sub (SCXB04) I need the trunk space for tools, luggage when I travel. I'm thinking of doing the same setup as in the Siphon mag w/ the EFXHD2250 amp.
-Precision or TRD axleback (just for tone)
-Colgan bra (again, for travel)
-security system (need to research)

Sorry for the long post guys, but This is my first mod so I'm alittle nervous. Anyways, I guess the big question is...Where do I start? The wheels/tires are out of the question for a while since they are the most expensive. I was thinking either the sub/ amp or suspension. Opinions, thoughts...?


BTW,...Just wanted to mention this forum is great! I've been browsing this forum for quite some time and just finally registered today. I've been fighting the urge to buy stuff for my ride and it's finally gotten the best of me. Every time I go on a smoke break at work, I stand there like an idiot and stare at my box, envisioning what it would look like with this or that on it,..............The time has come!

Thanks guys!
Old 04-27-2007 | 08:42 PM
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just start with a 3 foot tall spoiler, and go from there.
Old 04-27-2007 | 09:37 PM
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Damn Dave, way to throw 'em under the bus.

how, everything you've mentioned sounds good. I'm not sure how necessary getting new struts and shocks are. I put a set of Tanabe NF210's on my box (same drop as the S-techs), and haven't had any issues. Might as well use them until they fail.
You'll need some way to mate the amp to the stock HU, unless the amp has high-level inputs.
Old 04-27-2007 | 09:49 PM
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I did the same thing when I test drove my box. I was VERY sceptical, then I fell in love.

-I have no experience with stech, but everyone swears by them, I have eiback prokit and I love it. No probs with them except for them making wierd noises for the first week.
-I have the echo monroe on my box, so your good.
-Sway bar is a must!
-Look into a Black Sand Pearl stock grill, looks very good with the stock lower honeycombs
-Look into Konig rims for light wieght 17s, I just got 16" feathers on my box and love them.
-I would also rocommend looking to a CAI or SRI. better performace and better MPG

Have fun, and appologize to your wallet in advance!
Old 04-27-2007 | 10:08 PM
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First off congrats on the buy! Second, be prepared to spend every waking hour on this site. Also, once you start modding, you can't stop, so be aware of that. The car is essentially a Lego car, it's pretty easy to swap stuff.

Okay, let's look at the shopping list:

Suspension:

-Tein S-Tech springs Teins are nice, I'm running H.Tech
-Monroe SensaTrac 5987 shocks (or do I go with monroes for an xb? stayed up til 3am reading up on this and don't know If I should still go with the Echo monroes since monroes for the xb are available. The threads I read suggest going with the Echo's for S-Tech's, but not much was mentioned about using xb monroes w/ S-Tech's) If you go S.Tech, you want the Monroe 5870 shocks. Those are better for a 1.5"+ drop.
-Progress or TRD rear sway bar. (The body roll just kills me)
I have a Progress, it is the single best suspension mod you can to as far as I'm concerned
Appearance:

-Sonar Black Halo's (probably with blue lens) good choice, they're nice
-Sonar Black Tail lights or Black Altezza LED tail lights I like the Sonars better, the Altezza look is played out IMO
-Black mesh uppper grill (don't know who makes it, seen it on ebay for around $35. Kind of matches the stock lower grills) ebay's nice for grilles, however, if you find one, show us first. Some aren't put together very well, or they're really heavy
-Windshield 'brow' tint (straight) this is on my list of things to do too
-Wheels......undecided. lightweight 17's w/ appropriate tires (probably Kumho's) matching OEM specs as close as possible. I don't want to throw of my speedo/ mpg too much. Thinking black with machined/chrome/ss lip. a little bling here is o.k. Don't care much for the all black wheels. Do your research and don't get anything too heavy

Sound and Misc.:

-Scosche cargo sub (SCXB04) I need the trunk space for tools, luggage when I travel. I'm thinking of doing the same setup as in the Siphon mag w/ the EFXHD2250 amp. again, this is on my list too (you'll need a LOC though... but it's exactly like the Siphon walkthrough
-Precision or TRD axleback (just for tone) I just installed my TRD the other day, I really like it. Shop around, I got my TRD brand new for $150 off ebay, a dealer was liquidating them
-Colgan bra (again, for travel) they do look better than blue tape for travel
-security system (need to research) I don't have one, so I don't have any advice

Have you thought about getting an intake at all? I have a Fujita short ram and I really like it.
Old 04-27-2007 | 10:11 PM
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The Monroe xB shocks are pretty new. I assume you did a search. You will see that there is a recommendation for dropped xBs and one for OEM. I have 17's with Kumhos and have had no problems. As to the wheel color, I would go with a gunmetal with the TCM--but that is just my opinion. I have Konig Unknowns which is a combination of black and chrome. If you are not going to get wheels for awhile do a search for trim rings and hub caps--you can make it look preety nice for cheap. Good luck to you.....
Old 04-27-2007 | 10:33 PM
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I Recommend starting with the springs since they will effect evry other choice you make regarding you suspension and looks (nothing looks better than a dropped box) shocks dont have to be reeplaced when doing the drop unless you want to as you are still well within operating parameters on the stock ones first upgrade for visuals i recommend you do the grille since that might change your mind on the lights
Old 04-28-2007 | 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by seattledave
just start with a 3 foot tall spoiler, and go from there.
He's waiting for you to send him yours.
Old 04-28-2007 | 01:39 AM
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Congrats on your new toy...Great choice of color, by the way Well everyone here is right when they tell you the Mods never end...lol. I too have spent many hours just staring at my car in the garage or at work deciding what is next. I agree the springs are pretty cheap and make a big difference with the appearance, My ride actually improved with the lowered springs...Kept the stock shocks for now. If a CAI is a bit pricey, there is always the trusty TRD or K&N high flow air filter to start with (around $50) There are just sooooo many cheap mods to do, it's actually scary. I've even seen a lot of really cool things done with a $10 can of spray paint. Good Luck, Have Fun and Keep posting your progress!
Old 04-28-2007 | 01:51 AM
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Originally Posted by burstaneurysm
...be prepared to spend every waking hour on this site. Also, once you start modding, you can't stop, so be aware of that.
....Well I already spend every waking hour on this site and as for modding, I play airsoft. No one has mod issues like an airsoft enthusiast.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think I'll hold off on the monroes and order my S-Tech's and sway bar this weekend.

As for the Scosche amp, I'm pretty sure they have speaker level inputs. I was
thinking of pulling off the rear channels.


seattledave, you never did send me the tracking number for that wing...


Thanks!
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