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Need your opinions on the future of my Spec-V.

1.1K views 20 replies 16 participants last post by  Rev_olution  
#1 ·
I have been giving a lot of thought as to what I really want my spec-V to be. I can either start putting a lot of cash into it, but if this is the case I have to be sure it will become a real contender, or I can use the car for a few years with minor bolt ons and then sell it for something else faster.

As for what I plan to do if I keep it:
1. Supercharger kit- If Area51 delievers a good product
2. Lightened flywheel
3. Set of very lightweight forged wheels between 13-15 lbs.

Do you guys think with the above mods the Spec-V can be a real RELIABLE contender? With the amount of money I would spend to do the above plus selling the spec-V, I could come close to a faster stock car.

Useful critisizm only please.

Kyle.
 
#4 ·
huh?

um a stock rsx-s doesn't beat the spec-v by much now, its really a drivers race(don't argue the point, this is my experience) you drop an intake in the spec-v and they are running the same lines jsut about, a slightly modified type S vs. a supercharged, or descently modded spec-v the spec-v will win. As for the area 51 supercharger, i hope you do something with the suspension i hear that thing is pumping out 250 in that range, thats pretty nasty if you ask me...slightly modified type S don't worry about them..
 
#5 ·
Re: huh?

vibrant-V said:
um a stock rsx-s doesn't beat the spec-v by much now, its really a drivers race(don't argue the point, this is my experience) you drop an intake in the spec-v and they are running the same lines jsut about, a slightly modified type S vs. a supercharged, or descently modded spec-v the spec-v will win. As for the area 51 supercharger, i hope you do something with the suspension i hear that thing is pumping out 250 in that range, thats pretty nasty if you ask me...slightly modified type S don't worry about them..
equally skilled drivers, the type-S wins

dropping an intake isnt equal out the playing, thats retarded.

Slightly mod'd type S vs supercharged spec V. Lets pray the spec V wins(prolly will)

Dont worry about the type-S, take the loss like a man :)
 
#6 ·
Re: Re: huh?

DarKsiDe_SE said:


equally skilled drivers, the type-S wins

dropping an intake isnt equal out the playing, thats retarded.

Slightly mod'd type S vs supercharged spec V. Lets pray the spec V wins(prolly will)

Dont worry about the type-S, take the loss like a man :)
well the only reason i say or implied it "equals the playing field" is that some board members who have dropped a CAI in their car have lowered their 1/4 mile times to the low 15s 15.0 with just an intake, thats dropping it from 15.5 in some cases...The RSX-S runs 14.9-15.1 stock...my friend has one and it has run 15.2 granted he cant drive but still, it is equaling out the playing field more so...it isn't retarded...
 
#7 ·
Re: Re: Re: huh?

vibrant-V said:


well the only reason i say or implied it "equals the playing field" is that some board members who have dropped a CAI in their car have lowered their 1/4 mile times to the low 15s 15.0 with just an intake, thats dropping it from 15.5 in some cases...The RSX-S runs 14.9-15.1 stock...my friend has one and it has run 15.2 granted he cant drive but still, it is equaling out the playing field more so...it isn't retarded...
basing your opinions on friends that cant drive well is kinda retarded.

Just an intake wont improve 1/4 THAT much. Practice does.

Go over to one of the Type-S message boards, do some research on what real world type-S owners are running.
 
#8 ·
Re: Re: Re: Re: huh?

There will always be faster and newer cars. You just need to be content with what you get. What do you exactly want? Do you want to be the fastest on the street? Hate to break it to you, but there will always be someone faster. Okay, sell your Spec V. What are you going to get, the RSX, an SVT Focus, a GTI? Well get ready to spend about as much as you would on the Spec V to make it go faster with mods, and even more just to buy the car. Then you will still lose to someone with a '98 SVT Cobra that still paid less than you. Okay, fine, you decide you want an SS Camaro and be done with it. You smoke that Cobra, the GTi, and all those other cars I mentioned. It still won't do you any good against a Viper or a Porsche. You still paid less than them you say? Isn't that what you would've said if you had the Spec V going up against the GTI?



equally skilled drivers, the type-S wins

In a bizarro world where things work according to hard and simple rules, the RSX will always edge just past the Spec V. But, last I heard, babies still die, wars are still fought, and Spec Vs have won against RSX-Ss. There is no such thing as equally skilled drivers. And if God ever made a pair, there's still too many variables for the same outcome to occur.
 
#9 ·
Too many variables? I don't think so. The dragstip is the ultimate equilizer. It's not THAT hard to launch a FWD car. This isn't rocket science. If your pulling 2.2's--2.3's on street tires, your doing just fine. RSX's with a decent driver, intake and catback run 14.6--14.8 at sealevel. They also put down mid 180's on the dyno with those mods. No Spec has gotten close to that yet. It's a more powerful car...plain and simple. It also costs more...you should expect it to perform better.

For every mod you do, there will be someone else with the same mods or more on their car. Whether it be a turbo kit, nitrous or bolt ons, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.

The Spec isn't the slowest car, but it sure isn't the fastest either. If you spend the money on the Supercharger, you should have bought a WRX. Even if your car ends up being a grand or two less than a base WRX, you don't have AWD, and your car is as fast as it ever will be. Plus, the money you spent on the supercharger is gone....you'll never recoop the thousands you dumped into the project. The WRX driver will reclaim more of his original investment than you would on a supercharged Spec-V.

The Spec offers the best value with just basic bolt on's I think. Do the CAI, Header and cat-back. Going beyond that gets very expensive and ruins the overall value of the car.
 
#10 ·
I think it is pretty obvious that there will always be a faster car, that is not my point. My point is that if I invest some money in the car will it stack up against other cars that cost more, ie the cost of the spec-V + supercharger?

I see the logic in the mentioned fact that a WRX, for example has more re-sale value because of it's higher performance stock form versus my modified spec-V. But I bought this car with the intention of modifying it, but what I am wondering is how far is it worth taking it? As for re-sale, if I sink that much money into the car, it is going to stay with me for awhile.

Kyle.
 
#11 ·
I think you'll be surprised waht the car can do with simple bolt ons. I am very surprised at my GXE with exhaust, pulley, and intake, vs a 2001 EX with short shifter, light wheels and full bolt ons, we were dead even..........................throw on my header and I win...................Do the bolt ons and see what happens. A performance clutch may help some too.
 
#12 ·
If I was to put a Supercharger in your Spec-V I would not trade it in. The only way and the best way to get what you put into it is to Sell it private to some car enthusiast. Dealers don't give a crap about mods on a car. If you are planning on keeping it then go for it, if you are just wanting to mod then to get rid of it after 3 years than I say don't even worry about doing anything more than just I/H/E. Just my 2 cents.
 
#13 ·
when you buy wheels, i would look into some good two piece wheels, that look better that the 15 -16 inch wheels you are talking about, i just bought Roja Formula 5 wheels and the are 18 ibs, compared to the Motegi MR7 wheels which weighed 28 ibs, which is what I had before, big difference i think , and and they are both 18 inch. Looks very hot trust me.
 
#14 ·
Thats true what everyone is saying...I personally do not want to buy a S/C...Maybe the most mods I will end up doing is I/H/E...But I'm just saving up for a faster car in the future...If you don't/didn't have the money to get the WRX, then don't spend the thousands of dollars to put a S/C in the Spec...Sure it'll be fast, but it greatly devalues the car like Maxx said...I like being basically stock with the few mods that I mentioned earlier, so I'll just wait and save to get a faster stock car...
 
#15 ·
my two cents

Everyone is pretty much right. There will always be a car that is faster. There will also be a competing driver who can't drive. I figure no matter what you're racing, a win is a win and a loss is a loss. As long as you are enjoying your Sentra!!!
 
#17 ·
BIGDAWG said:
when you buy wheels, i would look into some good two piece wheels, that look better that the 15 -16 inch wheels you are talking about, i just bought Roja Formula 5 wheels and the are 18 ibs, compared to the Motegi MR7 wheels which weighed 28 ibs, which is what I had before, big difference i think , and and they are both 18 inch. Looks very hot trust me.
Dang, those wheels look tite. How much did they run you if yopu don't mind me asking? I was wanting to get the Formula 7s but they like retail for $470 or something close to that for 18s so that was a bit much. I am kinda hesitant to spend a butt load of $ on rims now after I bent one of my other ones (damn crap in the road) and taking a $600 hit would suck..
 
#18 ·
a little time will tell....

IMHO.... wait. A lot of aftermarket companies are looking at the spec and the ser, and I promise you it'll be worth the wait... NISMO is coming to the USA. Besides 1/4 mile times are not everything. Autocross times are!!! lol. Coilovers with stiff springs will help your 60ft. times, so will better motor mounts, and good sticky tires... The supercharger :) well it'll help down the track... don’t forget a header 12whp, under drive pulley??? , CAI, and the heavy rotating thing in the oil pan 6or7whp... keep the flywheel and remove the balancer in the pan.

There will always be a faster car. Always... enjoy what you have. One of the best cars you can buy for under 18k. Maybe 25k or so by the time you’re done. but whatever you spend... HAVE FUN that is the key....

As far as a car to dread lining up against.... the 2003 neon SRT... it'll be fast and right at 20 grand. ATTN. Nissan!!! or better yet NISMO!!! we need more speed!!!

Hail the almighty sr20det... or maybe the new qr25t?
 
#19 ·
Re: a little time will tell....

jdspecv said:
There will always be a faster car. Always... enjoy what you have. One of the best cars you can buy for under 18k. Maybe 25k or so by the time you’re done. but whatever you spend... HAVE FUN that is the key....
I SO agree with this here. I often think about how I can actually afford to have something newer and better and faster and this and that. **** that, I say. Be happy. If you're not happy with what you have, then go ahead and get something you feel is better. Once I get bored of my SE(doubtful), then I'll be in the market for something worth while and more expensive. :)
 
#20 ·
I think there's some crack smokin going on here anyway. Who compares 4 doors to 2 doors anyway? Civic Si, SVT- they're a joke. I ran 15.207 my second pass. I know with practice 14.99 - 15.0 is in the works. An intake worth 8-10 wheel horses will shave at least 2/10ths off. Remember, when you're running 15's, your horsepower per tenth is much less than 14's. I would expect at least half a second with header and intake. My 99 Z28 went from 13.38 stock to 12.54 with a mild cam, gears, catback, and cold air. On street tires. MPH went from 107.78 to 114.2
I love my Spec V and can only wish for mods. I wore the wife out with spending it on parts then trading the frickin thing in.
 
#21 ·
I couldn't afford a WRX all at once, so I am very content on saving up for upgrades as I go along. I plan on buying the Area 51 S.C. so then I figure high to mid 13's on the 1/4, if a car beats me after that, he damn well deserves it!! BTW isn't the QR25 one of the biggest 4-bangers around? For the $16,000 I spent I think I got a hell of a deal.