Few weeks ago, I install a K&N intake and RL strut bar. Great improvement in the sound and power (intake). Steering and corner seemed to have improved a little. I'm no expert so can't really describe how the improvement was but for casual driver like me who likes to take a corner fast from time to time, I definitely noticed a difference from the strut bar.
Today, I installed the RL sway bar, front & read endlinks and the y-pipe. WoW! where do I begin to talk about the improvements?
Y-pipe install: Straight forward replacement. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that I had to use exhaust sealant. This will make taking it out (not that I would) a little more of a pain. It came with new bolts for the rear section of the pipe to connect to the stock pipe leading to the muffler. The stock pipe had a small section of the pipe flattened?!? To accommodate the install, I guess or to contour the bottom on the car? Don't know but to me that is dumb. A round pipe flattened a little. Hmm, won't that restrict the flow? No matter, the RL Y-pipe is a smooth rounded pipe for max flow. Testing after install I noticed immediately that the sound has improved. A nice low, powerful growl. Even with stock muffler. Now that's what a 3.5 V6 should sound like! I'm not a big fan of loud window shaking mufflers anymore. I want a nice powerful, yet quiet tone. The y-pipe achieves this. The feel and power? Haven't pushed it yet and I have nothing scientific to back it up but I definitely feel a little extra kick both start up accel and accel at cruising speed. For less than $300, this is a good buy. I actually I wish I had a descent catback now to complete the package. If I do break down and get one, it will be the Nismo. I've heard good things and the sound is suppose to be nice (non-lawn mower like) and the tips are conservative. I don't need a 4" tip
Front Endlinks: Install was pretty straight forward. The difference between the stock endlink and the RL one was amazing. Does this really matter? Again, I'm no expert so bigger is better then. I adjusted the these to be slightly longer than the stock ones. I would say it was about 1/4" longer. So how did the test drive feel... don't know. I can't tell if it was the new sway bar or these front links that makes a difference. Perhaps someone can tell me how I can tell the difference.
Rear Endlinks & Sway bar: The sway bar was pretty easy to install. Oh man, night and day difference from the stock bar and the RL bar. Install of the end links was not as easy. The way it's positioned (angle, turn), I was a little confusing. Finally it was on. The links were not lengthened because I was already a little worried if it was even installed correctly. Plus I used the 2nd hole from the sway bar which is why I wasn't sure if the positioning looked right. Btw, the RL bar comes with 2 holes on each end. The 1st one (outer hole, closest to the end) is in the same position as the one on the stock bar. The 2nd hole (closer to the center) is suppose to provide a stiffer ride. Oh god, I hope I got it right. Inner hole=stiffer, right guys? So the final test drive with all of this installed was wonderful. Taking corners was smooth and level. Definitely not as much if any roll as stock parts. Fast lane changes was solid and responsive. I can say that straight cruising felt stiffer too because I was able to feel almost every little bump and man hole. Not bad though. Instead of a squishy bump, it's now a more solid and distinct bump. It lets you know you have stiffer suspension
So in summary, I spent about $1500 on this stuff which includes the US-CDN$ conversion, shipping and tax. Not bad at all for the return. I wish the AC came like this stock though.
If anything else I would do on this car, it would be a set of 19" rims (currently 18" stock SE rims), better tires (currently stock) and maybe Nismo catback.I welcome any comments and will try to answer questions from those who are on the fence on whether to do these or some of these mods. Thanks for reading!
