New to forum / need advice

[rxm6]

Hey guys. I just got a '98 I30T and I love it. What a beast.

Anyhow being a first timer to this car, I've been doing some research and there is just too much for me to sort out the good and the bad. So, hopefully some of you can help me in that area.

Before I begin, I should mention that I'm mechanically inclined or have friends that are, so labor costs are not an issue for me. So.....

To start off, I really like the stock rims that came with the touring package, but I hate the 4x4 stance. So, I figure, if I'm going to lower it and have the best performance, because I am performancsist at heart, I better do it right. One of the first places I found with the parts I need was Cattman Performance. They are selling Progress Performance Springs and KYB Adjustable shocks for a reasonable price. However, after snooping around here, I've been reading that the more preferred combo was Eibachs and Tokico Illuminas. What's the difference? The price difference is about 200 dollars.

Next....

I've read on here that people install spacers on the rear wheels to make it better looking. In my fantasy world, I'd like the rear wheel to be even with the front wheel and have a much more aggressive stance. Will a 5mm, 10mm, 20mm spacer achieve this goal? Also, if I install the spacers and I lower the car, will the tire rub the fender?

Next...

I currently have a short ram intake installed. But I'm sure all that warm air makes that short ram worth a damn. Or am I wrong?

Finally...

The AT is on its last leg. It jerks, it whines, it pops, and it will probably break when I'm late to my anniversary. So, I'm going to attempt the 5-spd swap...one day, maybe this summer. I've seen the article on here or linked from here about how exactly to do it, but if I started collecting parts now and did the work myself. How much would you guys expect that I could do the swap for? What would be the total cost roughly?

Sorry for this long winded post, but I just had burning questions I needed answered. Thanks for any replies.

[Beancooker]

Tokico is definitely the preferred strut. Adjust-ability is easiest, since it is all done from under the hood/trunk. Eibachs are really really stiff. They are probably the sportiest spring, but really stiff. You get great performance, but give up some ride quality.

As far as the intake is concerned, the short ram is alright. Here is my view on the matter of intakes. CLICK HERE

Not sure about the wheel spacers. Jtibbs, nismo1912 or audtatious can answer that question for you.

Not 100% sure on the transmission question. There are a lot of variables. If you get a junkyard transmission and buy most all the necessary stuff from the JY, I would say about $700. Junkyards don't have a set price, so it really depends on how cheap you find the transmission.