Future Shopping list for Mods

[Silver-Shadow]

I have been looking around the forums and have come up with a list of mods I hope to do (have to figure out the "progrsess section") Here is a small sampling of what I am hoping to do:

Shorty antenna
booger bushings
johnnyMopar bushings
ACT clutch and aluminum flywheel
Mopar Short Shifter
Ebay cold air intake
R/T Chrome dual exhuast
SRT4 Catback Midpipe
Megan Racing springs (or H&R Limited Edition)
Tokico Struts
Mopar Lip kit
Remove SXT Door Trim
R/T Side Skirts/Door Trim
SRT4 Wheels

Thank you iThane and a23dranger for helping me with my first purchases on the forum, they are quick and efficient sellers. I'll be reading the forum for insight/direction/comments/insults etc during my short mod period. I really like 03sxt' s car and iThanes (my e39 is blue)

[LilSparkPlug]

You're off to a good start. In the Progress section just post a thread just like this one (or have the mods move this one for you) and keep a "log" of everything you do to the car. If you don't plan on doing too much to the car power wise a PT clutch would probably be just as efficient for you and cheaper as well. Or even a new stock clutch if it absolutely needs replacing.

[occasional demons]

ACT clutch and aluminum flywheel
Mopar Short Shifter

R/T Chrome dual exhuast
SRT4 Catback Midpipe

Unless you are doing some more serious mods, I would go with the 2.7 stratus clutch. Or like LSP said.

A lighter flywheel and a wimpy torque engine like ours at low rpm will make getting it started, especially on a hill very difficult, without revving it higher than you would like. Then the aggressive clutch will grab harder. It will not be user friendly. You will be spinning tires just to take off. even the PT/Stratus clutch will be a bit more difficult on easy pull aways.

A Maddog shifter will be money better spent. More options.

R/T exhaust includes a muffler. The SRT midpipe isn't really an upgrade over any 2002 and up midpipe. The SRT just has two resonators in it, which may compliment w/e muffler you use in the back. Or it may be too quiet, depends on the muffler used.

[RawkBunny]

A Maddog shifter will be money better spent. More options.

I have the maddog STS - definitely recommend it for both overall feel and price.

[Silver-Shadow]

Thanks guys, I knew some good vibes would come through. Will stick with used or simple STS. I am used to driving my M5 with STS and it's very tight.
I want similar tightness with my SXT 5sp. When I get the bushings and install them that may be all she wrote for the shifter. Exhaust is another story. I have always driven v8's and this 4 cyl is interesting. I don't want noise but something that can give me a bit of a power boost (HP). I do plan on headers in the future. This is simply my daily in San Jose but has to handle the mean streets of San Francisco and Oakland from time to time

[occasional demons]

You're not going to get impressive gains from just an exhaust.


A larger TB will get you more of what you are looking for. But unfortunately you have an '05, which does not like the 60mm TB's that are available. Finding a "bolt on" TB in the 55mm range is not an easy task. And no one really knows if even that will work on an '05.

A UDP and a better muffler might get you a little more power. Be glad you have a 5 speed, at least you may actually feel some improvement.