I just purchased a 2005 S281 sc convertible and have 5 grand to spend in upgrades. I want a deep and intimidating exhaust note but keep the center exhaust look- quick off the line and still a daily driver. Help me out with our ideas and successful mods. Can't type any more- wife just got home!@#$
i'd suggest finishing the suspension, most of it is done, so a nice set of control arms and a panhard bar should help alot. I'd look into some quality long tube headers and midpipes like bassani, hooker, jba and money for a tune. A set of 3.73's or 4.10's would be a good buy and then get a tune. Should leave you some money for whatever else comes along, depends if you want to throw more boost at it, in which case a reichard pulley, jlt cai to go along with it wouldnt be a bad idea I wouldnt quite look at the 475hp upgrade from saleen as you can make more power, more reliable with a custom tune and better stuff then what they are offering, but its not a bad deal either.
Suspension: Definately get upgraded lower control arms and panhard bar. I can vouch for the difference these make. Very good investment. Power upgrades: There are primarily two "kits" out there. The Saleen 475 HP kit and then the JDM Engineering kits (stage 1 and stage 2). The JDM stuff is located at http://www.teamjdm.com/shop/index.php?show=specials The prices listed include the supercharger so just contact them for prices for the pieces you need. Gears: I chose 3.73. I've heard it is just too easy to spin the tires with 4.10. Some people love the 4.10's though. I enjoy the 3.73's a lot myself. Exhaust: I have no clue... Now all that said, congrats on the purchase!
Oh and since yours in a 2005 supercharged car I have to ask... does it include the optional upgraded 14" brakes in the front? If not, get some bigger brakes up front as a priority.
Maintaining the center exhaust isn't a problem with aftermarket systems. I dropped an UPR O/R X-Pipe on mine with some Flowmasters (just changed back to Magnaflow), welded the center exhaust back to the backs of the mufflers, and have the actual exhaust dropping down right out of the mufflers. It loooks totally stock and since I have gone back to Magnaflows, my car sounds like it has way more CI's than 281. Regarding the sound, don't go with Flowmaster Mufflers as they will make your car sound like a sport bike w/ headers. I did that and it drove me nuts with an O/R X-Pipe. A guy around here dropped some JBA Ceramic Long Tube Headers, H-Pipe, and JBA Hi-Flow Cats onto his car while maintaining the stock mufflers (Magnaflow) and utilizing the center exhaust and his car sounds absolutely menacing - kinda' like a NASCAR.
Re the brakes: my car did not come with the upgraded brakes. should I go with the Saleen 14" or another brand?
Either the Saleen 14'' or the Baer front brake kit. I have the 4 pistons and they have unbelievable stopping power!! Good luck..
teh saleen kit is 3500 bucks apparently, the Baer 4 piston 14's are $2000. Someone on the corral has like 10 sets of gt500 brakes (14inch brembos) for $900 a pop for a front kit, thats a STEAL
I think I will go with the JDM stage 2 upgrade but I need some reccomendations on headers and pipes? DO I need to change the gears if I get up to 450 to 475 rhhp?
You don't need to change gears at all. I recommend it though. Your car will be quicker as a result while sacrificing some top end speed. Since these cars are speed limited anyway I'd rather be quick. Also, you will reach higher rpms faster and stay there more to make use of that power.
