Product Reviews for Aftermarket Gen2 parts I have used
by RDKamikaze » Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:38 am
Ok, it's been a while since I've said anything about anything that I have on my Solara, so I figured now is a good time. Oh, and I did everything myself except the tint. That's saying something if a 17 (just turned 18 ) year old can do it. Let me start off with the basics:
1. Lowering - TEIN Lowering Springs S.Tech 2"
I thought these springs would rock when I got them, just because they were green. After a short install, I noticed a HUGE difference when I lowered my car off the hydraulic lift! Man, did my ride look good or what? Over time, they have never ceased to amaze me. They function perfectly, and I would reccomend them to anyone.
2. Rims - MB Designs Gear 18x8" wheels
These wheels look nice! I've done a huge amount of research on which wheels to get for my car, and I finally decided these ones. Also, I found them from a girl on craigslist for pretty cheap, and they were new! These rims hold up very well against anything, and are pretty tough. I've had a couple of OOPS! moments with these (including the carwash incident), and they have held up very strong! The only downside is that they are a little heavy, so it took my car down to show instead of speed. Oh well, it's not a fast car to begin with! And those fake 2-peice holes get annoying after you wash the car because they'll leak water out as teh day goes by. Oh well, it's life.
3. Intake - Injen Short Ram Intake
First off, let's say this makes good eye candy. I never had a chance to run with the SRI and my exhaust only before I installed the header, so I can't tell you the difference without it. All I know is that it helped, but not too much. I heard a lot of good about the CP-e intake, but it's a lot more money. This intake works, and helps a bit if you're running intake header exhaust like I am. Make your own decisions, but I think it's worth buying!
4. Exhaust - DNX Universal Muffler (not sure if link is right one)
WOW!! This was my first mod to my car, and let me tell you, it is AMAZING!! I don't think I'll ever let any of my cars run with stock mufflers after hearing the difference myself with this one. DNX mufflers are cheap, and I got mine from PhreakdOut for $30. All I can say is thank you, thank you! Do yourself a huge favor though, and do your research on these! I reccomend DNX any day. The sound is great, the flow is clean, and it helps my car breathe a lot better! Make sure you don't get a fart can, or everyone will be disgusted. Remember, it's all about what sound YOU like, not what THEY like.
5. Header - JPP Header for L4 (no link?)
I got this with my intake from i20solara02i and I love it! With the whole setup working with each other, this really adds some spunk to my ride! The response with my header was amazing, and gear shifts were cleaner, too. Let's not forget the sound difference without the first cat anymore! It made a bit of a difference, but not much louder as some people may think. All I have to say is if you can find someone selling this amazing header, BUY IT! You will be so happy if you do.
6. Grilles - Mike-T Custom Grilles
These grilles are nice and cheap. I like how they add to the class, but still retain a descent price in your checkbook. There are more grilles out there now that look better, but they're hard to find for under $200. There's only one downside to these grilles, however. This is the fact that the top one doesn't really curve with the car as you would want it to. This is easy to get over, hoever. Just stand back an extra 10 feet and look at your car, you'll LOVE the results!
7. Painted Calipers - Duplicolor Red Caliper Paint
If you're all about DIY caliper paint, here's my choice. I hand painted every caliper with 6-7 coats, and they look great! It may sound like a waste of $20 to some people, but to others like me, it's a great investment. They've started to ship after about a year, but a good overcoat will fix that. They get dirty kind of fast, though. Just be sure to clean them every once in a while, and you'll be alright.
8. HID Kits - RDKamikaze's HID Kits (of course!)
Not to sound totally biased or anything, but these HID kits really are amazing! I haven't had any problems with my low beams and fogs so far, and I've had my low beams for at least a year now. They hold up for a long time, come with a 100% free replacement warranty, and are very easy to install! What else do you need, honestly? Did I mention that they're really cheap, too? If you ever see me doing another group buy for them, be sure to jump in on it!
9. Stereo Changes - Omnifi Digital Music Player
WOW!! I love this thing! It's so much better than my iPod aux connection, which I still have as well. I only keep it there for my friends, though. But this DMP is pretty amazing for being so old! It came out in 2001? but it's always been a great idea. I haven't had one problem with it, other than the fact that it's too nice! The sound quality is crystal clear through my stereos, and the navigation features are very user friendly. A++, get this for sure!
10. Auxiliary Input Adapter - USA Spec Dual Output Adapter
Wow, is this thing amazing or what? I love how I can use it to listen to my Omnifi system or I can change the "CD" and listen to my iPod setup with my friends! Can it get any better than that? Oh wait, it's under $70, it just did! I did a lot of searching for the best brand in factory auxiliary setups, and this is it. The output sound is VERY clear and it beats FM transmitting any day! It's a small device and hookup is easy, so don't worry about it! For a little more than a "nice" FM transmitter, this is DEFINATELY worth your money!
11. Tint - 20% Tint All-Around
Well, this tint has served me well. I had my local dealership that I buy through tint my car 20% all around for only $90, and it comes with a lifetime warranty! Yes, I am aware that I'm breaking the tint law for my driver's side door, but a lot of people have it here, so the cops don't care. In the hot state of Arizona, this tint is a neccessity. I don't know why it was almost my last upgrade! I went a year before I got the tint, but I should have waited a day or two after I drove the car off te lot. It makes a HUGE difference when you leave your car sitting in the hot sun all day. You can also see almost clearly out your windows while driving at night, whereas 5% (limo) tint is hard to see out of. Before you get tint, be sure to check your state laws first!
12. Front Sway Bar - Custom painted "TRD" Front Sway Bar
Ok, this was a mod that I did when I had free time (and paint) in auto Shop class. Some kids and I just found my teacher's hidde engine enamel paint stash, so we went on a frenzy for a week with his permission. I used 1200* (yes, 1200 degree) resistant engine enamel to paint my FSB. It was the only red left, but hey, now I know that it won't ruin in the heat
! I found the TRD sticker online for $4 after searching everywhere, and I measured the length and put it in the perfect center spot. It looks professional! I am very pleased with the end result, and I'm happy to say I have a true 1-of-1 FSB.
13. Debadging and decals- Home-made Debadging Kit by Auto 3 + custom "SolaraGuy.Org" decals
Another little frenzy we had in Auto Shop was debadging everyone's cars. To do this, we needed a kit. Using floss and a little Goo Gone, we were able to compile our own DIY kit. It's amazing what happens when you have time on your hands. I then put a VVT-i sticker I found where the "SE" used to be, and I like it there! It adds a little more custom feel to my ride. I also added custom solaraguy.org decals that I got from a member on the forums for $10 on either side of my back windows. You have to show pride in the community somehow!
14. Mudguards - Toyota Mudguards
I love these things, they're so helpful! They catch a lot of water splashes and road crap that would fling onto the side of my car before I got thsee. This means that my car stays cleaner longer! It also helps a lot against flying rocks. They pretty much stop every rock from hitting the sides of my car when I'm driving now, so there are absolutely no worries for me! Besides, they look good and give your car the effect that it's even lower to the ground. They were very easy to install, and all it took was drilling holes in plastic.
I think I finally got everything listed. I'm still thinking on it, but I don't believe that I have done any other mods to list. Check back and see if I update it soon! I also attached a few pics so everyone can see what it all looks like together, enjoy!
1. Lowering - TEIN Lowering Springs S.Tech 2"
I thought these springs would rock when I got them, just because they were green. After a short install, I noticed a HUGE difference when I lowered my car off the hydraulic lift! Man, did my ride look good or what? Over time, they have never ceased to amaze me. They function perfectly, and I would reccomend them to anyone.
2. Rims - MB Designs Gear 18x8" wheels
These wheels look nice! I've done a huge amount of research on which wheels to get for my car, and I finally decided these ones. Also, I found them from a girl on craigslist for pretty cheap, and they were new! These rims hold up very well against anything, and are pretty tough. I've had a couple of OOPS! moments with these (including the carwash incident), and they have held up very strong! The only downside is that they are a little heavy, so it took my car down to show instead of speed. Oh well, it's not a fast car to begin with! And those fake 2-peice holes get annoying after you wash the car because they'll leak water out as teh day goes by. Oh well, it's life.
3. Intake - Injen Short Ram Intake
First off, let's say this makes good eye candy. I never had a chance to run with the SRI and my exhaust only before I installed the header, so I can't tell you the difference without it. All I know is that it helped, but not too much. I heard a lot of good about the CP-e intake, but it's a lot more money. This intake works, and helps a bit if you're running intake header exhaust like I am. Make your own decisions, but I think it's worth buying!
4. Exhaust - DNX Universal Muffler (not sure if link is right one)
WOW!! This was my first mod to my car, and let me tell you, it is AMAZING!! I don't think I'll ever let any of my cars run with stock mufflers after hearing the difference myself with this one. DNX mufflers are cheap, and I got mine from PhreakdOut for $30. All I can say is thank you, thank you! Do yourself a huge favor though, and do your research on these! I reccomend DNX any day. The sound is great, the flow is clean, and it helps my car breathe a lot better! Make sure you don't get a fart can, or everyone will be disgusted. Remember, it's all about what sound YOU like, not what THEY like.
5. Header - JPP Header for L4 (no link?)
I got this with my intake from i20solara02i and I love it! With the whole setup working with each other, this really adds some spunk to my ride! The response with my header was amazing, and gear shifts were cleaner, too. Let's not forget the sound difference without the first cat anymore! It made a bit of a difference, but not much louder as some people may think. All I have to say is if you can find someone selling this amazing header, BUY IT! You will be so happy if you do.
6. Grilles - Mike-T Custom Grilles
These grilles are nice and cheap. I like how they add to the class, but still retain a descent price in your checkbook. There are more grilles out there now that look better, but they're hard to find for under $200. There's only one downside to these grilles, however. This is the fact that the top one doesn't really curve with the car as you would want it to. This is easy to get over, hoever. Just stand back an extra 10 feet and look at your car, you'll LOVE the results!
7. Painted Calipers - Duplicolor Red Caliper Paint
If you're all about DIY caliper paint, here's my choice. I hand painted every caliper with 6-7 coats, and they look great! It may sound like a waste of $20 to some people, but to others like me, it's a great investment. They've started to ship after about a year, but a good overcoat will fix that. They get dirty kind of fast, though. Just be sure to clean them every once in a while, and you'll be alright.
8. HID Kits - RDKamikaze's HID Kits (of course!)
Not to sound totally biased or anything, but these HID kits really are amazing! I haven't had any problems with my low beams and fogs so far, and I've had my low beams for at least a year now. They hold up for a long time, come with a 100% free replacement warranty, and are very easy to install! What else do you need, honestly? Did I mention that they're really cheap, too? If you ever see me doing another group buy for them, be sure to jump in on it!
9. Stereo Changes - Omnifi Digital Music Player
WOW!! I love this thing! It's so much better than my iPod aux connection, which I still have as well. I only keep it there for my friends, though. But this DMP is pretty amazing for being so old! It came out in 2001? but it's always been a great idea. I haven't had one problem with it, other than the fact that it's too nice! The sound quality is crystal clear through my stereos, and the navigation features are very user friendly. A++, get this for sure!
10. Auxiliary Input Adapter - USA Spec Dual Output Adapter
Wow, is this thing amazing or what? I love how I can use it to listen to my Omnifi system or I can change the "CD" and listen to my iPod setup with my friends! Can it get any better than that? Oh wait, it's under $70, it just did! I did a lot of searching for the best brand in factory auxiliary setups, and this is it. The output sound is VERY clear and it beats FM transmitting any day! It's a small device and hookup is easy, so don't worry about it! For a little more than a "nice" FM transmitter, this is DEFINATELY worth your money!
11. Tint - 20% Tint All-Around
Well, this tint has served me well. I had my local dealership that I buy through tint my car 20% all around for only $90, and it comes with a lifetime warranty! Yes, I am aware that I'm breaking the tint law for my driver's side door, but a lot of people have it here, so the cops don't care. In the hot state of Arizona, this tint is a neccessity. I don't know why it was almost my last upgrade! I went a year before I got the tint, but I should have waited a day or two after I drove the car off te lot. It makes a HUGE difference when you leave your car sitting in the hot sun all day. You can also see almost clearly out your windows while driving at night, whereas 5% (limo) tint is hard to see out of. Before you get tint, be sure to check your state laws first!
12. Front Sway Bar - Custom painted "TRD" Front Sway Bar
Ok, this was a mod that I did when I had free time (and paint) in auto Shop class. Some kids and I just found my teacher's hidde engine enamel paint stash, so we went on a frenzy for a week with his permission. I used 1200* (yes, 1200 degree) resistant engine enamel to paint my FSB. It was the only red left, but hey, now I know that it won't ruin in the heat
! I found the TRD sticker online for $4 after searching everywhere, and I measured the length and put it in the perfect center spot. It looks professional! I am very pleased with the end result, and I'm happy to say I have a true 1-of-1 FSB.
13. Debadging and decals- Home-made Debadging Kit by Auto 3 + custom "SolaraGuy.Org" decals
Another little frenzy we had in Auto Shop was debadging everyone's cars. To do this, we needed a kit. Using floss and a little Goo Gone, we were able to compile our own DIY kit. It's amazing what happens when you have time on your hands. I then put a VVT-i sticker I found where the "SE" used to be, and I like it there! It adds a little more custom feel to my ride. I also added custom solaraguy.org decals that I got from a member on the forums for $10 on either side of my back windows. You have to show pride in the community somehow!
14. Mudguards - Toyota Mudguards
I love these things, they're so helpful! They catch a lot of water splashes and road crap that would fling onto the side of my car before I got thsee. This means that my car stays cleaner longer! It also helps a lot against flying rocks. They pretty much stop every rock from hitting the sides of my car when I'm driving now, so there are absolutely no worries for me! Besides, they look good and give your car the effect that it's even lower to the ground. They were very easy to install, and all it took was drilling holes in plastic.
I think I finally got everything listed. I'm still thinking on it, but I don't believe that I have done any other mods to list. Check back and see if I update it soon! I also attached a few pics so everyone can see what it all looks like together, enjoy!
Last edited by RDKamikaze on Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:00 am, edited 4 times in total.
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RDKamikaze - SolaraGuy Driver
- Posts: 933
- Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 5:59 pm
- Location: Mesa, AZ
