Hello all. I just purchased a stock 94 GT with 120k for $3,500 this past weekend. It's my first 5 speed, so i've been driving really slow, learning slowly. My last car was a 96' nissan sentra GXE stock, so my new celica has really amazed me. I'm 22 years old, a Cal Poly Pomona computer science senior.

When it comes to cars, I've changed my head gasket, oil, spark plugs, exhaust manifold, and starter, but thats about it; definetly not very car savy. Anways my real question is what mods would you pros recommend for a poor college student? I also would like to avoid mods that might decrease the longitivity of my ride, since it's gota last me at least 4 years until I graduate from grad school.

I was thinking maybe a CIA, an ECU, white halogen headlights, maybe an exhaust system. Some recommended to me venom and jetchip. I'm looking to gain a few hp and at some style.

I'm looking forward to finally being able to outrun those damn pesky civics. >>

Any feedback would be greatly appricated.

HEY! I go to Cal Poly too! Same major but I'm currently taking a time off (legally) for a year. You might've seen me if you carpool because I used to work at the carpool booth for 2 straight year quited 2 years ago.


Anyway, I'd recommand a CIA, it's cheap, and you can make your own >>

3S-GTE

For the headlights, i would Definatly recommend Sylvania Silverstars. They tent not to last too long, but they look nice. They are brighter then the standard halogen, and white light instead of yellow. You can also do the 9006 (Low Beam) to 9005 (High Beam) bulbs in the low beam socket, adds a nice amount of light, while not blinding people since the low beam lights point down more.

oh god not a another "3s-gte"er, didnt u note a "poor college student with no money thing" i thought we had strict rules on this whole.... 3sgte thing?

i go to devry down the street...haha...welcome to the site and good luck with the car

welcome to the site man
if i were you and you were on a tight budget ..
high flow cat , muffler anything to open the engine more than jus an exhaust manifold, possibly a cold air intake ...
anyhow welcome to the site

*3s-gte's kick ass!!

If I were a poor college student, I would buy some performance springs, cheap 17 inch wheels, firm sticky tires and sway bars and have fun cornering. Worthwhile H.P. mods for our cars are not cheap. Good luck.

congrats and welcome to the family new Celican ...

-jgreening+Mar 17, 2005 - 2:42 AM

again im going to have to agree to Jgreening..
I wanted to do a lot of hp mods.. but its going to cost way to much.. Id say make it looks nice and handle nice first. A lot cheaper and still very worth it.

-jgreening+Mar 17, 2005 - 2:42 AM

Will I have to elevate the frame to accomidate the 17"ers? or is that what the springs are for? Please fill me in, as I've never modded a car before other than dropping in a DVD + sub system.

You should just be able to put on 17's with no modifications at all.

just go to the socal meet and get some ideas there!! theres close to 50 on the list now.

macavely, when did we start being named Celican?? >> anyway, from what i think, a DIY CAI would be good, if you think exhaust systems are too expensive, go for straight pipe and a good muffler like apexi, magnaflow, tanabe etc... lowering springs and suspension techniques sway bar are good too. welcome to the site >>

-jgreening+Mar 16, 2005 - 11:42 PM

I also agree with this. You won't have to raise the car at all to put on 17" wheels. The springs will actually lower it, but as long as you get the correct-sized tires, the wheels will fit fine.