Have a good think about the ECU side. If you are just upgrading the tmic and turbo, you don't need a motec or autronics. Installed and tuned you are looking at $3-5k for those ECU's.

If it is just a street car, PowerFC is the way to go. You should be able to get one of those ECU's and tune done for under $1500.

Engine wise, you don't need a EJ207. Your standard EJ205 will be fine until it goes. Then just replace with a EJ207 bottom end and keep on motoring. Unless you want to build a big $ engine, it isn't needed for a street car.

Sway bars, strut braces, brake master cylinder stoppers etc - Go cusco.

You haven't mentioned gearbox which should also be put in your budget.

The way I'm doing my car is:
1. Suspension
2. Exhaust
3. Brakes
4. Turbo/TMIC/PowerFC
5. Drive it till either gearbox or engine breaks.

It's 'cheap' and gets you the smiles you want on the face.

Rinse and repeat.

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[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]

^ great advice

also gd tidal scoop ftw

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98 gf8 Rip

02 sti scoops look good on gc , massive ones, not so much. took me a few years to rip the big one off my bugeye, and put an 02sti one on, looks way better.

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Should have bought an STI

Cameron, if you want to do the modding path, I'd listen to what people like John have done. Those who have played the game before.

If you want to get into these skid pan days, like yesterday, having ecu, turbos etc will not make a huge difference.

What I would do, not in this order but close to

Whiteline ALK
Cusco Front and Rear sways (24mm 22mm combo)
strut brace (not that important but will help)
Roll centre kit (if your car is lowered)
I would seriously look at coilovers - springs just don't cut it IMO.

Then once you have each of these things done, and the car handles like its on rails, you can focus on going faster... You look at the cars that come out to skid pans. You don't need big power to be fast, you need weight reduction and the ability to keep all 4 wheels on the ground at all time. And you need to hit apex's of corners!

Definately Theres so many options to choose from - its why I need to do my research!

Jump on the 2.0/2.5ltr forums on NASiOC as well mate, craptonnes of combo's being discussed and flamed on a daily basis

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Forgot to put that in, Plans are for STi 6 Speed.

Ok just looking at this with a conservative mind... Why are you doing it? What's the purpose? You are going to end up with a very expensive old car that doesn't fit too many racing criterias.

Just putting some budget numbers against what you want:
- Version 6 STi Wing $500
- 03 Bonnet Scoop. $gayer than aids
- MoTeC ECU $5000
- FuelPump Upgrade $200
- Norm Butler TBE $2000
- Gold Rims from a MY99 or MY02 STi $1000 + Tyres $1500
- Rally Decals $gayer than being a homo with aids unless they are your sponsors stickers

- Sway Bars $500
- Strut Brace (The one in the bonnet) $500 (you need the rear one too)
- Anti-Lift $200
- CF Gas Struts for Bonnet $100
- Brake Cylinder thingy (The one Wayne sells)? $150

- Engine Rebuild to EJ207 Forged $10,000
- Upgrade to the Turbo $2000
- Upgrade to the TMIC $1000
- GD STi Interior Transplant. Not possible without extensive wiring and dicking about. Budget $2000
Plans are for STi 6 Speed. $6000

Quickly adding that up: $32,650

Throw a set of brembos on: $35,000. And then we're missing coilovers, trailing arms, rotors, pads, r-comps+rims, diffs and other normal wear and tear items on a 10+ year old car.

Yes it's cool. Yes, this is probably what I'll end up spending Unless you are doing it for knowledge or a reason - Really think about it.

It all isn't needed and you can have more fun than Charlie Sheen with a briefcase of blow for a lot less.

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[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]

The reason is I have been in love with GC8's since I was a little lad, roughly 15 years. I will keep this car going until parts are no longer on the market. The car is coming up to 200,000kms soon, its 12 years old, and I have no idea about the previous owner. I know for a fact it has had turbo upgrades and a few various mods, because when I bought it, there was a number of things loose or missing.

Im just listing the potential things, or things I would like to do over the course of that time, so I have some reference and dont forget.

I dont plan on replacing Gearboxes or Engines until whats in there now, breaks. In the mean-time, little by little, I would like to at least do the proper exhaust and suspension/handling tweaks. Things like TMIC upgrade, I assume would be required if you were upgrading the turbo. If not, then by all means if it isnt required then I wouldnt waste money on it. If I am going to rebuild the motor when it carks it, then I would be doing a proper-enough job to make sure its going to last me one heck of a long time.

The ECU thing was because from what small amount of reading I have done, or threads i have skimmed over, I assumed it was something that was required when doing exhausts and the like. MoTeC was just what I remembered reading was a pretty well-known thing.

The GD Transplant is the absolute cream-of-the-crop, when I have a truckload of time thing, because it would be fairly unique. I should clarify, thats not the center console and dash, its just the seats and door-cards, to change up the appearance of the interior.

I know its an expensive old car, but I love it, and I dont plan on having anything else for as long as this can be kept on the road and enjoyable.

The short term is really the rear-wing, the suspension, gold rims, and as you say the various bits and pieces that are copping wear-and-tear.

I hope my response is worded ok, and doesnt come across like im having a go. I'm very grateful for your point-of-view Kato

That's cool!

If it's your passion, then money is the secondary.

Just pointing out a few things as there are a lot of dreamers that pop up wanting to do mega builds and don't realise the costs.

Assuming your car is stock, I would do the following:
Cusco front and rear sway bars ($500ish)
HSD coilovers (PM Balistic) ($1600)
Set of good tyres (RE001's or similar) ($?)
Pro wheel alignment (Wheels World or Bridgestone Bentley) ($200)
VF34 ($1000)
STi TMIC ($500)
PowerFC (Should be able to find one second hand for $600-800)
Tune from Sean @ ASG or Ant @ XSpeed ($600)

Bam. Car will go like a shower of shit, corner like a pro and attract lots of females wishing to give themselves to you.

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[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]