Mods and the non-mechanical personality

[VTecVoodoo]

I've owned my GG Si since February. Since discovering this forum, and reading lots of great stuff from other enthusiasts, thanks to YOU guys, now all I think about is mods. Inside, outside, performance, appearance, it all looks like fun. I'm sure many others here, too, are constantly tempted.

What I've observed, however, is that some mods make more sense, or have more value, for those that can do their own labor, purchasing the parts and installing themselves.

If I'm honest with myself, I'd have to exclude myself from this category. Example: Last week I changed windshield wipers. It took 30 minutes, and I was completely dirty from head to toe! I'm an idiot! Imagine me under the hood? This is not a good sign. (okay, I did install a shift boot in under 8 minutes, with no problem, so I have one very minor success story, but that's the exception, not the rule)

I've spent years taking computers apart, and have no fear about assembling and disassembling that kind of hardware. With automobiles, however, anything more advanced than a shift boot is potentially risky territory for a guy like me. I don't have the tools, the skills, or the inclination for anything other than trivial cosmetic work.

With that in mind, which mods are better left to the do-it-yourself personality? And which mods are A-Okay for us non-mechanical guys willing to pay--within reason--a shop to do the work? Both from the standpoint of value, and ongoing maintenence, if any is required.

Examples might include, a CAI. Are the costs of both parts and labor for a CAI worth the questionable performance boost? Catback Exhaust system, same question. Or any other first-level performance mod. Or non-performance, like fog lights. Some of these things might benefit from ongoing tweaking or occasional attention, some might not. And labor costs for some of this stuff might be discouragingly high. Or maybe not.

Though there are a lot of adventurous, mechanically-skilled regulars here, I'm guessing there are other non-mechanical Si enthusiasts, too. Perhaps others like me are considering this question, too.

What are some of your thoughts about what kind of mods are better left to the mechanically inclined? And which are still a good value for those of us who aren't? It might help me make some decisions about what to realistically aim for.

[TreeFrog]

i'd say find a friend to help. paying someone to install an intake is madness. i'm not the most skilled but i can do that. best bet is to install with a friend so you can learn.

i pay shops install cat backs because i'm lazy. normaly it only cost like $40 for that. I wouldn't dream of doing anything advanced. but i have lot of friends that could do it. i woudln't pay someone to install a S/C for example. but i would go to florida for the AJP kit.

other stuff like headlights, tail lights are easy to install don't pay someone for that stuff. now springs/shocks on the other hand might not be a bad idea to go to midas or something.

[VTecVoodoo]

We really do have to assume a shop will be doing the labor, none of my friends are mechanical either.

From your suggestion, TreeFrog, "paying someone to install an intake is madness", maybe I'd take that off the table, or reserve it for a later time, like, after my car's more paid off. I live a rainy region. it's not clear I'd be a good candidate for a CAI. From what I understand, the stock '06 Si has a pretty decent intake that gets cool air, and the Pacific Northwest has a cool climate. I also live in a quiet nieghborhood where the bossier sound would likely attract unwanted attention from local residents (and cops) In my environment, there's an advantage to having both speed and stealth. Though I may reconsider that later.

Those are key peformance mods, postponed indefintely. That leaves things like wheels, brakes, rotors, springs, sway bar, etc.

And non-performance mods would include things like foglights. I'm considering buying OEM ones on EBay and having a shop do it, maybe even have Honda do it.

I have no tools, limited options for DIY, and friends who are even less mechanical than me, it would be the blind leading the blind. With that in mind, my question is aimed mainly at which mods have labor/installation costs that would make the minor performance advantages not worth it. And which ones are worth it.

[06blaksi]

I'm mechanically inclined and have done all my mods myself so far. What really helps me out believe it or not is the DIY's on here and the other FG sites. That's why I make DIY's as well, to help other figure it out. I did check into having a shop install my springs. I got prices from 160 up to 330. I did it myself in 5 hours and a spring compressor rental for $11 Did the intake in 2 hours myself as well following the instructions supplied. The only tools I neede were a philips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, 10 mm socket and 14 mm socket. If you try anything, there are alot of people here than can help you out of a jam