eBay parts

[GSXguy]

I'm sorry beforehand, I'm sure this has been posted before in the past, but I haven't been able to find it in archives.

I'm new to the DSM thing, and found a 95 GSX with 80k miles for $4k and HAD to have it. Since then, I've been shopping around and looking at what different people have had to say about performance upgrades, and everyone talks about eBay exhaust pipes and intakes. What are the brands or search terms or whatever I should look for on eBay to find the right ones? Stupid question? I'm not sure. Either way, I don't want to buy the wrong stuff and end up having garbage. Anyone want to help me out?

[DragonofBC]

Great find!!!! Welcome to the community. As far buying from e-bay is concerned, I have this rule of thumb: the more precise I want the item to be, the more convincing it is going to take to buy from E-bay. I, personally would never buy a turbo from e-bay but I would definitely buy intercooler piping. A pipe is a pipe is a pipe. The finish may come off but if that is not something you care about, then what the hell. Even intercoolers aren't very sophisticated and people have been having a lot of luck with the cheap e-bay cores.

As far as brand names, a lot of people have had success with your run-of-the-mill e-bay intakes. Perform the dump tube hack and get a conical filter to replace the pos airbox.

As far as exhausts go, almost everyone will recommend you just take your car to an exhaust shop and have a 3" turboback exhaust custom made. It'll be the cheapest route. When looking on e-bay, Megan Racing is a well respected name. The downpipes had some fitament problem but the company is supposedly remedying that. You might want to contact them directly to ask. They are generally very cheap.

Use some common sense when e-bay purchasing. I've bought my BOV off e-bay (came "new in box") and my boost gauge (I don't *really* trust it that much) from there. I'm contemplating an exhaust and intercooler next.

[l_eclipse_l]

Ebay is where I have bought all the mods for my car. Just use good judgement. Many of the generic things on ebay like those mentioned in the previous post should be fine. You can also find name brand stuff a lot cheaper than most other places, just shop around.

[GSXguy]

Thanks for the speedy replies. I want to get my car running faster than all of those Hondas and acuras around here, although since it's a gsx, it probably already is. I just want to get it done quick.

[DragonofBC]

You're probably already quicker than a decent population of Hondas and Acuras but who doesn't want more speed .

Since you're starting out, here's a few websites to browse through dealing with upgrade paths.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/2gturbo/

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/2gupgradepath.htm

DSMTuners.com also has a good list of respectable vendors if you can't find what you are looking for on e-bay. There are a lot of good threads here already on different parts, setups and different DSM experiences but feel free to ask anything.

[Thor06]

Originally Posted by GSXguy

95 GSX with 80k miles for $4k and HAD to have it

Ok, first thing you do is drive to the middle of nowhere in MN and give me your car.

Just playing (bastard, I wish I could find a fucking deal like that ). I agree, follow the upgrade paths. Becareful of eBay, some really good deals, but some butt fucking scam artists too. www.dsmtuners.com classifieds are a good place to find used stuff too.

Originally Posted by Thor06

Heres what I would (and will) do with my first ~$1500 (eBay is your friend, slightly used is my friend, do you want him to be yours?):
First...
K&N air filter: $40
Homedepot or eBay intake: $20
Full 3" exhaust: $200-$500 and up
JoeP MBC: $40
boost guage: $50
Then...
DSM link: If you are really lucky <$500, if not $500-$550
After that...
GM MAF and translator: $200-$250
eBay FMIC core: $120-$180
IC pipes and couplers: $100-$150
Type S or SSQV: $100-$150
Injectors: $200? (not sure, never looked for them)
Fuel pump: $80-$100
Then you are ready for a bigger turbo, cams, all the really fun stuff. If you are a smart shopper, $1500 can get you pretty deep into that list. As I found out from Mikes exhaust, its not exactly hard. His has one bend after it gets under the engine. Making that will save you a shit load of money.