Order of Modifications (Like PEMDAS but for the Stinger)

[colnago1331]

So here's the deal . . . I'm not heavily into the mod scene, nor do I plan on heavily modding my Stinger. One of the main reasons I went with the GT over the GT-Line was that the V6 has enough power for me out of the box. I'm not going to track the car or drag the car, and I'm not a red light racer. Which isn't to say I don't I enjoy "spirited" driving; the curvy roads of southeastern Ohio are certainly beckoning me. With this in mind, my planned mods for my Stinger are as follows:

• Partial PPF;
• Front sway bar;
• Rear sway bar;
• Tint (probably 35% all around);
• Remote start;
• High performance all season tires (probably when original Michelin Primacies wear out); and
• Speaker upgrade.

The question is, as I am a man on a bit of a budget (i.e. I can't do all of these things right now), it this the best order to do these in? From what I've read about the paint on these cars, I put PPF first. While I'm always a fan of having good tires on the car, I also don't see letting the ones that came on it go to waste. The Primacies, while not ideal, are perfectly serviceable, and with a treadwear rating of 540 should last for a couple years (especially if I get winter tires).

Anyway - just curious as to what others here think with regard to mod order.

 

[RedCal]

I think your list is in the right order, PPF, and sway bars, tint, and then depending on tire wear slot them in when required... of course unless you can find a killer deal on a set of rims and tires (or if cash flow allows) keep the stock wheels and tires for the colder months (not sure how much snow/cold you see in SE Ohio) and get a set of great UHP summer tires.

 

[Lazarus.Bird]

Do the upgraded sway bars really give you any benefit if you're using the car as a daily driver? Asking out of ignorance. Otherwise yeah, your list is similar to mine. PPF and tint ASAP is my plan, and probably aftermarket remote start.

 

[adam1991]

The question is, as I am a man on a bit of a budget (i.e. I can't do all of these things right now), it this the best order to do these in?

Tires first.

ALWAYS tires first.

 

[RedCal]

IMHO 100% yes, every turn is more precise and controlled, even and lower speeds. One example I can give is making a left under an amber light, or if you are "rushing" because of gap in traffic, before I did the sway bars the car didn't want to stay in my lane (left lane, on a left turn) after sway bars it goes exactly where you point it, and doesn't want to wallow into the other lane

 

[jalcala]

Do the upgraded sway bars really give you any benefit if you're using the car as a daily driver? Asking out of ignorance. Otherwise yeah, your list is similar to mine. PPF and tint ASAP is my plan, and probably aftermarket remote start.

Merging onto the highway/expressway from a clover leaf is so much more enjoyable. The car goes right where you point it no matter how aggressive your cornering.

 

[colnago1331]

Tires first.

ALWAYS tires first.

I agree with this in most cases, but I don't find that the Primacies suck. If I had bought the car used, and the tires either (a) had 5/32 tread, or (b) were objectively crappy tires, then I'd definitely do tires first. But the Primacies got a decent review by Tire Rack (pretty good at everything / doesn't excel at any one thing), and in my limited time with them they certainly seem adequate.

 

[Lazarus.Bird]

Don't mean to hijack but appreciate the responses re: sway bars. I assumed I wouldn't benefit much from an upgrade on a daily driver but sounds like it should potentially be one of the earlier things I do to the car.

 

[RedCal]

Normally I would agree with tires first, but I think the sway bars are just that much of an improvement.
makes the car feel smaller, and sportier. I waited to do them until I got my summer tires on before adding them (Michelin PilotSport 4) now granted I don't like land yacht, floaty rides, and am definitely on the sporty / spirited side of driving spectrum, so that's my bias

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

I had a 2018 gt2 AWD and the rear sway bar was HUGE for me. Whenever I hit any bumps the rear of the car would feel unsettled and just didn't feel right. Adding the sway bar made that more stable and felt much more like it should be. For the curves and spirited driving, even occasionally, the sway bars are the biggest bang for the buck.

 

[CeramicGT001]

Tint, Catch can(s), and intakes were my first few mods. Would recommend all of those for first mods.
Next up could be sway bar(s), exhaust, some visual mods if that’s your thing.
I’ve held off on tune/plugs for quite awhile for reliability reasons. But many do that as a first mod too, it’s what you’re willing to gamble with.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I vote

PPF -> sway bars -> tires

If you can't do both sway bars at once (you should since you can usually get them cheaper as a package) do the rear first and then the front.

Someone asked earlier if the sway bars are worth it for a DD and I say 100% yes. You have a much better feeling of control even when using things like on/off ramps and the increased steering response when adding the front bar is drastic.

 

[HDTurbo]

I say
(P)PF>(S)ways>(O)CC>(I)ntakes
Love my sways and protective/preventive measures are a good idea. Intakes look and sound great. Tires are fine for me, but it is not used in the winter, as I have a DD. Maybe some wider/summer performance shoes in the future.

 

[rpoffen]

Is there a general consensus as to which sway bars are the best?
Or are they all pretty much the same?

 

[HDTurbo]

Many use Eibach. I went with them, F&R, along with Whiteline endlinks, as the package price was nice.

 

[RedCal]

I did Eibachs, very well known name, and a great package price for F&R, (I kept the factory endlinks)

 

[rpoffen]

Awesome. Thanks for the replies.
How difficult is the install?

 

[RedCal]

I could have done it with my eyes closed, and one arm tied behind my back... because I paid someone to do mine lol

 

[HDTurbo]

Me too! But being F&R and links, I p***ied out and had a credible professional with air tools and lift do it...

 

[rpoffen]

I heard that. I like to do much of my own work. I have tools, although not a lift.
I did work on my 98 SVT Cobra from engine swap to rear end rebuild myself (although I had a shop rebuild the actual engine)