Performance parts... To buy or not to buy?

[Cleveland]

I am buying an off the lot 2011 LE HB when I get back in May (construction project in Haiti) so I am looking for some input prior to making a couple decisions.

I have been driving a Del Sol Si previous to this and obviously feel like I’m sitting up in an SUV at stock ride height. What are the opinions on the TRD spring kits? These would solely be for aesthetics and not be supplemented with a change in struts. Previous readings have warned against undue fatigue of the struts and a harsh ride. The photos of lowered HB’s with rims look phenomenal, however I don’t believe it’s worth a reduced ride quality or wrecking parts should that be the reality.

The short shifter kit appears to be consistently favourably reviewed. Again comparing to my current car I find the Yaris’ throws noticeably longer and a bit sloppier. For those with the kits installed, what is your opinion of the long term performance? Would you recommend the system as a generality?

Tips regarding any facet of the car would be greatly appreciated, acknowledging that this is a 1.5L and in no way to be confused with a race car... lol

[frownonfun]

wait what? the yaris isn't a race car?!

[EPyarisdriver]

yeah I feel you frownonfun. My stock yaris is killing the tegs civics, crxs, and keeping up with the suped up v6 accords and even the mazda 3 speeds. not to mention a rx7. for it having a 1.5L it pulls pretty hard and when i put some money into it its gonna be great. For now everyone loves to hate on the Yaris but slowly turning them into believers. I love my Yaris!!

Oh but back to the question... MOD IT!!!!!!

[Betrivent]

TRD springs should be fine since they usually only run with stock struts and shocks anyway. Short shifter is fantastic. If you get both the in cabin adn the engien bay together, your throws will be VERY short, but very stiff.

[cali yaris]

I think TRD springs are overpriced. Eibach ProKits or H&R is a better deal.

Any lowering spring over 1" is going to reduce the life of a stock shock/strut somewhat, and that includes the TRD springs (which is why they offer complementary and also overpriced TRD shocks/struts).

acknowledging that this is a 1.5L and in no way to be confused with a race car... lol

I do not acknowledge this, just for the record.

[eTiMaGo]

Don't forget to read through my lil Yaris performance primer ;)

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9451

[Cleveland]

Thanks for the info, especially eTiMaGo great stuff in your link!

As an additional question, do the projector conversions for later models fit 2011s (without modification)?

[cali yaris]

Projector conversion is not unique to any year, it just has to match the same bulb as your headlights. In our case, H4.

[Mazdaspeed419]

Originally Posted by EPyarisdriver

yeah I feel you frownonfun. My stock yaris is killing the tegs civics, crxs, and keeping up with the suped up v6 accords and even the mazda 3 speeds. not to mention a rx7. for it having a 1.5L it pulls pretty hard and when i put some money into it its gonna be great. For now everyone loves to hate on the Yaris but slowly turning them into believers. I love my Yaris!!

Oh but back to the question... MOD IT!!!!!!

Did the other cars know you were racing?
You cant be serious guy. Your STOCK 106 hp motor with a 0-60 time of 10.7 seconds is pulling on nothing. reference: http://www.7daycarreviews.com/blog/1...al-performance
Especially not a speed 3, with 263 hp and a 0-60 of an average driver of 5.9. Dont get me started on the rx7, even if it was the lowest model rx7 ever made, it still had a 146 hp motor with a 0-60 time of 6.8. Your yaris isnt turning anyone into a believer, and only making you look like a ricer. people like you are whats wrong with the automotive community, and whats makes true imports look bad. your STOCK yaris is nothing but a grocery getting gas saver. And before you say anything about me not knowing the car, Im a toyota salesman, Ive probably driven more toyotas than you would ever want to. I dont even like hondas, but i bet they even pulled on you without knowing they were racing. your that annoying guy that comes up to people revving your engine, then redlining and struggling to keep up with us as were only cruising normally. then when we happen to slow down you drive by with the four ways, coming back to boards like these to tell everyone how you can :keep up with the speeds of a speed 3.

[EPyarisdriver]

Cool

[cali yaris]

your that annoying guy

Off topic. And you're that annoying guy that makes this his first post. Welcome to the forums.

[Mazdaspeed419]

Originally Posted by EPyarisdriver

Cool

Typical ricer response. no comeback about how I am wrong? and i think the fact that you refer to them as a Mazda 3 Speeds, says it all. Its a Mazdaspeed 3.

[xixarchangelxix]

Originally Posted by Mazdaspeed419

Typical ricer response. no comeback about how I am wrong? and i think the fact that you refer to them as a Mazda 3 Speeds, says it all. Its a Mazdaspeed 3.

You mad?

[annn]

Haha... Funny posts as it's all relative ! I drive a yaris and a 450 hp off the juice and 650 on it lt1 stingray and a 70 ra3 trans am both that make 99% of the no torque imports look silly .Horsepower means little torque is where it's at and always will be.

The yaris has no torque IMO but it is a fun car to drive and does run very well for it's economy egg status.

I would like to know where the speed 3 horsepower is ? I have not impressed with them at the track at all...

[frownonfun]

Originally Posted by Mazdaspeed419

Did the other cars know you were racing?
You cant be serious guy. Your STOCK 106 hp motor with a 0-60 time of 10.7 seconds is pulling on nothing. reference: http://www.7daycarreviews.com/blog/1...al-performance
Especially not a speed 3, with 263 hp and a 0-60 of an average driver of 5.9. Dont get me started on the rx7, even if it was the lowest model rx7 ever made, it still had a 146 hp motor with a 0-60 time of 6.8. Your yaris isnt turning anyone into a believer, and only making you look like a ricer. people like you are whats wrong with the automotive community, and whats makes true imports look bad. your STOCK yaris is nothing but a grocery getting gas saver. And before you say anything about me not knowing the car, Im a toyota salesman, Ive probably driven more toyotas than you would ever want to. I dont even like hondas, but i bet they even pulled on you without knowing they were racing. your that annoying guy that comes up to people revving your engine, then redlining and struggling to keep up with us as were only cruising normally. then when we happen to slow down you drive by with the four ways, coming back to boards like these to tell everyone how you can :keep up with the speeds of a speed 3.

for the record i don't really disagree with you. but the way you came across was still kind of annoying. but, yes, i doubt a stock yaris is beating anything in a straight line. on an auto x track it could be a different story but honestly i don't know because i've never done it. i suppose a big part of autocross is how skilled the driver is. so i suppose if that's what he was referring to than it's possible he's running comparable times.

also, for the record, with enough time and money i suppose any car could be a "race car". but then how much of the original car still exists is another question entirely. there's plenty of camrys in nascar that i'm sure pull pretty frickin hard but then again they aren't really even a camry now are they.

so what do you guys think... after how much modification does a car stop being whatever model it is? just curious.

[annn]

Very true!

My brother has a 1000 hp 1970 nova but as far as what's left factory ahhh the outer body shell .

[cali yaris]

I think I still have a Yaris. Even though people ask me what it is.

[Mazdaspeed419]

I agree with modding, but that was also why i capitalized where he said stock in his post. if it was modded, i wouldnt have said a word