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I was disapointed with the lack there of 2nd Generation aftermarket Optima parts from Kia-Fx.com. I found a couple parts I'd consider buying but wanted to check in on some forum's first. I'm interested in throwing in a front end strut bar. I assume this is an easy bolt on installation? Is there anything else that goes along with it? I'd hate to run into problem's along the way having to make other adjustment's or modification's after installing it.
An inexpensive air intake set up and exhaust (muffler) would boost hp and gas mileage I think? I've looked at the circular or cone shaped K&N filter's along with some performance muffler's. Any suggestion's on either of these?
Basically everything that you've mentioned will prolly give you around 4-8hp gain, depending on if it's the K&N drop in or the CAI. CAI will give you more hp of the two. And less restriction with the exhaust will really help the engine breath. So again, good choice. Other things to consider are headers, bigger injectors (fuel) and lighter cams. Remember, parts from the 1g/2g Hyundai Sonata are the same parts that you can use in your optima. Also depending on year of the optima/sonata, 2001-2004 engine is 'basically' the 4g64. NEWayz, hope that helps!
That is'nt much of a HP gain considering the ammount of time and money I'd have to invest. I bit the bullet and bought one of them front strut bar's today for $85 shipped from Bill, I'm sure you've heard of him. Now I need to decide on going with a drop in K&N or the cold air intake system. The K&N I'm sure would be easier on the pocket book and installion to. I saw a '04 Optima with a Magna exhaust system that looked nice. I'm not sure if was just the muffler or the entire exhaust setup? The engine resonator got me excited but I could do without it. Reason being, It was the one other part I was considering buying from KFXperformance. I noticed alot of Silverstar H7 bulb replacements out there as well. I think the stock bulb's are pretty bright but they got nothing on my PIAA fog lamps. I might grab a pair of those too. Does anyone else out there have the front end strut bar?
One last thing about those H7's, Is the model Sylvania Silverstar H7 low beam and high beam virtually the same product? I would like to replace my low beam's with H7's.
Well personally I already have the Silverstars, here's the topic that I started a while back - Sylvania Silverstars
Now I'm planning on purchasing and installing HID's this weekend! Going from 4K to about 6K or 8K should be AWESOME! Don't get me wrong, the silverstars were nice and white.. but to tell you the truth.. the brightness wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. I've already spent $60 for the original set of bulbs and a replacement when the drivers side burnt out. And let me tell you that the lifespan of these bulbs are kinda short.
Here's the link for Fashtek - the company that I am buying the HID kit from ($199 + $35 for shipping and insurance) Click Here for Fashtek's HID kits.
NEWayz, look into that for a good upgrade! Hope that helps!
I do have a question for those of you who have the K&N air filters.. outside of "Autoanything.com" is there someone who sells the filter for under $37 with FREE shipping? Here's The Link To Autoanything...
if you really want to change the filter the best thing to do is stick with the stock setup and change to a higher flowing filter like this uni filter. if you have ever owned a motorcycle you know who uni filter is, they have never let me down. the best thing about changing just the filter is you still keep the low end torque that you have now. as far as exhaust goes your best bet is finding a muffler/tip that you think looks good and have it welded on. with the optima you are not going to find cat or header back systems without making it yourself. something you should also think about is you did buy an optima, i love my car and have done quite a bit to it and have more planned but nothing without motor swap or adding a turbo is going to make me as quick and my friends subaru 2.5rs and so i do stereo mods and make it look more high end. dont waste your time slamming it to the ground, stiffening the suspension, putting a loud exhaust on it, and adding a cold air intake just to end up have a car that rides horrible, doesnt make enough torque to go up hill with the a/c on, and sounds like someone farting in a kazoo. i have yet to meet anybody that goes to the kia dealership and looks at an optima and says to them self "wow, thats exactly what i was looking for to go autocrossing"
Now WHY would anyone wanna get a uni filter over a K&N filter? I'm looking at it and notice that you NEED to buy REFILLS after 5K miles or so.. with the K&N you just clean it and you'll NEVER have to replace it.. unless you distroy it of course! LMAO!
no no no, the uni works just like k&n, you clean and reuse jut like k&n. the only time you replace is if it gets messed up, just like k&n. the reason i always use uni i because i have never had a single problem with them where as i have had two k&ns bought back buy k&n because of defects.
Now I need to decide on going with a drop in K&N or the cold air intake system. The K&N I'm sure would be easier on the pocket book and installion to. I saw a '04 Optima with a Magna exhaust system that looked nice. I'm not sure if was just the muffler or the entire exhaust setup? The engine resonator got me excited but I could do without it. Reason being, It was the one other part I was considering buying from KFXperformance. I noticed alot of Silverstar H7 bulb replacements out there as well. I think the stock bulb's are pretty bright but they got nothing on my PIAA fog lamps. I might grab a pair of those too. 
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