Hello all, I have just bought a 2000 TH Magna Sports (manual) with 150k on the clock. There is so much that I want to do to it but with research that I have done, it seems a lot harder to mod a magna than your run off the mill commodore or falcon.
My last car was a '93 Verada- a fantastic car but after 300k it just wasnt worth it anymore, and I wanted that 3.5L instead of the 3L.

I've already fitted some 18" storm wheels, done the steering wheel and speakers, about to chuck on a chrome boot garnish (the stock one looks crap) and if I can figure it out put a k & n pod filter on there as well.
I can get some pacemaker headers for $500 on ebay- but I don't know what exhaust system I should fit with it. If anyone knows one that is good value and sounds good let me know.

Also, I have some sports seats that I was going to put into the verada that I still have in my garage. I can't find a single shop that will install them for me... insurance problems apparently, and it has a six stacker under the passenger seat(I worry about things like that)

If anyone has any advice on what I can do to make the car look/perform better please let me know- and if you know someone who can put those seats in for me.

I'll try and get some pictures up for you all to show you how it's going.

P.S. Thanks to madmagna for approving my account your a legend mate :)

Oh also is it worth going the pod filter or should I just save the effort and use a hi-flow panel filter? Is there much difference in improvement?

Don't waste time with a pod filter, just go a panel filter.

I'd go the pacemaker headers, nobody seems to have a problem with them... Stock system with catback exhaust should suffice, so a nice muffler on the end, a lot of people use the Redback ones offered on eBay if that's your thing.

Insurance... If everything is engineered and certified then you shouldn't have a problem, unless you're too young in which case you're probably screwed :P

dont bother with tha aftermarket seat buddy. Unless your going full track spec. Its actually illegal to fit non ADR approved seats on non engineered rails into a car. i doubt you will ever get that done for ya!

Only get a POD if you are prepared to setup a CAI as well - The only POD that will give any performance gain is the K&N Oval POD. Do some searching.

G'day & welcome, regarding the Pod filter, there is a very good article on "fastmagna.com" (under Tech Tips) regarding these and possible problems with the MAF sensor. Panel filter works just fine for me.
Exhaust systems...... lots of options depends on what you are after in sound / balanced with performance. do a search and you'll find lots of threads.
Seats need engineering certificate if not original type.


Gook Luck!

Only get a POD if you are prepared to setup a CAI as well - The only POD that will give any performance gain is the K&N Oval POD. Do some searching.
lol... Not really mate, the oval pod still suffers the same heat sucking qualities of its round brethren.

lol... Not really mate, the oval pod still suffers the same heat sucking qualities of its round brethren.
Correct, which is why the only way make it work is spend loads of time positioning the pod out of the engine bay.

But back to the original question, if you want induction growl, go the pod. But unless you move the pod out of the engine bay the panel filter is just as good a bet performance wise and is a whole lot less drama to install.

Exhaust. Everyone has an opinion on this. But I ended up with an end-to-end Redback system and have been very pleased with exhaust note (raps at bottom end, wail at top end).

VRXTamoril, my red hot tip for you for your next serious mod is spings and dampers BUT spend as much as you can on dampers. Nothing beats quality when it comes to suspension control, so Konis or Bilsteins are your friend :-)

And Pacemakers @ $500 sounds like a good buy. To preserve their sexy good looks just make sure you hit em with some flame proof paint before fitting (or there is the berserk option like I did of ceramic coating).

That's why I mentioned they will have to setup a CAI Luke. The oval pod is designed to be used with the MAF so it does not report false positives. So combined with CAI and oval pod, there can be a performance increase, however it must be a good cold airflow (ie. bonnet scoop right next to the pod or relocating pod in to front bumper in cold area).

That's why I mentioned they will have to setup a CAI Luke. The oval pod is designed to be used with the MAF so it does not report false positives. So combined with CAI and oval pod, there can be a performance increase, however it must be a good cold airflow (ie. bonnet scoop right next to the pod or relocating pod in to front bumper in cold area).
True, you did say that, but you'll find that any pod with an adequately designed MAF adaptor will have the same perceived gain as an oval pod. MAF adaptors are different depending on manufacturer, some may be generic fit and cover bypass holes, rendering measured readings of the MAF incorrect and causing dramas. Another problem people have stipulated is turbulence created by anything other than the oval pods. Personally I'd say the occurrence of turbulence in a circular pod would be very much the same as an oval, not to mention the honeycomb on the MAF sensor is there to reduce turbulence anyway.

ok well I guess I'll just go for the panel filter- I have limited time (I work a 6 day week and I have 2 children). And you probably can't hear the POD if you get the exhaust done anyway (apparently the headers will make some noise too).

I just talked to a mechanic near work and he says best way to go in terms of seats is to just get them re-trimmed- I guess I could do the whole car that way but I dont have that many $...

ok well I guess I'll just go for the panel filter- I have limited time (I work a 6 day week and I have 2 children). And you probably can't hear the POD if you get the exhaust done anyway (apparently the headers will make some noise too).

I just talked to a mechanic near work and he says best way to go in terms of seats is to just get them re-trimmed- I guess I could do the whole car that way but I dont have that many $...
Yeah don't bother retrimming unless it's leather. Spend your money on better things like audio, exhaust and suspension.

Is there anything else under the bonnet that you can do without breaking the bank? (im not talking forced induction)

Is there anything else under the bonnet that you can do without breaking the bank? (im not talking forced induction)
What's your budget? Tradewind should start supplying EZYBOY's streetfighter inlet manifolds soon, $700 odd I think?

lol- the budget is whatever the wife will let me spend- she's paying about 3 grand for her commodore to have a body kit... I think I can convince her to let me spend a bit, but I might have a wish list for a while.

Out of interest what did you replace the steering wheel with? Ralliart Momo? VRX LE?

I used the autotechnica wheel from my old car- I'm aware you're not supposed to use an aftermarket one for 1996+ cars... but the stock one was so uncomfortable to use and I'm used to this one (my hands have almost worn grooves into the leather)

I used the autotechnica wheel from my old car- I'm aware you're not supposed to use an aftermarket one for 1996+ cars... but the stock one was so uncomfortable to use and I'm used to this one (my hands have almost worn grooves into the leather)
Yeah its not so much 'not supposed to' its more 'its illegal and defectable' for removing a safety device from the car. Grab a Ralliart one mate, peace of mind and legal :) Plus its Momo, which just pisses all over Autotechnica.

Yeah don't bother retrimming unless it's leather. Spend your money on better things like audio, exhaust and suspension.

you can get ya interier looking hot without leather. my interier looks better than most leather retrims ive seen.

Yeah its not so much 'not supposed to' its more 'its illegal and defectable' for removing a safety device from the car. Grab a Ralliart one mate, peace of mind and legal :) Plus its Momo, which just pisses all over Autotechnica.

its just a shame that the ralliart wheels are so ugly, who really wants a bright red wheel? and then if ya get it retrimmed properly you lose the momo stamp at the bottom that looks **** hot.

its just a shame that the ralliart wheels are so ugly, who really wants a bright red wheel? and then if ya get it retrimmed properly you lose the momo stamp at the bottom that looks **** hot.
I like my silver leather wheel from the VRX LE :)

I like my silver leather wheel from the VRX LE :)

i havent seen it. have ya got a link?

im after a leather wheel to get retrimmed, dont care about the condition.

Yeah its not so much 'not supposed to' its more 'its illegal and defectable' for removing a safety device from the car. Grab a Ralliart one mate, peace of mind and legal :) Plus its Momo, which just pisses all over Autotechnica.

I know- Ive been putting it off but I knew I'd probably have to eventually. Do the ralliart steering wheels go straight on or do you need a hub adapter?

are the pacies on ebay new or 2nd hand? if 2nd hand then a bit expensive, considering i got mine for 520 new with flanges, if new then a pretty good price...

I know- Ive been putting it off but I knew I'd probably have to eventually. Do the ralliart steering wheels go straight on or do you need a hub adapter?
Straight on mate, plenty of photos of them around the place.

its just a shame that the ralliart wheels are so ugly, who really wants a bright red wheel? and then if ya get it retrimmed properly you lose the momo stamp at the bottom that looks **** hot.

I did :D My bright red wheel looked ****ing fantastic lol

And as far as installing it goes, its a piece of cake.

if ya get it retrimmed properly you lose the momo stamp at the bottom that looks **** hot.

What's weird is the wheel that came on my VR LE is the same as the Ralliart, only black with no Momo stamp. Would have been nice to have the momo stamp.

So let me get this straight, you removed the Airbag wheel and airbag and put a boss kit and aftermarket steering wheel on?

So let me get this straight, you removed the Airbag wheel and airbag and put a boss kit and aftermarket steering wheel on?

Yes but its a shocking fit, even with the boss kit. The stock wheel didnt have an airbag (I thought they were supposed to be standard in the TH)

BTW, the pacemakers are brand new and have already got that heat proofing stuff on them.