Hey guys, in short I'm seeking the opinion of the much more experienced magna lovers on here with where to start when it comes to my '02 TJ Verada Xi (referring to performance, etc.).

There's several areas I need your guys' advice on:

1. I've got a Lukey sports exhaust already on, but was wondering of the KW/Torque gain and financial feasability of getting a 200 CPSI cat and Pacemaker/RPW extractors

2. I've posted on here before about getting the car lowered and thanks to the advice given to me there I've pretty much set myself up with the bump stops, springs and struts. I'm told that when done so I'll be at 605 clearance, and was wondering if that increases the risk of any possible extractors I purchase getting cracked or obliterated

3. How much does it cost to get the ECUs done for a magna too? Is the performance gain worthwhile? Where's the nearest place in the illawarra that does so?

4. Is it worth investing in a weight reduction? (Fibre hood/boot, no spare etc?)

5. Is it worth boring and/or stroking the 3.5 to a 3.5? Or is it cheaper to get a 380 engine installed?

EDIT:
6. Are the para headlights from TJ/KJ a simple switch job from the ugly stocks I have? Or is rewiring needed?

Thanks guys!

Howdy Wrighty, welcome to the forum.
1: I am not personally aware of the kw/torque gains of the cat/extractors but I have been advised that they are good bang for buck performance upgrades.

2: It depends on the spring rates of your springs/dampers. What brands and models are they? Generally if the car isnt too low it will be fine but if driven ridiculously and being low, over time the exhaust parts will start to deteriorate (with any lowered car really)

3: SKR, Steve Knight in Adelaide does postal flash tuning of ECUs... the recommended flash tune is to 95 fuel and gives good performance/efficiency upgrades. Google the place and give them a ring! Not sure about in your area but you can trust SKR. Tried and tested by many people on this forum.

4: Not worth it unless you are going to the track!

5: Easiest upgrade there is to just get the 380 engine installed.

Hay mate. save modifications on the 3.5l after your done itll cost u doing the 3.8l conversion so i would recommend the 3.8

You planning on racing the car? I don't understand why you would take the risk of driving around without a spare to save a bit of weight

Not specifically, just really wondering if lower weight = less mass to accelerate and therefore better economy. Only mentioned removing the spare as it's the simplest homejob that springs to mind :)

1. I've got a Lukey sports exhaust already on, but was wondering of the KW/Torque gain and financial feasability of getting a 200 CPSI cat and Pacemaker/RPW extractors
High-flow cat and extractors will improve driveability but will do little for outright speed or power.


2. I've posted on here before about getting the car lowered and thanks to the advice given to me there I've pretty much set myself up with the bump stops, springs and struts. I'm told that when done so I'll be at 605 clearance, and was wondering if that increases the risk of any possible extractors I purchase getting cracked or obliterated
With 60mm of clearance, your car will be impracticably low, it will be illegal, and if you're using springs and shocks, will ride like crap. If you are prepared to go stupidly low, I would recommend going for coilovers, because the extra stiffness will come in handy when you have that little suspension travel.


4. Is it worth investing in a weight reduction? (Fibre hood/boot, no spare etc?)
There's no off the shelf weight reduction items for Magnas. So if you want a carbon fibre hood or boot, you'd be doing it yourself.


5. Is it worth boring and/or stroking the 3.5 to a 3.5? Or is it cheaper to get a 380 engine installed?
380 engine and/or manual conversion would be the way to go.

With 60mm of clearance, your car will be impracticably low, it will be illegal, and if you're using springs and shocks, will ride like crap. If you are prepared to go stupidly low, I would recommend going for coilovers, because the extra stiffness will come in handy when you have that little suspension travel.


I think I worded my original response wrong, the 605mm I was referring to was from the wheel arch to the base of the rim, I don't actually know the ground clearance but this 605mm is a figure that several suspension places locally have recommended. Sorry for any miscommunication!

I think I worded my original response wrong, the 605mm I was referring to was from the wheel arch to the base of the rim, I don't actually know the ground clearance but this 605mm is a figure that several suspension places locally have recommended. Sorry for any miscommunication!
Oh, my bad, I thought you meant 60.5mm ground clearance lol What springs have you decided upon?

Oh, my bad, I thought you meant 60.5mm ground clearance lol What springs have you decided upon?

Well from what I've read on here + what a couple mates said, Kings seem to be the way to go.

By far the cheapest and best thing I can suggest before you start modding your car is to at least learn to identify it by its correct model designation. Its a KJ Verada, not a TJ Verada.

Just fitted a Magna sports sway bar,then had king lows supplied and fitted with a wheel alignment in south western sydney for $360.00..while they were doing it they put kyb shocks..brilliant different..like driving a rollerskate..

Just fitted a Magna sports sway bar,then had king lows supplied and fitted with a wheel alignment in south western sydney for $360.00..while they were doing it they put kyb shocks..brilliant different..like driving a rollerskate..

$360 for all that!? Pedders quoted me over $1k for those same parts, but their branded version, the place got a name?

That's too good to be true. Springs are $240 at a minimum. Wheel alignments start at around $60. Labour is typically $60-100/hour. You do the maths....

For what it's worth, I paid $1200 for King Springs + KYB Shocks + Wheel alignment... I know it was a bit exxy (was done regionally), but still...

That's too good to be true. Springs are $240 at a minimum. Wheel alignments start at around $60. Labour is typically $60-100/hour. You do the maths....

For what it's worth, I paid $1200 for King Springs + KYB Shocks + Wheel alignment... I know it was a bit exxy (was done regionally), but still...

Even the $1200 is amazingly low compared to what Wollongong-based shops tend to quote. Without specifying for Kings and KYB, I've gotten quoted between $1550 to $1700 for the guys' brand!