Just remember that not every performance mod is high dollar or high workload. the "catalog parts" are often a losing proposition and there are some changes that cost you virtually nothing but will make the car last longer and perform better. Not specifically for Pilot here, but anyone looking for bang for the buck: I started modifying my suspension when I was a dead broke student and the jounce bars, swaybars, and interior mods that you can make with junkyard parts (all less than $100!) were well worth it. You'll reduce your maintenance cost and keep the car longer since your "POS" no longer feels like an "old" car! Things you need to know as a low $$ car modifier: -Junkyards rock. Find one that is reasonable in your area (every are has one) by searching out the yellow pages or asking around. here you can find leather seats, suspension upgrades, and all the options your cars did not come with. I paid $60 for leather seats last year. If you take the parts off of cars that are compatible with yours you know they fit - plus you get to learn how to take it apart without breaking your car! -Catalogs and speed shops suck. You'll see them advertised everywhere and the parts are both problematic to fit up, and cost a fortune. there is often very little help installing thie part and figuring out its guts. -Not everything is in the engine, and not everything is a performance part. You can often get great fun factor out of your car by adjusting the governor to change up the shift points, making your camber lean in a little to stiffen up the corners, or tinkering with your carb settings to get a few extra miles or HP. As for changes, sometimes a maintenance fix is the best change you can make. New body bushings will make the car feel new again, and replacing the inner/outer tie rods gives the steering that "brand new" feeling. -Wrecker engines are GREAT. ...as for the BBB being high dollar, it's a myth. My first 455 one cost me $500 INSTALLED (i totally overpaid too) and took over 80,000 kms of punishment before I changed it to the second 455 ($200). If you want to rebuild em then yes - they cost a lot, but if you want a good wrecker engine that can spin the tires not much is cheaper! If you try to buy them out of the paper or off of local racers you'll get screwed. Look around for a car that's running but rusted to death and see if you can strike a deal (I got a 1971 455 for $300 last year this way). ...have fun...
