Like i guess 3 major ones like dp, upgraded radiator and another 3rd one? Does it increase reliability and longevity a whole lot?

 

another 3rd one, are you refering to the aluminum AST? or maybe silicone vacuum lines.

Its hard to say how much a better cooling system or reduced engine heat under hood helps reliability, but its certainly a smart option when the stock cooling is barely adequate and the under hood temps are high (DP helps)

 

Ummmmm....... YES..... hehe I have everything . Single turbo , fmic , exhaust (dp, mp , catback) , aluminum radiator , stand alone tuned , etc , etc. I have gone 3 months without a single problem . I change my oil and spark plugs maybe 1-2k miles so everything is tip top and never had problems.

 

some reliblity mods are just plain common sence such as the down pipe, replacing old brittle vac lines, replacing a leaking ast tank, replacing a leaking radiator, getting a water temp guage and dont really cost that much. i suggest you do the dp, water temp gauge mod at least and then save the rest of the money for a rebuild and wearable items(trannies are wearable items i think as well as clutchs and brakes and tires).

 

no, we only preach reliability mods because we all own stock in the companies that make the most popular ones.

I've got a down pipe, aluminum AST, upgraded radiator.

 

dont learn the hard way. it may or may not add life to the engine if nothing goes wrong, but having your AST blow up in the middle of a trip can be irritating to say the least (dont ask me how i know), and that puny radiator doesnt have business in a civic much less a turboed rotary. its one of those situations where you can either do it up front and never regret it or wait and wind up doing it later (again dont ask how i know) Good luck. Here are my recommends which are the same as everyone elses.

radiator
AST
vacuum lines
DP (wrapped preferably)
water temp gauge
boost gauge
an oil pressure gauge wont hurt either

 

so its still a for sure thing it juss decreases the odds of something bad happening?

 

you do these reliability mods so you dont learn teh hard way...

 

I agree that reliability mods are kinda like insurance.... you will most likely not blow your motor if you do it this way...plus a down pipe will help cool down temps and add horsepower at the same time!!!
By the way... I don't know how the downpipe will cool underhood temp dramatically....is it because of the small cat it has???? did anyone actually measured the temps with and without the downpipe????

 

My pre-cat used to retain a LOT of heat. After a "spirited" drive around town, my hood (right over the turbos) used to be rather hot to the touch. After I installed a HKS DP, my hood now feels neutral after a "spirited" drive.

 

radiator sucks stock...so that mod is beneficial. AST is junk, so that is good too. Vaccum lines will crack over time....so that's good. Most the reliability mods are good to do for the longevity and reliability of the car.