Upgrading components

[SCVanguard]

This will be my first new car and I want to do it right. If I do purchase a Sky, I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to throw some money under the hood to make it a beast. My question is...is it better to get major mods (such as turbo, intercooler, CAI, etc) early in the car's life? Should the car get broken in first?

[gadget]

From the standpoint of the mechanical operation of the car it doesn't matter. There are two philosophys with a new car/engine.
1. Take it easy on the drivetrain for about 500 miles and allow everything to get broken in and moving smoothly so that pistons don't slap cylinder walls, Brakes, clutch get broken in smoothly etc.
2. Drive it like you stole it!
I happen to believe the first is the best. Just the mechanic in me!
But I have never really seen proof that it's the best way.

It does have some effect on your warranty If something should go wrong with the engine you might find yourself arguing with the dealer as to what the cause of any given problem is.
For that reason it could be judicious to wait untill the car breaks in a little before putting on a lot of upgrades.

[rich71]

There are a few threads on this. As far as the engine and turbo are concerned, there isn't much to worry about after a 100 or so. The tolerences/manufacture is pretty good, so the powerplant "should not suffer" if you lean into it. The transmission likes a little more "settling in" with the synchros and gears, but the diff is the "POS"(not posi) that needs the most pampering. With the issue on the diff so well known, that piece is either garbage or goldin depending on the luck of the draw......Me, I took it easy for the 1st 100, and have been beating it ever since. I Change the oil 3k regardless of the oil life gauge, and changed the manual gearbaox oil(after 3k just to do it), and will have the diff serviced(including gear oil/additive change if not covered) with the recall once the car is on the rode for spring.....I bought it to drive it...I would say keep it stock for the first season(if you have a proper winter), then do your mods. If you are full year driving, wait until you have done the first oil change, then "Play" with your toy.....can't wait for the rebuttles on this.