i just got a 2002 neon se with 65,000 miles and i was just wondering what would be the best first performance upgrade? i was thinking a short ram intake or exhaust or even as simple as better plugs and wires? what would be the best to do first?

 

I would go Cold Air Intake first...then get some new plugs when your old ones get replaced and buy some nice plug wires while your at it. If you go into the 2nd Generation Neon section you'll see a stickied thread at the top that details almost all the bolt-ons you can do to your 2nd gen neon...

 

Unless you want to do plug wires for looks just consider plugs and wires general maintenance until you ge highly modified and have to change heat ranges. For first mods do you want engine performance, handling, or appearance.

Engine performance would start with the Cold Air Intake, then cat back Exhaust, then Exhaust manifold, the Under Drive Pulley.

Handling, how far do you want to go. Inexpensive then maybe new struts and rear sway bar (I like the stock configuration). Wider tires and wheels (Smaller diameter say 15" for performance), now wild I would say coil-overs, urethane bushings, sway bars front and rear.

Appearance is up to your budget and preference. (17" wheels fit here as well even though they can give handling performance they rob HP)

It is a start anyway.

Oh and by all means if you have a MTX then do yourself a HUGE favor and get BOOGER BUSHINGS!!!!!!!!!!

 

the first thing i did was i got a UDP then i was off the airintake, now i got some headers and a new exhaust. when i was up for new spark plugs i got the aftermarket ones there ok.