GT In Los Angeles

[mike27t]

Hey Guys,

Been familiar with the stinger for a while, event when it was just a concept a few years back. I was in need of a new sedan and leaning towards an m3, but couldnt justify the current lease offerings. That being said, I finally pulled the trigger on a 2019 GT in Panthera Metal and couldnt be happier.

The forum has been extremely helpful in the short time ive been here. Ive been able to follow some DIY's and address some known issues through the help of others.

Couple of mods/issues.

• Picked up a used JB4 with fuel wires from member Dark_Knight GT. Real smooth transaction and easy install. Running Map 2
• Denso plugs gapped to .024. Pretty easy except for two of the plugs that are buried under the manifold.
• Tints all around
• Rebadged front, rear and steering wheel with vintage k.
• Had to take the car to the dealer as the factory had installed the wrong head unit in the car. I couldnt get UVO to work and went through several trouble shooting guides with UVO customer service. Eventually they realized the wrong unit was installed.
• I am a victim of a noisy hatch. Took the car in twice for this one. First time the tech said he didnt hear anything. Second visit I drove the tech around myself and they blamed the license plate frame. Rather than leave my car with them any further I took it home and installed the washers that took care of the problem.

Currently looking to purchase BMS intake as I just learned they are located down the street from me, but apparently they wont sell the unit to California residents. FML and California emissions. So im considering Injen or Agency Power if im unable to get my hands on a BMS.

One question for the staff/members. How do I initiate a DM or Conversation. I click on users avatar and dont see an option.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

G’day, welcome to the forum & to the Stinger Owners Fraternity, looks like you are already familiar with the forum & you have your mods sorted so have fun with your new ride & all the enjoyment it will bring.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Howdy. Nice introductory post.

 

[mike27t]

Thanks for the warm welcome

 

[Waynerm002]

Welcome and congrats! How would you rate the Stinger as a former BMW owner?

 

[mike27t]

Welcome and congrats! How would you rate the Stinger as a former BMW owner?

The cars listed in the sig are current, still drive the M3 from time to time. The e36 m3 isnt a good comparison as it lacks in the power department compared to the Stinger, also smaller in size and doesnt have any of the creature comforts thats considered standard options these days.

A good comparison would be the e39 M5. We had one for a few years, it was a highway beast. Similar power with its NA V8, weight is nearly identical, but it cost nearly twice as much in 2002. In terms of drive/handling, I would say they are similar. Stinger has the edge due to cost and mod capabilities. Buying HP for the older BMW is not cheap by any means.

I had a chance to spend a day at BMW performance event at Thermal Raceways in palm springs driving m3's, m2 and m6. The newer BMW's are something else on the track. Extremely capable right out of the box. Id be interested to see how the Stinger performs in that setting.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Id be interested to see how the Stinger performs in that setting.

The recent (and previous) talk about sway bar upgrades plays into this. The Eibach rear sway bar is by far the most dramatic upgrade (the front far less so). On the "soft" setting, the 19mm diameter rear sway bar increases pounds per inch loading capability 76%; on the "stiff" setting the increased "planted" performance is 114%, above the OE rear sway bar (16mm).

Apparently, "this is how the Stinger should have come from the factory" (with the 19mm rear sway bar): that's a quote from the end of the Tork video on installing the sway bar. And, "This is the single most effective mod that you can do to your Stinger. If you are going to only do one mod to improve the performance and handling of your Stinger, this is the one. No argument." Etc.

I am looking forward to comparing the difference in handling and ride characteristics when I get my rear sway bar on c. the middle of January (have to get the danged thing first; and Evasive Motorsports doesn't have them in stock - I didn't know that before placing my order; so unless there is a backlog of orders at Eibach (they are on holiday vacation till next Thursday), I should have my sway bar kit by the 11th Proximo, and on the following week). I'm going to have it set to "stiff" and take it from there. If this works out, I can see myself adding the front sway bar later.

 

[mike27t]

The recent (and previous) talk about sway bar upgrades plays into this. The Eibach rear sway bar is by far the most dramatic upgrade (the front far less so). On the "soft" setting, the 19mm diameter rear sway bar increases pounds per inch loading capability 76%; on the "stiff" setting the increased "planted" performance is 114%, above the OE rear sway bar (16mm).

Apparently, "this is how the Stinger should have come from the factory" (with the 19mm rear sway bar): that's a quote from the end of the Tork video on installing the sway bar. And, "This is the single most effective mod that you can do to your Stinger. If you are going to only do one mod to improve the performance and handling of your Stinger, this is the one. No argument." Etc.

I am looking forward to comparing the difference in handling and ride characteristics when I get my rear sway bar on c. the middle of January (have to get the danged thing first; and Evasive Motorsports doesn't have them in stock - I didn't know that before placing my order; so unless there is a backlog of orders at Eibach (they are on holiday vacation till next Thursday), I should have my sway bar kit by the 11th Proximo, and on the following week). I'm going to have it set to "stiff" and take it from there. If this works out, I can see myself adding the front sway bar later.

Thats a lot of good info MTM, thanks for posting. I intentionally had stayed out of the suspension sub forum because I didnt want to open that can of worms yet. But after reading your post it seems like I need to look into the sway bar. The list goes on and on.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts once you finally get your hands on your order

 

[eflyguy]

First, Welcome, and thanks for putting your location into your profile!

A good comparison would be the e39 M5. ... I would say they are similar. Stinger has the edge due to cost and mod capabilities. Buying HP for the older BMW is not cheap by any means. ... The newer BMW's are something else on the track. Extremely capable right out of the box. Id be interested to see how the Stinger performs in that setting.

My Stinger journey started when Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the M2, and after a lot of research and test drives about two years ago, I was ready to pull the trigger on an M4, or a C(45/63) AMG. Then I heard about the Stinger and, as a very happy KIA customer, decided I would be a fool to not at least wait and see. A major hurdle was that you still had to pay several $thousand over the already considerable price to get performance brakes and suspension.

I am personally thrilled with this car, and will be curious to see what you think over time. I had a local (established M/AMG-series) tuner "upgrade" mine, you'll find my review, but other than that, nothing else done so far and can't think of anything the "competition" did better.

 

[robz32]

Welcome aboard and congratulations. Those are some great mods to start with.