On my new project car, an AE92 Corolla Sedan, I just put in a new steering wheel and it made a world of difference in driver feel. The original was sooo skinny I felt so awkward gripping it. Also the new one is smaller diameter, giving me much needed leg room.

And as far as OEM+ I just got some sway bars, control arms, and brackets from a GTS coupe since my car has none! Not I just need new rear struts so I have something to link the rear sway bar into, since my struts don't have the necessary tabs.

On older cars that don't have a ton of electronic stuff, I like a short ram intake. I made one for my wife's Avenger when it had only 700 miles on the clock. It cost me less than $80, too.
On my wife's first drive of the car with the intake, she says, "The car is louder from around 3,000 RPM."
"You don't like it?"
"Oh, no. I DO like it."

adjusting the throttle cable..make it tense enough that a little push on the pedal will make the car move instantaneously

On older Hondas like the 90's Civics and Integras, replacing the big rear trailing arm bushings with brand new oem ones and getting a fresh alignment makes a noticeable difference.

The car drives straight and doesn't feel like you're riding on concrete blocks when you hit a bump (car is not lowered either).

Adjusting your pedals to make for more comfortable heal-toe.

Posted By Daewoo Of Death on 12-06-2010 01:33 AM
AARP membership.

 

American Association of Retired Persons?

I come from the land of DSMs. They are kings of cheap/free mods.
Short throw shifter? Just drill a hold closer to the pivot point on transmission.
More boost? Bleed valve.
Drop in air filter? K&N should be good for 5+hp (probably 10)
Removing the balance shafts is good for another 10+hp. Other than gaskets, it's free.
Upper intercooler pipe? Maybe another 5hp.
Need fuel control? SAFC-II to eliminate inevitable fuel cut.
Run some larger gauge wire to the fuel pump and an exhaust of some kind. You should be pushing 250whp. That's about 90whp for under $1000.
But for those that do real racing, tires and weight reduction are usually the most beneficial.