A few questions

[Snagglez]

Well I have just a few question to see what other DSMers would rather see on a DSM. Your feedback will really help me decide on what to do next.
I have a 93 Laser with a 1.8L non-turbo engine. I already have the air can mods and a performance muffler.

1) I want more power, what is are the easiest and cheapest ways to go and get?

2) I bought American Racing 15" rims at the beginning of the summer. Should I sell them this winter and go to 17" or 18" or stay with 15"? I would also get 25% anything I buy at Tire Discounters in Cincinnati because my girl's aunt works there.

3) Should I get a bodykit or should I lower it? If I should lower it how much should I take it down? I believe 3" would look the best.

4) Clear tail-lights. Yes or no?

Well thanks.

 

[nholley]

1. http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/
2. Yes.
3. Bodykit, it is a personal thing, I would say no. Lowering, again a personal thing, 3" is a pretty big drop.
4. No.

 

[Enigma_Man]

I agree with nholley on the list of things

A lot of people will say that the 1.8 liter engine is hard to get any real power out of. But, I've seen pictures of a turboed 1.8 as well, so if you're willing to work hard at it (and possibly spend a lot of dough) it's possible. Also, a lot of people would probably say that if you're looking for a real fast car, to just sell the 1.8 and find a 2.0 turbo somewhere. I think that'd also be a good option. I'm going to come right out and say that the smaller displacement is just going to have a harder time making a lot of power. Maybe it'll be enough for you, but it's something you gotta think about.

-Jesse

 

[dTERM]

Originally posted by nholley
1. http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/
2. Yes.
3. Bodykit, it is a personal thing, I would say no. Lowering, again a personal thing, 3" is a pretty big drop.
4. No.

Damn...got all the answers right so I'll just copy...hope the teacher don't catch me. 3" is a massive drop, and assuming you're not taking the time to adjust your tire height to match your wheels, (Ending up with a different total diameter than the factory spec.) A 3" drop will put your tires under the hood. I like the stock look myself, but if you gave it a good inch and put a body kit that looks lower you should get the effet you're looking for. As for the taillights...clear taillights look like dung.

 

[Snagglez]

Would it be hard if I just bought a 2.0 engine and swaped them? Would that be a good idea?

 

[Snagglez]

If i measure from the top middle of my wheel well to the top of my tire it is 3" in the back & 3-1/2" in the front. I figured that a 3" drop would be suffecent. I could tuck my tires in a very little. Even though I bought 15" rims they are the same overall diameter as the stock 14". Also i was going to go with adjustable struts/shocks and adjustable coils. When i say a 3" drop that does mean 3" straight down right?? Well let me know. Thankx.

 

[Snagglez]

Also I have a bra on my car, well just the hood protector. should I leave it on or take it off?

 

[Eclipse IF]

Take it off!

 

[dTERM]

Ok, the wheels have this thing called bound and re-bound. That 3" is probably closer to 1.25" when you're bouncing up and down on the highway. If your tires scrape the wheel well you could cut a tire. That is bad. Very very bad. If it's a trailer baby that you're taking to shows that will never drive over public roads, then fine. Eat all the clearance and do what you like. But IMO, leave some room for error.

The engine swap from a 1.8 to a 2.0 requires a new ECU and a new wiring harness, the motor mounts are not the same and the radiator, I believe, is bigger for the 2.0. Also, do you have the hump on your hood? If not you will have clerance problems with your timing belt. The instrument cluster is also different, with an extra 1K in the RPM range for the redline. I'm sure I'm missing a few things...maybe a fuelpump or whatnot. In that instance (you probably don't want to hear this) you may be better off just selling the 1.8 and getting a 2.0 or a 2.0 Turbo car.

Get the bra off before you sand through the clearcoat.

 

[Snagglez]

Well then if I did a 1-1/2" in the front & a 1-1/4" in the back that would be suffecent? I think that I will do that. Would I have to buy new struts, shocks & coils, or just new coils? Should I get the adjustable coils?

Also if I did all of the engine swap work my-self how much do you think it would cost?

 

[curtis_rak]

If you want variety in you ride height, get adjustable coilovers. With a decent set, you can get 4" of adjustment no problem, this way you shouldn't be pissed off everytime you rub your front fascia on a curb cause' it will be YOUR OWN FAULT...everybody wins!!!

 

[Snagglez]

But would I need to get new shocks & struts?

 

[Snagglez]

Also would I need a camber kit? And how much do they cost?

 

[curtis_rak]

KYB AGX are good shocks...(around $100 a piece)

http://www.kyb.com/shocks/agx.html

Here is a a Camber Kit from Transdapt...just for an example, they are cheap, and if you lower, depending on your wheel/tire combination, you will need one. This one is cheap $34.

http://www.driverfx.com/products/pr...der_id=2272417&affID=2980&bmUID=1029256811062

 

[Snagglez]

So will I need a camber kit for a 1-1/2" drop? How hard are they to intall? Also who has the cheapest adjustable shocks/struts? Who has the cheapest adjustable coils?

 

[lo eclipz]

with my car, i went thru 3 camber kits before it held my drop in, i got the 1.2 kit all around, but it settled and i got almost 4 inches of drop, its very close to the ground, but i am used to it, i like it

 

[Snagglez]

So if I got a 1.25" drop it would go down more than that? Or do you have adjustable coils, and that is how you go down 4"?