BRAND NEW to DSM. suggestions?

[biggestmetfan]

Ok, so I just bought my first DSM, a 97 Eclipse RS. Looking for suggestions on some initial mods and a good place to buy exterior graphics and accessories.

Non turbo so I know it won't be running 10s or anything, but have wanted one for a decade and finally got the chance to grab one.

Thanks guys.

 

[rcarbajal4]

For a n/t, intake, headers, and exhaust. Don't expect to gain much though.

Graphics? As in stickers? You'll find that most dsmers will flinch at the word, just like crankwalk

welcome to dsms.

 

[gusu]

Get a nitrous kit and call it a day, or go turbo. You could also sell it and get a turbo car or keep it and buy a turbo car.


You aren't going to make jack shit for power with a NA DSM. You will see so little gain with so much cost it really isn't worth your time unless you are out to prove a point that has already been proven.

 

[DieSolo]

What kind of budget are you looking at? First things first, cold air intake. Other than that, make sure your car is running and in near perfect mechanical condition. Do you have any records on the car (oil changes, etc.). If no then you'll want to get a tune up, check the seals for leaks, replace the timing belt, and just let a respectable shop look the engine over. It shouldn't cost much just to do a little maintenance. But give us some more details on car condition, budget, and ultimate goal.

 

[2gTurBoD]

Ok, so I just bought my first DSM, a 97 Eclipse RS.good place to buy exterior graphics and accessories.
.

Get a high rise oem spoiler if it doesnt already have one. And for stickers, don't, please.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Whatever you do, don't put a bodykit on it.

I wouldn't recommend going any further with your's than I did with my old N/T. I did the basic bolt on's. Upgrade the brakes and lines. Lower it with a stiff suspension with strut tower bars (and swaybars if you really want to go all out). It was by no means fast, but she handled like she was on rails. It was a really fun car to drive

 

[chadillac2820]

You're right, its not going to be a drag car without spending an astronomical amount of money. I would do the simple bolt on power adders then focus on suspension and brakes auto cross it. Otherwise, get a turbo. Congrats on the purchase too!

 

[GoCanes777]

Boost it or buy a 4g63

 

[CLeMMeR]

Basic Bolt-Ons and then down the road look for a Turbo model, I wouldn't worry about going to far for little hp gain. Not worth it.
And please, please...no body kits

But most importantly have fun and welcome!

 

[Cesar_gst]

It all depends on your budget. But since its a N/T you will not get a whole lot of HP out of it

 

[codym]

As everyone else said, basic bolt ons, drop her a couple Inches, high rise spoiler ( one that's on gst or GSX ). Personally I don't like body kits, but I can't stand the hood, mostly because I like my shit to look symmetrical not like the drivers side has a tumor. I would get a good looking hood, I custom built the one in my avatar. I like the look of the center tailight piece matching body color. I'm not s big fan of altezzas, but its whatever creams your twinkie.

Get a nitrous kit and call it a day

I wouldn't recommend that unless you got lucky and bought one with the engine rebuilt.

 

[biggestmetfan]

Whatever you do, don't put a bodykit on it.

why no body kits?

So basically I'm getting I shouldn't expect a ton of speed, but make sure I get her double checked and up keep.

I'm def not going to b racing or anything. Just kinda want something nice to look at with a little giddy up.

So look into getting a cold air intake and possibly exhaust, but not expect a major increase?

Do I have it about right so far?

Oh, and to look to trade up to a turbo fast?

As far as its current condition.

Has 165k on it. Exhaust is aftermarket about 20k miles ago. Has a header. Besides that, pretty much stock. Not in terrible condition. I need to clean out the engine bay badly though.

 

[WES_393]

You got it right. The most powerful NT 420a DSM is around 230-240hp if I'm not mistaken. A stock turbo DSM with a few bolt ons and a boost contoller can make 250 at the wheels easily. So that's basically what everyone means by don't expect huge power gains from mods. Without a turbo you really wont get far.

My suggestion would be to get the car as clean and well running as possible. Get all of the maintenance done, get the car looking good, and then decide whether you want to upgrade the current car or buy a turbo model. 420a DSM's are great daily driver cars. They look good, get good gas milage, and can be very reliable if kept up with. But in my opinion, if your looking for power you would be much better keeping the NT DSM as a nearly stock daily driver and finding a turbo DSM to build for speed.

 

[DieSolo]

Yeah you're on the right track. I have a gs and I will agree that performance upgrades are all but futile without going turbo. I would love a gsx but haven't had the opportunity. Basic bolt-ons are okay because they are relatively cheap. Underdrive pulleys will help give you a little pep (or a 50 shot of nitrous, ). As for body kits, do what you want. I like stock and aftermarket. Most of all, make it your own (which body kits help with because you can get creative). Just try to keep it clean and have fun with it.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

Any pics?

 

[Mitsubishiown]

I agree 100% with Wes. If I were you I wouldn't waste my money trying to make this car fast! I would keep it super clean and make the exterior look nice along with the interior. Also maintain it so it runs for awhile and it will treat you good!

 

[biggestmetfan]

Thanks for all the help guys. I will take and upload some pix today. Like I said, I have wanted one for such a long time, so I'm def going to make it my own and dress it up as nice as I can. And but I'm prob going with a body kit

How the heck can I embed pictures on the thread?

So in taking a look behind the radio I find the ground for the cigg lighter and these other two "things" one white one black. Anyone know what the hell they are for?

And what is this light supposed to be for?

The light under the defroster button.

Before pix of the engine bay. Dirty and dusty. Started to do the initial clean up today. Just wiping it down getting all the layers of dust and dirt off.

Grab some engine degreaser and working on getting a couple things to dress it up. Gonna go with blue add stuff. Intake, wires, some other blue accessories. What you guys think?

Probably going to do blue accents interior too. Bezels and other stuff too.

 

[DieSolo]

the light under the defroster button was probably linked to a security system someone installed, but it could really be anything. a lot of people use that blank space to install leds for a multitude of purposes. Usually nothing too important, just an idicator for something installed. All you can do is trace the wire and see where it goes.

 

[biggestmetfan]

Ok here are a couple exterior pix.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Whatever you do, don't put a bodykit on it.

why no body kits?

So basically I'm getting I shouldn't expect a ton of speed, but make sure I get her double checked and up keep.

I'm def not going to b racing or anything. Just kinda want something nice to look at with a little giddy up.

So look into getting a cold air intake and possibly exhaust, but not expect a major increase?

Do I have it about right so far?

Oh, and to look to trade up to a turbo fast?

As far as its current condition.

Has 165k on it. Exhaust is aftermarket about 20k miles ago. Has a header. Besides that, pretty much stock. Not in terrible condition. I need to clean out the engine bay badly though.

Because body kits are ugly as sin.

Yeah, it sounds like you have the right idea though, it's not going to be fast without dumping a ton of money into it. For now i would throw a catback and some suspension mods at it and make it fun to drive.

When you are comfortable working on it, and want something faster, sell it and find yourself a turbocharged one. That is the most cost efficient way to go about it. That is what I did.

It is a nice looking car though. Looks pretty clean.

 

[gofer]

Nice car, do basic maintenance and treat it well and it will be a reliable car. I still use my GS for my to and from work drives and running errands and it hasn't let me down the last 10yrs I've owned it, roughly $600 in maintenance since '02 doing the work on it myself!

If I were you I'd do a CAI and install the stock GS-T catback exhaust (it bolts up) and then anything else you do to the car should be cleaning it up and making it ride better.