1997 Eclipse GSX, 4NXIETY

[AngelOfPassion]

I have a 1997 GSX 5-speed and she was a daily driver to and from work for the last 180,000 miles with the previous owner. 4NXIETY is her name, and she is going to be made to be the car she always deserved to be. No more hauling people around and driving 'to and from' every day. A luxury life relaxing in between track visits is what awaits...

My goal is to achieve about 300-350hp and I want the cooling system to be able to handle a day at the track, as in a circuit course not a drag strip. It will be a part time track car only.

I am still saving up for parts and would like to get each "stage/step" done all at once. Feel free to PM me on any parts you have had trouble with or any pointers you have for me. The car is starting from stock at this point.

I will post pictures of all the work as I get the stages done! I am just getting started

INDEX
Step 1 - ECMlink V3 - Post #5 06/12/2012
Misc. - Some Weight Reduction - Post #7 06/13/2012
Step 2 - Exhaust - Post #11 07/25/2012
Misc. - Non Cruise Control Throttle Cable - Post #17 10/10/2012
Step 3 - Gauges - Post #22 10/12/2012
Step 4 - Turbo Upgrade and Intercooler - Post #28
Step 5 - Intake System - Post #43
Step 6 - Fuel - Post #46
Step 7 - Cooling - Post #49

LEGEND
Black - Parts belonging to the original build plan.
Blue - Parts added because of feedback by other DSMers
Red - Removed from the car/removed from the build due to feedback from other DSMers
Green - DONE! Added to the car.


BUILD PLANS

Step 1:

ECMlink

DONE! - ECMlink V3


Step 2:

Exhaust

DONE! - ApexiN1 cat back
DONE! - R.R.E. Downpipe - 2G AWD Short w/ Test Pipe and High Flow Cat.
DONE! - Punishment Racing Recirculated O2 Housing


Step 3:

Gauges

DONE! - Innovate MTX-L wideband
DONE! - Autometer Boost/Vacuum Gauge

Autometer WaterTemp Gauge REMOVED
Autometer Air/Fuel Gauge (Narrowband) REMOVED



Step 4:

Turbo Upgrade and Intercooler

DONE! - Forced Performance Evo III 16G (wastegate pressure until fuel upgrades)
DONE! - Forced Performance Manifold
DONE! - VRSF 2G Front Mount Intercooler
DONE! - 1G OEM BOV



Step 5:

Intake System/Random Upgrades

DONE! - ExtremePSI Intake Pipe with VCV and Charcoal connections
DONE! - K&N FIPK Air Filter Kit
Calan Catch Can Setup
DONE! - 2G Non-Cruise Throttle Cable
Larson Hose Kit



Step 6:

Fuel

DONE! - Walbro 190lph Fuel Pump
DONE! - FIC 850cc Injectors
DONE! - Manual Boost Controller



Step 7:

Cooling

Misc. Ducting
DONE! - Evo IX Oil filter Housing
DONE! - Mishimoto 19-Row Oil Cooler
Mishimoto Performance Radiator
Mishimoto 2G Fan Shroud Kit
Mishimoto 2G Radiator Hose Kit



Step 8:

Clutch and Flywheel

South Bend Clutch K05048-HD-O (Temporary until I start tracking the car)
ACT Streetlite Flywheel



Step 9:

Engine

Cams - GSC Power-Division S1 Camshafts for DSM and Evo 1-3
Revised Lifters
Balance Shaft Removal



Step 10:

Suspension/Handling

Atuca's Rear Diffuser Concept
Enkei Racing PF01 Wheels 17diameter, 8.5wide, 40mm offset 5x114.3 16.9lbs
Kumho Ecsta XS 245/40R17
RM Racing Rear AWD Sway Bar
RRE Slotted Rotors
Porterfield R4-S Brake Pads
SS Brake Lines
3G Brake Booster
Unknown Coilovers



Step 11:

Interior

Corbeau A4 Racing Seats x2
Corbeau 3-Inch 5-Point Harness Belts x2
Unknown Weld-in Roll Cage



Thanks for reading and please PM me if you have had any problems with any of the parts/setup above.

Original engine bay shot from first day owning the car:

 

[liquidsilver]

Nice ride! Personally I would go with a 255 fuel pump and add an FPR.

 

[longislandDSM]

Nice ride! Personally I would go with a 255 fuel pump and add an FPR.

It's not needed for his goals.

Make sure all the maintanence is done also. Goodluck with your build bro!

 

[arrowhead]

Nice on your plans for the car, glad to see more dsms getting into road racing I hope all turns out well for you, keep us up to date in your progress your HP goals sound about right for your use, that is what I will be aiming for when I get to my motor build.

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Fully installed and ran ECMlink today!


Non Eprom ECU

Back from ECMtuning!

My first log file! haha

 

[Coldsou]

Nice to see you have a clear idea on what you want to do with your car! Definitely keep us posted!

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Since this is not my daily driver I decided to loose some weight. It actually turned out really nice after I spent about an hour with Mr. Clean. You would not believe what was under the carpet/plastic! I can't believe I didn't get a disease from sitting in this thing before this...

From the back...

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Getting ready to order the full exhaust soon! Also added some things to the build plan. Some interior stuff and some suspension/handling stuff. It's going to start getting fun really soon! As long as my wallet can keep up.

 

[arrowhead]

If you are going to use the car for road racing there are some things you should consider further.

#1-The Apexi exh is extremely heavy, I weighted the front part, from the turbo to the bend at the driver side is 38lbs, the hangers are also heavy, the heat shield under the tunnel is 6 lbs, have you consider going something lighter and why a cat back if you are only going to use it for the track?

#2- Why the removal of the gauges mentioned?

#3-Why pick a sway bar now if you are still reducing weight on the car, remember by losing weight you are in fact increasing the effectiveness of the sway bar.

#4-Same for the coilover, if you dont know your final weight, how are you going to select your spring rates.

#5-The seats are nice although a little heavy but why do you need 2.

Maybe I am missing something, but dont be too eager to spend your money.


















































Dont be too eager to spend your money.

 

[AngelOfPassion]

This is all really good info. I will touch up on some points.

#1-The Apexi exh is extremely heavy, I weighted the front part, from the turbo to the bend at the driver side is 38lbs, the hangers are also heavy, the heat shield under the tunnel is 6 lbs, have you consider going something lighter and why a cat back if you are only going to use it for the track?

I had no idea that it was really that heavy. The reason I am doing a catback is because I probably won't have money to make this a full time track car. So I wanted to be able to keep it licenced so I can drive it around once a week or two in between track events. I would love to be able to have this be a strictly track car but unless I get a better job, that probably isn't going to happen. And there is my wife's input I have to consider as well. (she HATES racing)

#2- Why the removal of the gauges mentioned?

Everything I removed was broken and still just installed in the car. Except the GM MAF. That was just added in the build plan earlier and then removed for ECMlink.

#3-Why pick a sway bar now if you are still reducing weight on the car, remember by losing weight you are in fact increasing the effectiveness of the sway bar.

I haden't considered this yet. I haven't done all of my research for the later parts of the build. I am learning as I go. If I don't feel I need it I will not install it. I am not buying later parts in the build until I know I need them.

#4-Same for the coilover, if you dont know your final weight, how are you going to select your spring rates.

Like I said I am not going to buy anything until I am actually going to install it.

#5-The seats are nice although a little heavy but why do you need 2.

This kinda touches back on the full time track car. If I see myself only using this for the track I will only get the 1. I would love for that to be the cars future but I am trying to be realistic. I am hopeful but I don't know if it is 100 percent confirmed. So I will keep two on there for now so I have some use for the car off the track if I need it.

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Step 2 - Exhaust

Punishment Racing o2 Sensor Housing.

This thing was a pain in the ass. The original one was impossible to get off. I broke my o2 sensor in the process and none of my bolts would fit on the new housing. I ended up having one bolt facing one direction and one bolt facing the other to get the downpipe on there and who knows how tight they are as they are impossible to get to... However, in its defense, it does look pretty damn good.

Road Race Engineering made my downpipe and test pipe and here are some good comparisons to the old exhaust. It is amazing how small some areas of the stock exhaust are compared to the new system. I swear the stock exhaust goes down to one inch at some places. I also had R.R.E. fabricate a high flow cat for when I need to get my emissions done.

Here is the Apexi N1 muffler. I have to say, with the R.R.E. downpipe and testpipe mixed with the Apexi N1 catback, this exhaust has an INCREDIBLE sound. I love it. I did so much research trying to find exactly which pieces to put together to make it sound the way I wanted it to and I got it spot on. It is exactly the sound I wanted. It has a low rumble with a really nice purr when giving it some gas. It also has that formula car sound when decelerating but it doesn't overdo it. Also, it isn't that loud at all. Which I like. I hate those obnoxiously loud cars that just seem WAY to loud for no reason. This one is just right.

Here is a picture from the back with it installed. It has a nice clean look and I like how it has a slight tilt to it.

I can't wait to get started on Stage 3! The best part: Stage 3 is one of the cheapest! Sweet!

 

[AngelOfPassion]

The Official DSM Picture Game! Request: your DSM with your daily driver.

My GSX next to my GS

The Official DSM Picture Game!

 

[Purple_Demon]

Progress looks awesome man. Super jealous of the nice exhaust. Be sure to post up a sound clip of video for us

 

[Mishimoto]

Nice to see a track(road course) build with a solid set of plans!

Good luck with the car, seems like your doing a great job so far.

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Progress looks awesome man. Super jealous of the nice exhaust. Be sure to post up a sound clip of video for us

I wish I had something to record it in high quality. My phone just doesn't pick up the sound right. As soon as I can find a friend with a microphone or something I will post sound clips.

Nice to see a track(road course) build with a solid set of plans!

Good luck with the car, seems like your doing a great job so far.

Thanks! I see you ninja'd a comment in right after I added Mishimoto stuff to the build

 

[greengoblin]

I would go with a wider tire and rim from the get go. They are one of the most important items on your list.

I would also look at chassis braces. Our cars are know to be floppy. Subframe bushing help a lot in tighten up everything. Adam black_gst makes them. The front units are the most important.

If you want good coil overs you should look at making a set of DG units or spend a bit more and have Robi Spec set you.

Kevin

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Misc. - Non Cruise Throttle Cable

Installed the non cruise-control throttle cable today. I like it a lot. I feel like the pedal is a little more responsive. The old one would stick as well, most likely because of the old cruise control system. Now, since that is gone, the engine bay looks a little cleaner and no more stuck throttle!

I routed the cable in between the intake manifold and the block instead of over the top like the stock cable. Looks cleaner now.

Here it is coming out the other side.

Here is the cruise control after being ripped out.

Overall look, no more cruise control boxes.

 

[Mishimoto]

Nice, I am sure that cleans up the bay quite a bit.

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Yeah dude. It's a lot cleaner looking. Looks like my last pic didn't show up . Give me a sec...

Edit: There we go haha.

 

[Mishimoto]

Much better. Whats next on the list?

 

[AngelOfPassion]

I have most of the parts for step 3 and step 4 in the original post I just have not had time to get started. Just need the BOV and the install kit for the turbo then I will have enough motivation to get going. For some reason I can't work on my car unless I know I have ALL the parts required to get it started up afterwards... So for now my turbo, manifold, and intercooler are all just paperweights in my room...

 

[AngelOfPassion]

Step 3 - Gauges

Alright John, you motivated me to get some more work in...

I wired in the boost gauge and the MTX-L Wideband today with a little help from Miguel in the electrical tech forums. I've never done any electrical work in my life on anything before this so I think this was an accomplishment! I wired the mechanical gauge to the cigarette lighter for its power and then for the wideband I tapped into the fuse panel under the dash. Grounded them both, then wired the WB to ECU pin 76.

Started up link, ran narrowband simulation and was good to go!

Boost gauge getting wired...

Here is where I got the boost gauge in and was getting started on the wideband. I actually started wiring the WB before I put the wires through the gauge pod and had to start all over

Wideband is working!!!!!!! Time to get everything in place and not upside down haha.

End result: A sexy looking gauge setup that is wired probably bad enough to start a fire. Hey its my funeral right?

 

[Mishimoto]

Well done sir! If everything is functional I would say you did a great job for a first timer. It is great having a new project and learning new skills, it may be frustrating at times but when you finish and are successful it is a great feeling.

Thanks for the update! Keep it up.

 

[Mishimoto]

Well done sir! If everything is functional I would say you did a great job for a first timer. It is great having a new project and learning new skills, it may be frustrating at times but when you finish and are successful it is a great feeling.

Thanks for the update! Keep it up.

 

[zcoh2gdsm]

same gauge setup i used, autometer cobalt boost gauge and the innovate mtx-l, loved how accurate they were.