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On a Budget?
If you're looking to get the most out of your DSM on a budget, here's a short list of what you can do:
1. Free Mods >>
2. K&N Filter ($40).
3. Intake Pipe ($15 custom made).
4. Boost Gauge (VDO, SPI, or Autometer - $45-$60).
5. Manual Boost Controller ($40-$60).
6. Aluminized Cat-back Exhaust ($240-$350)
so far: $450...
still got money left?
7. Straight Pipe ($35)
8. Aluminized Downpipe ($130-$200)
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Tuning Guide > Turbo 1G Upgrades
So you just bought your turbocharged 90-94 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon or Plymouth Laser, and are anxious to start modifying it to it to make it faster. The good news is that the 4G63t has been proven to handle 400whp reliably with stock internals, even with high mileage. The bad news is that the 1G (90-94 DSM) is an aging platform and chances are, your car has a lot of hard miles on it. You're going to have to spend some time and money on some maintenance to ensure that the car can handle any performance modifications you throw at it.
Turbocharged cars require more maintenance than N/A cars and unfortunately many owners don't keep up with the required maintanence. It's best to assume the owner before you did not take care of the maintenance properly. Do not attempt to turn up the boost or begin modding your car without doing a full and complete tune up. The first thing you need to do is a complete tune up. Replace all worn belts, including the timing belt and balance shaft belt. If the timing belt/balance shaft belt haven't been replaced within the last 60k miles, or you're not sure when they were last changed - change them now. If they break, you'll be paying for a rebuilt cylinder head (not cheap). You'll also want to change out all filters, fluids, worn hoses, spark plugs/wires, worn/leaking gaskets, check the compression, do a leak-down test, check your ignition timing, etc. Basically, do all of the checks that your repair manual tells you to do - you do have a repair manual already, don't you? If not, pick one up now before moving forward with any modifications.
Once you've gotten all of the necessary maintenance out of the way, you can start with the modifications! We've broken it down into two simple stages to help you achieve your goals gradually. These formulas are used by the top DSM tuning shops/racers in the industry. Before you start shopping for big turbos and tubular headers, read our article on the common mistakes and misconceptions by newbie DSMers, and read the staged upgrade paths below. A couple things to keep in mind when you start modding:
There is no "best" part when it comes to modding. They usually all perform well.
Find out the emissions requirements in your area before choosing parts.
Plan your goals and budget before buying any parts. No plan = more money later.
Be realistic with those goals and plans. What will your car be used for?
Do your research before you buy parts - make sure the parts you buy will work together well.
Usable power under the curve is important, not just big overall horsepower numbers.
Work within your budget.
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Upgrade Paths |
Stage 0: Free Mods
For the cheap bastards who can't afford the bolt-ons and just want a little more "umph".
Read the list of mods...
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Stage 1: 275-300hp
Ready to get your hands dirty? The first steps to making power with the turbocharged DSM is to turn up the boost and open up the air intake and exhaust restrictions.
A typical Stage 1 setup will cost around $2000 for parts, assuming you do all of the installation - exact cost can vary greatly, especially if you're able to find deals on used parts. Of course, it's also easy to spend significantly more. As always, determine your budget first and find the areas where you can save money. A Stage 1 setup will typically raise power output on a turbocharged 1G DSM to about 300hp at the crank (about 250whp). That can equal low 13's or possibly even high 12 second 1/4 mile times on the track using 100+ octane fuel and assuming the car is in good working order. Of course, your driving skills should be above average. We suggest you find a local track and practice as much as you can.
Read the list of parts needed...
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Stage 2: 350-400hp
Once the basic upgrades have been done, it's time to start looking into larger turbos and intercoolers, as well as learning the basics of fuel tuning - as bolting on parts is only half the battle at this stage.
A Stage 2 setup will cost you somewhere around $5000 for parts, assuming that you haven't performed any of the Stage 1 modifications. Again, you may be able to save money by finding used parts. A Stage 2 setup will raise power output on a 1G DSM to nearly 400hp (or more depending on the turbo upgrade and level of tuning). That can equal low 12's or possibly high 11 second 1/4 mile times on the track with 100+ octane fuel. Of course, that depends greatly on how well the car is tuned, the condition of the car, and driver skill level.
Read the list of parts needed...
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