The Top DSM Community on the Web

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. Log in to remove most ads.

Please Support JNZ Tuning
Please Support ExtremePSI

first tuner mods

This site may earn a commission from merchant
affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

MStuner662

Probationary Member
4
0
Sep 26, 2013
Grenada, Mississippi
I just got my first tuner its a 98 eclipse n/t with the 420a 2.0. I want to know what I should do to it first to do a complet. engine upgrade.
 
I agree, do maintenance first. Your mods are going to depend on your goals for the car...Auto x? Street/strip car? Fun daily driver?
 
I just got my first tuner its a 98 eclipse n/t with the 420a 2.0. I want to know what I should do to it first to do a complet. engine upgrade.

Are you dead set on sticking with a 420a? If so, why?

I'm not trying to be a jerk by asking that, please don't take it that way.
 
Well I know that I want a strip ready but street legal car. and I'm using a 420a because I have not_ seen a lot of them tuned. and the car I got came with the 420a in it. I want to put a cam and turbo it. I just would like something different then the norm. And they 4g63 can't swap with mine. unless I do a lot of fabing. so what do I need to to as far as upgrading the engine first .
 
Hopefully you have about 5K plus to put into your car because that's what it takes. Look at my profile and look at my mods for an idea. And I have way more then 5k into it with all the odds and ends.

But what is your goal besides taking it to the strip? Hp? What is your budget?
 
Your basic mods would be intake, headers, and exhaust if you're not planning on turbo but if you are then a fmic, bov, and a 16g. Cams you don't have to worry about unless you plan on making 400whp+ and in that case you should do a 1g 4g63 swap because the bottom end on a 4g63 can safely hold 450hp :)
 
a cold air intake is a cheap start, dpeneding on your budget, id get a better flowing headers, a full exhaust system for about 4-500 custom,id get a 50shot nitrous kit for a bout $250-350,so thats a jump of maybe 40-60hp with the nitrous.outside the engine i would do shocks /springs combo or suspension,
 
Well I know that I want a strip ready but street legal car. and I'm using a 420a because I have not_ seen a lot of them tuned. and the car I got came with the 420a in it. I want to put a cam and turbo it. I just would like something different then the norm. And they 4g63 can't swap with mine. unless I do a lot of fabing. so what do I need to to as far as upgrading the engine first .

Sometimes there is a reason why people choose the "norm" ... if you want to be different, why not stick a ls1 in your car? That's far from normal right? ROFL
 
Well I know that I want a strip ready but street legal car. and I'm using a 420a because I have not_ seen a lot of them tuned. and the car I got came with the 420a in it. I want to put a cam and turbo it. I just would like something different then the norm. And they 4g63 can't swap with mine. unless I do a lot of fabing. so what do I need to to as far as upgrading the engine first .

Leave the engine how it is and start piecing together a turbo kit. Don't waste your time with things like an intake and headers + downpipe that is just going to be replaced when/if you turbo it anyways. I suppose you could buy a catback if you really wanted something to start with.
 
1. Maintenance. (New T-belt, tensioner, tensioner pulley. Spark plug, plug wires. NGK works best. Gapped at .48 worked for my N/T nicely.)
2. Intake.
3. Exhaust. Cat back.(depending on how quick your going to go turbo, 2.5inch if youre not gonna turbo for awhile, 3inch if its going to be soon)Long tube equal length headers,{Because Headers comes to mind more than header.} if no turbo for a while. Might as well port the exhaust outlets.
4. Delete A/C, and cruise control.
5. Bolt on Intake manifold with a bigger throttle body. Might as well port that also.
6. Engine management software.
7. MSD Ignition set up.
8. Head work. Bigger cams, stronger springs, 1mm over valves, ti-valves, better retainers.

Im no 420a expert, but thats what Id start with. But really, after you do all that money spent, you could own a Turbo DSM, and the 420a ...
 
It has headers already and the guy I got if from said it has a cam and new valves but I think that I'm start by pulling the head off and just checking the motor out . if the piston and rods aregood and the valves and springs are good then Im put it all back together. then start with a new computer and exhaust. with the turbo kit. what would be the best stuff for this part of the project.
 
Maintenance first for sure, id say just intake and exhaust. Then some suspension and wheels and your set. Your not going to have a drag car inless you spend some serious cash, sorry to say it but its the truth.
 
It has headers already and the guy I got if from said it has a cam and new valves but I think that I'm start by pulling the head off and just checking the motor out . if the piston and rods are good and the valves and springs are good then Im put it all back together. then start with a new computer and exhaust. with the turbo kit. what would be the best stuff for this part of the project.

...Its cammed without any tuning? Does it lope at idle?
You cant just take the motor apart, and just put everything back on.
There are easier ways to check the motor out...
If the valves were bad, I dont think it would run right...at all...

1. Drain out the oil. Look for metal flakes. You can drop the oil pan if you really wanna look. You may have to disconnect the downpipe to get it out.
2. Remove the V/C. There, you can check for scoring on the cams, and check out the springs and valve stems.
3. Tests. Compression test, and leak down test. Use the search to find out how to perform these tests.

For the turbo, you can go cheap, or expensive. Basically eBay, or name brand. If you go eBay, expect to have some fitment issues, and you might as well sell the turbo right when it gets there, and get a good one. Just dont throw some big turbo on it like Honda kids.

You need to do some reading on what you need to do to turbo the 420a safely. Im sure theres plenty walk-throughs of how to do it.
 
I don't understand why people keep saying "headers" when our car only uses 1 header.

Anyway.

Best mod for your car?

Do all maintenance on your car. This includes, but is not limited to
-Complete Timing Belt Job
-Water pump (part of T-Belt job)
-Tune up
*Spark Plugs / Wires
*Oil Change
-Address any other issue's with the car.

Once done, simply drive it, and enjoy the MPG's. If you want performance, save up and get yourself a 4G63 powered car and make a project of it while you have a reliable daily driver.

Also, please please pleaseeeee. Do not put a exhaust on a 420a, unless you go for the mile stone and turbo it. It sounds horrible. Unless you like the Honda N/A sound.

This is coming from a 420a owner. If you purchased that car based on making it a performance car. You purchased the wrong platform. Dollar for dollar you get way more bang for your buck with a turbo model.

Good luck!
 
I don't understand why people keep saying "headers" when our car only uses 1 header.

Anyway.

Best mod for your car?

Do all maintenance on your car. This includes, but is not limited to
-Complete Timing Belt Job
-Water pump (part of T-Belt job)
-Tune up
*Spark Plugs / Wires
*Oil Change
-Address any other issue's with the car.

Once done, simply drive it, and enjoy the MPG's. If you want performance, save up and get yourself a 4G63 powered car and make a project of it while you have a reliable daily driver.

Also, please please pleaseeeee. Do not put a exhaust on a 420a, unless you go for the mile stone and turbo it. It sounds horrible. Unless you like the Honda N/A sound.

This is coming from a 420a owner. If you purchased that car based on making it a performance car. You purchased the wrong platform. Dollar for dollar you get way more bang for your buck with a turbo model.

Good luck!

Obviously you haven't heard a built 420a n/a with exhaust. My car is far from how a Honda sounds with a big lope at idle.

The op has no clue of what he's getting into and he has no real goal. Which has been asked. He should do more research on his own because it's not that hard to figure out what's quality and what's not.
 
Because they only have bolt ons and nothing done internally. You can find lots of videos on you tube with cammed 420a's with exhaust that sound nothing like a Honda. I have higher compression and a built head so there's a big difference.
 
I used to have a 420a eclipse with stock exhaust and a magnaflow muffler and it sounded great, nice and deep with a good growl. Now, I do agree straight piped would sound horrible, but a 420a still doesn't sound nearly as bad as a Honda.
 
i think the OP already said he would stick with his 420a engine, so saying its the wrong platform and get a 4g63t is kapoot. let him do what he wants. if he wants to make power wth an N/a 420a, let him, if he wants to turbo the car eventually, then thats fine too. were just here making suggestions for him. and regrading the exhaust, different cars differ on the sound, plus if its making him HP, thats what he wants, then id go for it. just my .02 cents
 
Yeah jof_03 your right but you don't want to be the guy running 16 seconds in the 1/4 mile either. If he thinks you can just bolt a turbo on and run fast times it's not even close to easy. There are so many parts he will need it's crazy. That's why I wanted to know his budget and power goals which he hasn't answered.
 
I'm shot for 400+hp. and there is unlimited money LOL. I have a iroc z already that runs in the low 10s and a super bee that's in the 8s but never did a dsm. so yea skys the limit.
 
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications MyMitsubishiStore.com RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top