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Echosyp

Proven Member
130
47
Oct 31, 2019
Clanton, Alabama
Let’s start, I’ve owned my car long enough.

Going to start from the beginning and anyone who reads the entire post I really appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.

WARNING: Possibly some personal story stuff included that you possibly don’t care about. But I’m probably gonna tell it anyways.

Current Budget: $1000 - $2200 ($1000 for sure, could sell my gaming computer very easily for $1200 to make my budget $2200)

May 2001 I graduated high school, mom and dad bought me a 1995 Nissan 240sx SE as a graduation gift. I had to get a job and pay them back for the car and pay for the insurance on the car, or they was going to sell it. Looking back I really appreciate them making me pay them back instead of just giving me the car.

Fast and Furious came out and like most other teens we thought we had race cars, we left the movie theater sideways and went and bought those huge aluminum wings and huge fart cans for our stock car. My buddy even had one on his 90s model dodge stratus with spinner hubcaps. Man if I could go back to the teen years.

After about a year of working and dad seeing I kept my promise and paid them back for the Nissan, October 2002 he took me to the dealership and co-signed with me for any car I wanted. I got a 2003 Eclipse GS. Wanted a silver one and of course dealership tried to talk me into another color because they didn’t have silver. He finally asked if he had me a silver one first thing next morning I was sure I’d buy it. I brought home a silver one with 24 miles on it. I kept the Nissan to drive to work and used the Eclipse as my weekend cruising car. I put 3000 miles the first month and washed it like 4 times a day.

i started hanging out in town where we cruised the strip and everyone wanted to race. I got a bone stock GS with what? 140hp? Hell yea I’ll race let’s go. After a few years racing I ended up putting an AEM Cold Air Intake (yes AEM, Injen, and the other companies called them cold air intakes, I get laughed at now when I call them cold air intakes, everyone says they are intakes, not cold air. Yet on Injen site they still call them cold air intakes.) i also put a ZEX nitrous kit and a B&M short throw shifter in it. I also had a set of purple street glow under glow kit on it. Had an in dash dvd player with a screen that sit on top of my dash. Yea I was the cool kid in the parking lot that didn’t go very fast.

I met my current wife in town one night as she thought I was “cool” because I had a nice car. So we would hang out in the parking lot of our local parts store and everyone would hang out around their cars talking and my gf would be sitting in the passenger side of my car thinking she’s queen bi*** of the parking lot for being with the guy who had a nice car and all the other guys girlfriends would be over talking to her. Man how dumb we was as teens, but I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. Well me and her just kinda quit talking and quit calling each other and just kinda moved on. (I got her back now, we been together 7 years now and married for 2, and she still thinks I’m cool LOL)

Anyways,

I ended up burning the clutch out of the eclipse and having no mechanical experience, I traded it to my ex’s cousin for his 1997 S-10 Blazer with some 24s on it and lowered. I didn’t know at the time but my ex was cheating on me and went to see her boyfriend one day and totaled out the blazer. Got it towed back to her parents house and her dad took it to the scrap yard the next day and I haven’t spoke to or seen her since.

After that I quit the car scene and ended up with a 1997 Cadillac STS that got 9 miles a gallon, sold it and bought a 1997 GMC Sonoma from my cousin to get back and forth to work. My old gf now my wife added me on FB and we started talking and yay we are married now.

Alright, now down to where I’m at now. Sorry for the long boring life story.

Last year I traded a gun I bought from a local pawn shop to a guy at work for his 1996 mustang V6 as I had sold the Sonoma and bought my wife an expedition that had a heater and AC as all she had was a 1996 Jeep with no AC, no heater and leaked more water and oil than I could pour in it. Yet we took it on several trips to the beach and to Georgia to see her mom.

I had a wild dream one night and when I woke up I was like damn I want a 2G turbo charged eclipse. So I sold the mustang, borrowed some money from my boss and got on Facebook and started searching. Found a 1997 GST (notice how most of my cars have been 96 or 97 models) it was 5 1/2 hours away. I had no car and I needed one to get back to work that Monday. So I told the wife to go to bed early we driving 5 1/2 hours to get a car. We woke up at 2:30 that next morning and drove. Only into I had on the car was a handful of pics posted on FB and he said he would trust it to drive back home 5 1/2 hours, so I took the bait and bought it. Ended up being a great car, made the drive back home and had 0 issues.

so it’s sitting outside work here, I’ve had it since Nov last year and I’m ready to have another "cool car" that the wife can sit in the passenger seat of and be that 18 year old she once was. As we can no longer "cruise the strip” or sit in the parts store parking lot and talk like we use to, there is still a few Honda’s and mustangs riding around waiting on someone to ask them if they wanna hit up the old water tower road again to see what we got.

I got $1000 cash coming August 1st and if I really want I got my gaming computer, as I’m a huge gamer nerd, that I can put up on FB right now for $1200 and have ppl rip my arm off wanting. So $1000 for sure and $2200 possibly. I have my car profile attached to my profile with a list of mods the other guy put on it.

I asked before what parts should I get next and was told "DSMLink, injectors, fuel pump, new turbo, new clutch" in that order.

I also have IAT and MAP sensor installed on the car but NOT wired up.

if I get DSMLink first, what size injectors should I go with? And do I get fuel pump also before I install injectors?

I’m not super mechanically smart, but I can do some stuff thanks to this site and YouTube videos. But I’m learning.

Really appreciate you guys here and can’t wait to start on my car, as my son (my wife’s cousins baby that we adopted because she was a meth head and we’ve had him since we was 6 months old) is 6 years old now and I’m going to have him help me work on it.
 
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Dude, wow. This is why I prefer and love longer posts, because this way you can get a better idea of the person and his situation. It was fun to read, especially that part where your wife was sitting in the pass seat feeling all cool like :cool::p.

Honestly here's what I think. I'm also a huge gamer nerd with a respectable desktop. I wouldn't sell your PC right now, don't sacrifice one hobby for the other. When you're outside, you use the car. When you're at home, you use the PC. I mean yeah that 1k would come in nicely for some extra parts for the car, but at the end of the day you'd still want more parts and you'd still want a PC again.

I think you can get a lot of stuff for the 1k you've got coming in soon. The car looks to have some okay mods already, and looks to be in great condition externally. I would look for a genuine 16G for a fair price. The stock pump and injectors will be fine for it especially when untuned. Later you can invest in a wideband O2 + ECMlink and Eprom ecu so you can start taking advantage of the parts you've got. And you can recuperate some of the cash by selling your old ecu and T25 as well as pump and injectors. At some point you'd need to get some better intake piping and a medium sized FMIC too.

I would only swap to a bigger pump if you start running 600cc+ injectors. Maybe a pump from an EVO 9 or a Wally 255, standard choices. If you're frugal and you shop around, you can find some decent-condition used parts for really good prices. At least that's how I'm doing things.

Good luck and thanks for sharing!
 
First I want to say that I enjoyed reading your entire post. Not many people here get personal and I rather enjoy listening to my fellow car enthusiasts and get to know them better. I'm 17 and I recently bought my first DSM (and first car) back in January. It was just a rust free roller so I've redone just about everything and it is almost driveable (funds are a little short). Going off of what Kryndon was saying, I wouldn't sacrifice a hobbie for an other. 1000 bones can buy some nice mods and it would be better to slowly modify it rather then dump a ton of cash into it. First thing before modifying a DSM is making sure it runs like a top. DSM's get a bad rep because they are unreliable but most of that is the fault of the owner. From what I can tell, your eclipse seems to run perfectly fine. I also own a 1997 Eclipse gs-t so I already have an idea for beginning modifications. Just a quick side note, DSM went thru a lower ball joint recall so make sure your eclipse has been fixed by mitsubishi or have it addressed if not. Power doesn't do you any good when your car is slammed on the ground. So now to mods. For fueling I would go with a Walbro 255 (like 80 bucks) or an stm fuel pump rewire kite (like 30 bucks) or just do both of them. Stock injectors will do and you won't have to get an ecu flash or anything pricey like that. For the main power, I would buy a 16g turbo (stock is a t-25) it will bolt up easily and I would throw in a good boost gauge as well. I personally don't like the stock side mount intercooler so I would buy a fmi, but it can be pricey so that is up to you. A boost gauge at the least would be a smart idea. I would then spend a good chunk of your budget to just do general maintenance. Stuff like plugs, belts, timing belt, coils ect will cooperate with the power upgrade only if they are functioning. I think that will be plenty. Drive that car like that and make sure it still is mechanically sound. Then I would highly recommend a ECMlink and ECM ecu so the car can be tuned. Once you get there you can add more modifications. Good luck on your DSM!! If you have any questions feel free to dm me or post something in the discussion threads. We are more than willing to help a fellow DSMer out.
 
First I want to say that I enjoyed reading your entire post. Not many people here get personal and I rather enjoy listening to my fellow car enthusiasts and get to know them better. I'm 17 and I recently bought my first DSM (and first car) back in January. It was just a rust free roller so I've redone just about everything and it is almost driveable (funds are a little short). Going off of what Kryndon was saying, I wouldn't sacrifice a hobbie for an other. 1000 bones can buy some nice mods and it would be better to slowly modify it rather then dump a ton of cash into it. First thing before modifying a DSM is making sure it runs like a top. DSM's get a bad rep because they are unreliable but most of that is the fault of the owner. From what I can tell, your eclipse seems to run perfectly fine. I also own a 1997 Eclipse gs-t so I already have an idea for beginning modifications. Just a quick side note, DSM went thru a lower ball joint recall so make sure your eclipse has been fixed by mitsubishi or have it addressed if not. Power doesn't do you any good when your car is slammed on the ground. So now to mods. For fueling I would go with a Walbro 255 (like 80 bucks) or an stm fuel pump rewire kite (like 30 bucks) or just do both of them. Stock injectors will do and you won't have to get an ecu flash or anything pricey like that. For the main power, I would buy a 16g turbo (stock is a t-25) it will bolt up easily and I would throw in a good boost gauge as well. I personally don't like the stock side mount intercooler so I would buy a fmi, but it can be pricey so that is up to you. A boost gauge at the least would be a smart idea. I would then spend a good chunk of your budget to just do general maintenance. Stuff like plugs, belts, timing belt, coils ect will cooperate with the power upgrade only if they are functioning. I think that will be plenty. Drive that car like that and make sure it still is mechanically sound. Then I would highly recommend a ECMlink and ECM ecu so the car can be tuned. Once you get there you can add more modifications. Good luck on your DSM!! If you have any questions feel free to dm me or post something in the discussion threads. We are more than willing to help a fellow DSMer out.

Its got
Stock Turbo
Mishimoto Intercooler
Greddy Type S BOV
Forced Performance DSM Race Manifold
Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams
Megan Racing Cat-Back System
HBC Manual Boost Controller
AEM Boost Gauge
AEM AFR Gauge
Eibach Springs
KYB AGX Struts
Goodridge Brake Lines
All belts, plugs, and wires are brand new.

So I was kinda looking at where to go from there. And as someone before mentioned ECMLink with injectors, pump, turbo, clutch. Quite a few others recommended the same in that order. What size injectors would I go?
 
Its got
Stock Turbo
Mishimoto Intercooler
Greddy Type S BOV
Forced Performance DSM Race Manifold
Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams
Megan Racing Cat-Back System
HBC Manual Boost Controller
AEM Boost Gauge
AEM AFR Gauge
Eibach Springs
KYB AGX Struts
Goodridge Brake Lines
All belts, plugs, and wires are brand new.

So I was kinda looking at where to go from there. And as someone before mentioned ECMLink with injectors, pump, turbo, clutch. Quite a few others recommended the same in that order. What size injectors would I go?

I'm not sure what injectors to run. I would think 660-770 would be okay...
 
Its got
Stock Turbo
Mishimoto Intercooler
Greddy Type S BOV
Forced Performance DSM Race Manifold
Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams
Megan Racing Cat-Back System
HBC Manual Boost Controller
AEM Boost Gauge
AEM AFR Gauge
Eibach Springs
KYB AGX Struts
Goodridge Brake Lines
All belts, plugs, and wires are brand new.

So I was kinda looking at where to go from there. And as someone before mentioned ECMLink with injectors, pump, turbo, clutch. Quite a few others recommended the same in that order. What size injectors would I go?

The biggest ones you can afford so you don't upgrade twice.

Preferably something in high-z
 
ECMlink, 850 cc injectors, small 16g or something comparable, Walbro 255 rewired, AFPR setup ect will get you to around 350 375HP on pump gas and if you get lucky and find everything in a partout will run you about $1500 if you do the work yourself.. What is you ultimate endgoal, that is the question you need to answer as going fast isn't cheap if done correctly.
 
I had a similar situation when it comes to money when I got mine. I would say get 1200s if you ever plan on going e85 you will max out 600s quick. as for pump a 255 is good. I would say do clutch 1st as its likely stock clutch. As for turbo 16g would be good if you have the budget but I would prioritize everything else 1st. gives you less of a chance of blowing it up. you got a good start through!
 
What read!.
This is what I can add to the already good suggestions, and points: Make a goal list.
What are your goals for the car? What do you want out of it? $1,000 can be blown on stuff you may need to replace in the future.
It's better to spend the money once and not have to worry about it later. You can waste so, so, so, much money always upgrading your "upgraded parts".
Without a goal for the car you're dumping your money blindly.
Link: Such a useful tool that is great in the hands that know how to use it. But in the wrong hands things can go VERY wrong.
Injectors: if you plan to go e85 bigger injectors are necessary. There are plenty of injector calculators that tell you what size you would need for your power goals with a specific fuel. You never want to use more than 90% duty cycle. (It could be lower)
Fuel pump: 255 is very common. But if you do go e85 it would be better to do a 320lph at least. I've ran 255lph with e85 no problem but a 320lph is much much better (think of duty cycle for injectors)
The thing is you will need a FPR with the combination of larger injectors and the 320 fp.
Once you have that decided, you can decide on the type of turbo you want to get for your power goal and supporting mods.
I put the turbo at the end because it's usually the part thats constantly changed.
Either way there's a great post about power.
Its based off a 1g. But you'll get the point.

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/basic-horsepower-upgrades-1g-4g63t.476796/
 
Really appreciate all the answers. As far as goals for the car, I don’t really have one set in stone at the moment. Most likely will stay my daily driver and stay on pump gas. So with that said, I’m thinking ECMLink, 900cc injectors, 255 pump rewired, 16g, Injen intake, or FP intake, go ahead and wire my IAT and MAP sensors for speed density, and clutch.

Also, not sure where previous owner plugged up the boost and wideband gauge, but the AEM and factory gauge both work. And the Air Fuel gauge sits at 14.8 no matter what. BUT the flex pipe is torn loose so the exhaust just comes out the front of the car, So I’m thinking the air fuel gauge doesn’t work because of that.
 
As stated above make some goals. Even if they are somewhat subjective it will help you establish a baseline. Daily driver you said....thats a goal.
Think about things objectively if possible.
Standard qtr mile numbers...0 to 60...lateral g....braking. don't forget that.
Subjectively. Ride quality...noise...comfort.....NVH (Google please).
I wrote this years ago. I think it's still true.
https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/project-management-and-building-a-dsm.421705/
 
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I’m thinking ECMLink, 900cc injectors, 255 pump rewired, 16g, Injen intake, or FP intake, go ahead and wire my IAT and MAP sensors for speed density, and clutch.

All of your upgrades could cost much more than $1000... probably triple that much! Don't forget a good fuel pressure regulator setup. And that factory boost gauge is worthless, it's not a true measure of boost psi. Get an aftermarket one. A new one, not a used one. Get a good blow off valve and a manual boost controller. Get a front mount intercooler. Leave room in the budget for things like fuel lines, turbo oil lines, gaskets, new injector seals, vacuum lines, silicone couplings, t-bolt clamps, boost leak tester, thermostat, etc.

Make sure your timing belt is in new condition. All the upgrades won't matter if your timing belt breaks and you have to rebuild the head.

I've already spent $2k upgrading mine and doing necessary maintenance, to a similar goal (daily with 350+ whp) and I already had the 16g turbo to begin with. Have fun. It will take some hours scouring the net for deals, ordering parts, installing and tuning them, but it will be a fun, great performing, go fast little car.
 
All of your upgrades could cost much more than $1000... probably triple that much! Don't forget a good fuel pressure regulator setup. And that factory boost gauge is worthless, it's not a true measure of boost psi. Get an aftermarket one. A new one, not a used one. Get a good blow off valve and a manual boost controller. Get a front mount intercooler. Leave room in the budget for things like fuel lines, turbo oil lines, gaskets, new injector seals, vacuum lines, silicone couplings, t-bolt clamps, boost leak tester, thermostat, etc.

Make sure your timing belt is in new condition. All the upgrades won't matter if your timing belt breaks and you have to rebuild the head.

I've already spent $2k upgrading mine and doing necessary maintenance, to a similar goal (daily with 350+ whp) and I already had the 16g turbo to begin with. Have fun. It will take some hours scouring the net for deals, ordering parts, installing and tuning them, but it will be a fun, great performing, go fast little car.

All belts plugs and wires are brand new, got a brand new AEM boost gauge, brand new hallman MBC, got a wideband also in it, has a mishimoto FMIC, Greddy type S bov. Also setup for speed density, just not wired up yet. And has a set of Brian crower cams in it.

The guy I got it from was doing it right, just his wife’s car messed up so he needed the money to fix it because of the kids they couldn’t all fit in the eclipse.

For all I know it may have DSMLink in it, as someone has moved the ecu from its original position, just might be missing the cable. I just been too lazy to get out there and look, as I don’t have a shop or garage, so all the work is done sitting in the dirt in my front yard. And it sits so low I can’t even get a hand under it hardly.

fuel pressure regulator, that’s something I haven’t heard anyone recommend yet, so I’ll look into it. Not saying I’m a complete idiot when it comes to vehicles, but I’ve never built one to the extent I plan on doing this one. So I’ve never had a reason to look into or understand a lot of this stuff.
 
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Ahh yes, I just saw your earlier post with all the current mods...looks like you already have some of the items I suggested....that's great! Is your car AWD? If not, you're in the same boat as me...FWD traction issues make the ideal hp goal around 350-380whp. And that is very attainable. And reasonably affordable too.

The fuel pressure regulator is important because the factory regulator won't reliably handle much more pressure than stock pump puts out. Get a Fuel Lab or Aeromotive, not a cheap Chinese one. With a liquid filled gauge, and mount it on the firewall if you can find room. That may prolong the life of the gauge.

I currently have a Chinese 16g turbo in my car, it seems to have been on there a long time before I bought it. Has some shaft free play but works for now. I'll be upgrading soon. Some people say the Chinese turbos have poor quality bearings and quality control issues, but some are ok for awhile. Keep an eye out for a non-Chinese used turbo on FB marketplace. They have some DSM groups with classifieds.
 
Ahh yes, I just saw your earlier post with all the current mods...looks like you already have some of the items I suggested....that's great! Is your car AWD? If not, you're in the same boat as me...FWD traction issues make the ideal hp goal around 350-380whp. And that is very attainable. And reasonably affordable too.

The fuel pressure regulator is important because the factory regulator won't reliably handle much more pressure than stock pump puts out. Get a Fuel Lab or Aeromotive, not a cheap Chinese one. With a liquid filled gauge, and mount it on the firewall if you can find room. That may prolong the life of the gauge.

I currently have a Chinese 16g turbo in my car, it seems to have been on there a long time before I bought it. Has some shaft free play but works for now. I'll be upgrading soon. Some people say the Chinese turbos have poor quality bearings and quality control issues, but some are ok for awhile. Keep an eye out for a non-Chinese used turbo on FB marketplace. They have some DSM groups with classifieds.

unfortunately it’s a FWD, but I’m still enjoying it. As I don’t really have any plans on taking it to a track.

Yea I’ve seen quite a few of the Chinese eBay turbos for pretty cheap on FB, and with any other hobby I’ve learned about Chinese eBay stuff so I never buy any of that. I’m in a few DSM FB groups but most of them are ppl just yelling and crying at each other over how much a car is worth.

And the fuel regulator I appreciate that, as I haven’t even thought or seen that mentioned so I’ll def add that to the list. And I’m not in no huge rush to buy everything right now, so I have time to slowly find parts and save up more money to get some more parts.
 
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