Daily Driver Mods, Opinions Wanted!

[Iodes]

After browsing these forums for awhile, I decided I don't want to turbo my GS, mostly because of the cost of a kit and because I don't have anything else to drive while it would be being worked on. If I turbo'd it, I'd want to build the block too, upgrade cams and pistons and whatnot, and even then I was thinking of just starting from scratch and doing something completely custom but that would be a really long project.

Yet, I really like my car the way it is, although it would be nice to have just a smidgen more power. I read this article over at Summit Racing and was wondering if doing their suggested upgrades would actually be a smart thing to do... or if it would make me a ricer. I don't want my car to be labeled as rice

How to Improve Fuel Mileage - SummitRacing.com

I was already looking up cold air intakes beforehand, and they are not expensive so I'd like to get one. I was going to get a new battery because mine is actually borrowed from my fiance's truck, I hear an Optima red top works nicely (I'd need it to power a sound system, ne?). I have new fuel injectors and am going to get a new stainless steel fuel rail, (or it might be anodized aluminum? eBay description doesn't say), and I'd like to get a cat-back exhaust system since I hear good things about them. I also want new headers if I get new exhaust, but which are better- stainless steel or ceramic? Lastly I'd like to get fog lights; I'm under the impression they came stock on my vehicle but the guy I bought it from must have removed them, so if someone can link me to a site that sells them that would be great (no parts cars in the area at the moment...)

What I really want to know is if getting these upgrades would be a big waste of time and money since they'd just be going on a daily driver. Once I have my dream garage full of cars, though, I'd like to turn my Eclipse into a show car or even a track racer (or a rally car? Has anyone rallied an Eclipse? )

Should I hold off on anything aftermarket until that point in time? Are there other, better suggestions you have for me? I think any little improvement from bone stock would be nice.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Back when I had my gs I did all the mods you mentioned and more. It made almost no difference in the way my car performed. If I had do it all over again the only things I would have done is rims, lowering springs and a aftermarket muffler. Unless you are planning on going all out in building your 420a just keep your car looking good and drive it. Your money would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Silver99OZ]

Im going to be straight up with you. Yes, it would be a waste of money. I have done everything that you are looking to do and the performance gains are so minimal that you will not feel them. Since your car is only your daily driver it would be best to just keep the engine stock. If I was in your shoes the only thing I would do to the engine is get a K&N drop in filter.

 

[Syko]

I agree with the others. When i had my rs all i did was rims and muffler. The amount you will spend on anything else wont equal the amount of power youd like.

 

[TCtitan]

i would just keep it stock and clean other than the K&N. all of the other stuff will be uncalled for.

 

[1G9S9T7]

Try an ecu out of an avenger with the same engine. I had a friend do it and it seemed to help it out..

 

[TheFallenJosh]

I'm with Jmonet1620 just do the lowering springs, rims, and after market exhaust (well a cold air intake as well). Thats all I did to my RS, everything else is just a waste of money. All our poor 420as are good for is driving slow while looking like our much cooler brother. I just use mine to get parts for my GS-T's now. I'm not trying to be like everyone else on here and say sell it and get a turbo one, but I do believe if you want any power thats the best thing to do. So take that money for those upgrades and put it towards getting yourself a nice turbo Eclipse. I did that and I can't go back.

 

[kccombs]

I once had a 95 gs. As much as i loved it becuase it was a dsm. I did the mods. Cold aid, header back exhaust, rim, lowering springs, and never really saw much of a dif with each engine mod. Only sound wise since i had a shop in cali put on dual exhaust. Now talk about a pretty penny. Id say just like everybody else does. Keep it stock. And take care of it. Keep it looking good. And when you have the extra money get you a turbo dsm. And then make the turbo break your pocket. Your feel big differences rather than a non turbo.

 

[Iodes]

So a cold air intake is what I need? I'm apprehensive to lower my car because I currently live up a rocky gravel driveway, but I've thought about it. And new exhaust is ok to get if I decide to go turbo in the future? I wouldn't need to replace it all I hope.

I'd still like to know whether stainless steel or ceramic headers are preferred

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Both a CAI and a HEADER (not headers, there is only one) will need to be replaced if you decide to turbo your car down the road. Also go with the ceramic coated header to help with under hood temps. I just want to say one more time before I leave this thread for good. Don't expect much of a gain at all by modding that 420a. I've been there done that and it was a waste of money. Just trying to keep you from doing the same.

 

[gusu]

So a cold air intake is what I need? I'm apprehensive to lower my car because I currently live up a rocky gravel driveway, but I've thought about it. And new exhaust is ok to get if I decide to go turbo in the future? I wouldn't need to replace it all I hope.

I'd still like to know whether stainless steel or ceramic headers are preferred

Just like everyone else said, even if you did A LOT of NT mods you'd see almost no real difference. The big things to do are nitrous or turbo, which I wouldn't recommend if you only have one car you can drive every day. Nitrous, isn't as bad because you can choose to not run it. But with running nitrous you also run additional risk of breaking things.

You'd be lucky to see more than 1hp from a intake. A few of my friend's work at a local tuning shop and they tested the hp difference between stock, cold air, and ram air. If there was a gain on almost all of the cars it was very little. The biggest gain was a very very large dual ram air intake set up for a mustang and removing the restrictive air box made an extra 7whp. Which is very impressive, but ram air is a minor version of forced induction.

If you are going to do a intake, buy the cheapest one for sale on ebay because all you are going to gain is sound.

 

[Iodes]

I'm used to saying headers plural because of the V8 in my Mustang... gotta break that habit.

What does a cold air intake even sound like? I've never had a vehicle with one and I don't think I've even rode in a car that had one. If I had to get a new one because of a turbo kit, would I be able to craigslist it; a new filter and it'd work fine for a new owner? I like things that have resale value.

Should I do anything with suspension? I see that some people have AWD swaps; how do you even do that?

 

[91stocker]

Dont waste your time and $$.

Mitsubishi Eclipse RS - Report - Import Tuner Magazine

If you must just buy your muffler of choice for the sound your looking for.

 

[kccombs]

I'm used to saying headers plural because of the V8 in my Mustang... gotta break that habit.

What does a cold air intake even sound like? I've never had a vehicle with one and I don't think I've even rode in a car that had one. If I had to get a new one because of a turbo kit, would I be able to craigslist it; a new filter and it'd work fine for a new owner? I like things that have resale value.

Should I do anything with suspension? I see that some people have AWD swaps; how do you even do that?

Well a cold air you can hear more air rushing in so it makes it seem like it adds alot which ot really doesnt. And you can sale anything just about on craigslist. But if you did get a cold air and then later on went with turbo you can also still use that cold air piping and use it to your advantage for when you need extra bent peices for doing your intercooler piping.

 

[jcart953]

After browsing these forums for awhile, I decided I don't want to turbo my GS, mostly because of the cost of a kit and because I don't have anything else to drive while it would be being worked on. If I turbo'd it, I'd want to build the block too, upgrade cams and pistons and whatnot, and even then I was thinking of just starting from scratch and doing something completely custom but that would be a really long project.

I hear you, that's the same problem with me I decided to hold off on the turbo for a while till I finish school and land a good job. Plus in the meantime it gives me plenty of opportunity to learn more about my car doing maintenance, troubleshooting etc.

Yet, I really like my car the way it is, although it would be nice to have just a smidgen more power. I read this article over at Summit Racing and was wondering if doing their suggested upgrades would actually be a smart thing to do... or if it would make me a ricer. I don't want my car to be labeled as rice

Most of that article seems to be talking about doing preventive/routine maintenance i.e. air/fuel filter replacement, fuel system cleaning, changing spark plugs and wires etc etc. Nothing wrong with doing that stuff. Those stuff might actually give a smidgen more power back to factory specs provided they were inefficient in the first place.

As far as headers, cat-back exhaust etc. Thats a personal choice and if you want to get it then that's YOUR choice. Just realize what your getting yourself into and that it will only be given you a smidgen more power (refer to import tuner article above) and if you turbo later on down the line most of that exhaust stuff will be useless.

I was already looking up cold air intakes beforehand, and they are not expensive so I'd like to get one.

I custom made mine, it was cheap easy and fun

I was going to get a new battery because mine is actually borrowed from my fiance's truck, I hear an Optima red top works nicely (I'd need it to power a sound system, ne?).

In my opinion doesn't matter get whats required for you vehicle. More then likely if you have a big system then a capacitor or fuse cell will be needed so no worries on under hood battery because the above two items will power your system.

I have new fuel injectors and am going to get a new stainless steel fuel rail, (or it might be anodized aluminum? eBay description doesn't say),

Eh, if the old ones arent bad might be waste of money

and I'd like to get a cat-back exhaust system since I hear good things about them.

Personal choice but remember you will not get much hp

I also want new headers if I get new exhaust, but which are better- stainless steel or ceramic?

Provided both headers are of the same design; ceramic headers will be better because they help reduce under-hood temps but might be more expensive.

Lastly I'd like to get fog lights; I'm under the impression they came stock on my vehicle but the guy I bought it from must have removed them, so if someone can link me to a site that sells them that would be great (no parts cars in the area at the moment...)

Try ebay :97 98 99 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE R/H FOG LIGHT RS GS GST GSX | eBay double check with seller and always use safe measures to buy items i.e paypal etc.

What I really want to know is if getting these upgrades would be a big waste of time and money since they'd just be going on a daily driver.

Depends on your goals. Most people will tell you the exhaust stuff is a waste of your money but eh its your money. Just know what your getting into with what ever you do and dont expect crazy horsepower from those mods. If you understand this and still want to do the above things then its YOUR CHOICE!

Once I have my dream garage full of cars, though, I'd like to turn my Eclipse into a show car or even a track racer (or a rally car? Has anyone rallied an Eclipse? )

Show car would be nice but track car you have a long way to go

Should I hold off on anything aftermarket until that point in time? Are there other, better suggestions you have for me?

If there's a definite possibility of track then yea for 2 reasons:

1) Each competitive event has different requirements and restrictions
2) You'll realize the car really isnt competitive non-turbo

I think any little improvement from bone stock would be nice.

Personal choice, just decide on what you actually want to do first then make goals and plans to achieve your objective.

Good Luck

 

[Rob10_99]

Don't go huge with exhaust size, save for end muffler. It will save the torque for your DDness. And unless you can weld in new engine mounts and get a jdm 4g, don't dump any more cash into this car. Save it and get another with 4g platform already.

How many fast srt4's do you see? How many srt4's with 100k+ miles do you see? pattern?

 

[jcart953]

Don't go huge with exhaust size, save for end muffler. It will save the torque for your DDness.

I hope your not saying a muffler will give you low end torque?

And unless you can weld in new engine mounts and get a jdm 4g,

What does this have to do with anything?

Save it and get another with 4g platform already.

......

How many fast srt4's do you see? How many srt4's with 100k+ miles do you see? pattern?

More gibberish... whats the purpose of this comment?

 

[91stocker]

I hope your not saying a muffler will give you low end torque?

He clearly said that keeping the exhaust size reasonable will keep low end and he recommends just going with a muffler.

What does this have to do with anything?

I believe hes saying the 420a is garbage(which it is) and that the op should save their money and leave the car alone. Which they should

If you read my link in post #13 you will see that $1200 in bolt ons gain 4hp on the 420a. Yep just 4.

My advise would be to leave the car alone and drive it. Maybe add a muffler for sound if you must. Save the cash because no bolt on mod will gain any power or make any difference in fuel economy.

 

[jcart953]

He clearly said that keeping the exhaust size reasonable will keep low end and he recommends just going with a muffler.

That was not clear but w/e.

I believe hes saying the 420a is garbage(which it is) and that the op should save their money and leave the car alone. Which they should

Not arguing there but still telling someone to sell there car is unneeded. Especially since he doesn't even really want turbo which means hes not looking for major power. All he wants is a better better DD. Hence the SRT comment is unneeded.

If you read my link in post #13 you will see that $1200 in bolt ons gain 4hp on the 420a. Yep just 4.

Actually I did and I personally quoted that article several times before. However maybe if YOU read my above posts you would clearly see I reference that article once again.

Save the cash because no bolt on mod will gain any power

Wrong didn't you read your own article it makes 4.2hp

or make any difference in fuel economy.

Never said that so ugh yea....

 

[91stocker]

That was not clear but w/e.

Maybe not for some

Not arguing there but still telling someone to sell there car is unneeded. Especially since he doesn't even really want turbo which means hes not looking for major power. All he wants is a better better DD. Hence the SRT comment is unneeded.

No one said sell it. Everyone seems to agree to keep the car as a dd and purchase a 4g car for mods.

Actually I did and I personally quoted that article several times before. However maybe if YOU read my above posts you would clearly see I reference that article once again.

Sorry i did miss that. But just before that your were advising to purchase a ceramic header to lower engine bay temps

Wrong didn't you read your own article it makes 4hp

Lol, tell me you can feel a 4hp difference. Dynos are given a +/-5 margin of error anyway so possibly lost 1hp haha.

 

[Leonthefaded]

I would hold off on anything aftermarket and keep it as stock as possible. There are o many other faster and better car out there.

 

[jcart953]

Sorry i did miss that. But just before that your were advising to purchase a ceramic header to lower engine bay temps

Wow I see your just trying to be argumentative and ignorant of the ops question because you aren't clearly reading everything. The OP ask the question twice refer to post 1 & 9.

I know you dont like reading so I'll quote it for you:

I'd still like to know whether stainless steel or ceramic headers are preferred

I decided to answer his question!!

Lol, tell me you can feel a 4hp difference.

Never said that I could. Nor did I say he would feel this difference.

 

[Iodes]

No need for arguments, guys. Yamete kudasai

The link to the Import Tuner article is interesting, especially since it shows how much torque they gained from those few mods. 4.2 hp is dismal. But I'm just going to stick with a CAI (as you so abbreviate it) and probably leave it at that until I have more money to transform my car into something awesome. I just don't know what it should be, or what it *could* be.

How's the mileage on those turbo models anyway? I just *might* start looking for a GSX if they average what my car gets which is 23-25ish mpg. But then, I like Subarus, and those are AWD too Not to mention I read the thread about misfires and it seems like everyone suffers from boost leaks and/or ignition troubles. My GS doesn't have those problems, ner ner ner

But seriously I wouldn't mind a '99 GSX...

Thanks for all your input. Now I don't really have anything left to find out about at the moment, except what could be wrong with my fuel system, but I posted that here: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/hangout/93131-post-your-sputter-mis-fire-buck-stutter-etc-7.html#post152812831
With this issue I don't want to drive my car anywhere... so she sits

Also jcart, thanks for the eBay link, but I have a 95 and those are for 97+. I don't think they will fit correctly. But these are for a 95, do they look right? They say OEM replacement...
Halo Clear Projector Fog lights Lamps Kit 3" + Switch | eBay

 

[jcart953]

Halo Clear Projector Fog lights Lamps Kit 3" + Switch | eBay

Those say universal and may need some modification to fit right.

 

[Fotowntalon]

Skipped most of the BS posts, so much general hazing. But if you want extra pep out of your car, best to do a AFX ECU(if you dont have to worry about emissions), some crower cams, exhaust and and SRI (probably ebay exhaust(2 1/2") and SRI with a nice filter) will give you a nice peppy 420a DD for a decent budget. If you are replacing your battery get an odyssey PC680, really nice light weight battery, at our power levels, our cars love weight shavings. Don't expect to be running real fast will you notice a nice difference above 4k rpm.