Decisions

[maxddr19]

I'm wanting to either buy a megan racing strut bar or a short ram intake. I already have a cold air intake. I don't know if i should keep what i have or try installing a new one. Im not very experienced with this kind of stuff but a good set of directions would help alot. I was either wanting to go with something that was super easy or kind of hard. Which do I need and don't need?
Here's some pictures.

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[AngelOfPassion]

Why get rid of the cold air for the RAM? Worried about water? It's an easy install you really don't need too much experience. Invite a friend over that knows a little about cars if you are really worried but it is really just 3 clamps and maybe one bolt.

As far as the strut bar goes I don't have any experience on those so maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Short RAM, unless you have some sort of great routing to external air or a box built is just going to suck in hot engine bay air. You can keep that CAI of yours, but think about investing in something such as a water bypass valve, just in case.

AEM Air Bypass Valve for Cold Air Intakes

As for Upgrades, check Here for a few helpful hints in your upgrade path.

 

[maxddr19]

Well I'll just keep what I have for now and stick with getting a strut bar. I'm pretty new to cars in general and I was wanting to tech myself or learn somehow to do things to my car. It's something I can't do but really want to learn. I don't know where to start though. Don't know if there's something out there that could help me learn. I have my dad but he doesn't know too much about cars.

 

[bryanwheat]

I would take the money that you are going to spend on that and spend it on maintenance and make sure that the car is reliable.

 

[maxddr19]

I already have and the only thing that was wrong was that one of the belts needed to be replaced. Which has been.

I have no idea where to start with maintenance. I'm new to cars and i want to learn how to do things like maintenance and mods.

 

[bryanwheat]

Timing belt, tensioner, water pump, lower control arms, fluids, brakes, and so on.

 

[96' Eclipse GS]

First and foremost is GET an "outer timing cover" for that timing belt!

 

[maxddr19]

Anything else?

 

[jmartinez1228]

You don't need a short ram intake. No sense in upgrading a part that has already been upgraded. But you definitely should pickup that aem bypass valve. If you run over a big puddle you have a chance of sucking up water through your intake and into your engine, causing it to hydrolock and you will end up looking for another motor.
Strut bars help but I wouldn't spend my money on that right now.

How many miles are on the car? Do you have service records of everything done? If you don't and have no idea then the first thing I would do is have the timing belt inspected and changed first before anything else, a water pump swap would be a good idea as well because you have to take the timing belt off to get to it anyways. Mods do nothing when you have a snapped timing belt. Since you don't know much this is something I would not recommend you do yourself.

If you are dead set on doing this stuff yourself then pickup a haynes repair manual (napa,autozone,pepboys) and go through it before you start hacking away.

PS. There is nothing cool about being able to see your timing belt spinning. Any real car junkie will tell you to get a cover on that ASAP and i mean ASAP. Like go find it right now. If you drive over some small rocks and kick one up into that area it could get jammed somewhere and snap your timing belt, jump a tooth which will cause valves to possible bend and you will not be a happy camper. Cover it up bro like a condom.

 

[maxddr19]

The belt has already been replaced. How do you install the bypass valve? Is it something hard to do?

 

[jmartinez1228]

The belt has already been replaced. How do you install the bypass valve? Is it something hard to do?

You said belts but didn't say timing belt. You probably changed the accessory belts which run your alternator, power steering pump, water pump and such. Those usually squeak when they go bad.

The bypass valve is easy to install. That coupler holding the two silver intake pipes would come off and the bypass valve goes there. Shouldn't have to cut any pipes since they are already cut.

 

[maxddr19]

How much should that cost to get replaced and which would be the best to get?

I also don't know which diameter I need to get.

 

[jmartinez1228]

Worse case $150-200 in parts (belt, water pump, tensioners) maybe less for your car.
The labor is where you get hit. That can be $200-400-500 depending on the shop.

Take off the coupler and measure the pipe from one side to another. Looks like 2 1/2" piping if I had to eyeball it. This part shouldnt cost much.

 

[maxddr19]

Hm. Well I'll see what my dad can do for now. When I get the money for all of that, I'll get it fixed.