2G Euro Eclipse 2G, need explaination regarding engine component, muffler and intake

[141Comet]

Hello, hope everyone is having a great day!

So basically, I have owned my Eclipse GS for aprox 3 months. It has been fun so far and I did all the required maintenence and more...

New spark plugs, new radiator hoses (namely silicone HPS ones, cuz why not), valve cover gasket, belts, termostat and other maintenence stuff like oil, transmission fluid etc...

Car is running very well, extremely fun to drive down a beautiful mountain pass... however I have one problem that irritates me... whenever I try to put in reverse, it never enters reverse smoothly, so I need multiple attempts before it enters nicely. And if I do it wrong... *grinding sounds*

However there is a little trick that I found out about: before you put your car in reverse, put it first in fourth gear and then in reverse. And for some reason it actually makes it easier to put in reverse... odd, very odd... what do you guys think? Is this something to be worried about or not?

Anyways... The main reason I am writing this is to ask if anyone can explain this one component on the intake pipe...

Here is a photo of the same engine bay I have...

(DISCLAIMER: The engine bay picture I provided is not my engine bay. My car is SILVER not RED...)

I have marked it with a circle, the component that I am wondering about...

It doesnt seem to be the MAF. One mechanic told me its a box for reserved air?

What does it actually do and is it really important?

Since I am planning to install my first engine mod which is a better intake, I would have to remove that box. Because I have to do everything custom, meaning new pipe, new maf housing, mushroom filtee whatever...

At first I thought of installing a K&N drop in filter. Because it seemed the easiest to do and it would not remove the factory pipe and that random box. But at the same time I dont trust K&N. I saw a video where their filters let in too much dust.

Or I could simply buy a pipe somewhere, which in return would remove that random box. And then install a mushroom filter or something?

What performance filter brand do you guys recommend? Or is K&N good?

And lastly... I did make a custom muffler for my car. I will provide a picture and I want you guys to tell me if its good for my car. The tip is 90mm in diamateter. Wonder if its too small? Or should I get a JapStyle one like HKS?

Whats best for performance?

So yeah,
Thank You in advance!

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[steve]

The black box is a resonator to reduce the noise from the intake. I had one on my Diamante and I removed it and capped the opening off. I didn't notice any difference either way.

I would stick with the existing filter box since it draws cool air in from the front of the car and get the K&N or another brand of filter. I'm not worried about some extra dirt, have you seen how much carbon gets recirculated by the EGR and PCV into the intake? The typical mushroom or cone filters usually draw in hot air from the engine bay which hurts performance. (like from right off the back of the radiator)

I don't see anything wrong with your exhaust. It looks stockish and not like the typical 4-5" tip you see on modified cars.

 

[141Comet]

I would stick with the existing filter box since it draws cool air in from the front of the car and get the K&N or another brand of filter

Yeah, I thought of the same thing. It seems to me that there a plenty more benefits thanks to the intake box. I made my choice: I will keep the filter box and pipe stock while adding a performance drop in filter.

I'm not worried about some extra dirt, have you seen how much carbon gets recirculated by the EGR and PCV into the intake?

That is actually a good point, the car is already doing damage to itself...

On my previous car I got rid of the EGR through the ECU. The car, to me at least, ran better than with the EGR On.
Would it be beneficial to get rid of the EGR on the Eclipse?

I am guessing the process of deleting the EGR on the eclipse is done by physically blocking it? Or does it need to be programmed too?

I don't see anything wrong with your exhaust. It looks stockish and not like the typical 4-5" tip you see on modified cars.

The stock muffler on my car was the usual giant muffler with 2 exhaust tips at the end. They were actually tiny...
The custom muffler I made is a straight through with one tip (as shown in the picture). I was only worried if the one I made would create too much back pressure... hoping it would be more free flowing. My worst nightmare would be if I made a downgrade by adding this new custom muffler :,)

Even though the muffler itself wont improve the car I think. Unless I remove the Catalytic Converter. Should I remove the Cat on my GS? Or do I just get a cheap high flow cat? Is it worth it?
(fun fact: where I live you can pass inspection no problem even if you remove the cat )

As you can see I have a problem with perfectionism. I want everything to work well!

But yeah, Thank You for Your reply!

 

[Kryndon]

(fun fact: where I live you can pass inspection no problem even if you remove the cat )

Bulgaria?

Steve is right, the black box is simply a resonator to further reduce intake noises which honestly come on, we all live for that sucking noise. But even if you removed it, you wouldn't notice a thing. If you have the parts and fabrication skills, you could use metal pipes instead of the stock rubber snorkel which would help somewhat. I've ran the K&N air filter in the stock box both on my old 2G GS and on my current turbo AWD. They are good as long as you inspect and clean it every other few months. Every 6 months I like to fully degrease and use the K&N oil on it; they are a serviceable filter which is why it can last so long.

As for your EGR, it's a long topic. I could get into detail how the EGR system could in fact help with reducing knock, but I could also argue how it dirties the intake tract with oil residue. You can make a plate and block it off completely, or insert a thin gasket between the valve and the IM. Leave the solenoids connected to the plugs so your CEL wont turn on (but you could also just let it trigger once and then reset the CEL with an OBD reader. It's a low priority code which means once you reset it, it wont come back on again).

In terms of the catalytic, especially if you're from one of these countries which simply don't give a flying f*** about emissions, remove it BUT KEEP IT SAFE AND SOUND! Put a resonator in its place OR if you're leaving the stock 2" system altogether, just put a test pipe without a resonator. You will gain a slight increase in noise but still very tolerable and wont get you in trouble. You will also need a rear O2 bung/extension to prevent the CEL from coming on (that one is a priority code).

Good job on the maintenance from early on. Looks like you're doing her right. The rad hoses are definitely a good mod. I Suggest you also get a 1.1 bar radiator cap (around 10 euros) to complement them.

And lastly, about the reverse gear; it's a common problem. It could be a combination of things. The syncro could be worn, as I believe it shared one with 1st gear. The fork selector could be bent, or what I mostly suspect is the linkage bushings and shifter base bushings being worn. Highly suggest you do the roller skate bearing mod on the shifter linkage ends and you check the slop in the shifter.

Welcome to the forums, and start saving up for a bolt on turbo kit!

 

[141Comet]

Bulgaria?

I am actually from Bosnia

Steve is right, the black box is simply a resonator to further reduce intake noises which honestly come on, we all live for that sucking noise. But even if you removed it, you wouldn't notice a thing. If you have the parts and fabrication skills, you could use metal pipes instead of the stock rubber snorkel which would help somewhat. I've ran the K&N air filter in the stock box both on my old 2G GS and on my current turbo AWD. They are good as long as you inspect and clean it every other few months. Every 6 months I like to fully degrease and use the K&N oil on it; they are a serviceable filter which is why it can last so long.

100% gonna keep the stock snorkel or whatever. Just gonna add a K&N drop in for now. Maybe later if I decide to install a turbo I will think about creating a full cold air intake to work with the turbo.
Thanks to both of you for explaining that black box AKA intake resonator

As for your EGR, it's a long topic. I could get into detail how the EGR system could in fact help with reducing knock, but I could also argue how it dirties the intake tract with oil residue. You can make a plate and block it off completely, or insert a thin gasket between the valve and the IM. Leave the solenoids connected to the plugs so your CEL wont turn on (but you could also just let it trigger once and then reset the CEL with an OBD reader. It's a low priority code which means once you reset it, it wont come back on again).

Ah I see, I guess I will keep it open for now. Not on my priority list

In terms of the catalytic, especially if you're from one of these countries which simply don't give a flying f*** about emissions, remove it BUT KEEP IT SAFE AND SOUND! Put a resonator in its place OR if you're leaving the stock 2" system altogether, just put a test pipe without a resonator. You will gain a slight increase in noise but still very tolerable and wont get you in trouble. You will also need a rear O2 bung/extension to prevent the CEL from coming on (that one is a priority code).

For the cat I was thinking of actually getting a magnaflow high flow cat just cuz I like quality mods on my car... If I did a test pipe it would be way too loud and the punishment here is enormous for loudness. I will either get a quality high flow cat or buy a cheap high flow cat and just drill it, install it and SAVE the stock cat. So then I will look as if I have a cat in case of inspection and to troll Cat Thieves

Good job on the maintenance from early on. Looks like you're doing her right. The rad hoses are definitely a good mod. I Suggest you also get a 1.1 bar radiator cap (around 10 euros) to complement them.

Thanks I will buy that cap asap

Welcome to the forums, and start saving up for a bolt on turbo kit!

Oh man oh man... I dont know I am very intimidated by a Turbo install. I want this car to run as long as possible. But then again I am very tempted to do that. Where can I get a bolt on turbo kit? Could you maybe provide a link please?

Again not 100% sure about the turbo kit. Only 3 eclipses in this country, one of them has Lambo doors and is being made like the one from Fast and Furious... the other one has a turbo installed...

I will change my profile picture to the eclipse I own...

Seriously thank you for your replies, helps a lot!
Great Community