intake + header + catback = Huh?

[DSM_Kommando]

I'm pretty new to the DSM, although I had a 94 Talon TSi AWD years and years ago, I really didn't do anything to it.

Flash forward to now, I picked up a 1998 Eclipse RS 2.0 that I got for a song.
It's bone stock, clean, runs great, but bone stock.

I know this is a long intro, but bear with me....

I bought this car for my son, who's just turned 16, because I'm leaving for military duty overseas for a year, and I'd really like to make it better looking, but at least slightly better performing too (without getting a turbo, I purposely got a NT automatic...hey, it's his FIRST car, c'mon).

To the point... I did a little research, and it seems cold air intake, headers and catback are the way to go to get (albeit minor) performance increase, and at least make it sound and look the business (again, he's 16, chill....).


Now, I ordered a BOMZ cold air intake cheap off ebay (I know, I know), and was looking at the Megan racing header and SRS catback and noticed that between the header and the exhaust it looks like there's either 2 catylitic converters or just wayyy too much pipe going on here (I'm no mechanic to say the least). My brother-in-law works at our local muffler/brake shop and will be doing all the work.. I'm just curious if I'm paying for parts that are either unnecessary or...?

Gimme some suggestions, thoughts, ideas.

 

[DSM_Kommando]

Lemme ask this... I see that the two headers I'm considering both have different diameters on the downpipe, 2.0 and 2.25. Am I safe in assuming the diameter where they both meet the exhaust is the same?

When you say 2.5 and 3" exhaust, you're referring to the exhaust pipe diameter, right?

does the muffler and muffler tip diameter make any substantial difference?

One last one....what would (most likely) be the cause of a leaking transmission?

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Transmission leak - Start small. Check Hoses, seals, and Fill/Drain plugs. Clean it off and then drive it and look to see where the leak is coming from.

Exhaust - You're assumption is pretty damn close. The size should be as close as possible. You don't really need a flux in restriction. Can't ever be good.

As for the muffler tip... MOST of the time, a smaller end will result in lower sound. A larger tip will result in a Riced out sound. It has little to do with restriction once you go over the size of the exhaust piping itself.

 

[DSM_Kommando]

Thanks for the trans advice, I'll definetely do just that...

I'm new to the tuner thing, so "Riced" would be that annoying sound that some of the cars with "dragster wings" on the back make? haha! I've heard some good exhaust notes on youtube, but I swear all the locals around here have coffee cans strapped to straight piped exhausts...they sound like, "whiney"

Man, I've totally exhausted my efforts to find an interior part. Any help would me mucho appreciated. Looking for power control and door close handle (cup) bezel for LH door and manual LH mirror interior cover (complete).

 

[nothingfiction]

from what i have found the rice sound only comes from when you just hack the muffler and put a fartcan in there. if you have a cat-back it never sounds ricey

...just my observation.

 

[krackit]

i have a ractive cold air intake on my 98 420a and have it going down into the driver side bumper. Have had it there for 2 years now and just clean the filter every few months. have never hydrolocked and run it all year round. and as for the shwaaaaa sound. i know that sound. . it sounds nice.

 

[Cassera]

Good catch!

I was running without an exhaust, strictly from the Flex tube back was gone...

The moment I got a load of backpressure up, the car ran soooo much better.

You want to open up restriction, but keep good backpressure on the engine.

+1
Listen to this guy, he has personal experience ;-)

I see a bunch of cars now a days with nothing but an intake and a 3 inch exhaust, if they only knew that the 3 inch exhaust is hurting their car more than helping it.
(speaking stirctly about non-turbo, low hp cars with no future mods in mind)

 

[2GEEZEY]

On my old gs, I had a tsudo catback that i got for 165 shipped to my door. Pretty nice exhaust, sounded good, bolted right up, came with everything you need. It did have a little increase of throttle response.

 

[DSM_Kommando]

This could become really addicting... you have no idea how many DSM's I keep running across in my area for cheeeep... I'm thinking I may get one for myself after finishing this one for my son. (Turbo 5sp for ME, of course! haha)

 

[DSM_Kommando]

95-99 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE JDM CATBACK EXHAUST + HEADER: eBay Motors (item 360261444115 end time Jun-09-10 19:46:12 PDT)
Found this on eBay.... thoughts? Looks kinda chincey to me.

 

[nothingfiction]

looks good. 200 for the whole package is a good deal. the part i would think could be problematic is...

FITS:
95-99 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE (WILL NOT FIT SPYDER MODEL)
TURBO OR NON TURBO

i'm not too sure if thats a problem. but i know many turbo parts will not work with the NA cars. i believe i have read the the stock cat back system of a turbo dsm will work but i'm still iffy. Just my .02

 

[Locke]

2g GS-T and 2gnt exhausts are identical behind the catalytic converter. (well, except for the muffler, of course)

The header cannot be used on a turbo car. Aside from the different engine being flanged differently, there obviously must be provisions to mount the turbo on the turbo car.

If the photo is correct, that will fit a 2g non turbo Eclipse.

 

[EagleTalon24]

Now you're pushing into Honda Tech.. xD That's not a compliment.

With the NT 420a, you're not going to get a whole lot of HP. Period. There is a ton that you can do to increase in small incriments, but you won't have to worry about your son killing himself in it.

One thing you can look into is a larger Intake manifold. I used to have a friend who did a full exhaust, Intake, Intake Manifold, and it actually made a world of difference in his car. Still no 4G63, but it was decent for a 420a.

Do NOT, try to turbo this thing. >>;

Intake (Cold Air Intake. Relocate Filter to get out of the heat-area of the engine bay. Larger intake manifold.)
Note : If you can get the intake routed to the wheel well... it makes a pretty awesome " Shwwwaaaa" noise when you accelerate.
Exhaust (You've got this covered)

why not

 

[Locke]

Hmmm. Cost, perhaps? I cannot imagine any other reason not to.

 

[EagleTalon24]

well the 420a already comes cheap compared to the 4g63t motor