New DSM owner 99 Eclipse Gs need cheap mod advice

[AdamWawrzyniak]

Hello, i just recently bought my first eclipse. It is a 99 eclipse gs 5 speed with 110k miles. So far is has not given me any problems and i plan on doing some mods. I does have a valve seal leak. Im just looking for some cheap mods that will give my car a little more pop than what its got. Please leave me some ideas thanks

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Welcome! Here is a link that will give you a good idea of some mods to start off with. There is a lot of valuable information on the forums and tech articles.

Tech Guide: 2G 420A Power Upgrades - DSMtuners

 

[Silver99OZ]

Just get a nice set of wheels and a nice suspension set up and call it a day. The 420A does not respond well to bolt on modifications. I have basically all the bolt on mods and there is not any noticable feel in performance.

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

i just uploaded a pic of my car now and i have heard that from some people, there is no way i could turbo it?

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

You can turbo it people do it all the time.

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

where can i get a decent turbo without breaking the bank

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

Depends how much are you looking to drop? And how much horse power are you looking for?

 

[Silver99OZ]

Yes, you could turbo it, but you said you wanted cheap mods. Setting up a proper turbo system is not what I would call "cheap" mods. Its more involved than simply buying a turbo.

 

[greekgodchaos]

Lemme ask the OP this: you get a turbo, what else do you need to get it set up PROPERLY? If you do not know, keep it maintained and go for astetics, with a 420a (I've owned a 99 RS) you will not get power, you get economy/great gas milage. I turboed my 420a, was it worth it? F*CK NO! It was an endless money pit for what? 6psi max on stock internals?? I have a 6-bolt 4G63T, that comes stock turboed, and the bottom ends can withstand 1000hp+ STOCK. In short, save yourself the time and money and do not turbo it. Here, if I think I know what you want: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bov2-turbo-boost-gauge-car-kit/id366246466?mt=8

 

[TSI_93]

4g63 bottom end will not take 1000+ hp stock. Even if your just talking about the block itself your going to be filling it before you approach 1000.

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

Im thinking about low amount of boost im not gonna be a street racer i just want a little more power. I know ebay turbos are junk but i dont no what cheap turbo kits are good and bad

 

[synthetek]

i dont no what cheap turbo kits are good

There are no good cheap turbo kits, you need something like this Hahn Racecraft - Automotive Turbosystems

 

[LandSpeed-DSM]

Best cheap mods?

Save your money on fart cans, wheels and plastic aesthetics.. and spend it on a real DSM, the ones that came turbo to begin with.

Turbocharging a 420A, while certainly do-able, is not cheap. Especially for what you can grab a 1G GST for now.

 

[greekgodchaos]

$2000 for 5psi?! You could easily buy a used DSM with a 4G63 for LESS THAN $2000. OR! If you want even MORE power (3psi more) You can drop $3000 on a STAGE 2 kit! Hahn Racecraft - Automotive Turbosystems I'm sorry but thats just ridiculous beyond all sense.

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

okay well this was my first eclipse bascily my first car so thanks guys i didnt no any better wish i didnt get a gs

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

A 420a is a perfect daily driver, just take the money for the turbo kit now and get something with a 4g63t and you can take the time and do it right and still have a drivable vehical in the mean time.

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

well im only 17 and in highschool still this is my 4th car already because i get bored of them fast it is very good on gas but it does have a valve seal leak i got 2 get fixed soon. I just might do headers intake and just little things like that, hopefully find someone to trade cars for a turbo-ed one

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Valve cover gasket leak? If so, it is very common and does not change the driveability of the car at all (fix at your ultimate convenience).

 

[Cdc1221]

My opinion, take good care of it, and when you think you have the time, money, patience, knowledge, and abilities to own and manage a turbo car, sell that gs and buy one. Or better yet, keep it as a daily(youll need it), and save your money for a decent awd. They arent terribly expensive if youre patient.

 

[Silver99OZ]

okay well this was my first eclipse bascily my first car so thanks guys i didnt no any better wish i didnt get a gs

I've been wishing that for 6 years now. . However, I cant complain with how reliable my car has been, never left me stranded not once. Getting 30 mph is great also.

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

yeah its a valve cover gasket and i plan on keeping it, it has a little fender rust ima fix during Xmas and such and i plan on getting the cover fixed and doing some mods

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Well most people say the boost is worth it - that is for you to decide. However, for me I miss boost only about 5% of the time I drive. If I got a boosted DSM rather than a N/T, I would miss the fuel economy/cheaper price for fuel 100% of the time.

Boost is cool but sometimes you have to be responsible and run a cheap daily. Money is better than boost especially if you're a student as it seems you are.

VC topic: Make sure and get the spark plug well gaskets when you get the VC gasket. All those gaskets can be found in a neat little package (I went to NAPA).

 

[AdamWawrzyniak]

okay yeah ima be a student going to army reserves then going to uti for auto tech i think, thanks for the good tip

 

[Achelea]

The N/T cars are good daily drivers, as well as a good trainer for learning to work on cars. The parts are cheaper, and less hassle. Then start putting money aside to buy a turbocharged one. Lurk on the forums, research, listen, ask questions in threads, and keep your eyes out. Learn what a GOOD car is and what a Bad car is BEFORE you snatch up the very first turbo you find. Nothing worse than throwing a few grand to grab a car cause it's close, cheap, or already modded, only to go broke cause the previous owner modded wrong, or put cheap parts on and you are trying to fix it right.

Also, decide what you want the tuner car for. Drag strip? Autocross? Road Course? Rally? Then figure out what would be feasible for you to aim for.

As for tuning advice? Maintenance and Repairs out weigh ANY modifications. The phrase "Only as strong as the weakest link." is very true. A 500hp car can't out run a moped if the car is on flat tires. Rather than fall into every DSMer's curse, and buy an expensive gofast part and skip over a cheap repair part you need. (I'm guilty of this myself.)

Don't get discouraged, and keep smiling. And be Safe.

 

[LeeSD1]

my 420a-Turbo is hella reliable, hasnt broke down on me in years. Then again almost everything has been replaced
To the OP you should keep the 420a and work on it since you want to be an auto tech. the 420a is a simple platform. And keep an eye out on the forums like on 2gnt, theres always guys selling turbo kits on the forums and ebay, theyre usually just used. All turbo kits ive seen for sale on the forums for the 420a have been for less than $1k So you can still turbo your 420a for a decent price if you wait to find something.