New to the world of DSM

[Kyther]

I recently purchased a 98 Eclipse RS 5-speed 2.0 4cyl after blowing up my 97 Ford Probe and had some questions about upgrades etc..

First off what would be considered better a Cold Air Intake or Short Ram Intake
I live in the north east so it does tend to get wet on occasion

Second I would greatly appreciate some info involve exhaust vs catback

Third im not even sure where to start when it comes to upgrading or what to do first so im hoping some people out there can point me in the right direction

 

[rlacasse1]

Click "TECH" in the upper left hand corner of your screen. Then click "UPGRADE PATHS". That will get you started.

 

[DSM1G90]

Not much you can do with a Dodge 420A motor in stock form. If you do those things, you might gain 1 to 3% gain in HP ...

 

[Kyther]

Thank you for the info rlacasse1 I appreciate it


DSM1G90 to be honest im not the most concerned about getting a whole lot of HP out of it right now due to a few points on my license already and its my first eclipse. the main reason im asking about the catback is i really like the sound of them not the angry weed eater version though had a 1.8 Integra with a 3inch exhaust. Though ive come to learn never to take anything for granted even if it is a stock 2.0, either way though i do appreciate your input thats why i asked

Just looking to collect info right now plus my stock exhaust has a leak in it so if im going to fix/replace it i may as well do it right the first time

 

[H@xtGSX]

Well, on any N/A engine, a ram air intake is going to reduce intake vacuum pressure, which in turn should help produce a bit more power.

 

[Kyther]

ok makes sense thank you very much

 

[DSM Vice]

As mentioned the 420A engine responds very poorly to mods.

First and foremost, it's not true that a "ram-air intake" is going to produce more power on a non-turbo engine. With an NA engine, harmonics come into play - many manufactures engineer/tune the OEM intake to a given RPM in a way that it the resonates air into the throttle body at that specific RPM. Here's some good info on how a CAI on a NA Lexus SC400 (Soarer in Japan) considerably hurts power:

Soarer - The Intake Resonator

I've seen a similar study done with similar results on the non-turbo Impreza's.

As far as your exhaust, I would just go to a muffler shop and have it patched up for cheap. If you want to throw an exhaust on it for the sound, to each his own I suppose (personally, I think 99% of exhausts on an NA 4-banger sound awful).

My opinion - put your money towards maintenance and suspension mods that are fun regardless of power, or just leave it stock and save for a turbo.

 

[Kyther]

maintenance and suspension is good and all, like you said though to each his own, personally the exhaust thats on it already nearly sounds like a weedeater.
suspension wise im not sure what i want to do yet my teggy i had a while back had 2" lowering springs on it so it was a huge pain to work under the car not to mention i was litterally sitting about 4 inches off the ground. either way its like i said im not looking to try an have this thing pushing to its limits i just want to do a few little things while im at it, especially since a friend of mine is powder coating a valve cover for me would like to get it looking nice an everything at the same time

 

[campos_racing]

maintenance, maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!! That's if you dont want to go throw headaches. These cars need alot of maintenance to be running good and strong as a DD. This isn't a honda where you just fill it up and check the fluids every month or so. (had a honda too) Though once you do all that is needed then you can be confident with your car as to that point, though you have the 420a, so Im not so sure if its the same as a 4g63, but its still a dsm, maintenance.

 

[Sansone]

I definitely agree with the maintenance posts! I remember my 420a days.. not bad at all for dd'ing around town.

 

[Kyther]

i def like having it as a daily driver, gets better mileage than my roommates cavalier i was driving for 2 months, ok simple question what maintenace should be most inportant, i already know ignition system (plugs wires etc) pluids oil change like i said in an eralier post its getting brakes this week an soon a new valve cover gasket cause its leaking a bit. interior wise i think my driver seat may be broken not sure though an i need to redo the headliner due to the sunroof leaking prior

 

[GSTurbo1]

Congrat's.... just keep as a DD if u plan to raise HP on 420a, plan to work on it 95% of time with only a 5% driveable time.

 

[LouieAWDTSi]

Welcome to dsmtuners! Congrats on your purchase. I started off with a 1g N/A 4g63 and it made me fall in love with these cars. It also made me search online everyday for the right turbo dsm and upgrade paths...etc...etc. Had a 92 tsi awd for a few years, sold it (wasn't easy to do at all). I knew I'd get back into one one day and here I am, back in a turbo spyder. I am dying to put more goodies on it, but....

...I am slowly, but surely, taking care of all the MAINTENANCE!!!

Enjoy, take care of the car and you'll either love the hell out of it..or you'll think it's time for a turbo, but some people have some cool things done to the 420a. Use the search engine in these forums, there is so much info at your fingertips. G LUCK!

 

[jayson427]

dont let them get you down im stoked to have my 420 yes its not easy to make good power like the gst or gsx but i love a challenge. as for maintenance timing belt, idler bearings, tensioner are on the top of the list check those out. then you can do the easy stuff like plugs, wires coolent flush change motor and trans fluid. how many miles do you have on it and is it auto or stick? as for mods you can do alot like turbo or a sick built motor but it will cost more then just buying a gsx ect. you can go with a header, exhaust, under drive pulley, bigger throttle body and have some fun with that. unless you actually want to do a motor build then there is a few directions you can go depending on budget. i forgot also do a compression check when you can. you only need suspension if your going for good horse power till then just wait and replace a strut if its not driving right.

 

[Kyther]

thank you jayson427 not alot of people have faith because its not a turbo, i would love to own one of them personally however if i have the power available i tend to get myself in trouble an i dont need that right now. ive been looking into headers and exhaust finding as much info as i can about whats good an whats not what exactly does an underdrive pully do.

Forgot its got 173k miles on it from what ive been told even by the notary when i did the title thats still young if maintaned properly an its a 5-speed to be honest took some getting use to since its my first hydraulic clutch