Performance Mods for a 1.8

[DemonBob]

Aight guys, I got a 93 Eclipse w/ a SOHC 1.8 engine in it. Recently put a JDM engine it since my last motor blew a ring. Not to bad of a way to die after 300000 miles.

Just wanted to know of some preformance tweaks I can do for it. It acctually runs pretty good, I smoked a few vettes and trans ams w/it, although raceing is more about the drivers skills then the car.

Is thier any cheap kits I can buy to boost its preformance? How about some turbo? Any good ones for a 1.8. Maybe Advance the timing a little? Will a better exchust help more then the stock one?

Just want a few tips for a newbie to DSM engines.


I currently got a post in the Problem Dianogstics, about a problem i'm having when the AC is on, and the car wants to die. But when it is off, it runs smooth.

 

[Crazy E]

smoked a few vettes and trans ams???? with a 1.8?????

as the proud owner of a 1.8, I know better than anyone a stock 1.8 makes 92 horses.....we cant smoke automatic cavaliers, let alone vettes and trans ams!!! A 1.8 runs like an 18+

anyway, an intake or exhaust for a 2.0 will fit a 1.8 and you can advance the timing too (running higher octane gas)

there are no turbo kits for our cars, but it is possible to make one, check out
DSmtalk

so far there is only 1 turbo 1.8 in existence as it is expensive and difficult to turbo a 1.8

about that AC, since AC has a parasitic loss on performance it will make a poor little 1.8 want to die,

 

[DemonBob]

Correction, racing a stright line, it will not win, but racing down here in south la. down curvy back roads, against ppl who think they know how to drive. I will win everytime. I'm not afraid of hitting an 80 degree curve at 100+ mph, but they always seem to be So under some circumstance 1.8 can winn.

Well its not biggie if thier are not many tweaks for it. Thanks for the link. I might go buy the two talons with 2.0 DOHC down the road, then my friends 91 GS. hehe, and just ripp parts from mine, to them.

 

[qwall]

Originally posted by DemonBob
Correction, racing a stright line, it will not win, but racing down here in south la. down curvy back roads, against ppl who think they know how to drive. I will win everytime. I'm not afraid of hitting an 80 degree curve at 100+ mph, but they always seem to be So under some circumstance 1.8 can winn.

B-####in-S. 80 degree @100mph with no suspension mods whatsoever?

Anyways, cheapest way to get some bang for the buck is giggle gas.

...or you could set up few races for money with some vette and f-body owners, win the race, take the money, sell your car and buy turbo dsm.

 

[Crazy E]

Originally posted by DemonBob
Correction, racing a stright line, it will not win, but racing down here in south la. down curvy back roads, against ppl who think they know how to drive. I will win everytime. I'm not afraid of hitting an 80 degree curve at 100+ mph, but they always seem to be So under some circumstance 1.8 can winn.

Are you a good driver?......... maybe, I have never seen you drive
Do you take 80 degree turns at 100mph in a stock 1.8 DSM without becoming a part of the scenery?.............. no
Do you beat vettes and trans ams on any road?..... doubtful, unless they dont know its a race
Can a 1.8 go above 100mph without shaking itself to death?........ not really

Listen, this is the exact same thing I say to my roomate who has a 67' Camaro SS, "I'll beat you in the turns." But when I say it, we both know that its a joke

BTW-in case your thinking about putting nitrous on your 1.8, just remember that it can probably only handle about a 40 shot before you destroy something, so keep than in mind before you do something retarded and try to beat a Viper by dumping a 125 shot into your poor little SOHC motor

 

[fasteclipse1992]

if your able to smoke vettes and t/a's id say you dont need any mods. 100 mph going in a turn? what suspension mods? it would only take a 1/2 a block of straight away for a vette or t/a to blow by you.

i can see a vett or a t/a taking a corner at 100 mph but not a 1.8 dsm.

you would need like a mile of straight road to get to a 100 mph. by that time you would be 3/4 of a mile behind the vett and t/a

my car was a1.8 and i know it wasnt a fast car or could ever be fast. or take a corner at 100 mph.

mabey the vette and t/a drivers just didnt want to waste thier time or gas to race you. or are smart enuff not to take a corner at 100 mph.

 

[jesster84]

First off, I agree with not being able to beat a corvette or trans am, unless (as someone else said) they don't know it's a race. I've had my 93 1.8 liter for about 3 years and 50k miles. My a/c belt broke recently, but I DID notice a gain in power. I'll just have to get new belts soon though since it's almost summer...and I don't need to lose the timing belt too I just got a K&N air intake and I'll be throwing it in when I've got time to take off the stock and install it. Also, Crazy E, I've never had a shaky ride, and often drive over 100...gone up to 135 on a long downhill between Twin Falls and Boise in Idaho...but it was creeping into redline. That's my 2 cents...

 

[Crazy E]

jesster84-prolly just my worn suspension, . Eibach/KYB AGX this summer...hopefully.....

The 1.8 is a great motor if you take care of it, it will last forever. If you want a race car go buy a 1st gen GSX/Tsi and beat on that.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

I agree... the 1.8 is a very strong motor! That was my first car, and is my daily driven car now. modifications are minimal- considering there aren't many- Pace Setter Exhaust, Injen 2.0 intake, no AC, K&N Filter, Exel Wheels, Kuhmo Tires... and it did DYNO at 105 HP.. LoL.... it has 170,000 miles on it now and runs great!
But if you want performance, get a turbo DSM!

Oh and one more thing, do not try to impress people by making up stories. Most people on this website just love DSM's and would be more impressed with you showing a little knowledge, or wanting to learn something... not pretending you know something.

And a 1.8 DSM could not beat a vette in absolutley any kind of race, unless no motor was present in the vette!

 

[fasteclipse1992]

yea my 1.8 took alot of abuse. blew the head gasket twice, fixed it the first time. never even timmed it right so timing was way off, but it still ran.

2nd time it blew the head gasket i gave up on it and swapped a 6 bolt 4g63 turbo engine in its place. instantly doubled the horsepower. thats the best performance mod you can do to your car.

do that and your vette, t/a killing stories will sound more believable.

 

[jesster84]

The car's at 175k miles as of yesterday. Only things changed were CV joints at 140, clutch at 150, and seals and such for the engine at 150. I got it for $500 too, so I've been rather impressed with how much of my beating it's sucked up. I love my little car, but would of course give it away in a heartbeat for a turbo Thanks.