Street Build Project 9s: Street Driven 98 Eclipse Auto

[diambo4life]

Appreciate it. I was conflicted about it at first. Usually not big on wangs....but this was a totally reversible mod if I hated it.

 

[diambo4life]

Last week, I sent out my mechanical fuel pump to Aeromotive to be looked at. I was given a 3 week wait time before they can look at it (when it arrives) and to their credit, they told me this BEFORE I sent it out. Today I shipped out my ECU to Haltech so they can fix an issue I have been having with the communication port. Makes it a pain to load my tunes and datalog. Kinda important. The goal is to make at least one pass before the end of the year...I don't care if it runs 15s. It's a goal. The past few weeks I have just been dialing in the tune and it's running good. I had to gap down the plugs after I noticed some misfires at high RPM this past weekend. I am at 0.017" gap now on the BR7s which I normally don't use...typically BR8s is what I use but the heat on the plugs look great. When I turn it up to the moon boost and tune, I will get the 8s again. I will update when I have an update. It's summer, so, normally not too much car action since it's hot AF and for the first time in years I actually have 2 running projects.

 

[diambo4life]

I also bought a GPS speedo (mine needs recalibration in the Haltech software) and I also picked up a power inverter to power the random stuff in my car like the Dragy, laptop etc. Works great. I still need to mount it solidly on the passenger side floor. Too much craziness there right now. That will be the winter project. Also, a photo of my hatch area. I don't think I have posted this before. The fuel cell holds 10 gallons which i have gone through at least 3x now. That is how much street time this "race car" is getting.

 

[diambo4life]

Chased a shifting issue all weekend, ended up frying something in my ECU but figured out a workaround. All this because of a shitty $5 relay. POS! Stay away from Amazon Chinese relays on anything important. Buy Bosch, Beuler or any well known brands only! This thing was internally shorted so as soon as it was plugged in it was 100% active with no switching.

 

[ItsTwan309]

I feel that. My tune has been golden and all of a sudden I started getting lean Idle issues and cruise. Checked everything I could (WB wiring, injectors, spark) ended up opening the ECU and have some corrosion and leakage. Its on the way to ECMtuning. Hopefully this helps, but if not atleast ill have a cleaned up ecu

 

[diambo4life]

Working on the launch and man, my best one so far. There was a lot of wheel spin (that's why there is a downward trace in the acceleration graph after launch) so I need to dial it back a little on street tires but I was happy to be able to do this with NO nitrous or a 2 step of any kind, just on the brakes! It was hot AF out too.
0-60mph=3.70s
60 ft = 1.84s
Keep in mind car is on wastegate (18psi) but it's creeping up to 26psi uptop. I will give it more eventually once I address the fuel pump! It's not keeping up at all. Lambda approaching 0.90. No bueno!

PS: If you follow my Mustang build, you can see a correlation between my dragy and track timeslips here. The Dragy 60 is usually slower than what it does at the track so this was easily a 1.7x 60 at the track and there is plenty to improve on. As it gets cooler into the winter months, I will get more aggressive with it...but I need to install the good fuel pump first.

 

[diambo4life]

August 2026 Update:
So this weekend, I completed a couple things I had on my ever evolving checklist. I reconfigured my fuel sump setup since I reinstalled my mechanical Aeromotive fuel pump. I made a couple changes. I have the 2 -8s from the fuel cell going to a Y making it a -10, then I have a low pressure Vibrant 1-way check valve, right after that I have the "T" feeding from my primer line which is just an Amazon 044 copy, the 300lph. I was running this pump before to run the engine but at 20psi boost with a 43psi BFP on E85, it was tapped out. The line I used from this pump is a -10, which is not really necessary but I already had the fittings and line this size.

Feeder side of the pump runs to another 1 way check valve (just used generic Amazon) then the line steps down to a -6 from a fitting on the driver's side of the fuel cell. After the T, it goes to the 100 micron Redhorse fuel filter then continues as a -10 to a 7 or 10 micron Magnafuel filter (not in this photo) but it's right by the rear wheel on the driver side. This used to be in the engine bay but I moved it out of there since it just complicated my plumbing in a tight space. The -10 line continues into the engine bay straight to the mechanical pump and into the rail. I tried to make this as direct as possible. -10 exits the Magnus fuel rail to the Aeromotive AFPR then -8 all the way to the fuel cell. The cell has a -8AN venting downwards. Everything works great.

I have the primer pump wired to a momentary switch by my steering wheel and it takes a couple seconds to pressure the line to 43psi. I then crank the engine and it fires immediately. Testing without priming the line, the car starts but needs about two tries for the mechanical pump to pressurize the line, not too bad honestly! I do intend to always prime the line with the primer pump tho.

I also mounted my coilpack behind the block to free up some space by the strut tower. Came out great. Now, I just need to go test it all out once I get a chance and it's not 100 degrees outside. Enough with the yapping, now some photos.

 

[diambo4life]

This weekend, at around 4AM (since there are no people, buncha cars out and its not 100 degrees outside ) I went out to test the revamped fuel system. All I can say is....it works PERFECTLY! I made two 1/8th hits on the street around the block from my house (not ideal, but I didn't want to go too far from the house in case something happened). First hit, I stalled it to about 3800rpm (just on the brakes) and it launched kinda lazy. The car started sputtering on the 2-3 and didn't want to shift and I was like WTF? I look at the logs and realized that I had set the 2-3 shift RPM higher than the main engine rev limiter OOOPS! To be fair, this was really my first 2-3 shift at WOT. So I checked the logs and the car was running a little lean even though the fuel pressure was perfect. I went back home and made a tune change as the car cooled down. I fixed the rpm shift points (raised the engine rev limit, lowered the 2-3 shift point and adjusted the base fuel map. Next hit, I decided to increase the stall RPM to about 4300rpm since it only launched with only 8psi of boost on the previous hit. I launched it and it came out of the hole way harder , way too much for the street tires. I lifted a little past the 1000' and on the brakes hard and this is what the Draggy said it ran. I looked at the log and the entire 2nd gear was way too rich so I have made some adjustments and may make another hit later this week. This is on low'ish boost too and the DA was horrid. This car is pretty much in the 10s on low boost and on street tires. I don't know whether I can beat my F150s time on all seasons which was [email protected], it's getting the launch right. May try 4100rpm. I want around 12psi or so. It's always tricky on a street radial on the street on an unprepped surface.

 

[diambo4life]

This car is slow slow slow. Struggling to get to 100mph at my current setting. I don't know whether it's this DA (almost 4300' last night when I made the hit) that's the same as Satan's breath or whether I am being too conservative with my tune. I made a couple changes and we will see whether it can wake up a little bit. I am being cautious because I am not tuning with any knock feedback and strictly looking at spark plugs which look great! I will toss in a new set (got some BR9s) so I can read them a little better. It's DEF not the weather to be doing this type of stuff but I'm a glutton for punishment. I also adjusted my 1-2 shift a little bit. I forgot that I need to add a delay in there to allow time for the mechanical shift to occur (especially the 1-2 since it revs so fast) after commanded by the ECU. Aaron Gregory had mentioned this when I got the base tune from him last year but I of course forgot all that.

 

[diambo4life]

Okay. Looks like my tweaks worked, a little less boost than previous pull, worse DA (3500') than post #134 and finally hit that 100mph in the 1/8th. I don't have the weird 1-2 shift anymore. Spark plugs look perfect. Everything is looking good honestly but I need to setup the 2 step so I'm consistent launching. I will not need nitrous in this car. I will test the 2 step and when I'm happy, find a spot I'm comfortable with to do the full 1/4 so I have more data to prepare for boost weather where I can finally send it. Maybe I need to start budgeting for some QTPs?

 

[diambo4life]

The Eclipse is done...for now! Finally made a full hit in even worse air . This is as good as it gets for the conditions! This is a 10.9 at the track ALL day. Now, I just need to wait for some good air...then I will fully send it and see what it can do. In the meanwhile I will be working on some minor maintenance items.

 

[jacobdsm7]

oh buddy are you about to be a wealth of information for me! read the entire thread - alot learned here.

 

[diambo4life]

Good deal. We are all here to learn. Been messing with these cars since the Clinton administration and I'm always learning something new....

Today I replaced the thermostat housing gasket, I was only using rtv there and it has been slowly leaking. I also decided to recheck the torque on the head studs. This is the first time I have removed the valve cover on the car...I think. I verified it has L19s. I checked the torque for 105ft lbs and found 2 studs that were slightly lose. I got them retorqued and we are good there. New valve cover gasket was installed and she is sitting pretty. Maybe I will make it to cars and coffee Sept 2026.

Unless I get a way to tow to the track, no more street hits until it cools down.I might leave everything exactly the same and for science, repeat the pull in 60-70 deg weather just to see what it gains. I know in my old 1G, I have seen 3-5mph gain in the 1/4 just from the weather change alone. Same thing in my old truck.

 

[diambo4life]

Tackling another issue I've been procrastinating on for a few months now. No brake fluid out of the passenger rear caliper. I traced my rear brake issue to the non ABS proportioning valve. The one port linked to this caliper is just completely blocked. Looks like i will be grabbing a new one soon? With the speeds I'm driving, I need 100% functioning brakes.

 

[diambo4life]

New prop valve went in (thanks Extreme PSI) and now I can bleed all 4 brakes. Took me a little longer to bleed the caliper that was not receiving fluid but the double bleeder setup on the EVO brakes made this painless. I have not actually driven the car to test it out, but will do so in a couple weeks when it finally cools down (into the high 80s!) over here.

 

[diambo4life]

So I went back to this thread and added a bunch of random ass photos as I was going through my photo gallery in Google. I have also been doing a lot of thinking this week about the direction of this car. Simply, this car has a 2.3L and I will be RPM limited as far as speed is concerned. I like 1/4 mile! I was thinking of maybe building a 2.0L this winter so I can rev it out a little more safely over 9k rpm. I am really wary about the Eagles in it too because I want to make over 800whp. Then, I am also thinking about a 2.2L because I like how the 2.3 feels in this car. Decisions!

 

[1cleangsx]

I have a built 2.0 in my auto, which I’ve still yet to drive but I’m naturally considering a 2.3 engine for all the torque/response in my street car haha. Magnus makes a nice 2.2 stroker kit if you happen to have $5600 burnin’ a hole in your pocket

 

[diambo4life]

Yeah...I don't have money burning a hole in my pocket for sure. I have parts here. I have a virgin 2.0L block I acquired years ago on a trade and I have a stock 88mm crank. Cheapest would be doing a 2.0L because I would just need to buy I beam rods which I need anyway but I'll miss the displacement of this car and how it gets on the converter. That will force me to add a bottle which I'm not opposed to but it's another thing to manage.

 

[1cleangsx]

I’d say enjoy the stroker for as long as you can, set some pb’s and then worry about the next set up, I’m sure you remember Mike Wagner on here maybe 10 years ago or so with the forward facing 6466 set up, he was 2.3 originally and then naturally went 2.0 as his car got faster and faster, but anyways I feel like your just beginning to stretch your legs with that car , I say just enjoy it

 

[MindBlowin03]

I’d say enjoy the stroker for as long as you can, set some pb’s and then worry about the next set up, I’m sure you remember Mike Wagner on here maybe 10 years ago or so with the forward facing 6466 set up, he was 2.3 originally and then naturally went 2.0 as his car got faster and faster, but anyways I feel like your just beginning to stretch your legs with that car , I say just enjoy it

I agree with this.

 

[diambo4life]

Of course I love you guys recommendations because they involve me spending NO money. I guess I will buy some QTPs and send it and go from there. I usually tend not to fly from the seat of my pants but set achievable goals but what the hell....

 

[diambo4life]

The heat wave is finally coming to an end in a few days over here. We have had 45 days of 100deg+ days this summer already in OKC. It's been brutal! I managed to finally bleed the brakes to my satisfaction this past weekend and the pedal feels really nice now and not soft and mushy. I did some testing in the driveway and I can finally get it on the 2-step again, she will be running 10s on my next hit. Same setting. I also made a modification to my crankcase ventilation. I am seeing a little too much blowby...but again, I didn't build this SB but we are gonna keep sending it. I used the BS hole as an additional CC vent and added another catchcan so the car should be breathing better overall. I will test all that soon. Below, 2 valve cover vents and the unseen vent from the rear BS opening. The second catchcan is mounted right under my air filter there. The other one is by the firewall.

 

[diambo4life]

Finally got my first 10 sec pass in Mexico. I am still refining the tune. The car is still very rich especially in 3rd gear. I am just slowly taking out all that fuel I had to run with the electric pump. Everything (fuel pressure, oil pressure etc) look good in the log, but she is still pushing oil out of the dipstick on the top end. It's concerning. I will look over the area again and make sure I am not missing something obvious. This really should not be a problem. From the slip here, almost everything here is a new PB except the 60 foot, 1/8th MPH, 60-130 1000MPH and 1/4 MPH compared to a hit I made with the DA right at 2000ft. Even though the 60 foot is not my best, the 0-60 time on this run is. It's just spinning quite a bit on the hit. I don't want to lower the 2 step too much or it will bog. I think I can get it into the mid 10s with this 60 foot with more power...lower DA alone will do it. I want to see a 0-60 in the 2s on these tires. Remember, I am on 420 treadwear all season tires on my 17s. So there is just so much they can do. The 60 on the slip is slower by 0.05 than what it would do at the track. Keep that in mind. It's very tempting to just crank the boost all the way up but it's better making all changes now then turning it up when everything is perfect. Happy with the brakes!
I have added two videos below. The first one is showing the issue I was having holding the car which I later resolved and the 2nd video shows the results of being able to launch it properly. Do note that there was probably a week or two between the two runs. I don't always document here what I am doing in real time. I am always tweaking and testing when I have free time,

 

[diambo4life]

Into the 6s in the 1/8th just like that. The launch was not perfect here either as i rolled it just a touch during the hit to mess up my 60. My quickest 60-130 in this car. Also in the 6s. You guys want the video?

 

[ItsTwan309]

Into the 6s in the 1/8th just like that. The launch was not perfect here either as i rolled it just a touch during the hit to mess up my 60. My quickest 60-130 in this car. Also in the 6s. You guys want the video?

View attachment 801468

Always want video!