Want to start tuning cars

[Tomek94]

So, I have been looking at modding cars and the DMS's look really nice and cought my eyes. I am saving up to buy and Eclipse most likely with a V6 engine but here comes the problem after I get the car, what do I do to it to make it faster. I have no idea how to "mod" cars but I have been gaining interest in the subject. My dad knows quite a bit about cars and their engines but I doubt it that he knows how to mod them. Btw I don't want to rice it out because its looks plain stupid and pointless. So I have read the "noob" forum and frequent questions page so where do I go from here. I am serious about this so don't post stupid responses. Thank you

p.s what eclipse should I be trying to find(2003 and down?) and sorry if any of my questions were stupid or seemed noobish.

 

[05EclipseGs]

Kinda on the wrong site if your looking for a 3g or a v6 eclipse. As far as tuning, your better off with a turbo 2g eclipse. Also before tuning and working on any car, make sure you know what your doing and researched enough to know what your getting into. Don't jump into anything without knowing what your getting into.

 

[Tyeler18]

Well you won't find any V6's on this board, so you should start looking at club3g.com for a 3g.

Also the V6 only came in the 00-05 as a 3.0 or the 06+ in a 3.8. Being that I came from an 01 Eclipse GT with the 3.0 I'd recommend staying away from the platform if you're looking for any real power. I had a well modded/tuned 3g that was setup to autox and a dsm will blow it out of the water in any form of racing.

Looks like you've got a lot of research to do, most of which can't be just answered here for you. You need to start reading, lots of reading. I'd recommend looking at a turboed DSM to start out on, a fairly stock one that you can learn the ins and outs of before modding it at all.

 

[the_muscle_killer]

Better off going with a turbo'd 1st or 2nd gen if you want a fast dsm.

 

[rr06rs]

I don't think you should so much as open your hood without taking it to a shop. With where you are with your lack of car knowledge and the fact that you've already read the "noob" sections and STILL can't figure it out, I think your only option is to leave it to the professionals and just focus on making the money to pay them for what you want done. This is not to bash or be mean. This is my true honest advice for someone at your level.

 

[Tomek94]

Ok, so far from the replies I have figured out that I am looking for a 2g mitsubishi eclipse instead of a 3g. Keep your replies coming, so far really helpful

I don't think you should so much as open your hood without taking it to a shop. With where you are with your lack of car knowledge and the fact that you've already read the "noob" sections and STILL can't figure it out, I think your only option is to leave it to the professionals and just focus on making the money to pay them for what you want done. This is not to bash or be mean. This is my true honest advice for someone at your level.

I see what you mean but I know how much mechanics charge for everything and IMO its better when one does their own work. I have read the introductory thread to the noob section...which only explains how the forums work...no hard feelings, you aren't being rude in any way...only a little hahaha

 

[4Lurker4]

Nothing beats research and personal knowledge so I'd strongly suggest you start making use of this site via its search engine and start reading the tech articles including the upgrade path (click the tech tab under the 3 cars on the top of the forum). You'll realize that although this site is very helpful, not many like to spoon feed information. Like in school, you need to do your homework first before the teachers can decide to help.

The good eclipses/talon/laser range is 1990-1999 (at least for turbo versions)

 

[Tomek94]

Well you won't find any V6's on this board, so you should start looking at club3g.com for a 3g.

Also the V6 only came in the 00-05 as a 3.0 or the 06+ in a 3.8. Being that I came from an 01 Eclipse GT with the 3.0 I'd recommend staying away from the platform if you're looking for any real power. I had a well modded/tuned 3g that was setup to autox and a dsm will blow it out of the water in any form of racing.

Looks like you've got a lot of research to do, most of which can't be just answered here for you. You need to start reading, lots of reading. I'd recommend looking at a turboed DSM to start out on, a fairly stock one that you can learn the ins and outs of before modding it at all.

Thanks for the info, now I am looking for a 2g eclipse... I guess any books or forums to read ? Also would a 2g Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo 420a be what I am looking for?

Nothing beats research and personal knowledge so I'd strongly suggest you start making use of this site via its search engine and start reading the tech articles including the upgrade path (click the tech tab under the 3 cars on the top of the forum). You'll realize that although this site is very helpful, not many like to spoon feed information. Like in school, you need to do your homework first before the teachers can decide to help.

The good eclipses/talon/laser range is 1990-1999 (at least for turbo versions)

Ok so I have narrowed down the car I am looking for, probably a eclipse from 97-99, thank you

 

[DSM1G90]

Also would a 2g Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo 420a be what I am looking for?

Close. It's be the 4G63 motor in the 2G Mitsu Eclipses/Eagle Talon turbo option.

420a was the replacement NT motor for the earlier 4G37 in the 1G body of 90-94 and the 4G63 NT motor was discontinued for the 420A Dodge built motor.

MMMA kept the 4G63 Turbo option for the 2G chassis.

In 2000, is when MMMA discontinued the 4G63 Turbo for the 3G Eclipse (Eagle was dropped by Chrysler) and let their Japanese Mitsu parent company have the 4G63 Turbo motor exclusively for the Lancer "Evolution" line.

 

[4Lurker4]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-Diamond-Performance-TuningHP1496-High-PerformanceMitsubishi/dp/155788496X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359606803&sr=8-1&keywords=diamond+star+book+mitsubishi"]Book 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Performance-Mitsubishi-Engines-Design-Performance/dp/1932494626/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359606765&sr=8-1&keywords=dsm+book+eclipse"]Book 2[/ame]

These are two good books if you want to buy them. I read them and they are a good introductory level. Shows you the basics, how to mod and the history behind these cars.

420a is the non turbo version, you'd be better off with the 4G63T (the turbo version) for the 2g

(sorry for the double link post, it's not working right today by the looks of it)

 

[Tomek94]

Book 1

Book 2

These are two good books if you want to buy them. I read them and they are a good introductory level. Shows you the basics, how to mod and the history behind these cars.

420a is the non turbo version, you'd be better off with the 4G63T (the turbo version) for the 2g

(sorry for the double link post, it's not working right today by the looks of it)

Its cool haha dpn't worry about it, yeah now the challenge is to find a 2g eclipse with a 4G63T or would I have to build it my self from a rebuild kit...? Sorry if that question is stupid...

 

[DSM1G90]

Dang, I only spend $14.95 for my Chilton on the Eclipse at the local auto parts store. Insane $29.95 price for a Chilton Eclipse manual from Amazon .....

 

[4Lurker4]

Not sure what you mean, but if you buy a turbo version of the 2g; 1995-1999 with the 4G63T engine, it's already turboed, it came that way from the factory.

Read this page: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Eclipse"]History/models/engines[/ame]
Like I said, your own research will go a long way, just put some effort into it.

Dang, I only spend $14.95 for my Chilton on the Eclipse at the local auto parts store. Insane $29.95 price for a Chilton Eclipse manual from Amazon .....

Like anything, you need to look around for good prices, I was just giving him the book names/author and whatnot. I bought both of mine for under 15$

 

[campos_racing]

Look on craigslist.org in your area, its the gst or gsx for turbo version. The rs is the 420a version. You would be spending around 2-6k depending on the condition, miles & mods the car has.

 

[aajj1987]

we all start somewhere. when my buddy had his 420a car he didn't even know how to replace the header... I was pulling my transmission out yesterday and guess what he jumped under there and pulled my cv axles out all by himself... although for some reason he was trying to separate them from the rotor... I always just take lower control arm loose and separate driver side on removal of transmission but he had the right Idea. Have passion to learn and don't be afraid of trial and error, if it can be broken it can be fixed.

 

[Tomek94]

Not sure what you mean, but if you buy a turbo version of the 2g; 1995-1999 with the 4G63T engine, it's already turboed, it came that way from the factory.

what I meant to say I just ####ed up saying it

we all start somewhere.

Thanks for that I believe in that mentality as well, gonna research this a lot more

Look on craigslist.org in your area, its the gst or gsx for turbo version. The rs is the 420a version. You would be spending around 2-6k depending on the condition, miles & mods the car has.

Which one would be better the gsx or gst ? just wondering

 

[campos_racing]

well the gsx imo, but depends what your use for the car is. The gsx is a turbo awd, and the gst is a turbo fwd. The gsx will cost more than a gst though.

 

[Bowlesy]

Regardless of which car you get, if you plan on any kind of modding, grab a Haynes or equivalent repair manual and read. Even if its not interesting just read. Learn how you car works before you start to alter it. Having a firm understanding of what you're working with will make it much easier to work on. Before you tackle any projects find a friend who's done whatever you wanna do before that can show you how or walk you through the process. And make sure you have the right tools for the job. A lot of people try to mod their cars without the right knowledge or training and cause big problems where there weren't any to begin with.

 

[codym]

I'm gonna hop in this just cause I can relate to not knowing a lot when I started my DSM quest..You'll find that the best answers for your questions will come if you look for them yourself, because some of the guys on here that will answer your questions are just going to give you 5 more questions with the answer you get.

With a little bit of common sense and if your honestly curious to learn about these cars you'll dig up threads you need easily. Alot of the threads on here that can't be found through the sites search engine can be found through Google if you put dsmtuners after your topic.
For example, you want to know what's needed to run speed density (commonly shortened to SD) you could easily type in "what's needed for speed density dsmtuners" and it will pull up numerous threads about that subject.

The trim models of our DSMs are listed on numerous sights, that being said it's classic in car submodels for an X to be used to represent an all wheel drive vehicle. The specs of every trim model could be found easily.