What am I dealing with here? [pics]

[gbrunko]

Hi I'm trying to figure out what I'm dealing with on my recently purchased 98 Eclipse. So far I've found out that the turbo is not stock. When I bought it I was told that the intake and exhaust piping were upgraded, but that's it. So I guess what I'd like to know is how far from stock is this thing, and I'd like to know if anyone sees any obvious problems. Here is a pic of the intake setup:

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I don't know what's going on with the duct-taped bit, but I'm guessing that's not ideal. Also I found this part loose in the back of the car. Can anyone tell me what it is, and where it's supposed to go?

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Oh yeah, also with that type of air filter, that is one of those that I need to clean and add oil to periodically, yes?

 

[NHerron]

So was it a code that popped up on their scanner? You could always try the 'spark plug fouler' trick to fool the ECU into thinking the cat is working. It basically brings the rear o2 sensor further away from the exhaust gases so it reads less fuel in the exhaust than the front, therefore cat is doing it's job.

Heres the link, for pictures sake
Spark plug non fouler - Honda-Tech

People here on the forums have done it with no problems, there's also an 'extender' which does the same thing. And some have even got lucky by wrapping the 02 in tin foil and zip tieing to the frame.

But I would definatly get that cat checked out first, it'll free up some power if it is clogged

Good luck

 

[bryanwheat]

Do a boost leak test I had to weld mine like that to and found out the weld leaks and can't get it to stop not mater how many times I re weld it so now have to get a new pipe

You probably used flux core wire, or just didn't weld it properly. When you are welding piping you can actually watch the bead pool flow to both sides and know that there are no holes in it.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

That's like a $20 air filter from advanced auto parts, pretty sure they're not lifetime filters. I'd hardly call it an "upgraded intake" . Try a Apexi Power Intake filter if you choose to upgrade, they're the best according to reviews (even better than k&n). Recirculate the bov also first thing

A aftermarket filter is a filter, who cares if its a Spectre... smh

Your turbo is a ebay 16g which is junk

The bov needs recirculated or the car is gonna run like poo

And it looks like its probably a boost leak factory..

VFAQ is your friend buddy, I'd get on it.

 

[leepen]

Heres the link, for pictures sake
Spark plug non fouler - Honda-Tech

Good luck

used that trick with my Neon...worked well

 

[NHerron]

A aftermarket filter is a filter, who cares if its a Spectre... smh

Um, no. Not all aftermarket filters created equal

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

A aftermarket filter is a filter, who cares if its a Spectre... smh

Um, no. Not all aftermarket filters created equal

Go waste your money on a $150 filter for a 1HP difference

 

[NHerron]

Talking about quality. Some generic aftermarket vs a trusted name for it's reliable filtering capibilities? C'mon man

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Talking about quality. Some generic aftermarket vs a trusted name for it's reliable filtering capibilities? C'mon man

filter capabilities? Really? ITS A OPEN ELEMENT FILTER........

ANYWAYS
How is the maintenance on the car?

 

[NHerron]

Glad you're happy with your setup. But still, they are not created equally.

Generic filters are made by people who could give a damn what happens to your engine hence, "Generic". The various brand names comes and goes.

Why do you think K&N etc. is still around? They make quality and stand behind it.

 

[bryanwheat]

I've used the spectre brand filters before. They are actually a pretty good filter from what i've gathered. None of them filter as good as the oem paper filters. But that is what you get with a high flowing filter.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Glad you're happy with your setup. But still, they are not created equally.

Generic filters are made by people who could give a damn what happens to your engine hence, "Generic". The various brand names comes and goes.

Why do you think K&N etc. is still around? They make quality and stand behind it.

Because that is one of the only aftermarket filters that was out for years and now they found a way to produce them more inexpensively instead of getting rapped up the ass for something will a cool name.

 

[NHerron]

I'm not saying anything bad about the Spectre filter, I'm referring to deliveryboys blanket statement about aftermarket filters. Like you said we already have less filtering so it would be wise to pick the best or at least proven.

 

[xxNocturnalxx]

Good filters can yield good results. I assume some think the size of the filter doesn't matter either?

 

[MHuddy1213]

the better the filter the cleaner the air going into your mototr i would spend the extra money to keep my car running better just like with oil filters fram is terrible and mobil 1 and k&n is better if you dont believe that just look at the stats here Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources granted this is oil filters and not air filters but you always get what you pay for and the quality is what i would rather get than save a few bucks when you dont have to always change something like an air filter every 2k miles

 

[bryanwheat]

the better the filter the cleaner the air going into your mototr i would spend the extra money to keep my car running better just like with oil filters fram is terrible and mobil 1 and k&n is better if you dont believe that just look at the stats here Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources granted this is oil filters and not air filters but you always get what you pay for and the quality is what i would rather get than save a few bucks when you dont have to always change something like an air filter every 2k miles

It depends on what you mean by better. Better flowing, or better at filtering out dirt. The more the filter flows, the worse it will be at filtering. If you want the best filtering filter than a stock paper style filter is the way to go. If you want the best flowing filter than the dry foam filters would be the way to go. K&N is a good in between mixture of both. They don't filter as well as the stock filter, but they do flow more. They won't flow as well as a dry foam filter, but they filter better.

Filtering test
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm

Flow test
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest2.htm

 

[gbrunko]

Will that trick allow me to pass a tailpipe sniffer test? I'm guessing not, and that's what I'll have to contend with. I expect I'll have to put a catalytic converter in to pass inspection, even if I decide to swap it back out after. If there's not a big difference I may just leave it in. Now I just have to figure out which one to buy. Rock auto has quite a few. Two made by Magnaflow. One listed as "OEM grade" is $100 more. Anyone know what I'd be getting for that extra $$$?

If I end up leaving it in I'd like to get one that will flow well, but will also do the job to get me through inspection. I don't see any info on that site to help me choose. If anyone has any suggestions please share them.

As an aside, I notice none are legal in California. What does someone living in California do?

So was it a code that popped up on their scanner? You could always try the 'spark plug fouler' trick to fool the ECU into thinking the cat is working. It basically brings the rear o2 sensor further away from the exhaust gases so it reads less fuel in the exhaust than the front, therefore cat is doing it's job.

Heres the link, for pictures sake
Spark plug non fouler - Honda-Tech

People here on the forums have done it with no problems, there's also an 'extender' which does the same thing. And some have even got lucky by wrapping the 02 in tin foil and zip tieing to the frame.

But I would definatly get that cat checked out first, it'll free up some power if it is clogged

Good luck