My 1997 Eclipse, Need a little assistance! Options

[chas tucker]

i have no idea what to do to my car, i am only getting minimum wage at my job, and averaging 25-30 hours a week or around $200. so im kinda on a budget, but not completely poor... im willing to shell out a few hundred if needbe, but if its avoidable id take that route. everything on this car just about is literally stock, except for the stereo and muffler. I have no idea what to do. i need suggestions, i am wanting to tune it up and make it look nice and a little bit quicker than it is now. if anyone could point me in the right direction i would appreciate it!

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[chas tucker]

can a mod move this to the main eclipse 93-99 part? i need some help and i dont think ill get it with posting in a 420A forum. lol

[calin666]

You have this where it should be, no worries. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
As for mods, there is not really a whole lot you can do to bump up the power in a 420A, unless you go turbo.
For staying n/a, there are really only a few things you can do.
Go with a CAI with a K&N filter (ebay for the pipe should be about $25 or so, and a 3inch universl cone K&N is about $50), an exhaust, and SS header with down pipe.
A basic, non-internal modified engine internals, running around 5psi for boost on a t3 or t4 50trim, will run around $1400 or so (read the pinned topic "boost means nothing" for info on turbos and boost).
Performance wise, with just those basic mods, you might about 10 extra hp if you are lucky, and that is a conservative estimate at best.
The 420A CAN, make good power, as an n/a engine, but you will haveto spend tons, and even then you will probably never get over 175whp.
The highest n/a powered 420A is about 200whp from a guy named Mark Bullit, or something blike that, and that is a purpose built race car.
BTW, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/00000732.gif)

[chas tucker]

thanks a lot man! so performance wont be my cars strong part, thats fine. what about making it look nicer? i know i need rims, but have exactly no idea what to put on there. im literally completely lost when it comes to modding cars lol. what would you suggest on the making the car look better? what kind of rims? wing? body kit? i have no idea where to go with this lol

[Spoof145]

thanks a lot man! so performance wont be my cars strong part, thats fine. what about making it look nicer? i know i need rims, but have exactly no idea what to put on there. im literally completely lost when it comes to modding cars lol. what would you suggest on the making the car look better? what kind of rims? wing? body kit? i have no idea where to go with this lol

please no more rice.


Looks like you got a nasty valve cover gasket leak. pretty typical though, mine looks almost as bad.
As for a wing, I like the 97-99 turbo wing.

[Rayne6834]

Honestly I think if you put some decent size wheels maybe 17inch or even the stock GST wheels, with some meaty tires and get some nice lowering springs you will be much happier than anything you can do with a body kit and the works. That and maybe touch up here and there on the paint, get a nice sounding exhaust that wont get rusty or raspy.

[chas tucker]

please no more rice.


Looks like you got a nasty valve cover gasket leak. pretty typical though, mine looks almost as bad.
As for a wing, I like the 97-99 turbo wing.

ok, so nothing that makes it look like a rice burner, got it. body kits are too expensive anyways lol. where could i find a wing like that? and are there any others you would suggest? and how much would it cost to get the valve cover gasket leak fixed? and could it cause any damage to my car?

Honestly I think if you put some decent size wheels maybe 17inch or even the stock GST wheels, with some meaty tires and get some nice lowering springs you will be much happier than anything you can do with a body kit and the works. That and maybe touch up here and there on the paint, get a nice sounding exhaust that wont get rusty or raspy.

I currently cannot find any gst rims, but i was thinking some black rims or something, maybe 18 or 17"? i only want black because it would complement my car a little better than chrome would

thanks for both of your help!!! i really appreciate it, because i have no idea what to do, im not car savvy lol

[greenydsm]

google 5 x 114.3 and those are the rims you can put on your car.

fixxing the valve cover gasket is a ten dollar fix.


you just have to remove the vc and put the new gasket on.


i have a 97-99 high rise turbo spoiler. BUT if you go that direction you will have to patch holes and your paint might be faded where the side spoilers are on your car currently.

[calin666]

Also, check this out: http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/t37508-di...aloneclipse.htm

[stea1thviper]

Nice car. Welcome to the forums =)

If I were you I would put money away into a savings right now, and in the meantime start learning about your car. This forum is a great place to get started. Any meaningful add-ons (including rims+tires) are going to cost more than a couple hundred. Since it seems like you certainly are earning those couple hundred, it would be prudent for you to do a little research on what's out there and available. Personally, for an easy mod that's not outrageously expensive, I would buy some 17" wheels that looked nice. Lowering your car is going to be pretty expensive since you're going to need alot more than just springs, and not as dramatic as something like aftermarket wheels. After doing some research and you have more specific questions, these forums are full of members alot more knowledgeable than I who can help you out. Good luck!

[420aKid8521]

honestly dude you just have to figure out what you want your car to look like and run with that idea. everyone likes something different. forums are a great way to find out what to do and what not to do and ask questions about your car . defiantly save up and try to find the best deals on the parts you are looking for. if your just trying to make your car look nicer right now i would defiantly find some nice wheels and tires and lower you car doing those 2 things can make a huge difference. later on you can maybe change out your headlights and put a different wing on the back (the turbo wings look the best in my opinion) but just figure out what you want to do to your car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

[420aKid8521]

I currently cannot find any gst rims, but i was thinking some black rims or something, maybe 18 or 17"? i only want black because it would complement my car a little better than chrome would

thanks for both of your help!!! i really appreciate it, because i have no idea what to do, im not car savvy lol

look on ebay i just picked a set for $43 per rim plus shipping just keep an eye out

[chas tucker]

okay so im looking on ebay, will most rims fit my car?


ok i found this

17"x7.5"

will that fit???

[420aKid8521]

not all rims will fit your car make sure the have the same lug nut pattern you need a 5 lug pattern and 17" rims will most likely fit your car

[DeemoDiablo]

Mod suggestion: Put your front license plate back on your front bumper. It's illegal here in Texas and if the trooper pulling you over is having a bad day, you will get a nice fat ticket. No joke.

And, if I were you, I wouldn't put money into a car that is just going to get you from A to B unless you plan on making this car make money for you, and still, a min wage paying job won't fund that. I would put as much into savings as possible if I were you. I did it from when I was sixteen, till I was 26 and it put my family into a much nicer home. You would be surprised how much it adds up over the years.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, do what makes you happy. But IMHO cars are a black hole for money. The more you fix, the more you find wrong. And the more you mod, the more maintenance that needs to be done.

First things first; Make sure your car is safe. Brakes, airbags (I found out the ppl who owned my eclipse before had a collision and the airbags were deployed and they did a damn good job hiding it), tires, etc... Then make sure it's mechanically sound. Plugs, wires, leaks (like your valve cover) hoses, timing belt (very important around 130,000 miles) check your compression to make sure your valves are seating properly and your rings are good (a Hane's manual will walk you through that) make sure that the recall on your ball joints have been complied with (the reason my car had the collision in the first place) it never hurts to change your trans fluid and filters. Check your suspension, tie rod ends, wheel hubs, grommets, motor and transmission mounts, CV boots, driveshafts, alignment, shocks and struts (your car will bounce if they're bad) Also check all your wiring harnesses, lights, exhaust hangers, and all the basics. Oil, air filter, PCV valve, clean the TB etc etc... I'm sure that will occupy your time for a bit. You will want a mechanically sound car on which to perform your "mods". That will not only help you learn your car and all it's quirks, but it will help you in the future when something goes awry, you won't be completely lost.

I'm not trying to be an ass, just trying to be helpful. I hope I was effective at achieving helpfulness.

[chas tucker]

Mod suggestion: Put your front license plate back on your front bumper. It's illegal here in Texas and if the trooper pulling you over is having a bad day, you will get a nice fat ticket. No joke.

And, if I were you, I wouldn't put money into a car that is just going to get you from A to B unless you plan on making this car make money for you, and still, a min wage paying job won't fund that. I would put as much into savings as possible if I were you. I did it from when I was sixteen, till I was 26 and it put my family into a much nicer home. You would be surprised how much it adds up over the years.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, do what makes you happy. But IMHO cars are a black hole for money. The more you fix, the more you find wrong. And the more you mod, the more maintenance that needs to be done.

First things first; Make sure your car is safe. Brakes, airbags (I found out the ppl who owned my eclipse before had a collision and the airbags were deployed and they did a damn good job hiding it), tires, etc... Then make sure it's mechanically sound. Plugs, wires, leaks (like your valve cover) hoses, timing belt (very important around 130,000 miles) check your compression to make sure your valves are seating properly and your rings are good (a Hane's manual will walk you through that) make sure that the recall on your ball joints have been complied with (the reason my car had the collision in the first place) it never hurts to change your trans fluid and filters. Check your suspension, tie rod ends, wheel hubs, grommets, motor and transmission mounts, CV boots, driveshafts, alignment, shocks and struts (your car will bounce if they're bad) Also check all your wiring harnesses, lights, exhaust hangers, and all the basics. Oil, air filter, PCV valve, clean the TB etc etc... I'm sure that will occupy your time for a bit. You will want a mechanically sound car on which to perform your "mods". That will not only help you learn your car and all it's quirks, but it will help you in the future when something goes awry, you won't be completely lost.

I'm not trying to be an ass, just trying to be helpful. I hope I was effective at achieving helpfulness.

ive been told that the license plate thing is indeed illegal, but it would make the car that much more ugly if i were to put it on there, and i agree about the mods, ive pretty much given up, ive put the fart pipe on there and rims, but thats bout it except for the rims. i appreciate your honesty man, it means a lot. if i were to put the license plate somewhere on the front, is there any way i could do it without having to drill huge holes into my front bumper? a cop actually came up to me at walmart one day and said he would advise me to put the license plate on the bumper, because he personally doesnt care, but other cops may tag me for it. can i mount it anywhere else but there?

[dannwo1]

To make sure that the fans still work he recommended that you jump a known 12volt power supply to it. The problem was that you don't know which wire is the power and which is the ground.

Because you have a 50/50 shot of getting it right on the first try he recommended that you use a fuse in the wire which will be delivering the power. That way if you accidently choose the ground you will just pop a fuse rather than attatch a power supply to a grounded wire and (Sparky Zappy Melty).

Attatch a wire to the positive terminal of your battery and attatch the other end to one side of a fuse. Then attatch another wire to the other side of the fuse,in this way the current which is flowing through that wire is regulated by the amperage of the fuse.

As soon as the other end of the wire is attatched inadvertantly to a grounded source the amperage will spike because the electricity will have the opportunity to flow completely unobstructed (the same as touching a wrench to both battery terminals) This can easily melt the othe casing of the wire and burn your hand within a matter of seconds. (Ive done it before) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Bottom line: use the fuse (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

[DeemoDiablo]

There's a mounting plate available. Try a google search. And as long as the license plate is visible somewhere on the front outside the car, I'm sure you'll get a lot less grief from police than if it's sitting on your dash. I know it looks like crap, but in TX it's necessary. You could come to Florida with me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) License plates are only mounted on the back.

Sorry about all the grief, I'm not tryin to step on anyone's dreams. Just tryin to keep ya outta trouble in troubled times. Definitely get the car in sound working order then you can begin modding. Don't just think about what you can buy. Think about what you want to make the car better, and more suited for you and try to craft something. Maybe you'll make the next big thing, who knows?

Good luck.

[chas tucker]

There's a mounting plate available. Try a google search. And as long as the license plate is visible somewhere on the front outside the car, I'm sure you'll get a lot less grief from police than if it's sitting on your dash. I know it looks like crap, but in TX it's necessary. You could come to Florida with me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) License plates are only mounted on the back.

Sorry about all the grief, I'm not tryin to step on anyone's dreams. Just tryin to keep ya outta trouble in troubled times. Definitely get the car in sound working order then you can begin modding. Don't just think about what you can buy. Think about what you want to make the car better, and more suited for you and try to craft something. Maybe you'll make the next big thing, who knows?

Good luck.

thanks a lot to both of u... very useful info. i will have to get a bracket of some kind to mount it i know, and i will soon. i do have another question for you guys though, my front right light reflector in my bumper has fallen out and isnt working anymore. i went to a wrecking yard and got another, but it wont stay. what would you guys suggest? should i maybe somehow glue it in, or what should happen? thanks for any more help that you guys can provide... this forum is very very helpful

[DeemoDiablo]

thanks a lot to both of u... very useful info. i will have to get a bracket of some kind to mount it i know, and i will soon. i do have another question for you guys though, my front right light reflector in my bumper has fallen out and isnt working anymore. i went to a wrecking yard and got another, but it wont stay. what would you guys suggest? should i maybe somehow glue it in, or what should happen? thanks for any more help that you guys can provide... this forum is very very helpful

You ever try hot glue? I'd get a high temp gun and some high temp sticks. Plus you can use it for other stuff too. Great tool all around. Just my thoughts though.