Hey all. Last summer I bought a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS for 150$ at an auction and it pretty much sat in my driveway for a couple of months until I got the car registered and on the insurance. Now then, since the biggest problem, a horrendously cracked exhaust manifold, is out the way, I want to have a little fun with the car modifications wise. Any suggestions? Also, I need to replace it's passenger side mirror setup completely if any of you pimps just happen to know a junked 91 Eclipse or Talon. Thanks.

I am a bit curiuos as to why the exh manifold was cracked..was it due to a lean fuel/air ratio and it over heated, or was there signs of some kind of accident?

This kit doesn't look bad, other than that Ricer wing....I like the Silver paint and the rims too.



Not sure it would survive long if ya hit a few pot holes though.
Eagle Talon


I don't know who makes that kit, but they have a similar one here:

Eagle Talon Body Kit

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Thanks to you both. I believe the exhaust manifold was due to overheating and age, which is why the owner got rid of it in the first place. I was looking for more performance modifications because I need to get the car sprayed eventually. Suggestions on color? I was thinking a nice orange or something or that sort to lighten my insurance load.

you are looking for more performance mods because you need to get the car painted.... that makes no sense whatsoever, visual's, most of the time, have nothing to do with performance.

As for the exhaust manifold, you can have it welded, or you can buy a set of headers.... i suggest headers, but to make sure the thing runs good, i would get it welded first (should cost you any more than say..... 20 bucks)

As for headers, i would buy a turbo exhaust manifold and just make a plate to go where the turbo would, that way you have that option with not much extra money.

Then i would go with new shocks/struts, along with a good oil change, tranny oil change, and some adjustments to the steering. Make sure you run a good oil, and DO NOT worry about looks, performance is what counts

Just get it running first. It's your first car, drive it without wrecking it first.

Quote: Originally Posted by D-Ice Man Thanks to you both. I believe the exhaust manifold was due to overheating and age, which is why the owner got rid of it in the first place. I was looking for more performance modifications because I need to get the car sprayed eventually. Suggestions on color? I was thinking a nice orange or something or that sort to lighten my insurance load.

Somehow i dont think orange is going to help your insurance.

Quote: Originally Posted by phin3s you are looking for more performance mods because you need to get the car painted.... that makes no sense whatsoever, visual's, most of the time, have nothing to do with performance. As for the exhaust manifold, you can have it welded, or you can buy a set of headers.... i suggest headers, but to make sure the thing runs good, i would get it welded first (should cost you any more than say..... 20 bucks) As for headers, i would buy a turbo exhaust manifold and just make a plate to go where the turbo would, that way you have that option with not much extra money. Then i would go with new shocks/struts, along with a good oil change, tranny oil change, and some adjustments to the steering. Make sure you run a good oil, and DO NOT worry about looks, performance is what counts

ROFL....

Thanks for writing exactly what I thought when I first read that, +Rep!

That is VERY sound advice, especially for a new driver!

Only one area I might disagree, I would not bother using a Turbo exh. manifold, unless the turbo was attached to it allready, simply because he would most likely have to "Cobble" the stock exhaust to fit, or replace the downpipe completely...my guess is they would be a bit different, either the diameter, or at least the way it's bent. I cannot say for sure without looking at it in person, or doing a bit more research.

I do see where you were going with that, thinking he might want to add a turbo down the road...but chances are, retrofitting a turbo to the non-turbo version will not be as simple as a parts swap on the outside, typicaly, though not always...there may be subtle differences internally also, typically compression ratio's, piston materials, clearances, crank and rod materials..etc.

If nothing else, the fuel system will most likely be different, and the computer calibration will definately be.

In the end, it usually ends up being both cheaper and easier to grab the ENTIRE engine/trans assembly from a wreck (Preferably something hit from the rear) when doing that kind of upgrade, it's the little stuff will nickle and dime you to death.

I would almost bet money that transmissions torque capacity is much higher on the Turbo version too.

The most economical way to add some "Punch" to the stock motor would be a set of headers, a new intake/throttle body, air intake (With a K&N filter) and computer cal..even that will set you back over 1,000$ new, and on that small of an engine, would net only around 25-35HP.

You might be able to get away with just the headers and a new air inlet, and get nearly the same power gains...going to a "Car" forum based on the Talon/Laser would be your est bet on getting more specific help...those guys tend to be rabid fans and know what will get you the best bang for your buck.

As to color...and the overall look of a vehicle, what attracts the girlies and your buddies attention, is like waving a red flag in front of a bull inf front of a cop!

A stock body (Or SUBTLE mods) and a "Sleeper" color like white, or silver will add "Stealth" to your ride...making it just blend into the crowd is what you want to avoid atracting "Unwanted" attention.

Red, Yellow, Orange, lime green, etc...will definately draw the WRONG kind of attention, and your insurance rates are going to bad enough till age 25, so don't go and get yourself a bunch of speeding tickets.

Is this what you want to hear? No..

Is it "Fun"????Definately not!

But it is sound advice that will make you happier in the long run.

Want to have "Fun"??? Go out and rent a new V-8 Mustang for the weekend and go racing at the "Autocross" or 1/4 mile dragstrip!

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyno01 Somehow i dont think orange is going to help your insurance.

I'm thinking orange would help, its more of a vibrant color and seems easier to see vs. black in the night, etc. There also is some statistics that say drivers who drive red cars get more speeding tickets, etc.

Gold or silver metallic is best for hiding everyday dust.
Personally though for that car (especially if you put that body kit that Necro linked on) I would prefer a copper metallic paint job, perhaps over a coat of forest green for a chameleon-type effect.

Ahh wow, thanks for the load of advice guys, I'll be taking it to heart. Let me give some backstory and whatnot, however. The car does run right now, runs like a champ, and I've already replaced the flex pipe on the exhaust and the exhaust manifold with new parts. Thanks dudes, have a good day~

I'd say boost it! I know that turbo kits are somewhat easy to come by for any gen. eclipse.
But if you plan on staying N/a then intake/exhaust would be the obvious steps. Let the car breathe a little bit. Then just slowly build up the motor. Cams make a HUGE difference in n/a cars.

But I wouldn't recommend spraying the stock motor... especially if its been overheated and beat on for many many miles

Quote: Originally Posted by slickcam I'd say boost it! I know that turbo kits are somewhat easy to come by for any gen. eclipse. But if you plan on staying N/a then intake/exhaust would be the obvious steps. Let the car breathe a little bit. Then just slowly build up the motor. Cams make a HUGE difference in n/a cars. But I wouldn't recommend spraying the stock motor... especially if its been overheated and beat on for many many miles

Yeah putting spray is one bad idea unless you upgrade every other thing to an performance peice first. My dad builds performance engines for a living so I know my fair share but I'm more muscle car and less foreign/tuner but That paint scheme with black and subtle orange pinstripe sounds pretty pimp

Even with turbo kits, you cant boost much unless you have the right amount of fuel going to it, which means beefier injectors, a beefier throttle body, and a beefier fuel pump and possibly lines. the smaller 4 cylinders, with the limited power you can make them put out for the money, in my opinion, isnt worth the money. Gas milage though, once you do all the mods, is going to be horrible anyways. When it comes to engine performance, a lot of times you have to sacrifice gas mileage, thats why a v8, in my opinion, is a better choice (though not for a first car.) but you get a lot more power for less money (not less gas money though, but when are fun things ever free???)

As for color, darker colors are better when it comes to cops, another thing is insurance doesnt really look at the color (i dont think atleast) they look at the performance of the car a lot of times. That is why insurance on a WRX and an EVO are going to be 10000000x's higher than insurance on a nissan sentra 1.6l (my current car) 3 things, dont speed, dont get any tickets and dont wreck, and your insurance will go down over time. You do any of those three, or a combination, and your insurance will probably start going up

honestly id go with only mods that improve gas milage or keep it the same right now...especially for a new driver, cus when you start paying for gas your gonna hate driving

intakes, spark plugs, ignition, headers, exhaust, ECU, suspension, struts...i dunno what else is good for gas milage

Quote: Originally Posted by Triple8 honestly id go with only mods that improve gas milage or keep it the same right now...especially for a new driver, cus when you start paying for gas your gonna hate driving intakes, spark plugs, ignition, headers, exhaust, ECU, suspension, struts...i dunno what else is good for gas milage

spark plug wires, CAI, i hear those "tornado" things that you put in the end of your intake manifolds work well, but im not positive on that, suspension and struts like you said, good tires with the right inflation

i say keep it stock, get a nice car that you can rely on a little more.... 150 dollar car, no mods = cheap car with no money invested. Thats the best type of car you can get. Gas is the big killer and i hate driving with gas prices like they are. Im glad i still have my little 4 banger and i havent gotten the v8 yet

Quote: Originally Posted by phin3s i hear those "tornado" things that you put in the end of your intake manifolds work well, but im not positive on that

Cold air intake?? You wont get any massive performace gains, but its a cheap way to add a couple of horsepower.

Thought the reason the WRX / Evo's were so spendy to insure was because every fast and the furious kiddie went out and wrecked theirs.

Semi-related note: Is the bright, world rally blue that subaru offers going to scream "HEY, OVER HERE" to a cop? Or is it just the oranges, yellows, reds?



^ this color, sans all the sponsor stuff.

Quote: Originally Posted by phin3s spark plug wires, CAI, i hear those "tornado" things that you put in the end of your intake manifolds work well, but im not positive on that, suspension and struts like you said, good tires with the right inflation i say keep it stock, get a nice car that you can rely on a little more.... 150 dollar car, no mods = cheap car with no money invested. Thats the best type of car you can get. Gas is the big killer and i hate driving with gas prices like they are. Im glad i still have my little 4 banger and i havent gotten the v8 yet

those tornado things dont work according to myth busters


oh and the blue/yellow subarus do attract cops..i know a kid with one and he gets pulled over a lot...those cars are orgasmic...but id stick with black body and gold rims