I have a 1997 Eclipse GS. Its automatic, 2.0 non-turbo. I'm looking to get more power but I don't want to put turbo in. I was told about superchargers, but was also told it could blow older engines. Does anyone know if my car could handle it? And if so, what should I be looking for? Thank you for your time.
Perhaps you could consider cutting back on the McDonalds. It is safer to lose weight this way than to drill weight reducing holes in the car itself. Losing weight will give you an effective increase in "power".
Supercharging is not as effective on a small engine as turbo charging. The SC will impose a constant load on the engine, whereas a turbo doesn't load up the engine since it just uses waste heat energy from combustion.
Both SC and turbos can 'blow' engines. Mitsushitty engines blow regardless.
superchargers are not effective, as seen on most bay feedbacks. on my 1991 eclipse gs I simply used a K&N-like air filter, removing the air filter case, thus allowing more air to enter the engine. to have further power, you can use a catback 3" exhaust. but, the main way to go for performance on non-turbos is reprogramming ECU. if you want even more, you can think about nitro, but be careful: you'll probably need an upgraded clutch and other tranny parts.
K&N filters admit more fine dirt into your engine. If you value your engine you would stay clear of those filters.
A modern EFI engine is relatively insensitive to air filter impedance except at the wide open throttle position, for any other throttle position the ECU merely adjusts the duty cycle of the injectors as necessary to keep the Stoichiometric ratio at 14.7.
Just by itself, re-programming the ECU won't do much for performance except it is like likely to increase emissions and waste fuel. You need to increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine and that means taking it apart.
What a stupid suggestion to use Nitro! Are you serious? It is only good for a few seconds worth of power at best.
Okay, so what do you guys suggest I do than? I'd like to get more horse power, but I don't want to spend a ton of money to do it. I'm willing to spend a reasonable amount though. But I'm also not too knowledgable when it comes to engines so don't know where I should start from and what I need to do to other parts of the engine when I modify something else. Any suggestions on what I could do?
Okay, so what do you guys suggest I do than? I'd like to get more horse power, but I don't want to spend a ton of money to do it. I'm willing to spend a reasonable amount though. But I'm also not too knowledgable when it comes to engines so don't know where I should start from and what I need to do to other parts of the engine when I modify something else. Any suggestions on what I could do?
Sell the automatic and get a 2.0L turbo with the manual transmission, otherwise you are wasting your money. If you upgraded the 4G63 to a higher spec (160-170 hp is possible) your auto transmission would likley be the next thing to fail. Ask a transmission shop what it costs to get a 97 Eclipse automatic transmission rebuilt.
This is why most performance upgrades are done to (4 cylinder FWD) vehicles with manual transmissions.
Well, I like my car as it is. I just want to gain some HP. I don't want gain a crapload. I just want to modify my current engine to gain some HP and not blow it. So useful advice as to gain on my current engine would be appreciated.
Well, I like my car as it is. I just want to gain some HP. I don't want gain a crapload. I just want to modify my current engine to gain some HP and not blow it. So useful advice as to gain on my current engine would be appreciated.
this is definitely not true. I used K&N on 5 cars without any damage, and with increase in throttle response and mileage.
this is partially true: the ECM will adjust automatically air/fuel ratio. So, if the air filter allows more air to enter, you don't need to adjust it as with carburetters: this means simplicity and immediate benefit.
But this is the point: you have more air available to burn, and more ready to use, so the overall functionality is increased. The same, and more, removing air filter can, so the engine is free to aspire as much air as it needs.
It's logical: more power needs more fuel. But our friend needs more power, so he'll ready to spend more money at filling station.. If he wants a cheap run, he hasn't to buy an Eclipse..
And, a good ECM programmer could increase power over a certain rpm: a friend of mine reprogammed his Alfa 164 2.0 over 4000 rpm's: under it, it is the same as before, but over 4000 he had a +30%, so he can choose between good mileage and high performances.
In normal roadrunning conditions, do you need max power for more than few seconds? I think no. Nitro is cheaper than turbo conversion, obviously it has some limits, but our friend don't want to fit a turbo unit
as a beginning, try K&N filter or similar (you can find them also on Ebay for cheap). Then, if you appreciate it, you can also fit the catback exhaust system.
The overall cost should not exceed 500 usd. (100 for K%N and 400 for sway's)
Thank about driveability: it's as important as the power, or more in running conditions. So, I recommend Eibach lowered suspensions, sway bars (front and rear) and strut bars (front). Other 500-700 bucks.
That's all you need. Ah, of course, a manual tranny. 250 bucks on ebay.
sorry but no. take into account that, if you have a turbo engine, it is relatively simple and cheap to have extra power. to do the same on a non-turbo engine is really more expensive, you probably need to change not only gerbox but also cams, valves, crankshaft, etc. so, the only alternative is to swap engine and transmission to a 4g63 turbo with manual transmission, and you probably can find some at graveyard.
so, if you are not going to do so, it's better to have, as your goal, to achieve a small increase in performance but an overall better driving pleasure. this is the reason because I recommend just few things to do in engine bay, and to work mainly with suspensions.
also because you don't need extra power, if you're able to run faster curves.. F1 teachs! ;-)
The simplest way to get more power from a non-turbo is to install an engine management system that replaces (NOT piggybacks on) the existing ECU. MOTEC (motec.com.au) are one of the best. It generally does not require replacement of the injectors for Stage #1.
Initial mods should include
- a set of headers and replacing the 2 1/8" exhaust system with a 2 1/2" system. Any bigger is no use without a turbo.
- later mods are porting the head, bigger valves and higher compression.
It possible to get 160-170 hp from a non-turbo.
Pretty soon though the costs exceed getting a 4G63T.
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