Best options for increasing power/ acceleration?

Hi folks!



It's been a while since posting and I need some input. I'd like to increase the performance/ acceleration of my 7G (1997 ES) and I'll be honest in stating I'm not a hands-on car repair guy. I'm up for the challenge but I don't think it's smart to learn by trial and error on this baby, so I would appreciate info on some proven techniques.

If you know of specialists in So Cal that would be great too!

Hit me back guys - I want to keep this Gal and it's cheaper than financing a new one! With the idiots we have in the White House and DC now, I'm trying to save money anyway I can in this economy.

Thanks!

turrrrrrbo

search man, there are bunch of threads - mine, shadow's..... many more

Also CAI (Cold air Intake) $75, upgrade to 60mm 1G TB (Throttle Body) $50, New Hi Flow Exhaust $300.

That will around $400 will help! Then consider a handling (rear swaybar best cheap upgrade)!

Thanks for the suggestions and MKO, Yes I am looking. That is partially why I posted my question since there is a lot of information here, some of which may be more theory than application. I want to hear from the guys who have been successful in their efforts so I can avoid as many issues as possible.


Thanks again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RacerX4g64S

1G TB $50
!

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thats 1 thousand terabytes ... thats fast...

or an acronym for a First Generation Eclipse (1G) Throttle Body (TB)!

On an unrelated question do you just call it "bacon" instated of Canadian Bacon? Or what do you call this
http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/canadianbacon.jpg

HAHAHAH Good question!!!

I have to negate the above suggestion from Racer. If you are automatic, the intake and exhaust will actually slow you off the line. I know from experience. The midrange power definately increases and it pulls hard from 3k rpms on but off the line the car struggles. Your best bang for the buck and noticeable acceleration difference would be a 5 speed swap, then boost as MKO suggested. I love my 5 spd..and its a hell of a lot more reliable. Good luck

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RacerX4g64S

or an acronym for a First Generation Eclipse (1G) Throttle Body (TB)!

On an unrelated question do you just call it "bacon" instated of Canadian Bacon? Or what do you call this
http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/canadianbacon.jpg

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peameal bacon or some shit lol

Someone was obviously hungry but get that away from me. No pork here!

Thanks for the suggestion E-vil but I'm keeping this baby an auto. I got tired of replacing clutches on another car and I just prefer not having to shift anymore. Thanks anyway!

u gonna get tired of replacing transmissions this time

5-speed swap

[/endthread]

Uh MKO...


I can tell you the Tranny is not a concern and has been handled. So no complaints here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dasd

Uh MKO...


I can tell you the Tranny is not a concern and has been handled. So no complaints here

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5 speed swap,

the guy said he doesnt like to shift anymore, why is everyone saying 5 speed

Go 5 speed + Turbo..

imo... I'd rather sell my 8g and buy Evo 8 or 9.. for power and acceleration...but i don't need a fast car as long as I'm in Winnipeg Canada.. pot holes kills my baby..

I appreciate the input and I knew there would be some feedback like this. It's totally cool - a lot of guys prefer stick but I don't. I just like to put it in gear and go, some may not like this stance but that's fine.

You're giving me great input including the repeated '5 speed swap' - LOL!

hey dude you should do a five speed swap lol. if ya dont like shifting maybe a shift kit would help ya i used to have one in my talon tsi that was a auto made a huge differnce.

the problem is the 7G auto sucks! a shift kit will destroy that thing in a heartbeat. Even after the usual "go fast" mods you will have trans issues...its inevitable. I know you dont want to shift, but if done right you wont have to change the clutch often if at all. But it will be the best peformance upgrade next to boosting. Like I said with an auto, an intake and exhaust...even headers will kill your acceleration. It will give you mid range and top end power only

first of all, people with 7G experience should comment here.

just to give you an idea i was factory 5spd with the following mods

fidanza 2.1 clutch kit
fidanza 8lb flywheel
Cold air intake
Full exhaust with 2.5" piping and highflow muffler and cat
wires and plugs.

about $800 in parts

i put down barley over 130hp to the wheels

auto the car puts down about 105-110


bottom line is the only real way for improvement is boost. its the most cost effective

Exactly, these mods dont make or make insignificant amount of power. lets say they free the power the engine already has. Youll see real gains with turbo only

i have personally experienced 4 failing trannies from the auto with very little mods. i had the turbo on for a short period of time but it probably would have destroyed it soon and i know its only a matter of time before this one goes so i am going 5 spd this time. you can get the whole swap with a nice clutch and flywheel setup for less than a good used 7g auto(suprised theres even any that havent blown yet) and you will feel so much more with the 5 spd. i had a 5 spd 95 and it was faster on a bad day then my auto 7g on a good day.

5 spd and turbo is honestly the way to go

stay stock weight if possible on flywheels too btw. I have a 13lb one cause it was cheaper then buying a brand new stock one. Once you get to light the car will just bog.

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Originally Posted by Galant306m

stay stock weight if possible on flywheels too btw. I have a 13lb one cause it was cheaper then buying a brand new stock one. Once you get to light the car will just bog.

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why is that?

You give me a lot to think about... Still the auto has done well for me and unlike some of the guys who post here I have to contend with mountain driving combined with city and freeway. I live right on the edge of the L.A. Metroplex which means I have all different kinds of driving conditions -40 mins to the desert, an hour to the beach, the ski resort is 30 minutes away at 8,000 ft... And of course there is A LOT of freeway driving here.

Just one of the reasons I went away from a stick. Like I said 'I like to put it in gear and go...'

If going 5 speed is the only option for increased power, then I guess I've got my answer. But from what I've read in the last few posts, it seems the cost would exceed any potential gain. Of course I could consider dropping an eclipse V6 or 3000GT motor in??

Just thinking out loud...

3KGT motor would be expensive and add weight and the eclipse V6 wouldnt work so squash that. The power gains from a 5 speed arent actually adding power, its making proper use of the power the engine has. As far as performance you will notice a difference because the gearing is different and as I said the power the engine has gets to the ground efficiently. The "power" adding as said by everyone, turbo is your best bet. But it would not be recommended with the auto. Hope that clears it up some for you...the cost of the swap is worth it.

how much do you guys think it cost to do a 5 speed swap?, i gt a 2002 galant automatic.

your asking in the wrong thread. This is for 7G's....its a different beast. I truly have no answer for you. I cant imagine it being too much though

Sorry I did not read that he had an auto! Manual trans is the only way to go!

Turbo would be awesome but may people will never make it happen.

Since he was asking I figured turbo was not an option.

RedLine DOHC

Read this

http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp...ion/index.html

Yeah Yeah Please harass me for linking a import tuner page!


The Auto trans is a piece! They always fall apart.

Thanks for the input and for a while I was actually considering the swap but then I looked at the cost and how I hated driving manual plus finances in this economy (no thanks to congress and 'obuma' - misspelled intentionally)...

Well you get the picture.

I find it strange that the only option for improved performance (at least in general) based on the response so far, is a five speed swap plus turbo. That is not the answer I was looking for.

Thanks anyway!

As one of my buddies keeps (painfully) reminding me, you've got to pay to play. A DOHC head swap and turbo are great ways to go. I don't recommend it but a used JDM 4G63-T engine and possibly tranny could work out for you as well. I didn't catch the model year of your 7g but if it is OBD2using an EVO ECU and wiring in the extra bits could be an option. That would take a fair amount of research and work on your part. Actually, most all of these options would. If you really want cheap and fast that's easy to mod your best bet is something that already comes fast and probably turbo. 1g/2g DSM's are a good bet if you don't need four doors. The AWD automatic is supposed to be pretty tough too.

i thought the JDM 4G63T was right hand drive?

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Originally Posted by Rach3T8G

i thought the JDM 4G63T was right hand drive?

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While that is true it makes no difference whatsoever on how the engine and tranny are built. A JDM 4G63-T is the same as a USDM 4G63-T of comparable model year. They just get imported for less than you can find a decent running one here most of the time.

Hello,
I see that you intend and want to stick with driving a A/T car because it fits your driving needs and habits right now and that is fine and I won't suggest doing a 5 speed swap again.:bigsmile: If you dont plan to make huge amounts of power (300+hp)...a a/t should be fine as long its not daily abused. If anything..you can use a 2g Eclipse A/T from GS-t's.

Depending what your budget is...that is going to dictate what you can do to make more power out of your 7g. I don't know what your budget is....so I am going to give you some ballpark prices on what mods you can do to make some power:

-NOS :You can get a kit for around $400-$500. Cheap power but you got to refill the tank when you are out and w/o proper caution you can blow up the motor.

-5 speed swap : Depending what you find in parts..you are looking around $500-$700 ish in parts, thats just ballpark depending if you find a good deal the parts needed to swap. M/T frees up power that the motor is making. A a/t has more drivetrain loss to the wheels...so power is freed up and response is gained with a M/T.

-Turbo the SOHC 4G64: Again depending what you find in parts deals for the turbo setup...you can spend around $1000ish for the whole set up. Power gains will be very noticable and make great power by just adding a turbo to a 4G64. Another benefit you can use alot of the 4G63 aftermarket parts to make power on a 4G64 since they are almost identical.

-Engine swap
*4G63t: You are looking to spend at LEAST $1500..but expect to pay a bit more. Power gains will be instant and the limitless potential what 4G63 can do. A bit more involved pertaining in wiring.

*3kgt or JDM 6A12tt Galant VR4 V6 swap: At least $2000 in parts... I have seen it done and its a pretty sweet swap...BUT its involving. Engine bay will be really cramped and got to remember handling behavior of the car will drastically change as the V6 is heavier that a I4. Weight distribution will be more front heavy.

Everyone can suggest what to do..but in the end your budget will dictate what you can do to make more power.

Hope this helps.

Always been a auto man too, but after reading this i guess i better learn to drive a stick :/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 94Galant

Always been a auto man too, but after reading this i guess i better learn to drive a stick :/

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its easy to drive 5 speed man and after a few weeks its second nature. in hadnt driven 5 speed in 2 years then i drove my buddies 1g for a weekend and had no issues at all. i learned when i was 13 and picked it up in 1 day so you can do it.

Dont let these 7g bullies pressure you into getting a 5-speed. My GSX is 5speed. I dont particularly enjoy rowing thru the gears everytime in traffic.

yope 5speed in traffic is just the worst to drive

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qnz

Dont let these 7g bullies pressure you into getting a 5-speed. My GSX is 5speed. I dont particularly enjoy rowing thru the gears everytime in traffic.

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Really? I like driving a M/T in traffic. It gets my mind off the traffic not moving and onto just driving the car. It also gets me to drive more smoothly by not copying the jack-rabbit start/stop driving of the people around me which is really inefficient and wears stuff out.

That is probably the most informative post I've read in this thread. It gives me several options to consider and of course you are right in stating the whole thing comes down to one factor - $$$. As for 'bullying'... no worries. I hated driving stick for many reasons and the memory of that is enough to make me stay with an AT. If you like the stick, fine. But I prefer to just put it in drive and go.

So, a 5 speed swap is not going to happen. And btw, I've had my 7G for 10 years with the same transmission with no problems. FYI for those who made the negative comments about the trans; I just know how to take care of a car and make it last versus having a stick and replacing multiple clutches in the same period.

Been there, Done that - ain't goin' back!

Thanks!