Which to improve first?

[Glendon]

hi bondx,

 

thanks for sharing on the strut bar.

 

i do feel body roll when the road is somewhat winding, and sometimes i need to slow down to better control it - though i'm not moving at top speed to begin with. however, i'm very wary about making structural changes to my lancer, like placing a strut bar. i'm not sure what kind of unknown side-effects such changes would have on it (e.g. affects overall car balance).

 

btw, any idea how much a strut bar would cost?

 

thanks!

Edited February 4, 2007 by Glendon

[Glendon]

i'm looking for that 10 - 20% improvement in pickup for my lancer. overall, i'm quite happy with it. the only thing that is bugging me, since i got it, is just the pickup. i'm hoping the 3 performance mods that i'm looking at will help to provide that pickup boost, then i'll be one contented lancer-owner. :)

Edited February 4, 2007 by Glendon

[Bondx]

Bro

As long as the struts are designed for Lancer, there isn't a problem. It is a non moving part n suspension mounts have the provision to install struts. Cost? U can easily find out by searching or calling. Call McWell Ventures though it might not be the top of the list.

 

When u need to slow down on bends on low-traffic roads, itz one thing. If on expressways n u r on faster lanes, n u cannot cope, then it is another thing. Think of yrself n other drivers or other rides.

 

Actually together w struts, u shd consider the suspension (springs/absorbers). There may not be a need for a relatively more expensive coilover. Basically u need to stiffen the suspension a little. There are many companies providing aftermkt parts like this. I thought there is a Lancer forum somewhere which is more active. U shd be able to find out more.

 

Having better rims/tyres is actually the most primary thing to consider. U shd look into this first of all. Performance mods shd not be the first things - there is no magic like getting more BHP out of the engine without sacrifices. The onie possibility is cutting parasitic losses in power. More Power without Safety or Control is not wise. Dun risk it.

[Cool_dude]

To me handling is the most important thing rather than all these 'power' mods'.Better for you to invest in strut bars and if possible coil overs if budget permits.To invest in all the three items, why don't you consider in a good set of light rims and performance tyres?

Since ur ride is new,ur plugs,grounding and air filter is still in excellent condition so u can change them later...Make fully use of them

I'm very sure all this is better and you definitely won't regret

Edited February 4, 2007 by Cool_dude

[Simonwoo]

As you can see Glendon, different people will come up with their own personal answers based on their particular priorities at the point of answering your question :)

 

Think you have made yourself pretty clear in your priority at this point. Those things you mentioned are not particularly expensive, and do help somewhat in what you want and very importantly also they are 'healthy' for the car, eg. better filters. So by all means go for it. With that, hopefully you will also feel a bit of performance (pickup) improvement along the way :)

[Evildoer]

intend to install these on my 3-mth old stock lancer (auto):

1. drop-in air-filter

2. performance spark plugs + cables

3. voltage stabilizer

 

can someone recommend a reliable workshop? also, which order should i go with if i'm not installing them at one go (e.g. 1. drop in, follow by 3. stablizer, then 2. spark plugs).

 

thanks!

 

1. drop-in air-filter (can do)

2. performance spark plugs + cables (get cheap copper plug n change every 10000k)

3. voltage stabilizer (doesnt do squat (car performance wise)except make ur audio sounds bit better)

[Nero159]

Handling and braking enhancements first then power mods.

 

To improve handling, change to lighter rims (e.g. Prodrive or BBS forged) to reduce unsprung weight, stiffer anti-roll bars, stiffer springs and dampers (while good for track use, coilovers are too firm and harsh for daily driving).

 

For brakes, change to larger discs, better pads or just upgrade to Brembo or Tarox 4/6-pot kits.

 

After these, then work on the exhaust, intake and cams to improve engine response and power. If got $$$, can consider tubo or super charging.

 

Do not forget to stiffen the chassis with strut bars, etc. If go track often, consider installing a roll cage.

[Glendon]

hi simonwoo,

 

yup, guess my top priority for now is pickup improvement - the rest, though great to have, is not pressing. cos' i feel the sluggish pickup is really taking away the joy of driving my new lancer. :)

 

thanks a bunch!

[Nero159]

If you got drive-by-wire throttle, you can try Sprint Booster. But then again, smaller capacity auto cars will not have fantastic pick-up. Better to stay with manual box if below 2l.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Nero159

[Glendon]

hi bondx,

 

i can see how struts and better suspension is going to improve the handling. but, i guess i'll do it in time to come, after i have 'resolved' the sluggish pickup.

 

for performance mods, i'm not looking for dare-devil kind of speed. i just want my lancer to pickup smoothly and effortlessly from stationary (currently it's always telling me that it's tired ).

[Zze121]

For drop it filter I heard SS type will not trap oil well and if it is hot the wire expand and more dust goes inside, I heard K&N is better.

For strut bar, workshop said if you kana accident and hit on the right front wheel the strut may or may not bent and it and hit the other side of the suspension.

change to 15" rim maybe better rite?

For VS unless you play will ice. excessive ground may not be good for new car.

I suggest you change one at a time and feel the different.

Next 10k service you can change to a better engine oil.

Sorry I newbird here ,correct me if I wrong.

[Glendon]

hi zze121

 

thanks for sharing. i guess i'll go with K&N then. i'm not too worried about the cost, just want to have a trouble-free ride after the installation.

 

i was a little surprised with the cornering on winding roads with my new lancer. it doesn't seem to be very stable - at least i can feel the body roll quite a bit. i drove a 2.2l 10-years old third-hand honda accord in the states for a year and it handles winding roads really well (the car only costs me US$3k!). hmm... maybe the previous owner add strut bars? one thing i know, he did lower the suspension, so it feels more stable.

 

btw, my stock lancer already comes with 15" oz rims.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Glendon

[macrosszero]

intend to install these on my 3-mth old stock lancer (auto):

1. drop-in air-filter

2. performance spark plugs + cables

3. voltage stabilizer

 

can someone recommend a reliable workshop? also, which order should i go with if i'm not installing them at one go (e.g. 1. drop in, follow by 3. stablizer, then 2. spark plugs).

 

thanks!

 

Some of the suggestions by the others seem to suggest that the Lancer can't even keep itself on the road, necessitating strut bars, stiffer springs, anti roll bars, and so on.

 

That's not the case. It depends how you are going to drive.

 

If you are going to drive mostly within the speed limits, remembering to slow down for the bends, etc, I'm sure that the stock car is fine.

 

Seriously, if you want to drive more "sporty", you might have wanted to buy a different car if you felt that the Lancer was inadequate in the power department.

 

A manual tranmission Lancer, or a few steps away across the showroom, a Colt in auto or manual guise, would have given you the power you wanted - MIVEC engine FTW!

[Glendon]

hi,

 

i'm actually quite happy with my lancer. the only complain i have is its sluggish pickup. once i get it going from stationary, it's a smooth ride. i'm just trying to find ways to compensate for that sluggish pickup.

 

i didn't notice that during test-drive, and truth be told, if i had, i would have probably pick something else. but for now, i can only make the best out of the current situation - to enhance the pickup as best as i can.

[macrosszero]

Sluggish pickup? Step accelerator harder!

 

Get lighter rims - you'd be surprised how heavy those OZ alloys are. It helps a little.

 

Dumping excess weight from the car helps. Some people drive around with a boot stuffed full of pails, carwash shampoos and wax.

 

Cold air intakes help out on high end only - you might actually lose low end torque.

 

Filters do let the car breathe a little easier.

 

Spark plugs might give 1 hp more. Don't know if you can notice it.

 

Extractors and exhaust might make the engine outlet bit more free flowing too.

 

When you start modding your car, you lose the warranty.

[Jian]

--Cold air intakes help out on high end only - you might actually lose low end torque. --- Are you sure?

 

Hmmm, so my tuner bull.s.h.i.t. me?

Edited February 4, 2007 by Jian

[Glendon]

stepping the accelerator harder just make the engine roar; it doesn't equate to a smooth pickup from stationary. i recently pump shell v-power and stepping lightly on the accelerator does make the car move effortlessly from stationary - that kind of smooth effortlessly pickup from traffic lights is really nice.

 

i'm hoping to mimic that kind of smooth effortless pickup from stationary with the performance mods.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Glendon

[macrosszero]

You're actually right, it is my mistake to issue a blanket statement like that. There might be exceptions that actually increase power across the rev band.

 

But there are dyno charts that support that the gains are not across the board. In some applications there is no loss or benefit. In others there is actually a loss. Again this is for certain applications.

 

Your mileage may vary.