New Comer To The Tuner Scene

Hey everyone. Well, I am normally into my American Muscle ( I own a 1979 Dodge Challenger with a 318. ALL ORIGINAL, less than 30k and a 1966 Pontiac Le Mans again, ALL ORIGINAL, and less than 19K on that one). Tomorrow, June 16th, is my 20th birthday. Nothing major. For my 19th, I was in Afghanistan so I thought to change it up a bit. I pick up my 95 Eclipse GS tomorrow. The owner already has an AEM Cold Air Intake. I am not to savvy when it comes to the mechanical parts of of cars, I am more of a driver, but my brother does all my mechanics.


Basically, with already having a Cold Air Intake...what would you all recommend to start building this into a killer? I am looking at 2 years to have it complete. Maybe less. Money is tight for the next 3 months, but, it will pick up. But, I need some advice. Thanks everyone.  

ALSO. With this.. I do have $1300 (I know, not a lot, but, its something) to invest in this car tomorrow (the day I get the car). And, that is not including the $120 for the two CV Axels I am putting in since these two are bad...So, if you can give me some quick tips to boost performance with what I got, again, I know, not a lot, but, some help would be nice.  

A new exhaust will do this car pretty good (though i'll admit I'm hardly familiar with the N/A Eclipse engine). I know from experience this car benifits greatly from a simple front strut tower brace (one of the cheapest mods I can think of). I would probably also go for new suspension, but I wouldn't know what to recommend for this (I can't remember the suspension I had on my 90' tsi).

I'd be reluctant myself to spend too much more on a FWD car, there are other members here more familiar with taking full advantage of the FWD DSMs.  
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1994 GTO Twin Turbo
nothin wrong with front-wheel drive, I just refuse to own one

You will need to get forged pistons, forged connecting rods, forged crankshaft, and a big turbo.  

dont forget to save some money any repairs/replacements of belts hoses etc. that you'll most likely need on a new car. thats what i'd put a majority of that money into.  

Start out with a full system exhaust and work up from there. A full Greddy setup around my area runs about 1200, 4-1 SS headers, a cat-back system, and a catalyst.

My fiend is doing a similar build with a GS model so ill give you company names with what he has done to it already.

Greddy full system exhaust with a killed cat running straight pipe, MSD blaster pack, Magnecore 8.5mm plug wires, NGK Iridium IX spark plugs, AEM fuel filter, Optiman yellow top battery, custom cut shifter to a short throw but he is ordering a true short throw, Eibach sportline lowering springs, Megan racing F strut tower bar. 18" Sacci black w/chrome lip and Nankang NS-2 tires.

his next parts order is the intake manifold and then the fuel system with a fuel pump, easier flowing lines with a fuel pressure regulator, and fuel injectors with a fuel rail and a remap on the ECU. With that system being taken care he's moving to the rest of his suspension with Tokico Strust and suspension techniques sway bar set and prothane master bushings set. His clutch is on order a CM FX300 and an Exedy lightwieght flywheel.his engine internals he said wait a bit longer. When he does he's going with Eagle Rods, Weiseco pistons, crower cam, HKS springs and retainers with a port and polish from our local speed shop. boring up to .30 over valves from custom made for the head also at the speed shop. Fluidyne Radiator and greddy coolant hoses with 2 small pints of Royal Purple Ice additive and a cooloer flowing thermostat, he's running Royal purple engine oil and soon gear oil. then he says his build will be done.  

Welcome to the tuner scene...where it's no secret that the 318 you mentioned can now be smoked by you're new Eclipse with a little bit of work.  The cold air intake is a good one just make sure you clean it up and make sure the filter is clean.  Start off by getting a basic service like mentioned in a previous post.  Spark plugs, tranny fluid, full synthetic oil, check your accessory and timing belts, diff fluid, etc.  Clean the fuel system out and clean the gunk in the motor with some oil additive (like BG Cleaner).  

Put on  a cat-back exhaust, new catalytic converter (if you want to stay legal), and a performance header.  This is definitely the first step.  

I own a tuner parts store based in Denver, CO.  I can hook you up with all the parts you need shipped to you and for a great price.  Let me know what you need.  I'll also help you along your build process too.

JP Alonso
Edge Autosport