[regnex]

Hi everyone,

this is my first forum topic and hope it goes well from here.

A little about me:
I am 29/m, from Goa and a car-crazy follower of the latest on four wheels. I have been collecting and reading auto magazines since 1995, an advance gamer on PS2, PS3 and PC. I love the NFS series games. I have been experimenting with car looks and performance upgrades in these games for years and always dreamt of modifying a real one sometime in the future.

Guess the time has come now and I presently own a
1. Ford Fiesta Duratorq Zxi with alloys, ICE, under-body lights etc
2. A second hand 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Glx 1.5 Petrol just for carrying out modifications and tuning it the way I like it.

Team-BHP has some great lancers listed and are too good to be true. Unfortunately I live in southern Goa and the market for aftermarket performance parts or Exterior fittings is scattered around the tiny state, eventually making it impossible to reach.

Now here's the thing.

Performance and build:
·My lancer has clocked 110,000km on the speedometer and the engine still seems to be sounding great, runs without any lag or choking effect. The previous owner seems to have strictly followed the service cycles.
·Ride comfort is a bit shaky, probably due to a front wheel alignment issue; I can feel the steering wheel shaking while on a straight road on normal speed. Tyres are old MRF radials and worn out, presently on factory cast iron wheels.
·The clutch is a bit less responsive and the exhaust is making a bit of a race car noise, seems like it’s not fitted on properly according to the mechanic who inspected it when I bought it.

Well that’s my story and I don’t know where to go ahead from here, for starts I have already purchased a EVO kit (Front/Rear Bumpers, Side Skirts and Spoiler) for Rs 24,000/-, although it’s not original from Mitsubishi, seems like custom made from Delhi. I got it from a dealer in Panjim, Goa.

What I want:
·I want my car to have great looks as a start (guess the EVO kit will help in some way)
·Want to install a custom glass roof
·Upgrade engine performance (ECU, Air Intake, Exhaust etc avoiding any major internal block changes or bore size)
·Upgrade to 16” or 17” alloys with positive offsets and low profile tyres. (Now please don’t suggest 15” or 14” just because the ride gets a bit less bumpy, I got this car to make it look good and have fun right?)
·Upgrade Suspension, probably best in comfort on low profile tyres.
·ICE advice


The paintjob is taken care of as one of my friend does great paintjobs on cars of all kind, you can actually visit his site called serviceinn. This is another hobby of mine, designing websites, I designed this one myself.

I have actually experimented with the looks of my car in photoshop and will post it along with the real current pictures of the lancer.

I've kept a budget of up to 150k, not to exceed more than that, which excludes the EVO kit as I have already spent on that one.

Thank you for reading my tall tale of engine noise and paint jobs.
Will check out for your advice on this issue.

Thank you all.

[dinar]

Hey buddy, welcome to Tbhp. As for you mods, do not go over 16" , there's blue colored lancer in mapusa with 17" and the it handles badly.
Tyre bridgestone Turanza GR80, best for comfort as well as handling.
Glass roof? does anyone do such mod in goa? all custom work including the glass.
Get a good street clutch from reputed brands like exedy.
Air filter K&N,universal, CAI does make much of difference here in goa.
Get good headers made.
Suspension Koni, adjustable.
If you can a bigger throttle body.
And a Fuel pressure regulator. Later go in for a standalone if you consider going for serious engine mods.

[regnex]

thanks Dinar,
i did check on the web on custom glass roofs, i think it was webastoindia.com , don't know if there have an outlet in Goa.
any suggestions on where i can get a good engine job done in Goa?

[pramodkumar]

I have a lancer too of the same vintage and milage, I was a great fan of body kits till i saw a KA regn Yellow lancer with tear graphics in hyderabad, the car had hot +ve offset mirror lip alloys and maxis low pro tyres, IMO this car does not require skirting, but since you have already invested in it great, how about some pics of the kit, but please be careful, i have broken the skirting in my old esteem many times and its very difficult to repair them.

I am currently getting my car painted, Lancers are best in terms of handling and the newer ones (post 2004, i could be wrong here) started to come with gas filled shocks, the one we have are oil filled ones, try getting new gas filled ones which will workout cheaper and will be as good as its from A S S, there are many people who have issues with after market shocks, since you have mentioned a lack of a reliable tuner i think it would be wise to go for mitsu spares. Regarding engine mods i was thinking of going for a DOHC setup as two of our members have on their cars, Such a setup is rare but very reliable(as far as i know) getting a FFE and CAI does not do much to a lancer. an FPR definitely improves the throttle response.

Getting a moon roof(i assume thats what you must have ment when you said glass roof) is not a good idea, as per indian conditions which is already very dusty cleaning will be a struggle.

Any ways keep us posted and for christ's sake please do not put those bull decals on the car, keep it sporty yet stickerless, i would look more graceful that way.

Best of luck with your project and keep us posted

Pramod

[dinar]

Originally Posted by regnex

thanks Dinar,
i did check on the web on custom glass roofs, i think it was webastoindia.com , don't know if there have an outlet in Goa.
any suggestions on where i can get a good engine job done in Goa?

What sort of engine work are you looking for?
As for clutch , source it and any good garage will do it,these are straight fit. Other stuff get hold of a good garage who can service it, all the goan bhpian have manuals and tell what is to be done to the garage, if stuck we meet up for dinner discuss the issue and fix it the next day..same is the case with mods.

As for Webatoindia, they have a number for GOA , the below.
Priority
Ph.- (+91) - 9326110777
NO idea who is the person.This thing will set you back most of your mod money [they are not cheap by any angle].

[regnex]

Originally Posted by pramodkumar

Getting a moon roof(i assume thats what you must have ment when you said glass roof) is not a good idea, as per indian conditions which is already very dusty cleaning will be a struggle.

Any ways keep us posted and for christ's sake please do not put those bull decals on the car, keep it sporty yet stickerless, i would look more graceful that way.

Best of luck with your project and keep us posted

Pramod

Pramod,
that was a funny gesture on the bull decal, but frankly i agree with you, will keep it simple and stickerless.
I believe the 'moon roof' too is not a good idea at the moment. How can i convert my present engine to a DOHC, or do i have to replace it? (i sound pretty stupid asking this question, me being an engineer i.e.)

the bumpers and skirts i got seem pretty big and I don't know how it will look like once they are fitted. will post pictures of the kit once i find them on my computer.

thank you

I have seen some lancers with the booth hood completely flat on the rear, not like the original one where the number plate and some lights are embeded in.

are these replaced? or can the stock be modified?

[Cyrus43]

150K!! That is a Decent Sum when it comes to Mods!! you can do loads for that much. My honest opinion is that you send the car either to bombay of bangalore for these kind of mods.

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

150K!! That is a Decent Sum when it comes to Mods!! you can do loads for that much. My honest opinion is that you send the car either to bombay of bangalore for these kind of mods.

I'm not sure if thats a great idea. mods need personal attention. Long distance remote control modding has a lot of risk involved if the tuner is technically or morally unsound.

[pramodkumar]

Originally Posted by regnex

Pramod,
that was a funny gesture on the bull decal, but frankly i agree with you, will keep it simple and stickerless.
I believe the 'moon roof' too is not a good idea at the moment. How can i convert my present engine to a DOHC, or do i have to replace it? (i sound pretty stupid asking this question, me being an engineer i.e.)

Thats ok, Even i learned about DOHC here at team BHP. I have seen a lot of Suzukis with such a mod but not a lancer. People have written off the 1500CC Mitsu engines, any ways refer to this link :


http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...hi-lancer.html

Originally Posted by regnex

the bumpers and skirts i got seem pretty big and I don't know how it will look like once they are fitted. will post pictures of the kit once i find them on my computer.

thank you

I have seen some lancers with the booth hood completely flat on the rear, not like the original one where the number plate and some lights are embeded in.

are these replaced? or can the stock be modified?

Did you mean like this one, this has to be either fabricated or you can also contact autospyche, who might be able to get you one made.



More of autopsyche lancers : Autopsyche - Racing Techniques

PS: Please get rid of those shark fin antennas, they kill the other wise hot looks of your car.
Pramod

[maglev]

Before you do anything I would strongly suggest a Compression Test of the engine as that would help you gauge, how much life does the heart of your car has.

[regnex]

Thanks pramod,
I did try to contact autopsyche weeks ago but didnt get any respose from them, was a bit discouraged and went on to buy the body kit locally.

About the shark fins, they are there for a purpose, the booth hood had a huge race spoiler when i purchased it. I have removed and kept it now in safe storage and had to do something about the four big holes.
That's where the fins came in. [;-)]

Originally Posted by maglev

Before you do anything I would strongly suggest a Compression Test of the engine as that would help you gauge, how much life does the heart of your car has.

how can that be done? is it possible with the authorised dealers? or special workshops?

Here are pictures of the EVO Kit I purchased for my car

[dinar]

Originally Posted by rippergeo

I'm not sure if thats a great idea. mods need personal attention. Long distance remote control modding has a lot of risk involved if the tuner is technically or morally unsound.

I agree with this. You have to be able to give time when giving the car for modding.

@regnex, what exactly are you looking for in modding the car ? you'll get couple of hunderd option here, everyone has a different idea about modding a perticular car.
As for the DOHC, you'll have to buy DOHC head and replace the old one with it.

[pramodkumar]

Originally Posted by regnex

how can that be done? is it possible with the authorised dealers? or special workshops?

Yes it can be done at the A S S, but do ask them to disconnect the fuel pump before they perform these tests,

I like your kits they look sporty, they are not doing justice this way. They have to be on the car for us to make out if they are proportioned well. that evo type spoilers are very common, i think the one you have removed are GT wings, they look better than these spoilers.

About those holes, please get them tinkered else you would have rust formation around them, these antennas can cover them up but will not be able to hold the water from seeping.

At last when is the project expected to start? Eager to see WIP.

Pramod

[regnex]

Originally Posted by dinar

@regnex, what exactly are you looking for in modding the car ? you'll get couple of hunderd option here, everyone has a different idea about modding a perticular car.
As for the DOHC, you'll have to buy DOHC head and replace the old one with it.

Well, as for starts, i want the car to look good, wouldnt mind adding extra fibre or metal to make it look more elegant and sporty at the same time.

Under the hood, i need the engine to have good horspower. Me and my friends used to always drag with our bikes, now its time to do it with custom cars (jus for fun and not competing), fuel consumption is not an issue at the moment and wouldnt mind if the car drinks more than me. The exhaust needs to be changed and maybe a new customised ECU too.

Ride handling is very important as i would want handle this car at high speed. the suspension has to be looked into and will be going in for low profile with 16" Alloys.

Finally it's about the interiors, ICE and for Exteriors Underbody Neons and other stuff. I have already done alot of changes in my Ford fiesta and would want to do the same for this car too. Have installed Underbody multi-colour changing leds, HID, Sony A/V Sound System with Screen on dash, GPS, AutoCop Mobile Tracking Security System, Rear view camera (fitted on the Booth hood) custome made seat covers and alloys. that's some of the basic things on the ford. Would want to do the same (even better on the lancer).

[dinar]

Ok, Now I would suggest, get the body kit and cosmetic stuff first, wheels,etc. than work your way towards getting performance, along with handling [read suspension].Get good replica seat for front [they look good as well as give good support].As for the flat rear , I am guessing you are looking for something similar to the EVOs, any good body shop will be able get that look if you take the photo of what you want, it's simple job.

Coming to engine mods get the engine compression tested first, this will give you a clear idea of what the engine condition is, ie: does it need overhaul. Than start the upgrade slowly.
- Air filter
- Than decide if you want to go for Head change to DOHC/MiVEC. if yes than get one fitted, with stock ECU.
If you do not want to got through all this, you can use the original head and change rest of the stuff.
- exhaust, headers to match the new head/cams.
- Bigger injectors,high flow pump, Cam change, porting polishing.
If still the power is not enough get high compression pistons, get the engine blue printed, flywheel, clutch [stag2].
- if still power is need ,Than there is option of getting a 4G92 engine ,1.6 Mivec [there a couple of the forum ],170BHP@7000rpm and 149Nm@4500 rpm. Real fun to drive.[this will cost you a bit more]