Okay, so I have given it some serious thought. I'm not really looking to mod my RA for high horsepower/racing. However, I would like to maximize the performance and longevity of the car.

In other words, I want to maximize the longevity of the engine, transmission, etc.

Obviously, driving like a sane person is the most important factor. Next is routine maintenance.

I get all of that, I'm not exactly a new driving. hehehe

Aside from all of that, what mods would be best for helping to increase longevity. Here's what I am thinking.

1. Intercooler - Helps stay cool. Heat is a bad bad thing that increases wear and tear and results in early break down of mechanical parts. AMS claims there is no need for a tune with the new intercooler.

2. Cold air intake - Cold air is important is reducing/eliminating early detonation. Cold air intakes also help a bit with improving gas mileage.

What else would be good to consider for modification to keep everything running at it's best, i.e. transmission cooling, recommended fluids, etc.

I want this car to last, as I plan on passing it to my daughter when she turns 16, in nine years.

Recommendations?

 

A cold air intake will likely require a tune. I read somewhere about a gas-saver tune...perhaps that would be possible with an intake.

 

I will be a buyer myself soon (if everything goes as planned) and I'll be honest I'm sorta scared to buy the thing. Mitsu makes a reliable car, but this tranny is worth $9k. If that goes out after the 60k powertrain.... OUCH. thinking about getting the extended warrenty tbh

 

Honestly, I'm not worried about the transmission. It's new technology and prices/cost will come down especially once aftermarket parts are available (PLEASE do not post about the new clutch packs or link to the thread!!!).

We had one guy post a $15,000 price tag 2 months ago, now it's down to $9,000 at this rate it will be free by the end of the year.

Back on topic.

So the cold air intake requires a tune?!?! Hmmm.... Not sure I'm ready to start voiding warranties just yet. I wonder if the dealership can do the install/tune.

 

Depends on the dealership. And if you do have the dealership be prepared to pay much more for the labor/parts.

 

install a 3" down-pipe and a high flow cat.

 

don't listen to ppl who don't know what they're talking about. Some CAI don't require tune's cause if it's got the same diameter or have been tested i.e. injen and aem they are plug and play. now u just go and get a bigmaf or something yeah you're going to need to calibrate your maf sensor

 

Its not just about that. But its also about air flow, fuel compensation, and timing.

OP - proper upkeep and care will increase the longevity of the car.

 

 

Tranny issues, over heating transmissions on traditional automatic transmissions, is what kills most factory cars at the 120k-150k range, resulting in a full replacement of the transmission. If you want any car to remain reliable past that range, I would suggest looking into a bigger transmission cooling system. The TC-SST is different than an toque converter traditional auto tranny, but there are products out there to help keep it cool now. There are heat sinks and fans, the sink I saw looks very nicely built. That and a FMI and a tune is where I would sink my money for longevity purposes. Hope this helps.

 

lol, yes that is what a MAF (mass air flow sensor) is for, to tell your engine how much air flow you are getting and adjust accordingly.

Okay, I got you, as long as I don't change the MAF (i.e. go larger or change the type "hot wire" vs. "cold wire" vs. "membrane" etc.) I should be fine.

I am looking at the AMS CAI, which AMS claims:
Their CAI uses the existing MAF. So why the retune? Is it because their CAI:


If they reconfigure the BOV to "recirculate" the air in-line with the induction path wouldn't that effectively turn the BOV into a bypass valve?

BOV = release pressure into the air
Bypass valve = release pressure into the intake between the MAF and the turbo

Would that require a new tune?!?! I'm still a rookie when it comes to turbos.

 

the maf reads how much air your supposed to have so since your going to put a cold air intake its going to mess up the readings and cause driveability issues. You need a tune for any intake you put on.

 

If you want it to last then don't beat on it.. Simple as that... Modding isn't going to make things last longer. Maintenance will....

 

If you're concerned about longevity, keep the car completely stock. The stock intercooler is fine, you don't need to change that nor will it help with longevity. Heat is an issue but only if it's excessive. If you're not getting knock, the car is fine. Same goes for a CAI. Despite what some people say, a tune is always a good idea with an intake. A lot of companies claim that you don't need a tune, but that doesn't mean it isn't recommended. When they say "you don't need a tune" they may mean that on the car they tested the intake, the engine didn't explode with the intake on. Based on datalogs from a local tuner, all intakes require some form of adjustment to work properly.

 

Agreed! Good maintenance and responsible driving will keep that car going.

I like your style, trying to think out of the modding box to keep your car reliable. If I had to think of mods that may help you I would recommend:

-a transmission oil cooler
-an aftermarket radiator that won't leak
-nice brake pads to make sure you can stop well and not crash
-high quality motor oil / fluids
-good all weather tires or summer/winter sets of wheels
-All season floor mats
-turtle wax and armor all / frequent washes
-an honest mechanic

I feel like a cai and a tune has a slight chance of hurting your car in the long run. Unless you specify otherwise, the tuner is trained to get HP/TQ out of a tune. A good tuner isn't going to give you a tune that will make your car explode, but they may not be quite as astute as the Mitsu engineers when it comes to weather changes, altitude, and longevity etc

But... I would probably still grab at least a cai and a tune to have some fun!