Squabbling about the Lancer
soo many negative posts (okay not negative, is realistic the word?), I hope people don't get turned away from modding lancers altogether. I mod mine for individuality and style, and a bit more horsepower never hurts
Last edited by WangMan; Aug 22, 2007 at 12:35 PM.
WOW!!
I would have to say that there are points to both sides. Of course, most bolt-ons don't do much realistically for any car, you get modest gains at best. Are they worth it? That depends on who is doing it and why. Saying that they do nothing is false, they add style or personalize at the least, and you might even get some HP to boot. I am glad that there are more experienced people out there that will tell it like they experienced and not blow smoke. However, I understand that it is THEIR experience, and mine might be different.
So, thank you to everyone that puts out good information for us all.
As long as you can back it up... which is what Sheep and Amby are doing. They have been there. Keep in mind that things change, what was true then is not always true now. My 06 is not the same as what they had, not that it is better. So I am content to complete my mods and post what I find.
I am new to this platform and as such research as much as I can before making changes. So I am glad that the information is out there. I also take it with a grain of salt, if there is something I really want to try knowing that there could be serious consiquences.
I also am willing to actually wrench on my car, vice having someone else do it (not that there is anything wrong with it), so I get more satisfaction out of it. In the bike community we had CRAP mods (Cheap Readily Available Parts) that we all were proud of, and copied from others.
my current CRAP mod is changing the look of my grill (the 06 ES grill is nasty looking), which will cost me around $40 when all is said and done.
In the end, I will do some bolt-ons for the time being, but later on I will dig into the motor to prep it for a turbo.
Fun is what its all about.
I would have to say that there are points to both sides. Of course, most bolt-ons don't do much realistically for any car, you get modest gains at best. Are they worth it? That depends on who is doing it and why. Saying that they do nothing is false, they add style or personalize at the least, and you might even get some HP to boot. I am glad that there are more experienced people out there that will tell it like they experienced and not blow smoke. However, I understand that it is THEIR experience, and mine might be different.
So, thank you to everyone that puts out good information for us all.
As long as you can back it up... which is what Sheep and Amby are doing. They have been there. Keep in mind that things change, what was true then is not always true now. My 06 is not the same as what they had, not that it is better. So I am content to complete my mods and post what I find.I am new to this platform and as such research as much as I can before making changes. So I am glad that the information is out there. I also take it with a grain of salt, if there is something I really want to try knowing that there could be serious consiquences.
I also am willing to actually wrench on my car, vice having someone else do it (not that there is anything wrong with it), so I get more satisfaction out of it. In the bike community we had CRAP mods (Cheap Readily Available Parts) that we all were proud of, and copied from others.
my current CRAP mod is changing the look of my grill (the 06 ES grill is nasty looking), which will cost me around $40 when all is said and done.
In the end, I will do some bolt-ons for the time being, but later on I will dig into the motor to prep it for a turbo.
Fun is what its all about.
A 4G94 is a 4G94, an 06 is not going to gain 20whp with bolt-ons while an 03 will gain 4 whp, it doesn't work like that.
Anyone who gets turned away by hearing the truth shouldn't be modding in the first place. As we've been trying to drill into the community, it's all about knowing what you're getting yourself into. If you decide that you don't want a part because it will only add 1whp (but cost $500), then that's probably a smart decision. If you decide that you want the part anyway because of style or personal preference, then that's a smart decision for that person.
Thanks for all of your input and knowledge! I know its tough putting up with the same questions over and over. When you have done something for a while you get to know what you are talking about. I appreciate it, but I also like that some people are trying to think outside the box (or bolt ons).
Do you have any proof to back that up? From what I've gathered mitsubishi hasn't changed much motor wise, let alone using an entirely different ECU that responds better to mods (as would be needed). Based on the dynos I've seen they are identical, same parameters, same everything.
Do you have any proof to back that up? From what I've gathered mitsubishi hasn't changed much motor wise, let alone using an entirely different ECU that responds better to mods (as would be needed). Based on the dynos I've seen they are identical, same parameters, same everything.
I was under the impression that it was a recent change (04+). 4G94 is a bored and stroked version of the 4G93, right? My appologies if I am wrong.
My understanding is that the long block is the same, with some minor model year external changes. Along with that, I understood that the ECU EPROM program AF mapping was changed (updated) in certain model years and while minor does change how the motor reacts (not in a good way, de-tuned even more for EPA standards). So, no putting the same bolt-ons will not change my results from yours noticably. But, I can still tinker with it for fun! And it might run better (not faster) too.
As for dyno runs, they are great for one thing: giving you an a starting point or baseline. Unless you run every car on the same dyno, with all of the variables being the same, you cannot make an accurate comparison. Wait! I am not saying that it does not tell you good information, but every dyno is different and there is an inherrent percentage of error due to many variables. And as for proof of this fact, I am a Metrologist.
Sorry, lots of people like to point to dyno numbers like the are gospel, they are really more like guidelines. Too many variables, your results may vary. Do I expect 5 HP from a filter change... no. But .5 HP is better than none.
(And yes, I really get a kick out of this thumbs up icon)After all its only money right?
Thanks for taking the time to answer. You knowledge is a big help!
Anyone comming into Vegas for the
meet? I will see you there!
Evolved Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 5
From: Baytown, TX
Lancers aren't competitive in AX whether lightly or heavily modded- I speak from experience. Stock lancers with the best tires available can be marginally competitive. Urbanknight gave up on his Lancer after going back to stock from only lightly modded. I think Bobaab was racing too, but I can't remember what his set up was. I don't recall him declaring that he did well. If nothing else, consider the number of Lancers that compete in autocross- it's relatively few. If it was a competitive car you'd see more of them.
I would agree with you to a point. I race AX in the Las Vegas region and yeah, i'm the only Lancer there. ( I race STS ) However, i feel with good mods and more experience ( i only have 4 races under my belt ) i can be able to compete and do well. I've found Megan coil-overs and i have a set of Falken tires on order for when i get home. I may not win but i know i can be up there every event. I've noticed that especially in vegas, evo's are the thing and, yes, they are very good. But I have a specific plan that i'm following and each piece i get has a purpose. The thing i feel best about is that i'm not breaking the bank doing it.
I do wish that my car had more power, but my car is my d/d too so i need to keep the streetability as well. I know that, in time, i'll trade my car in but as far as a platform where there is a decent ( obviously not great ) amount of aftermarket support, i feel the lancer is a good car to start out with. Hopefully one day - my oldest child will be learning how to drive in the OZ and maybe compete in STS-L
Are you going to the AX this weekend? I will be going to watch, and see what it is like. Hope to see you there. I also have heard that the Lancer while not dominant can be competative in its class. But isn't AX more about the driver and not the car? If your are crappy driver, it will reflect on the car badly even if it is a great car.
Evolved Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 5
From: Baytown, TX
^ no - i'm deployed to the middle east right now. 
I won't be able to make it to an event until november. Double
I think the lancer can be competive and i believe auto-x is more about the driver. I think obviously you have to have a good set-up under your car but if you can't drive worth sh*t - then all those mods don't mean beans.
Like i said in my post, i only have four events under my belt so far so i'm still kind of a noob - but i'm really into this and i plan on being there for most of the events in '08.
I won't be able to make it to an event until november. Double I think the lancer can be competive and i believe auto-x is more about the driver. I think obviously you have to have a good set-up under your car but if you can't drive worth sh*t - then all those mods don't mean beans.
Like i said in my post, i only have four events under my belt so far so i'm still kind of a noob - but i'm really into this and i plan on being there for most of the events in '08.
Question: When did the 2.0 motor come out?
I was under the impression that it was a recent change (04+). 4G94 is a bored and stroked version of the 4G93, right? My appologies if I am wrong.
My understanding is that the long block is the same, with some minor model year external changes. Along with that, I understood that the ECU EPROM program AF mapping was changed (updated) in certain model years and while minor does change how the motor reacts (not in a good way, de-tuned even more for EPA standards).
I was under the impression that it was a recent change (04+). 4G94 is a bored and stroked version of the 4G93, right? My appologies if I am wrong.
My understanding is that the long block is the same, with some minor model year external changes. Along with that, I understood that the ECU EPROM program AF mapping was changed (updated) in certain model years and while minor does change how the motor reacts (not in a good way, de-tuned even more for EPA standards).