So, you will all be proud of me, I am going to make the jump from automatic to manual. YAY!

Currently I have a 2006 lancer Oz rally that is auto. That car is obviously all looks and no bite. I was thinking about getting a 2009 or so lancer GTS manual. Is that a good ideal? I want a manual and I want a little more power cause, on the highway, I really suffer haha. Would that 50hp increase in the GTS be pretty noticable? I mean, obviously the GTS is an increase compared to what I have now (more HP, more torque, DOHC instead of SOHC and oh yeah, duh, manual haha), but what do you guys think?

Also, the EVO is currently not an option for me... nor is the Ralliart...

Also, I am a car noob.

 

No replies yet.... lame!

 

I don't see a problem, going to an EVO is a big step, especially if you haven't driven manual before. Going to an 09 GTS will definitely be an improvement, not a really racy car but still sporty and a good step if you do want to get an EVO one day.

 

I actually learned on a manual at first haha, but when I bought my lancer, I wasn't comfortable enough with it and I ended up with an auto. Since then I have practiced a little and feel way better with it, but I am still not like a pro haha.

Yeah, I like, currently, a sporty sedan rather then a race car, but I would love an EVO.

Would you say that the little increase in horsepower (168 vs 120) be noticable and better on the highways and hills? I would assume yes, but ya never know....

 

It's a good idea.

Evo power is overkill, and you can get many benefits with the gts without the ridiculous insurance costs.

You'll feel the difference with 50HP, but check the weight to be sure you're not offsetting the extra hp.

 

I know nothing of cars so I would not understand how to calculate that, but I do know that the GTS is heavier then the Oz.

 

Easy man, just divide car weight by HP. I'd do it for you but I'm on my phone and my wife has the laptop.

 

So I looked it up on edmunds and it says this:

GTS:
Gross weight: 4079lbs
Curb weight: 3043lbs

Oz:
Gross weight: 3726lbs
Curb weight: 2789lbs

That's like 300lbs.... will that offset the difference?

I know that the Oz goes from 0 to 60 in about 13 seconds or something and the GTS goes in about 7.... so does that say something?

 

Also forgot to explain the numbers.

Less pounds per HP is better.

For example, 100 HP in a 3000 lb car would mean each HP is pushing 30 lbs.

200 HP in a 3000 lb car means 15 lbs per HP, a much better ratio that you will certainly feel.

Be aware that gearing and other factors play a role, and I'd recommend you drive a gts before committing to sell your Oz.

 

Oh haha... I am on my phone as well *bro fist*

Which weight do I divide from? Curb or gross?

And then what does that number mean? Haha....

 

Yeah I think that is a smart move! Not to powerful but something you can still have fun with and it being a manual is also more fun than an auto.

 

Alright, so here are the numbers I got

GTS:
Gross: 4079lbs/168= 24
Curb: 3043lbs/168= 18

Oz:
Gross: 3726lbs/120= 31
Curb: 2789lbs/120= 23

So yeah, not much, but better.... I guess also this number is pretty important as well, torque...

GTS' torque is: 167ft-lbs and the Oz is: 130ft-lbs

Based of my limited knowledge, torque has more to do with acceleration then hp right? Or do they both contribute equally?

 

Manual is:
More reliable
Cheaper to maintain
More fun to drive (learn to heel/toe downshift like The Stig )
Better fuel economy
Better traction in snow (start out in 2nd gear )
Theft-resistant (y'utes today can't drive manual so they look for an auto to joy-ride. yo. )
Wife/girlfriend usually can't drive it (you will learn to really appreciate this after the GF's car shows curb rash and odd dents and dings)

The list goes on...

 

So true.

You want to factor curb weight if actual weight is not available.

GTS:
HP: 3043lbs/168= 18.1
Tq: 3043lbs/167= 18.2

Oz:
HP: 2789lbs/120= 23.2
Tq: 2789lbs/130= 21.4

So on paper, it looks like the GTS will be marginally faster.

Excuse my ignorance on the OZ, but if they were offered with a manual transmission, it seems cheaper to have it swapped than to "upgrade" cars. On most cars a manual swap can be performed for less than $1200 but do your research here. If you can squeeze another 40hp out of your OZ, you will hve a car that is 300lbs lighter, with a better power:weight than the GTS.

2789lbs/160hp= 17.4 lbs per hp.

If given the choice, the lighter car is almost always going to be a better choice, as reducing weight effects acceleration AS WELL AS handling and braking. Really, after doing some research on the GTS 2008+ and looking at some dynos, the GTS seems like a really lost cause, power-wise. One chart I saw put the GTS at $100 per 1hp. Gaining <10hp for $1100 spent.

If you get that car, you should really only buy for looks, and handling mods, because horsepower bang for buck just isn't there. They are good looking cars though, and as the saying goes, it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

 

They are offered in a manual as well, but they are hard to find in dealerships and I am still making payments... I. Haven't had the Oz for too long...

Haha I would love to do a swap like that, but I am not too into spending a lot into a car. I would much rather just buy a stock manual... I should have done that from the beginning haha. What could I do to increase the horsepower by 40? Would it all be expensive? If it is not too expensive, wouldn't it makes sense to do the same mods to the GTS to increase that horsepwoer even more?

I'm not a race my car kind of guy, I like a sporty looking sedan that can, if need be, eat some teenager's parent's car for breakfast.

So the GTS may be a good car for me?

I just want something that is more fun to drive and has a bit more power for where I live ( lots of hills and stuff ) and the highway cause my car has trouble getting to 75MPH and staying there....