What's up everyone? I'm new here and I just bought myself a 2002 Lancer O.Z. Rally Edition. So far I love the car, the previous owner took pretty good care of it. The interior was pretty dirty and needed to be cleaned up pretty good, but no scratches on the dash or anything like that. Seats are still very nice and after cleaning them up they look good as new. And for the exterior there are no dents or dings but the paint is pretty bad, quite a few scratches from keys and such. I plan to repaint the car completely. The O.Z. rims are in really good shape except for the front right one which has some curb rash. There is some work to be done but these cars are far from common around here. I have the only Lancer (all types) in my town that I have seen.

Couldn't get the fuel door open without wedging something between the lever and thanks to these forums I was able to figure out that problem and ordered the part needed so now that is fixed. The 'L' from the 'LANCER' badges fell off but I still have it, sitting in the glove box right now. The knob for the temperature control is broken, once again, I know the parts required to fix this problem thanks to these forums. Those parts are on their way. So, those are the only problems with the car... not bad for a 2002 in my opinion.

But... Where should I start? I plan on modding it, what would you guys recommend doing first? Know of any good lightweight wheels for these cars?

 

MAINTENANCE!!!

sorry, i feel like a broken record...if you don't know the maintenance history of the car, assume the worst...spark plugs, air filter, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, thermostat, run some injector cleaner through the gas...all the basics...then look at mechanical parts like timing belt, water pump, accessory belts and pulleys, suspension components i.e. bushings, brakes etc.

what do you mean lightweight wheels? any 4x100 wheels with reasonable size, and proper offset will work...weight isn't super critical in my opinion...i mean, not on this platform...

oh, and welcome!

 

The previous owner gave me the maintenance receipts and such. Oil change every 3000 miles, new timing belt less than 4k miles ago, spark plugs a little over 7k miles ago, brakes but for some reason there wasn't an odometer reading on that receipt so I am not sure how long ago that was nor did I ask. That's all I have for the car. I already had maintenance in mind when I bought the car and I already have someone I know going to check everything on the car and replace what is needed if anything on Tuesday... The reason I asked if anyone knew of good lightweight wheels was because I want to get some 17" or possibly 18" but I don't want to be adding any weight to the car. I understand these version of Lancers are not very quick, but hey, I can try right?

 

18's a little big for this type of car...might look flashy but you sacrifice comfort...

as far as mods, i would do intake, exhaust and suspension and tires, urethane engine roll stopper, and solid shifter bushings first. wheels can wait, they are expensive and the OZ wheels look pretty good, they're just a bit small...but if you're really planning on getting new wheels, hold off on the tires until then...

 

Looks good, congrats!

 

swap out that grill for an evo grill.

 

where does one get this Evo grill you speak of?

you mean those "JDM" lancer grills...?

 

I don't really want to make anything on this car look like an Evo. Since I personally don't want people pointing and going "Look an Evo!" even though the front and back body of the car gives it away, some people just can't seem to tell the difference I guess. Just my opinion, I really don't care if others try to make their Lancer look like an Evo. To each their own.

 

If you want better handling your first mod should be a rear rrm sway bar with autoX perches, even with stock suspension you will feel a huge difference, it was my first mod and I was very happy with it, if you want "power" first then get a ported 4g93 intake manifold, sounds good and you can feel a difference.

 

i would do handling before speed...remember if you go turbo, you'll want better brakes, you'll NEED a stronger clutch if manual...and an LSD wouldn't be a bad idea either...but clutch and brakes is a must...but suspension and handling should be done first and foremost...cause even with stock power, the OZ doesn't handle great...

 

i didn't mean direct fit evo grill off an evo. it's the style of grill. just like they make evo style hoods for cars that aren't even a mitsubishi and how they make M3 style mirrors and Z3 style fenders. But yes, JDM does make the grill lol as well as RRM sells a carbon fiber one.

 

Yeah, i wasn't exactly telling you to make your car look like an evo. i just can't stand that stock grill, reminds me of an old man driving a Buick. But, that's what happens when you start modding a car. you are always compared to the better model of the car and called a poser. just like all the evo drivers in here do constantly. i love my lancer, and even though i plan on getting an Evo at the end of the year. i will probably still keep my lancer.