Gen's Build Thread
 

I don't want to keep making a new thread everytime I want to do something with my car so here it is.

I'm just starting, so there are many things I don't know.

What I have:
- 2003 Lancer ES Automatic (yes, auto)
- Decent set of performance tires with 17inch rims that are lighter than my stock 14inchers.
- K&N Typhoon short ram air intake (can't have CAI in auto)

What I want:
- A little more power, lighter and more responsive car, not too horribly loud.

I'm wondering if lightweight pulleys would do anything? If so, there's more than one pulley under my hood, which ones should be replaced first and what kind should I get?

On eBay there are a few, some are alternator pulley, crank pulley and main pulley! Are these three running the same belt under the hood?

EDIT: Also looking at this muffler on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.ca/105MM-JDM-N1-MUFF...3A1%7C294%3A50) Will this fit my stock pipe? Will it do anything for power?

If you want something more responsive go for a crank pulley and lighter flywheel. Not really more power it just frees up the power that your engine already has and gives you more throttle response.

Which ones is the crank pulley? Are we talking about the timing belt?

Isn't flywheel for manual?

What's the deal with headers? Are they illegal?

If you want a little more power i would say exhaust, headers, intake(you have), but really anything short of a turbo and you won't feel the difference.

I understand, but turbo opens a whole new can of worms and it's very expensive. I'd rather sell my car and buy the 09 GTS or something if I wanted to go that route.

My plan has headers in it but I still don't know if it's legal here in canada.

As far as exhaust go, do I really need catback or just a high flow muffler will do?

Headers aren't illegal in Canada

That makes me happy because the setup with intake -> headers -> catback seems to be a good plan. I would probably think about getting a bigger throttle body but my senses tell me my car will take more gas with that mod.

Also, I wanted to ask what size speaker is in the door panel in my car? Reason being, Ontario is making using cellphones while driving illegal but handsfree devices will be good to go. I've just ordered a Kenwood stereo with built-in bluetooth and such, but it's way too powerful for my stock speakers. So, I'll have to replace them.

As for speaker size, the audio place where you buy them should be able to tell you what will fit your car. I got 6 1/2" speakers for the front and rear - the stock speakers are 6 3/4" I think, and they don't make speakers those size (Mitsu made it really easy for us :p) But anyways, we used washers to bridge the gap where the screws go and the speakers fit fine... It took a bit of time, but it worked out in the end.

Let us know how it goes :)

Yeah I've picked up 6x9's so there's no way I'm going to fit those in my car without cutting.

do you have some pics of your car. i drive a stock lancer 2002 es automatic as well and im looking into what i can do to improve or if its worth spending on it

I'll put some really old pictures and some new ones in my garage today. In my opinion all Lancers are worth keeping in good shape, this is the second lancer in my life.

Sorry for not posting the pictures, been busy installing my new intake.

So I just received it and installed my typhoon short ram intake. So far it feels like more torque in low rpm and slight more horses in higher ends. I am loving the sound though, at least feels like the car is doing something more than before.

Next question is, what's the difference between Catback and axleback, which is better?

A catback is the exhaust replaced from your catalytic converter right out to the muffler... Axleback is from your rear axle back... basically just replacing your muffler...

I only have an axleback, as I didn't have the money to do it from the cat at the time... I might do it later on, but the muffler did give me some noise... I also had my resonator removed, so there was added noise there as well...

As for power, when I first installed my SRI, I just noticed the noise, not really the power... but with the SRI and the exhaust, I notice a bit of quicker acceleration around 3,700 RPM... I'm at a toss up as to whether those minor changes actually make a difference, or if it's all in my head :p

Things for me keep pointing towards getting lightweight pulleys next, as it reduces load off of the engine that can be used towards the wheels. I just don't know how many pulleys there are and whether changing just the main pulley will make any difference.

they make a difference , not a big difference but you will feel it ,