Here's the first mod i've done to my car thus far: The famed blacked out grille! Hey, what can I say, it's been -45 (that's just celcius) here lately and there's not much work that's easily done in that weather. All told i've had the car for about two weeks so far, and i've got parts on the way, so i'll keep y'all posted. This, as the title suggests, will be a slow build up to...something better People working on a limited budget will likely be able to identify with this build-up. My goal is to make a nice car, for relatively cheap, but not to buy cheap parts either, hence: slooow.

Here's the list so far:
1.) Grille painted
2.) LANCER Mitsu floor-mats (for said -45 weather)
3.) New Motomaster battery (see above)

On the way
1.) Injen CAI (purchased on Ebay from a junk-yard in Ohio who found it in a wreck, complete with instructions! I paid I think around $45.00 USD for it) <-- Will likely wait for warmer weather to install that, especially when spring rolls around and there's water everywhere. Perhaps i'll invest in a bypass valve in the mean-time
2.) Road//Race front strut bar purchased from EvoM member Joseph K (thank you very much BTW!) Will let you know when it comes
3.) Perrin Shorty Antenna from same source as above!
4.) NEW HVAC SPEED CONTROL AND TEMP-CONTROL CABLE ( )

So, without further adieu, or however that expression goes...

Pictures, which, albeit, will likely be less than exciting due to the 'competition' in this sub-forum












I Will, once again, when the weather turns reasonable, black out the headlights, maybe get some black tails, do those reflectors, possibly some SPARCO mud-flaps (i'm thinkin' more rally than road ) and ULTIMATELY, in summer, rims & tires.

 

Nothing wrong with a slow build - I'm on the same limited budget so I know where you are coming from. Good deal on the CAI though

 

good starting list of mods. Some things I suggest that are on the cheaper side and will make the car look a lot better.

-Blacked out headlights.
-black out your reflectors or get lucky and find clear ones on ebay.
-window tint.
-used oz lip kit.

 

nice car whats better than a stock car and money in your pocket that fancy car and cannot afford a happy meal. keep it up its better slow that never

 

clean Lancer.. glad to see another build-up.. keep us posted..

 

Oh, I also forgot to mention, I will, when the weather permits, debadge the rear and paint the Mitsu logo and 'LANCER' black to match the grille, however, adhesives to allow those letters to stick again won't be happy with the negative temps

 

you can use 3M tape for the emblems.. but be warned.. paint comes off the emblems if they are rubbed the wrong way.. i found out the hard way the first wash afterwards.. nothing a black sharpie cant fix.. lol

 

Update 24/1/07

Got my RRM strut brace and shorty antenna. Expecting the CAI any day now (let's hope it comes soon...)

CadiLuva: I was thinking about this, the paint wouldn't stick well if it's not sanded well, and with that in mind...how the heck does one sand something so small? With a nail file? I wonder if the grille might do the same, this is why I sanded it as best I could and painted it flat black, the stickiest paint I could find

 

is that wire for an engine block heater?

 

If your referring to the cord on the right side of the car (left in pictures) hanging out of the grille by the headlight, then yes, that is the block heater cord. If not...my car's electric

 

God damn, you must have some extension cords.

 

Yep...miles and miles long (for the imperial folk here ) And they're 2 feet thick to compensate for the voltage drop over those miles and miles

 

^ I've never seen one of those before...

 

nice pics.. im liking that strut bar.. i need me 1 of those.. sorry to see snow on there though..

 

Ok, so I got my 'so called' Injen CAI today. Long story short, It was an Injen CAI for something...just not a lancer. So? Being as how it was so cheap (actually $25.00 USD) I decided that i'd just modify it. That's more fun anyway, right? So, here's the pics attached. I only had to buy a new filter (pretty sure the old one was toast) and cut a little aluminum to get to where I am now! I'll definately look up the how to on the custom Injen SRI to see how they secured the snorkel part, as I have it now, it's got those rivet things in it and it's sitting on a felt pad to prevent vibration, but i'd like to tie it down somehow.

Anyway, just an update! No idea what's next though...I will paint the snorkel in the summer when it's warm and I don't have to breathe fumes inside all day.