I was wondering if I could get a few ideas about how to better spend $1K (give or take a couple hundred) on my stock 03 Eclipse GS (only mod is AEM V2 air intake). I’d love to get more horse power but my understanding is with the GS I am pretty much doomed to saving for a turbo system which, given my budget, I can’t afford right now. I am not so much into looks and with that in mind should I get something like Tein SS Coilovers (I know they’re a bit over 1K)? Upgrade brake system? any ideas/suggestions? Just for the record, and in case you haven't noticed, I am clueless when it comes to modding

 

exhaust, rims, lower your car, just a couple ideas.

 

I have mixed feelings about the exhaust (I had thought about getting magnaflow's cat-back) as the hp gains are so small. Shouldn't I upgrade the suspension before I lower the car? As is my GS' bottom hits every pothole/bump even at low speeds.

 

you can save up another grand and get a turbo kit from here

 

not necessarily, you can get lowering springs, but if your car is lowered to much youll have to get a camber kit so your not going through tires like they are going out of style. and your ca shouldnt hit anything unless you have it lowered to much and just drive around pot holes.

 

all depends on where you want to go with the car. if you do plan to turbo the car in the future you might as welll get your exhaust out of the way. you can the Coilovers, they give the car an aggressive stance, better launching, better handling and will deliver the power to the wheels better but they won't gain you HP. i'd either take ur 1k, and save another 1 or 2k and turbo it or get ur exhaust. a good catback will run you from 350-600, after that... there really isn't a whole lot you can do to an NA motor... just another suggestion for a cheap and very nice upgrade is a short shifter you can get a B&M (top of the line) one with all new bushings and everything needed for about 150, it obviously won't gain you HP but it will shorten you throws and is better for the Trani.

 

For the lowering i always say that eibach springs and KYB struts are the best for the price. For half the price of coilovers you get a good look with good handling

 

Turbo won't happen until next year but I sure plan on getting the best kit for the GS. It sounds like the short shifter + eibach springs & KYB struts are great choices for now. By Oct I should be able to afford the exhaust system leaving me with two major upgrades for next year: 17" wheels/tires + turbo. Small as it is I do love my car (plus I am stuck with it for at least a couple of years)

 

front and rear strut bars... and an exhaust system..that givs you some hp and handling :-)

 

suspension and sway bars
save for the turbo later
beat people around the turns for now and beat em on the straights later.
eibach prokit and kyb agx combo
RRE rearstrut bar and megan racing rear sway bar
dc front strut bar