new to site/mod avice

[ryan 1215]

Hey guys, new to the site. I am the proud owner of a 5speed 1.6l 1999 dx mileage 95203 . I have been relatively happy with this vehicle so far but there have been several nagging problems with it and now that I am getting a real job and a real paycheck I wanna clean it up and and make it more fun to drive. I am thinking struts are gonna be the first replacement. Any advice? I am gonna try to do the front first then the back as funds become available. Do I have to do springs too? I am not looking to lower my car I just wanna tighten it up. I am gonn try to have pics up ASAP. Also anyone from upstate NY in here?

black 99 Protege 1.6l dx
current mods:
pioneer head unit
2 12' rockford punch xlc subs
mtx box/s*** amp
future mods:
struts,tint,short shifter/knob
tires,alloys, anything to make it faster...????

 

[njaremka]

you won't have to do springs, but it makes sense while you're in there. if you are not looking to lower itmuch, why not try the Racing Beat springs with Tokico HP Blue's. that would provide you with a decent handling upgrade, without makeing the car that much lower. also, with upgraded rear struts, you will be able to add a rear sway bar some time in the future. (if you decide to go that way)

if you are looking for a subtle exterior mod, i can get you a front air dam kit. check the link in my signature.

where in upstate NY are you? i am just to the west of syracuse, in auburn.

 

[ryan 1215]

Hey man thanks for the advice. I am trying to do this all in stages just to clean the car up and make it a decent ride. How much would the Racing Beat springs with Tokico HP Blue's run for just the front? I am intending to do them all around but dun have the change to drop on a full set all at once. I am also planning on doing stut/sway bars front and rear. I am from candor, 20 mins south of ithaca. I am livin in oswego now and I drive through auburn on 34 to get up here.

 

[njaremka]

i would suggest getting all four corners done together, to avoid any bad handling that might occur. if you can't afford it rigght now, you can buy the springs or struts first, then wait untill you get the money for the other.

 

[ryan 1215]

so I looked up the price for tokico HP blues all around and it was like 350 and the springs are like 53 a piece. so call it like 550 or so for everything? I might have to wait till summer to do this, the only real problem as of now is the front drivers side strut. I also have some engine hesitation I wanna clear up. I mean the car has 95203 miles on it and I dun have to make payments anymore so I wanna make it clean and make it last. Good to meet someone from the area.

 

[njaremka]

what kind of hesitation? the 2.0 liter have a tendency to gum up the EGR valve. get your "100,000" mile maintenance done, and see how it is after that.

 

[ryan 1215]

I have the 1.6l but I after reading about the EGR I feel that may be what it is. I had CEL on for a while then one day shot some carbon out the back and it went off. Ur in auburn? I know some about cars but not tons. I am really just interested in makin it run good and look good too, already sounds good. Real beginner project so any advice would be helpful. I am gonna wash my car here in a bit and get pics up if I can figure out how on here.

 

[mazpro]

welcome! the hesitation could be because of the MAF too, the 1.6L is known for MAF failure

 

[Jackelope]

^ welcome to the other club

 

[ryan 1215]

thanks for the advice. so what would I want to be doin with my MAF? clean/replace? and whats up with the EGR? some cars have em some don't? Does the 99 dx have one? I am just trying to get it to run better.

 

[mazpro]

thanks for the advice. so what would I want to be doin with my MAF? clean/replace? and whats up with the EGR? some cars have em some don't? Does the 99 dx have one? I am just trying to get it to run better.

well if it's the MAF it will need a replacement and it's about $125US at the dealer. About the EGR, as far as I know, the cars in the eastern side of the us don't have one, doen't matter the model. I don't have one (yippy)

 

[ryan 1215]

ok, just ran to auto zone to pick up some cleaning supplies and they have a strut sale which is one of the first things I mentioned in this thread, anybody know anything about Gabriel struts? auto zone guy said they were decent but he might be full of s*** I dunno, everyone one here was sayin TOKICO is what to get?

 

[ryan 1215]

ok, just ran to auto zone to pick up some cleaning supplies and they have a strut sale which is one of the first things I mentioned in this thread, anybody know anything about Gabriel struts? auto zone guy said they were decent but he might be full of s*** I dunno, everyone one here was sayin TOKICO is what to get?

 

[mazpro]

if you care about your handling, get the tokico.

 

[ryan 1215]

what they run for 4? very very stock pics---> I hope.

 

[99 Pro]

Welcome and good luck with your new money pit.

I would say the first thing you should do is drop the car. I got the Tokico HP's with Tein springs on my car and IMO is the perfect drop and handling.