...and another n00b enters the game

yoshida · Post by **yoshida** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:14 am

Hi all
I'd like to introduce myself, I'm a 25 y/o CAD manager driving a '98 Daewoo Lanos to work and back home. It's a pretty nice car, 1.5l 96hp engine, guzzles 1 liter for every 11 km, but hey it's a 5 door hatchback and does 1-60mph below 12 seconds. And it has only run 85.000 km so far. Including a trip from the NL to the UK, and moving my sorry ass to a new appartment.

So here's the catch: it's almost 10y/o now and the expensive components are about to give in. So I'm looking for some good aftermarket components to buff the performance and improve both lifespan and mpg. In short, I'd like to refurbish my car to a Sports edition.

Any pointers on aftermarket availability for this car, and things to keep in mind while fiddling? I'm skilled with designing, building and wiring PCs and bicycles and am looking to broaden my scope and get my hands dirty.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:39 am

well tell us exactaly what you want, and we can tell you what to get and where from

yoshida · Post by **yoshida** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:26 pm

Please note I live in the NL.
What would I like... hmm lemme see...

- lowering
- chassis stabilisation
- performance airfilter
- turbo (optional)
- stainless steel exhaust pipe (optional)

This list should be ordered by cost efficiency.

In short, if/when the suspension needs to be fixed, I'd like to have it redone with sport specs. Need a new exhaust? Ditto. Everything that needs replacement must be improved even if it costs up to +20%.

Anyone has experience with tuning a '98 Lanos, or fitting aftermarket parts? What should I keep an eye on if I want to improve performance and mileage?

Pir0 · Post by **Pir0** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:30 pm

I think an air filter might cost less that chassis stabalisation, aka strut braces etc?

As for the lowering, do the mk2 astra /opel kadett shocks/springs etc fit lanos like they do with the nexias? I've overheard that the lanos was also a reshelled mk2 astra but ive yet to look into it. Sorry for hijacking the thread, i'm sure some of the lanos guys will be able to help

jidasas · Post by **jidasas** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 2:52 am

As for the exhaust needing replaced...I thought I would wait till mine needed replaced but my 2000 has stainless steel all the way back to the muffler from the factory. Might take a while for that to need replaced. For lowering the mk2 stuff will work I believe but Eibach and several other companies make lowering springs and KYB shocks are available. As for an airfilter...you'll have to get one for another car and make it fit if you want true cold air intake for just an underhood filter you can get a weapon r intake (but the first option is probably cheaper and definately better). Turbo means big bucks...I've spent over 1,500 and still don't have everything I need.

Cost wise...
Intake-cheapest
exhaust-next
suspension-third
turbo most expensive

Jimmy

yoshida · Post by **yoshida** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:54 am

jidasas wrote:As for the exhaust needing replaced...I thought I would wait till mine needed replaced but my 2000 has stainless steel all the way back to the muffler from the factory. Might take a while for that to need replaced. For lowering the mk2 stuff will work I believe but Eibach and several other companies make lowering springs and KYB shocks are available. As for an airfilter...you'll have to get one for another car and make it fit if you want true cold air intake for just an underhood filter you can get a weapon r intake (but the first option is probably cheaper and definately better). Turbo means big bucks...I've spent over 1,500 and still don't have everything I need.

Cost wise...
Intake-cheapest
exhaust-next
suspension-third
turbo most expensive

Jimmy

Thanks for that massive bit of info.
Is it true that a turbo saves fuel if you don't use it to pull away from traffic lights fastest?
How does lowering relate to speedbumps? The NL has a fair lot of them, but we have about as much roundabouts. Does a stiffer suspension mean less chance of damaging the expensive stainless steel exhaust on those speed bumps?

I also intended to update my headlights to high-intensity, and chrome the outline of my taillights. For now I have enough info to get me going, I guess. All it takes is time and money (and perhaps a workshop).

Pir0 · Post by **Pir0** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:12 am

Stiffer suspension does mean less chance of scrubbing out the underside, but if you lower it that increases the chances lol. Mine is dropped 40mm with a standard 2.0 exhaust right back to a performance backbox. It doesnt even go near the speed bumps. With a flat tyre and another at 15psi, the downpipe did actually scrape coming out of my garden, but you'd expect thast seeing as my tyres at 195/50/15.

Where I live there's speedbumps in almost every housing estate. My estate has about 10+ alone. Has done my car no damage, my friends car, the same, a 2.0 8v Nexia, is lowered at least 60mm, and he has no problem with speedbumps, he doesnt even have stiffened shocks like i do.

More to the point though, lowering and stiffening the car, you will see a big difference in handling

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:44 am

when your car is lowered alot like mine is (bumper is 5 1/2 inces from the ground) speed bumps can be a pain. even with a stiff sispension you still need to go SLOW over speed bumps, so you dont bottom out and scrape things (exhaust, bumper, the underside of the car). but remember that if you get a stiff suspension, its not gonna ride as smothe, your gonna feel every bump and such in the road

yoshida · Post by **yoshida** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:59 pm

So that would mean alot of tuning is involved... stiffen it so it doesn't roll or bounce too much, but not abit more.
But then again, that's car tuning fer ya

Are stock suspensions adjustable? If that acomplishes the same I'd love to 'screw around' with it for a while.

Pir0 · Post by **Pir0** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:49 pm

Nope, stock isnt adjustable. Can't believe I forgot to say just because its stiffened doesnt mean you can keep the boot down over speed ramps, actually the complete opposite..

Adjustables are your best bet, not everyone likes a car that rattles your bones while casually driving lol. My car's a nice mix. it's not too stff but you have real good road feel.