[scottsee]

Hello, thank-you for reading my post. I am a new 96 eclipse gsx awd owning enthusiast. I am planning my first stage upgrade on my car, and am very interested in seeing what everyone thinks I should do first. Being new, it’s impossible to know what’s best for the “do it right the first time” routine. So lets explore my options on a “modest” budget.
My planned 1st stage upgrade was to upgrade the suspension, cambers, brakes, and install strut bars. I have been looking at buying Tokico Illumina shock & spring sets. I’m not entirely sure I need the adjustable shocks yet, but the ideas indulging. Maybe for street use the Tokico Hp shock and spring set might be best. I don’t know… I’ve heard many different ideas on what application is best for street / drag use. Many people swore buy kyb agx’s, ive heard noting but bad news about them for the 2nd generation eclipse awd, due to the 1 inch elongated rear struts design flaw, that promotes harsher suspension and handling. But again.. I don’t know.. Tokico’s spring and strut package looks good enough for me. they say their springs are designed to fit best with their shocks but, would it be better to get the Tokico illumines shocks only, and buy a good set of Tein type s springs, or eibach sport lines?.. I know the answer lies in what I’ll be using the application for. And at this point, I just want a great driving, nice ride. And will very rarely go to the drag strip.
Assuming for the moment I go with the tokico Illumina $450 AWD shock and spring set that drops my GSX 1.75 inches, is it important, or necessary to install a camber kit, Ingalls, Eibach, how will I find out? I am torn between the two camber kits, I would like some help with that section of my question. I also don’t know much about strut bars, other then their inexpensive in comparison to everything else. So maybe an idea on quality strut bars would be Extremely helpful, thanks.
It was suggested to me I wouldn’t need a sway bar, because I am doing this as an enthusiast (poser) not as a racer (top dawg). It’ll save me $, and im not sure that eclipse roles that much at 1.7 drop. But their you are again. I don’t know. While I upgrade the Suspension, I realized I might as well install AEM’s OEM rotors front / rear. I like the red. That’s me. im not sure I’ll need to replace the calibers, or the brake lines, but for 4-5 hundo, why not, I’ll be under their already. Please let me know your ideas on the brake and suspension ideas.

Now……. As a stage 1 upgrade, suspension is important, but is it more important then Horse Power. I figured the Iluminas & springs, Cambers, struts F / R, aem brakes F /R, brake lines, upgrades fluids, and calipers will run roughly around $1800 + help and labor.
Evenly I’ll get to the engine, the engine is at 112k miles, I have to replace the timing belt at 120k, that’s 6 months away. I was thinking about just upgrading the engine 6 months down the road when I have to pull it to replace the belts, h2o pump and plugs. What I really need help with is splitting the hair and deciding what I should do first. If I did go with the engine first, I would only “want” to upgrade the fuel pump, fuel lines, fuel regulator, fuel filter, AEM rail, 550cc injector, water pump & AEM 4 channel ignition, Cam gears, Under Pulley. Witch is like 2800 roughly. Personally I would rather get a better everyday driving car, save 4000 in 6 months, and do things right the first time.
Thanks- Scott…