2008 Lancer CJ VRX - Build thread

[Avenir]

My car did have the optional tow bar yes although I've taken it off - all the wiring and electrical cables are still there under the bumper.

I'm pretty sure last time I saw those cables they go through some pieces of the mud guards but it's probably to lead to the towbar anyway.. I'll have a look again next time I'm home.

[awood]

I recon it's so the government can spy on you!

[Mars1811]

Your car had better be vaccinated!!!

[Avenir]

Still want to get my car tuned so bad. The rev hang annoys the fuck outta me, I don't know how it doesn't annoy everyone else, swap gears at 4-5K WOH and it sits there revving for years until finally it shifts. Only way around it I find is if you just use half throttle. I'm contemplating getting a Facebook tune at this point. Or maybe I just download all this software and do it myself ahahah.

[lancerdarryl]

Curiosity question. Are you flat shifting or shifting normally ie lifting off the accelerator when disengaging the clutch?

[awood]

I sense a danger to the manifold!

[Avenir]

Shifting normally... would never flat shift ahah. 1. I can't do it properly and 2. I wouldn't do it to any car that isn't tuned/ignition cut.

Actually took some time to read into it.. I knew it was an emission thing but apparently the butterfly valve stays open a touch longer(which the ecu has a indicator for that specific time) so it burns up any excess fuel within the intake manifold also due to being port injected. To do that it needs a bit more air, then it drops the revs after its gone. This is probably why it's more noticeable at WOH or quick bursts of acceleration in my car because when I step on it I'm just dumping fuel as fast as possible so much more to burn off. It's actually HORENDOUSLY LONG, if I let off the clutch in first then just flatten the accelerator for 2 or 3 seconds. I have to ease into it even then it still does it ahah.

Additionally there's some pressure spike that's caused in the crankcase when cutting off the throttle fast and that can be inefficient for exhaust gases too. But I'm not too knowledgeable on that part.

There's no fix really. It can be tuned out but the tuner really has to know what he's doing. You change the TPS and that effects the idle then that effects fuel maps too cos it won't idle properly and that. It's just a shitshow. Even then you might eventually get premature carbon build up idk. I'm rambling at this point.

Direct injected for me next lol.

Avenir.

[lancerdarryl]

As much as I dislike them I wonder if an IVC throttle controller would help. We have had a couple of successful fixes getting rid of throttle lag in ASX Mitsubishis.Usually it’s the other way round we disconnect them to get rid of the issues they cause.

[Avenir]

It would definitely affect it, if I installed a throttle controller. Just don't know if it would be positive or negative experience. The VRX doesn't change much from about 60% throttle to 100% in terms of torque. You get about the same pull from 60% as you do with 100 flat. Atleast in my experience. It just ain't got anymore to give lol. I always thought a TC would just make that even shorter and practically worse..

I'll be taking her home soon to do some fix ups like spark plugs, battery, oil/filter, camber adjustment bolt (mine was missing long story), rear rotors, front sway bar etc. See if all that helps as well for the driving experience.

Oh I think my steering rack is somewhat leaking still, or weeping. It may be a seal, as I check under the bonnet occasionally incase anything miraculously falls apart ahaha.

Long live the lancer,
Avenir.

[Avenir]

So... I'll be selling the lancer sometime later this year in pursuit of something else.

My intention was to do some final touch ups so that it has minimal issues for the new buyer and my conscience. One of those was going to get it tuned by beeble - remove the rev hang, optimise timing, put the flow upgrades to good use, louder idle etc oh and clear the engine light O2 code that I constantly get lol. Although I am now thinking like if I get it tuned presumably on 98 it might be harder to sell to a young buck that would drive this car.

It won't be AS fuel efficient anymore but mainly the fuel costs will be hard to convince someone younger to pursue it in my mind. It's already roughly 70-90$ to fill depending on the price hike of c/pl. Although to a modder/tuning crowd like us it would seem more valuable.

Undecided what to do - what do you guys reckon. I can't really reverse the tune, unless I have a flash tool myself etc.

In other news I'll probably get a pro spray done to black out front grille, seeing as the middle bar of mine is starting to lose colour as it was unpainted black. Keep it looking neat.

the lancer is on 157xxx kms now, so its getting harder to keep its value.

Avenir

[awood]

I recon keep the old girl until at least your 50'th birthday, only 9 years away, whilst you keep doing mod's to her.
By then she will be a high dollar masterpiece you can sell to finance your retirement.

[lancerdarryl]

Sell it

[Avenir]

Hahaha my 50th? That's a little less then 3 decades away awood. Sadly the vrx might be worth a bit more eventually but it will ALWAYS be overshadowed by the ralliart and Evo in my opinion. It's special but it's not in show car form anyhow as well..

Bit of an update boys, I'll be looking at a 370z this week. Quite keen.. if all goes well might be purchasing next week. In the lull period the lancer got a bunch if maintenance done:

Spark plugs, oil, filter, battery, rear rotors etc. I've had the door handles, whole front grille and the underside of the spoiler painted black (as it was all fading) professionally by a mate. To a semi gloss semi matte finish.

Brand new tyres, and an alignment done it drives fantastic. Last thing I'll finish with is a cut and polish by a pro as well then garaged before I sell.

End of an era soon and I'll be a bit teary once it does leave. But if I don't now it will start getting bigger issues soon, I've got a sense the sump gasket needs to be replaced soon..

Long live the lancer,
Avenir

[awood]

[quote="Avenir"]Hahaha my 50th? That's a little less then 3 decades away awood.

Your profile says your 41?

[Avenir]

The deed is done guys. Lancer officially gone. Had many people save and ask about it especially towards the end of me owning it. I got pretty well close to what I wanted in the end, a little shy but I know its going to a good home. Lot of good memories with that car even way before I modified it.

Thinking of an intake and exhaust for the Z and leaving pretty much the rest of it alone. Not gonna consider suspension headaches again lol. Leave it to the track cars.

Avenir.