Top 5 DSM Mods for the Money

The Top DSM Mods that Aren’t a Waste

No matter what you’re dreaming of for your Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, or Plymouth Laser, having a plan on how to get there ensures you’ll get the most for your money. Now, how do you come up with a plan? Easy; ask the professionals at Boostin Performance.

We have vast experience with the DSM platform, as proven by our 6-second Eagle Talon hitting 215 mph in the quarter mile. Whether your goal is to add more thrill to your daily driver or you’re looking to build a dedicated racer, we can help make that happen. Here are our top five modifications to start with on your DSM car. Peruse them to get an idea of how to kick off your build, then start a discussion with us at Boostin Performance for the specifics.

1 - Maintenance

The absolute most important modification you can make to your DSM vehicle is, without a doubt, maintenance. Given the age of these vehicles, components are prone to wear and degradation even if the vehicle is in excellent condition. Rubber hoses crack, fluids get contaminated, and timing belts lose their strength. If you pick up a DSM vehicle like an Eagle Talon or Mitsubishi Eclipse, you'll first want to ensure the vehicle is mechanically sound.

Instead of replacing worn parts with the OEM spec, you can upgrade them to futureproof your build. If your exhaust is rusted out or your struts are leaking, replace them with high-quality aftermarket DSM performance parts. Odds are the tires on your new-to-you DSM are also due for replacement, so now would be the perfect time to opt for a sticker set of tires or even some slicks if you’re serious about your time at the track.

2 - Weight Reduction

Weight reduction, at least in its initial form, is one of the cheapest ways you can make your vehicle faster. The better you can get your power-to-weight ratio, the quicker your car will be, so you don’t always have to add more horsepower to go faster. Depending on what your end goal is with your vehicle, remove all of the parts you’re comfortable with living without. Rear seats, audio equipment, air conditioning, sound deadening, and trim panels are just slowing you down, and did you really need them anyway?

Once you’ve removed all the things you can live without, there are items you can replace on your DSM to reduce weight further. For example, lighter wheels can help reduce unsprung mass, an aluminum driveshaft can help reduce rotational mass, and even polycarbonate windows can lower the vehicle’s center of gravity for those dedicated racers.

3 - Engine Management System W/ Boost Control

Unless you can trust yourself to be content with a simple boost controller and some light supporting modifications, it’s your best bet to install an engine management system (EMS) that can handle everything from boost control to different fuel maps. The right EMS can allow your DSM to have features like launch control, traction control, knock control, anti-lag, and even rolling anti-lag, all with the benefit of allowing you to run a variety of fuel types.

Of course, even the best engine management system won’t do you much good without a proper tune. Boostin Performance is your local performance shop where you can dyno your DSM car and get a tune to maximize your modifications. We can even install an EMS on your Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, or Plymouth Laser.

4 - Fuel Pump & Injectors

If you want to make more power, you’ll need two things: more air and more fuel. While some additional boost from the turbocharger can fulfill the requirement for more air, more fuel only comes with an upgraded fuel delivery system. Especially if you’re looking to make the switch to E85 or crank up your boost, an upgraded fuel pump and injectors are integral components to making more power. You might have new fuel lines covered in the maintenance part of this list, but if you’re hoping to make this switch, it’s likely best to opt for larger, ethanol-compatible fuel lines. Browse our selection of high-flowing fuel injectors and fuel pumps for your DSM car.

5 - Front-Mount Intercooler

As you push more boost and make more power, your engine can quickly fall victim to heat soak with the factory intercooler. It’ll be hard to make any progress in terms of power until you’re able to get your intake temperatures down, and the best way to do that for a DSM vehicle is to swap the factory side-mount intercooler for a free-flowing front mount unit. Compact intercoolers are available for those hoping to keep their factory crash bar, and larger units are available for those looking to make big power. Plumbing the charge pipes for a front-mount intercooler on an Eagle Talon or Mitsubishi Eclipse can be tricky, but you can trust the custom charge pipe fabrication to Boostin Performance.

Plan Your Build With Boostin Performance

Boostin Performance has helped the horsepower aspirations of many DSM enthusiasts come true, and we’re eager to do the same for you. Our team is both experienced and passionate about these vehicles and the thrill they can deliver, so be sure to consult us to help build a performance modification plan for your DSM vehicle. Boostin Performance has the parts to make the power and the technicians to install them on your vehicle, making us your one-stop shop for all your performance needs. Give us a call or drop us a message today.