Help Make My Echo Go Faster?

[Vios-GT_07]

the echo isn't any different to any other car when looking to gain more power and speed.. i've got the 1NZ (1.5 litre version) and these are the basics i've done to squeeze a little bit more power. (i tried asking on these forums and got a little hint)

1. Cold Air intake - basically make up a pipe, make small hole on top so the air flow meter will sit, and hook up the pod filter behind the headlight.. it should fit snugly in there..

2. Extractors and a full exhaust system, gives it a little grunting noise but frees up the hidden horses from the crappy stock exhaust system

3. Some electronic bling really helps (though i don't use this) e.g. Pivot Spark, Power Camcon, Greedy E-manage..

4. If it's a manual, a clutch and flywheel job will work wonders, but u'll need a bit more revs to take off if using a lightened flywheel.

5. Definitely work your suspension. I suggest Eibach springs, Koni shocks and Nolathane bushes, and if possible some strut braces and camber / castor tops for the front..

individual throttle bodies a.k.a. trumpets have been done on them before, and it wasn't worth if you look at power gains versus cost.. also u'll need a standalone ECU to run them and unless u're seeking over 130 hp, it's not worth it.. of course i've done a fair bit more but yea basics for now

[Munki]

Hi rexeater

i have an echo as a runaround at the moment and i have done a few things that have made it alot more fun to drive, i would do them in this order and it would have only cost me 600 or so all up.

lower springs make a world of difference to this car, not too low without new dampeners otherwise you will go backwards before you go fowards.

a rear sway bar with poly bushes on the lca and front sway bar, less plow understeer quite balanced in corners but can be a handfull in the wet if you are careless.

toyota corolla 15 inch steel wheels with 195 50 15 tyres. I got some good quality second hand tyres from a japanese tyre importer. (bridgestone grid 2 or 3 cant remember)

making it faster? dont waste your money unless you absolutly have too, just get a better base for a fast car. However i have heard that the 1.5L motor will bolt in with only a computer swap for a bit more power, they can be had for 1000-1200 from importers.

hope this helps

Daniel.

[Vios-GT_07]

However i have heard that the 1.5L motor will bolt in with only a computer swap for a bit more power, they can be had for 1000-1200 from importers.

must be the 1NZ.. yea they bolt straight in... not sure if u're able to import them, but last time i checked they're as rare as the 2ZZs... maybe now it's more available..

i prefer the 2NZ.. it seems to be more rev happy compared to the 1NZ.. i feel that the difference between the two is revs and torque...

[Cow Cow]

Here in Hong Kong, I have a Echo 1.3
I put in a TRD exhaust manifold, TRD quick shift gear stick, K & N Air Filter, Ground Cable, NGK E spark plugs, 2 pcs of Voltage Stabilisers and twin HID systems.
It goes like a rocket.

[oldcorollas]

wow, some interesting answers here

only do what you need, that will make a difference.

check to see if you already have cold air ducted from outside the engine bay... most newer cars do already.

as for air filter etc... first, check (using a simple water manometer) IF you actually have a pressure drop across your intake. if the stock air ducting and filter etc is NOT a restriction, then you are wasting money there. pod filter or K&N may actually be no help at all, but those with them will usually tell you it makes a huge difference

before you splash out on extractors/exhaust, find someone who has RELIABLE before and after dyno graphs of the difference it made. it may be much less than you think (and the "effect" may be mostly placebo from the extra noise )

a lighter flywheel WILL reduce the effective car weigth off the line and in 1st and second gear mainly. that is something you will notice every time, and should give you better fuel economy also (asuming you use less throttle to get up to speed )

Some electronic bling will do SFA for you... don't bother.. unless you are significantly changing the engines needs (and being AFM, it is fairly good with knowing how much air goes in anyway )

voltage stabilisers and ground kits and HID and some random spark plugs will give you reasons to put manufacturer stickers down your doors.
for $1000 or thereabouts retail, you shoudl easily be able to get an exhaust manifold made up locally.

lighter flywheel (after you drive in a car with one first so you know what you are in for) and then sort out the suspension... and be happy with a slightly better buzzbox

[BlackSupra]

Buy another car with the money you were going to spend on the echo.

[RONA]

My brother and I recently searched to see what we could find, Greddy, trust, hks and a few others do turbo and supercharger kits for them, but the fact remained it was gonna cost about 4 grand in parts, then labour to fit it.

By the time we then added in suspension, brake upgrade and possible LSD it was looking at 10K plus.

We decided to bin the idea and hes just gonna wait until he has the money and get a new car which will out perform the modded echo for similar money in every single aspect.

[kingmick]

Has anyone listed these? Stickers, the bigger the more HP. Speed Strips,Neons and massif stereo .

But on a serious note,you could get an echo to go ok if you throw a bit of money at it.

[RONA]

But on a serious note,you could get an echo to go ok if you throw a bit of money at it.

Yes but by the time you've spent that money it owes you similar money to a R32 GTR or around 20-25K at which point there is some pretty tasty machinery on offer.

[Koffee-Black]

Yeah, id lobve to get the echo going a bit harder. It goes alright, I had a bit of a traffic grnad prix witgh the curent shap camry, and it was dead even! i was very surprised!

But the engine doesnt rev! The 1.3 seems more rev happy, so I assume a Lighten flywheel will help here?

Im trying to convince the mrs on a blitz sc kit, but she isnt budging haah

[kingmick]

a turbo starlet engine

[Koffee-Black]

Yes but by the time you've spent that money it owes you similar money to a R32 GTR or around 20-25K at which point there is some pretty tasty machinery on offer.

You see GTR's etc everyday, and i have driven a few (fast ones too like 10 sec) and they are just not fun to drive. The stock Echo sportivo is funner to drive than a GTR! (in terms of chuckability...nothing else haha)

[RONA]

a turbo starlet engine

Can't be engineered as its older then the car, Koffee reading the echo forums when boost is added, the bottom end isn't hugely strong so you wouldn't want to use the car as a daily driver or you might grenade it after a while.

For the cost involved and the power gains its just not worth it. Sure you've gotten an extra 30-40 kw for your 4-6 grand but the cars still only producing 100kw so its never going to be hugely quick.

The GTR was merely a suggestion, cars like the JZX100 are coming down now too or the corolla sportivo, renault clio sport (18K) etc etc. Sure by the end of it you've got something unique, but at the end of the day its ultimately not as quick as the car you could buy for the same money and not worth anywhere near as much either.

[kingmick]

lol i know and im sure his wfie would be impressed as well!lol

[BlackSupra]

but the cars still only producing 100kw so its never going to be hugely quick.

Just like your car.