Advice on buying a 97 Eclipse and modifications

[mechtn]

I found a 97 Eclipse at a car dealership today while out looking. I am wanting to get it and put a body kit on it like the one on the Fast and Furious Eclipse. Since it is a non-turbo car, i wanted to know the kinds of kits there were and what kinda times you got for 1-60. I dont know very much about cars and really want to get into them and have my mind set on doing this.

My first thoughts about getting it would be to replace the exterior to make it look like i wanted and then put racing seats in it. I wanted to know if anyone knows what Body-Kit was used on the Fast and Furious 95 Eclipse. I've found the hood i want to use but need to figure out the rest of the car so i can decide on which body kid i would want to get. I already have a system in my current truck and would just convert that into the eclipse when i got it. Next i would start engine work. This is where i have no clue on what to even think about purchasing. I've been doing lots of online research and i have a general understanding about doing some modifications to it.

I havent had any luck finding a 95-99 gst eclipse in my area and there are no shops here that do customizations. The closest shops are 3-4 hours away i believe and i havent been able to contact any as i wanted to research and not be a complete idiot when i call them and get ripped off.

If anyone knows the body kit for the fast and furious eclipse please let me know becuase i want to find a price on it.

Thanks alot!
mechtn

 

[jays92talon]

your thinking of the blitz body kit i believe. and you came to the right place looking for help. cuz these people know there stuff

 

[90Turbo]

They make numerous turbo kits for that engine, problem that is not the strongest engine. It can maybe only handle 8 psi on stock internals. But after a rebuild kit from Howell automotive it can handle a good amount of boost. The engine also has problems with the head gasket, plus you have to watch your oil level really close it will spin rod bearings really easily. Here is a pic of my 99 with the blitz front end. I don't have it anymore I cracked it. Click the link below.

http://oapiey.com/racing/pics/eclipse1.jpg

 

[mechtn]

I went to http://www.turbogs.com/products/eclipse&talon.htm and saw the Stage I and Stage II kits. I called and spoke with someone and made my first contact about starting to build my first car. He said a stage 2 kit was the best route but most expensive but i would easily walk past 5.0 mustangs/camero's and such. He said that it would replace alot of parts on the car and i wouldnt really have to replace much else. What i am worried about was mentioned above by someone. The engine being too weak. The car i'm looking at buying has 54,000 miles on it already from basic wear and tear, city and interstate driving. Can i just buy a GST engine and have the stock GS engine ripped out and the GST put in? Then i'll have a brand new engine that is alot stronger and i can make modifications to it. If i kept the non-turbo engine and put the stage II turbo kit on it, what else would be smart to replace? All the guy on the phone said was a exhaust system and possibly i'd burn my clutch up if i didnt have a better than stock clutch. Thanks to everyone whose chipped in some advice already, i apprecaite the support of the community i've seen so far.

mechtn

 

[90Turbo]

Forget about that engine swap right now! Forget it! It's a total waste of time and money. By the time you swap the 4G63 engine into a RS or GS you have spent more than enough money to go buy a GSX that already has that engine plus you get AWD. Everthing is totally different, everything is ass backwards. The tranny is on the opposite side not including you would need a whole different tranny, all the motor mounts are different, you would need the ECU, all the wiring, etc, etc. It's not worth it, if you really want that engine buy a GS-T or GSX.

Thats one thing that sucks with the Eclipse, we can't swap engine's like the Honda boys can. Get the bottom end rebuild kit from Howell automotive that makes that bottom end almost bullet proof. Again forget about that engine swap.

 

[mechtn]

Ok so i been reading about the Hahn RaceCraft and the Star Performance turbo kit. I like what i see with the Star Stage II system. That and a new exhuast system, and a nice performance street clutch and spark plugs and wires and i should be good to go. Does anyone know if that star stage II repaces the stock airbox? I heard the stock one was restrictive and it was good to put a K&N one on. I think these would be all the new mods my car would need under the hood to be blowing doors off people at the local race track on Friday nights.

I couldn't find anything about the Howell automotive bottom end rebuild kit on their website. There was no products for Eclipse on there listed. Whats a good place to shop around for these items online? Also what would be a good street performance clutch i could get.

What ya think of this?
Buy Car (97 GS)
Total Bottom End Rebuild of Engine
New Plugs and Wires
Some type of better clutch (anyone got any ideas?)
Star Performance Stage 2 Turbo Kit (9-10 pounds boost = 235 HP (~280 HP fly wheel))

Then i can start on the interior with racing seats and outside for a blitz body kit or something similar.

Thanks again,
mechtn

 

[90Turbo]

Ya I was checkin around there Howell automotive website today and it seems like they are tryin to change stuff I couldn't find what I was lookin for either. But call them and talk to them they should still carry it.

 

[1TuffRS]

well just to add another option for you guys, there is also another kit out which is the route I have decided to go. Its the NER kit and go here to check it out. http://www.newedgeracing.com/Turbo_Kit_Updates/NER_Turbokits.htm

 

[Blitzed95Eclips]

Hey,
You were saying you want the kit from the fast and the furious. Well the blitz kit is pretty damn close but the back is a lot different. The reverse lights are positioned in different spots and the very bottom of the bumper is designed differently. Im pretty sure and please if anyone knows correct me if im wrong but the "Rush" kit is a lot more similar on the back.

 

[Blitzed95Eclips]

Originally posted by Blitzed95Eclips
Hey,
You were saying you want the kit from the fast and the furious. Well the blitz kit is pretty damn close but the back is a lot different. The reverse lights are positioned in different spots and the very bottom of the bumper is designed differently. Im pretty sure and please if anyone knows correct me if im wrong but the "Rush" kit is a lot more similar on the back.

 

[90Turbo]

1TuffRS pushin the NER kits. You must be from the 2gnt.com board. I know all about them I am on that board everyday. Daved is my user name on that board. You have probably seen me if you know about the NER kits. I thought that screen name you have sounded familier.

 

[mechtn]

I talked with NER today for a while, the guy there who does the turbo kits sounded like he really knows his stuff. I am going to probably get the Eclipse and then give him all the information he needs about the condition of the engine and he is gonna build me a rebuild kit for a mechanic to install. Then i'm probably going to go with a stage 2e possibly. I may go with the absolute cheapest if funds run out but i dont think thats gonna be a problem. Also looking at getting a ClutchMaster performance clutch and a 3" apex exhaust system. I'm gonna talk with him alot more about what all is going to need to be done and also check with some other dealers.

Thanks,
mechtn

 

[xleRateGSX]

mechtn, why are you set on the NA? The GSX is already capable of handling a T3/T4, 20g, etc turbo at high boost because the compression is low. Sounds like if you do go with the NA then you have a good power package setup.

Turbonetics Deltagate External Wastegate, is known for allowing boost creap.

Good luck and dont try to build a fast and furious car. Be original, find a kit you like and enjoy!

 

[mechtn]

I was set on it becuase thats the only eclipse i was gonna be getting here. We dont even have a Mitsubishi dealer in my area so chances are slim to none that i'd get a gsx in the condition i'd need/want it to be.


Anyways i've almost ran short on money becuase i estimated 12 grand max is all i was going to spend so i'm looking at different cars now that are cheaper.

I'll keep it updated with what i decide.

 

[97dsmbishi]

dude, 4get what u saw in the f&f..that's a load of dog ****, people on this site will do all they can to give u the best advice!
http://www.asylumms.com/
dude, whatever u want is here
want a good set of wheels to boot?
www.wheelmax.com
holla back!

 

[RACER-X]

mechtn as a gs owner i know the hp problems your going to run into and if i could do it all over again i would buy a gsx. now i dont know how much you want to spend or how much you have to spend. let me know what your looking for and i know i can find you a turbo model.

 

[1TuffRS]

yep thats where I from. Plus I just put one of those kits on layaway so Im kind of proud with what I will be purchasing

 

[fast1.8sohcDSM]

I am going to tell you right now, your wasting time and money the more you speak about the GS. Turning the GS into a GS-T is hard. The 420A was never to be made turbo, so therefore it has that difference from th 4G63 NT. You're thinking I am talking you out of it, HELL YES I AM. For one, let me tell you something. My friend owns a GSX, 1998. If you ever want to see a car kick a hot ass comaro's ass. Come to him. He runs 18 PSI, and knocks the god damn other car's right off the road. You could buy a GSX, have a Big16G for quick spool up, Some supporting mods like a front mount intercooler, then you could go out and get like low 12's easily. I know a guy on MachV, who got 11.8 Second times. WITH A BIG16G!! That will almost smoke anyone. So if I were you, before you spend all this dow, spend it in a car that can handle it nicely, without worries.

 

[eTiger13]

i am pretty much in the same situation as mechtn so i am looking around and trying to figure what car to buy. right now i am set on an eclipse because my girlfriend (who is a really into racing, she wants to get sponsored), my roommate, and I all agreed that an eclipse is a good starting point (until i get my Supra sometime next year). I test drove an RS yesterday and i loved the way it felt. i was one of the best driving cars i had ever drove (i used to sell cars so i have driven quite a few). I really want to have it turbocharged but GS-Ts and GSXs are rare and expensive. what do you guys recommend? Should i just pay the extra and get the stock turbo then upgrade that or go with an RS or GS and just work from there?

 

[Blitzed95Eclips]

if your smart you WILL spend the extra money for a gst or gsx. i bought a rs last year. did all the mods and i just got smoked last night by some stupid integra with few mods. if your looking to get a respectable speed machine then dont buy a rs or gs. my friend has a gst running on about 12 p of boost. he goes out and kills mustangs. any mustang. new or old. fixed up or not. its hillarious. if you want to have a car that will beat just about anything out there go with a turbo model.

 

[nholley]

Mechtn: Welcome to the world of DSM motoring. Listen to these guys, they really know what they are talking about. You won't get bad advice on this site!!

I started off in a 96 GS because I needed a car and it was the only DSM I could find in my area. i was going to replace the engine, or stick a turbo on. Then I was going to do the bodywork and so on. I looked into it, but it was never going to be the same. I ended up selling the GS and buying a GST. If I would have been able to get the advice from some of the guys on this site then I would have saved myself a lot of trouble.

If you want a turbo, buy one. Don't try to modify a GS or RS. Use the web, If you have to go out of state to find one then do it. The drive home will the best. It really is worth getting what you want and you will save $$$$$ in the long term.

Just my opinion. Good luck with whichever decision you make.

 

[soundman707]

If you are absolutely desperate about getting an Eclipse take a second and look around... They may not be in your area but there are some elsewhere... Try Ebay, or Autotrader.com. These are just a few of the car sites... Sure you may have to one way fly out to get it, but think about the fun you'd have with it on the way home.... Ü

 

[RACER-X]

sorry guys but as a n/a owner i would also have to suggest you buy the turbo model as well. yes with money you can make respectable times and power with a n/a, but in the long run you have more potentional making power with a turbo and for less money.

 

[RACER-X]

if you need help finding a turbo let me know milage, year, and price your will to spend, and i'll see what i can find.

 

[lo eclipz]

pretty much the only differnece between the enginers is one is turbo and one is not, so stop putting all this crap about one being better. The stock turbo internals are maybe a little stronger but not by much. So if you go alot higher than some mods and stock, even the turbo you still need to change internals, so for the difference in cost betweena gs and a gsx, you can build the gs to the level of the gsx and have a stronger motor and probaly beet the gsx.