1997 gs spyder engine swap

[spyder33]

ok i have looked and looked i have found some simaler topics about it but none seem to be adressing the issue well enough i have a 1997 gs spyder with a 4g64 engine not a 420a i was wondering if it would be possible to put a 4g63 engine and a trani from a gs-t eclipse into my eclipse spyder. i wont to add more hp to my car put i have to have custome parts for my car because it is the gs spyder and i thought swaping engines would be a easier way. i cant buy a gs-t or a gsx because i am still making payments on the gs spyder...... please help

 

[shredwin]

I would turbo the 4G64 since its got that extra stroke... but if you want to swap it to a 4G63 then you could do that too

 

[shaggyslaser]

But how? Can't the head of a 4g63T bolt onto a 4g64? Thus giving a good torquey bottom, and high revving top? What about bolt patterns of the exhaust manifolds?

 

[shredwin]

But how? Can't the head of a 4g63T bolt onto a 4g64? Thus giving a good torquey bottom, and high revving top? What about bolt patterns of the exhaust manifolds?

you make a point, well Im pretty sure the bolt patterns for the exaust manifold are the same

 

[shredwin]

Here is something I found about turbocharging a 4G64... its gonna cost some money so yeah you might be better off just buying a complete 4G63 that is ready to be put in and fire up.

http://4g64.150m.com/turbo.html

 

[jjgrizz73]

Hey I did a 4g63t swap in my 4g64 spyder. Very easy swap all the same mounts, just rip the old one out and throw the new one in with of course a different ECU and harness. You may turbo your 4g64 by building the block, a turbo DOHC head will go on the 4g64 if you block up some holes. I foudn my 4g64 with a over 100k on it and just decided the 4g63 would be a better platform but its all your choice.

 

[ccb21]

I would also recomend Building up the 4G64 vs the 63. Always fun to have a fun motor right , but if ya read around the head from a 63 will fit on the 64 up to you really

 

[spyder33]

well im looking for the cheapest way and i think building the 4g64 will be more expensive than swapping it for a 4g63

 

[jjgrizz73]

Yes it would be more expensive but if you build it up right you will have a motor that can handle more than a stock 4g63 and alot more torque.

 

[Laxinwarrior]

You can turbo the stock 4g64 for around the same price or less as buying a complete 4g63t and swapping it in, not to mention that once you get the money you can swap heads and ecu's if you don't do either initially. The exhaust manifold bolts on perfectly and everything else is a very simple modification to make it fit properly if at all. You will notice a huge improvement in low end torque and it's a lot of fun to drive around town. Probably the biggest downfall is that you can't keep upping the boost with minor bolt ons since the internals can't handle much more than 15 psi with an insanely good tune. It's your choice though.

 

[spyder33]

well i have heard that it can be a pain to put a turbo in a 4g64 and it would be about the same price even cheaper just to put in a 4g63 plus it wont be as much work. this is just what i have heard i do not no if it is true or not.

 

[Laxinwarrior]

I can tell you from experience that installing a turbo on my 4g64 was a lot easier and less labor intensive than the engine swap i'm still in the process of completing. It all comes down to your personal preference though and exactly what you are looking to get out of your car. If you want an engine that is set up from the factory to handle significant boost pressures at relatively low cost to you then a 4g63t is the better choice but if you just want to add a little extra power to help make the daily commute more enjoyable then a simple turbo install on your stock engine will do the job just as well. Granted i'm a little biased; however, the 4g64 has virtually the same potential as the 4g63t if you do enough research and put together a well thought out setup. Good luck with your decision.

 

[jjgrizz73]

Well...I can tell you this, this was the first 4cyl let alone DSM I ever worked on and I ripped my 4g64 out and put the 4g63t in, in less than 2 days so it is not difficult what so ever. I bought alot of extras, but the engine and tranny JDM cost 1700 shipped and that engine came with a mhi big 16g, 510 injectors, external oil cooler housing, and a black top cas so theres some goodies to boot. The stock 4g64 would not really be able to handle much more than 10-12psi on stock internals with a good tune and if you have a number of miles on it, it wont be long until you are regretting it. If you are going to do anything, either swap the motor out, or build the 4g64 up properly but thats just my .02

 

[spyder33]

Yes it would be more expensive but if you build it up right you will have a motor that can handle more than a stock 4g63 and alot more torque.

thank you very much for helping me out

does anyone else have any input on this situation?

 

[tkelly27]

Really depends on what you want out of the combo. Both engines when built can handle gobs of power. From the look of things you really don't need much to get a turbo onto your 64 and you'll have to swap many of the parts over if you go with 63 anyway. The extra displcement of the 64 is nice, and I see people building 2.0's so they can rev to the moon. I really hate doing engine swaps. It's not super hard, but it is not something I enjoy.

 

[spyder33]

im getting both responses some are saying it is easy for the swap some are saying its not some say the swap will handle better some say it wont

 

[jjgrizz73]

This is a simple answer to all of these questions. If you are somewhat handy in the garage and have the necess. tools along with a lift and/or a engine hoist the swap is very simple. Like I said took me less than 2 days and I've never touched a DSM before. You most likely will run into some problems but thats to be expected. If you want to keep the 4g64, you really should build it up to handle any type of power that you will want in the future which may cost as much as buying a 4g63 motor but like I said a built 2.4 will handle more power than a STOCK 4g63, but both can be built for crazy amounts of power. Just don't listen to other people try and persuade you, some will even go as far as to say sell it and buy a gst or gsx. do what makes you happy, and if you plan on swapping the motor you will just get some experience and pride in your car because you did it yourself.

 

[spyder33]

well i have decided that i am going to do the swap because a buddy of mine has all the tools necessary for the swap but i was also wonder what parts am i going to need to make the swap safe and successful

 

[spyder33]

i was also wondering if anyone could help me with this question when i doing the sway would it be better for a 6 bolt or 7 bolt because i have heard one is a higher risk of getting crank walk and i was also wondering if the engine has to be the same year as my 97 eclipse spyder

 

[Detective Coating]

7 bolt's are the ones that have the higher chance of crankwalk, I wouldn't worry about it though. If you get a 6 bolt it might be a little harder for you to do, you will have to do some research on the 6 bolt swap in a 2g. I would personally go with the 6 bolt if you have the know how to do this.

 

[xojaycavox]

great posts!!!! i have a 4g64spyder also... and i really dont want to build it.. but i would like to add about 40more horses!! and i know slapping the turbo and boosting 8-10 lbs would give me the extra 40hp.. just something for more enjoyment.. but if you want to go for 300+ hp than i suggest you go with the 4g63 platform.. even if its stock.. it will handle 400 or so hp.. but make sure you freshen it up.. make sure you put new rings. make sure the block has good cyllinders.. etc etc.. either build up the 64 and put a dohc head on it easier... or rebuilding the 63 anyway with forged internals (the same as the 64) and spending more money.. and you would have to worry about wiring etc etc..

my .02 is just to build the 64, and put a dohc on it.. atleast this way you wont have to buy a bottom end.. you would already have it

 

[spyder33]

well what is all the other parts i need to buy after i buy the engine and the tranie

 

[shredwin]

well what is all the other parts i need to buy after i buy the engine and the tranie

An ECU, intercooler...

 

[Laxinwarrior]

You don't need the transmission, your stock one is more than adequate.

 

[spyder33]

are you sure my stock transmission is suitable for the engine swap?