I have a 95 Eclipse(non-turbo). I've been sinking money into this car since I got it., all basic maintenance. I'm stubborn, so that doesn't help.:/
I am by all means, not rich, so let's get that out of the way. I decided to take this car and make it a project(my first car, I've actually got my hands dirty with). I want to learn the basics b4 going turbo. Every tuner I've talked to, has told me to sell it get a turbo. Unfortunately, in the past year I've spent at least 2grand(just maintenance). I find it really hard to sell because of this. I don't redline, or even take it over 3-4 rpms. Just got OEM FRONT/REAR STRUTS/SHOCK/SPRINGS. Only reason I went OEM, is because of road conditions where I live., it's like Night n Day., compared to what basically fell out(death trap). Still need to do lower ball joints, but...
My exhaust has been smoking for awhile. First it was because there was no catalytic converter(told normal). Now there is a leak somewhere, and the smoke is very obvious. I do believe it's internal, just changed oil. Within a few days it was down to half on dip stick.
Here is my dilemma, I've bought quite a few cars over the years, and they have all had issues, hidden, or masked. I'm about to move away in July. I have a mechanic friend that has helped me w/maintenance/tools/
garage, etc. when I move he won't be coming. I would like to get the engine rebuilt, no aftermarket(just basics). Later down the road, when this car is restored, I might consider something faster(turbo). Which will not happen anytime soon. I would like to have the satisfaction of knowing the car will run for a good while. Actually taking apart the engine, and putting it back together again., makes me nervous, and excited at the same time. So I have the tools to do this job, but it's the money., I'd gladly get a used engine, but who's to say there isn't anything already wrong with it. Then I thought about buying a parts car, again same thing. Right now, my only reasonable option is getting a rebuild kit, n a gasket set, take it out, apart, cleaned, n put back together again...

I might be way off, but I'm trying to find the best way to fix anything under the hood, that will give me issues later. I'm fortunate to have a friend who has a shop, and will do this w/me. If not I wouldn't even know what to do(couldn't afford to have any shop mess w/it., let alone get rid of a car I've put so much into. I'm exhausted trying to figure out the safest direction to turn.
I'm new to this forum, so any help, is appreciated.
Thanks.

assuming you checked,compression, did the leak down test, and know it's the engine.

well if you like this car, and you don't want it to break down again for a while, I suggest you tear it down, find out if the piston bores can take another round [in standard size], order a rebuild kit, inspect the cylinder head surfaces and the valve train,
flush the cooling system.
get a new water pump,thermostat.
inspect the radiator hoses, get a new timing belt and all pulleys etc.
basically change all the stuff thats now easy to get at.

After its all together don't drive it like you stole it, and budget your money and then swap in the evo 4-9 4G63T motor in it some time in the future when funds are up.

Good stuff, my next question is about the rebuild kit, I've seen a few on ebay(OEM SPEC)., but they're are so many. Once I take it apart, do I have to take it to a machine shop. Also, I know I'd have to get a gasket set. Am I missing anything? Like I said b4 this is my first car I've gotten my hands dirty with.
Thanks again.

I was planing on playing guinea pig myself, and trying the evergreen kits sold on amazon, but I still got some diagnosing to do so I can figure out what all I need.

I reckon evergreen would be a safe bet since a few guys on here had good results with them.
but honestly I think as long as take your time, and you prep everything and triple check all critical stuff you'ill be alright.

But be real picky with the head gasket, I blew a cheep rock auto D&J head gasket in between cylinders # 2 and 3 on my colt but surprisingly I managed to limp home on two cylinders gotta love the mitsu motors.
i'm now running a $20.00 felpro permatorque gasket
so far so good.

and as far as a machine shop goes yeah I'd say at least have them test/clean and inspect the cylinder head.
might also have them check/test/clean the block too.

You helped me out last night on my first post., I was thinking;Kit, gaskets, n maybe new pulleys. I'm just now learning about the engine. It's a bit overwhelming(just cause I'm moving). If I wasn't then I'd take my time & put aftermarket parts little by little, even thought about an engine swap(not ruled out yet), but I'd really would like to go hands on., just to know what is going on inside. I'll look that up tomorrow though, & post before I buy. Can you tell what's going on, by taking the top off?

I'm glad I could help.
way back in 2008 I actually almost got a 420a 2g to do the reversed evo 4G63T swap with, but I found a 1g with awd for cheep and jumped on the deal.

these 420a Eclipses/Talons are a dime a dozen out here in California which is why I figured back then, I could always do the swap in the future... besides back then even junk evos were out of any normal tuners budget, all the fast and the furious movies didn't help ether .

by the way how reliable has the 420a been for you?

On the topic of removing the cylinder head, yeah you can take the cylinder head off, take the camshafts out and have a machine shop check all the valves, and stem seals are sealing good, then if it's all good, have them put new stem seals in it anyway, they should come with the gasket kit.

inspecting the piston bores, and rings is not a bad idea too also get access to a
factory service manual or/Haynes/Chilton, buy one and check all the specs for the pistons and the bore rings etc.

Another thing that helps with these kinda builds are
youtube videos, sometimes they have some good hands on info, plus you get an idea of what your looking at or will be.

Good stuff. Yeah, I it's funny u say that I just started looking at YouTube videos, still looking(got caught up on a few 420a turbo)., didn't know u could do all that.
As for ads, I look everyday(Craigslist)., but so much has been put into this car, n the hours. It's fun, but I haven't even touched the surface with the real fun. I've seen a lot of cars on there, n I'm just afraid I'll run into worse.
The car isn't that bad, it hasn't left me stranded. I have noticed there isn't much power, as when I first got it. I put some Lucas Stop Leak the other day. It helped for a little bit(even felt some power come back to it., next day started smoking.
Seriously, appreciate the help.
I put another post up about what my mechanic had told me(cost to rebuild). I'll send it over here. In the meantime I'll check out some more videos, n links that people have sent.

Newbie, am i getting screwed.?
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1. 
   djaux Probationary Member
   Yesterday at 11:20 PM
   Okay so I have a mechanic who's going to help me out with rebuilding my engine on 95 Mitsubishi eclipse GS.
   He has his own shop, and asked him about a engine rebuilding kit. He told me that he would order the parts separately, because I don't know what I'm getting with the engine rebuild kit.
   Yes he has accounts with parts stores., but I've never rebuilt a engine before. He told me I'll be looking to spend around 1500 which I do not have. I've seen kits on eBay for around 400-500. So I guess my question is he trying to screw me or not.?
   Any advice would be helpful for anybody who's rebuilt an engine with the kits.
   
   

I run a shop, if he is tearing down and going thru complete engine you are getting a fair deal.