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Mid Life Crisis dream car purchase..

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Redneck98Eclipse

Probationary Member
8
1
Mar 26, 2018
Bloomingburg, Ohio
Hello All. Im new to the site but not the scene.

Little back ground about me.. when the first F&F movie dropped, I was 21 and hooked on it.. I bought a 42 accord and put an exhaust kit on it and a wing and was learning about auto mechanics on my own.. sold that 2 years later had a 96 integra and put header, exhaust, short throw, CAI, strut tower bars, MSD ignition, gauge pods.. thats as far as I got with that.

Do to the nature of my work, I had to sell the car as I was out of country most of the time. Fast forward in life, next month I will be 40 and decided I want to get back into it now that I have space and time to wrench.

So I bought a 98 Eclipse GS. Im going to turn this car into the green eclipse from the first movie as that has been and always my dream car only im turning my gs into a gst.

Im going to tear the motor out and strip it down to the block. I want to run max 15psi to be my daily driver to work and more long road trips from ohio to ny playing in the traffic.

Here is what Im thinking,

stage 2 cams
stage 2 clutch
weisco pistons and eagle rods (+.20)
Ported head upgrade the valves, springs
ported intake
$900 ebay special all inclusive turbo kit w/intercooler
upgrade oil cooler
increase injector size (notsure how big i need to go)
High flow fuel pump

What are your suggestions and or tips to make this happen? what kind of HP would I get out of this setup.
 
Yup not worth all the hassal. Not trying to crush your dreams. The motor in 180 to begin with and not compatible in many other places. Do some research on this site the info is there.
 
mehhh... there is no fun or challenge in doing the easy thing. I want to take the 420a that is capable of handling the turbo and build the monster from within..
I would and others at a car show would certainly appreciate the build. and by doing it like this, I know what I have in it and will last a long time. figure I will make 300+ HP with a nice build like this
 
I started into this scene back in 2000 w/ a 420A and turbo charged it. It was fun, but only got me to OEM GST levels of power. If you want 300, you're going to have to spend a ton of money b/c that motor is anything but a monster. That said, there's a few guys on this board who have done it, check out the 420A section - but it's certainly the unorthodox way to go.

Back to my story ... I sold my 420A, bought a 4G63 and never looked back. That would be my .02 as well.

Oh, and don't waste money on an eBay turbo kit. They're all junk, all of them. You'll get 1000 miles out of it maybe before the oil seals go.
 
These cars are challenging enough with their old age, therefore, I recommend going the gst route. You can find a million and one gsts and they'll all be beat to shit leaving you with a nice project on your hands.
 
ok couple of new questions..

1. Based on my initial post on internals, how much boost and HP do you think I could see ?
2. Will a GST motor bolt up in my GS frame?
3. If I want to build this 420A motor for 15 lbs of boost on pump gas (91 oct or better) what would you do?
 
ok couple of new questions..

1. Based on my initial post on internals, how much boost and HP do you think I could see ?
8-10 PSI and probably 225 HP( just a little overstock GST/GSX numbers)
2. Will a GST motor bolt up in my GS frame?
No, not without fabrication that cost BIG money, again you would be better off starting with a GST or GSX, as when you start to build any kind of power with the 420a(and by power I mean just over stock 4G63T numbers) you will need to start worrying about Transmissions ect.. The GS is a sporty commuter car, it is NOT built for speed..
3. If I want to build this 420A motor for 15 lbs of boost on pump gas (91 oct or better) what would you do?
As stated SEARCH the 420A forums, there is a plethora of information on there...
 
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If you want to mimic the F&F eclipse you bought the correct car leave the car non-turbo and you will have the exact same car after you do the cosmetics! haha

If you truly want a 300+ HP 2g Eclipse, save yourself a lot of time and headache and buy a GST. Yes it's a bummer you already bought the GS but if you want the performance side of your goals, you really should just resell it and buy the GST to start with.

The cost for you to build the engine and convert it to turbo will be more than what it would cost for you to keep the GS and buy another GST. To sum this all up here, sell it and buy a GST or even better a GSX.
 
Those $900 "all-inclusive" turbo kits are anything but. You'll probably spend another $1000 to make it work, and they're still questionable junk. With the cost to build a motor, I figure you'll spend $5000 to get to GST-on-16G power levels (275-350 whp). There's a reason why the 420A route is less popular, and "I want to be unique" are fools' words.

Turbo kit - $900
Fabrication, missing turbo stuff - $1000
Engine rebuild parts - $1000
Labor and machining for engine- $1000
Clutch - $500

Tuning ($400), and some tuning parts would be needed for the GST as well (ecmlink, wideband, bigger injectors, pump - $1000). The 16G upgrade could probably be done rather cheaply. The 420A would need Megasquirt or something similar, and a rewire, which is much more difficult.

I had a turbo 2.4L Neon (basically a stroked 420A). It was alright, but nowhere near the 4G63. This is an extra $4000 to get an engine that doesn't perform as well.
 
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You guys are on a 420A forum page bashing the 420A.. listen I've read a crap ton of information and decided I'm going to build a 420A.

Forged H eagle rods
Wiesco forged pistons 8.9:1
APR studs and bolts
APR mains
Cleive rod bearings

On the head ported and polished
Upgraded springs and retainers
Stage 2 cams
Stage 2 clutch
550cc injectors

This is going to be a daily driver with 15lbs of boost running on pump 91 to 93 octane and get 275 to 300 hp

Now say what you want I've read other forums people getting 300 hp on very similar build running 15 psi on pump gas.. this block by many has been proven bullet proof when built with good Internals.. I don't want to do what everyone else is doing I want to do my thing okn the 420a because it is unique and in my area there are a hand full of tuners and no eclipses and no turbos. So there s my build hate it or love it. You are probably right on the turbo eBay kit but I can always swap out the turbo for a better one.
 
LOL, you go ahead and do you, the advise given was sound and correct, if you enjoy throwing your money away, by all means do not let us stop you.. :applause:ROFL

BTW, we were not "bashing" the 420A, just stating the truth about the questions you asked, the 420A was built to be a commuter car with sporty looks, the GST and GSX were built for SPEED..
 
You're paying $900 for a whole turbo "kit"....you're going to get a $900 turbo "kit" ....just sayin. If you want a good reliable 300hp...you're doing it all wrong. Spend money once...not twice replacing the parts you should have initially purchased
 
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OP, people could be a little nicer when explaining this to you but they're right in what they're saying. You're going to pay a lot of money for a setup that won't make that much power and doesn't have nearly the same amount of support as the 4g63 does. I get you want something unique to do that you have set in your mind but when you drop a ton of money on the engine and get an ebay turbo kit you'll be left with an expensive/slow/unique car. You're going to make a new friend at some point and this guy is going to have an hx35 on 30lbs and e85 and it will have cost half of what you paid, be just as reliable and have twice the power.
 
If you are set on this build. The motor can take a lot of power with just pistons and rods. I put down 340 whp on a 20g at 22psi. That was a factory head and cams. You need to build the bottom end at a minimum and get a decent turbo kit. Stay far away from an eBay kit. Buy a used Hahn kit or piece one together if you want. Upgrade the fuel system and you will have to run the Hahn portfueler or a stand alone computer like megasquirt. You can easily put 300 down with that.
 
I 2nd the above. When I was running my turbo'd 420A I built the bottom end w/ Pauter rods and Wiesco pistons and ran a Hahn Kit with the Super16G. I never had it dyno'd, but it was decently fast. The bottom ends aren't meant for boost from the factory so if you go turbo on the stock bottom end it's kinda a ticking time bomb. My other suggestion I'd throw out there is a buy a separate 420A block - they're cheap and they're everywhere. That way you can enjoy driving the car as is while you build the bottom end.
 
You guys are on a 420A forum page bashing the 420A.. listen I've read a crap ton of information and decided I'm going to build a 420A.

Forged H eagle rods
Wiesco forged pistons 8.9:1
APR studs and bolts
APR mains
Cleive rod bearings

On the head ported and polished
Upgraded springs and retainers
Stage 2 cams
Stage 2 clutch
550cc injectors

This is going to be a daily driver with 15lbs of boost running on pump 91 to 93 octane and get 275 to 300 hp

Now say what you want I've read other forums people getting 300 hp on very similar build running 15 psi on pump gas.. this block by many has been proven bullet proof when built with good Internals.. I don't want to do what everyone else is doing I want to do my thing okn the 420a because it is unique and in my area there are a hand full of tuners and no eclipses and no turbos. So there s my build hate it or love it. You are probably right on the turbo eBay kit but I can always swap out the turbo for a better one.

Don't worry about other people. Do what makes you happy and that is all that really matters. Everything is just noise. Do something different.

I think 420a is a good platform. The chassis especially... the engine is already flip the other way around and the rear end will accept awd subframe and rear end. You can do two things with this.

1. Do an evo awd swap. The motor will bolt right in and you can use the dsm awd subframe and rear end. you will have your self an awd eclipse gs. What is nice about this setup is the aftermarket support for the evo 4g63 platform and sequential transmission. How cool would it be to use sequential trans in the eclipse (if funds allow and don't mind spending $). I have been thinking about this especially how cheap you can pick up 420a chassis. It would be a good project car.

2. You can rwd swap a 420a chassis. look for wide 4g63 and 4g64 blocks that can accept rwd transmission and bell housing. Like I said earlier dsm rear subframe and read end just bolts on like GST. You will have a nice rwd eclipse you can slide!

3. Turbo the fwd 420a and do exactly the opposite of what people are telling you. Have fun doing it. Why not?

The possibility are endless with the chassis. I am surprised nobody has thought about doing this to a 420a chassis this way. I have seen several evo engine swaps but not like this. It would be cool to see one and have the whole process documented for everyone so they too can follow your build and do it for themselves. Whatever you decide to do. Do it for your self and surround your self with like-minded people.
 
Do whatever you want except call stuff "stage 2"

I just dont understand why you would spend more money to make a car slower. The 4g63 breathes better and make more reliable power for way less money. No one will ever notice it isnt the same engine as the movie, and 450 hp for the same money as 250 hp seems like a better deal.

Me trying not to be an old man: do whatever you think is cool. Your car, your money and time

Me being realistic: Everyone ends up buying a gsx anyways, just start there.
 
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What about evo8/9 4g63 swap? Just stock swap with 3G eclipse transmission. Will need some custom stuff but I think that will be the best swap. Not cheap but it might be cheaper in the long run. Food for thoughts. I think it's pure sex.
 
I just want to say, he is in the 420a Platform part of our forum and while I know most of us prefer the 4g63, he is doing it his way and asking for help. Lets let some 420a guys help out.
I have had both and only because my experience wasn't good doesn't mean I don't wish the OP a good journey.
A very solid bottom end is a must as suggested. Some port work and cams for flow and mate up a GOOD turbo setup and don't over boost it but have fun. You will need some managment system of course so choose a reliable one that is familiar to others. Keep us posted on your results.
:hellyeah:
 
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What about evo8/9 4g63 swap? Just stock swap with 3G eclipse transmission. Will need some custom stuff but I think that will be the best swap. Not cheap but it might be cheaper in the long run. Food for thoughts. I think it's pure sex.

I would love to see someone go all the way and do an awd swap as well. I would build one of these instead of hacking and chopping rare awd dsm.
 
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