1993 eclipse 1.8 swap options

[wasaabi9kt]

Hi, I'm posting for a friend so bear with me. He's got a 93 eclipse 5 speed with a 1.8 litre engine. It's got one heck of a blown head gasket or something, burning oil like it's going out of style.. Anyway he wants to replace it with another engine with more power. I told him what I know about the eclipse engines of the time, which wasn't a whole lot. Theres a 1.8 NA (RS), 2.0 NA (GS), a 2.0 turbo (GS Turbo), and a 2.0 turbo AWD (GSX). Correct me if I'm wrong about any of that. He's pretty new to auto mechanics. I've done some work on a few cars, but no eclipses. So what are our options with this? Will he need a new transmission? Any fabrication involved? Thanks in advance.

 

[nutshot]

If your friend has the money and time, he can swap in anything. Cadillac Northstar V8, Small Block Chevy, whatever. If your friend wants a more powerful DSM motor, he will save time and money buying a more powerful car, like an AWD (RS, TSI or GSX) or FWD (RS, TSI, or GST) turbo car.

 

[wasaabi9kt]

Yea I know anythings possible with the time and money into it. But he IS on a budget. I'd assume either of the 2.0 fwd setups would be easiest and most economical to do. He got the car for a grand, which I thought was a pretty good deal considering the body and interrior condition. It's got to be cheaper putting in a different engine. Someone has to have done this before...

 

[Valherun]

Aye if that ain't the truth for a grand the car is in great condition.... However with the head gasket going it could be a problem, had orginally planned on a rebuild of the engine for the most part but have decided i'd rather go with a 2.0 and would prefer a turbo. From the looks of it I'd be best off to find a GST, and swap the engine from that. Well off to look for a messed up car, if anyone knows a good spot to look around NC let me know, if not then me and MR. Saab will find one somewhere

 

[nutshot]

It's as easy to swap in a VW VR6, Cadillac Northstar or any other motor. The 1.8 engine mounts, wiring, etc is all different. If you want a 2.0 turbo car, you would save time and money starting with a 2.0 turbo car.