1996 Eclipse RS rebuild & Cleanup

[Aproductions]

I am just making this journal to see my cars progress and to share it with the rest of you. A little bit of background on the car first.

I sold a 1995 ford escort and picked this up for the same price.

The car needed a lot of attention all around and eventually developed rod knock. That is where this build starts.

Here is a picture of the escort I sold and the eclipse I bought.

My plans for the car are to just clean it up and develop a nice daily driver.

 

[jesterkid99]

looks good! hopefully you can put up more pictures of it soon.

 

[Aproductions]

The wheels were in horrible shape so I used some elbow grease and cleaned them up pretty good. Also the previous owner wired in, actually 1/2 wired in an alarm system so I will be cleaning that up also.

 

[Aproductions]

Well I started the tear down on the motor because of the rod knock I heard. Also I am going to repaint the engine bay while the motor is out.

The only aftermarket parts are:
BBP header & down pipe plus some no name muffler
AEM intake and filter
red spark plug wires
17" ADR sudoku wheels

There were fuel and oil leaks all over the place, I am surprised the car even ran. If you look on the last picture, the fuel rail has a return line that the previous owner blocked off. Must be a different year fuel rail because there is no line for the return to connect to.

 

[Aproductions]

I got the motor pulled out of the car. As I thought the number 4 bearing did spin and get chewed up. Also the number 2 bearing was scorn in the middle. I did start to get the engine bay ready for paint. However, I will just be spray bombing this with the factory color in spray cans. That is it for now, more updates after the engine bay is painted.

 

[Aproductions]

Well I got the engine bay painted. I am pretty satisfied with it considering it only costed around $50. I also started to bolt some of the things back up. I have to start working on the wiring as it is currently a mess.

Also put on the rear bumper, 2GB SWAP!

 

[Aproductions]

I got the motor back from the machine shop.

valve job with supertech valve seals
head/block decked for MLS
head/block hot tanked
crank polished (got a different one, not the one that spun a bearing)
block honed


So I am starting to assemble it now. I picked up the mopar bedplate sealant and the lucas assembly lube (love that stuff).

I also got some pt cruiser lifters/rockers!
What is the deal with using 4g63 parts? what all is an "upgrade"? just the springs?
Pictures of how things are going. (coming soon)

 

[Aproductions]

Some more progress of the motor coming together. Things are going well for the most part. (about damn time) I pretty much just have a few bolt ons to do and then drop it in the car. Oh and check out the art work on the pistons.

 

[tylerbrunkhart]

Nice!

 

[TheDonDSMAk]

Nicee so far, dont see to many 420a builds. wishing you the best of luck

 

[eclipse420ags]

Lookin good! Lose the rear drums, dont wanna smash into anybody after all that hard work.

 

[Aproductions]

Lookin good! Lose the rear drums, dont wanna smash into anybody after all that hard work.

I plan to lose the drums during spring break. I have everything I need finally.

I have a lot to update now. I redid the interior which involved a leather upgrade and cleaning the carpet (was filthy) now looks factory new.

More about the interior:
For a leather upgrade in the RS model you need to convert the rear 1 piece bench into a 2 piece. I had to drill out a turbo model rear bench bracket and weld it in mine. (See pics). For the carpet, I just put it in a big garbage can (clean) and filled it with water and laundry detergent. I let it sit for a day and then pressure washed it. If only I had a before picture.

Also I got the motor and transmission bolted into the car. I upgraded to the poly bushings.

Oh and please excuse my method of motor installation, the hoist I had blew a seal.

 

[Aproductions]

The girlfriend got me some HID's so I installed them and wired them up. I used the factory harness from the stock headlights so it was plug and play.

I have some minor odds and ends to tie up until the first start up.

 

[Aproductions]

I am finished with this project for now, I have done a few oil changes already and have about 500 miles on the car. I really like it for a daily driver, so far it has not given me any problems. I will rip apart the filter from the first oil change soon and see what is in there.

 

[stracer107]

Why is it always #4 that spins on these dam engines I've lost 2 that way and know a few others that have too. Hahaha nice build by the way.

 

[Aproductions]

Why is it always #4 that spins on these dam engines I've lost 2 that way and know a few others that have too. Hahaha nice build by the way.

Low on oil and turning right I believe. Since there is no baffle in the oil pan, the farthest bearing (#4) is oil starved and spins.

 

[1997eclipse rs]

nice man i just bought a 1997 rs from a dude with a hard knock but its a smokey gray and i bought the same stock motor and a 420A but i am currently out of money but ill tend to the build soon but it looks reall good mate!