1997 Eclipse engine swap

[FastEclipse96]

hey im new here my name is josh, i just bought a 1997 eclipse that was hit in rear, and i have a 1996 eclipse with bad head that im gonna swap the engine out of the 97 into the 96 does anybody have any advice, i dont have the money to pay somebody else to do the engine swap

 

[2gawdtsi]

lots of research and make sure you have good tools.
get someone that has done a swap before to help you.

good luck

oh and both the engines are 420a's correct?
you will run into alot of problems if ones a 4g63 and one isnt.

 

[Robb]

Agreed, 420a<->4G63 is not a fun swap.

 

[dylnwit]

as long as they're both 420a's (both engine bays look nearly identical), then it shouldn't be too bad. Is it m/t or auto? Are you swapping the tranny with the engine, or just the engine? (we can give you better advice if we know more about what your doing). Main thing is to start hitting all the bolts with pb blaster or something similar, and make sure you have to take loose a bolt before you do. Good tools and extra set of hands that won't argue a ton with you would be good things to have. I'm assuming you have an engine hoist of some kind, jack stands, etc?

 

[FastEclipse96]

yes both engines are a 420a, well the thing is i dont have an extra set of hands to help swap, so im trying to learn all of it to see if i can do it, im probably gonna end up buying and engine stand. i have jack stands. there both 5 speed im swaping the engine and trans, the 97 has like a stage 1 or 2 clutch in it. i have tons of tools here at my house, just need somebody up to give a hand

 

[knochgoon24]

It's a lot easier if you have someone run the jack on the engine hoist and someone else guiding the engine out.

 

[SrKegler]

Doubt if you'll need an engine stand.

Pull the engine out of the 97 first. That way any mistakes you make won't be much of a problem. Kind of like a test run for the good car. When unhooking wires and hoses, unhook from the body on the 97, unhook from the engine on the 96. That will make it a lot easier to remember what hose, sensor wire goes where. If you have a camera, take some pictures of the layout first.

Little trick I learned for lining the hood and body panel up is to drill a 1/8" hole thru the hinge into the hood before I remove the bolts. Do that on both sides. When you are ready to put the hood back on, simple put the drill bit in the two holes to line things back up.

Nothing like a bunch of free beer to get some buddies to show up an help.

 

[FastEclipse96]

k bout how long do u think it will take, ya i have a carbon fiber hood to go on it, ya id have to supply the money for the beer im only 17 so cant buy it

 

[joshs1074]

you definitely want to change the timing belt while it is out way easier

 

[FastEclipse96]

actually it just had one put on there

 

[joshs1074]

i chose to go with a lighter flywheel (big upgrade) now would be the time to do that as well

 

[FastEclipse96]

what brand should i get, i might not be able to afford it

 

[joshs1074]

i found one on ebay just be careful that you get one that is not glazed over mine was and had to have it machined. i think if you go on an act clutch website you should be able to find one. i think i paid 150.00 for mine

 

[2gawdtsi]

act streetlite flywheels are supposed to be nice.

i have an xtd lightweight flywheel on mine, but it was just a cheapy

 

[woodnbronze24]

Label all your connectors. Make sure you have all of your fluids (pwr steering, coolant , oil) prior. Replace any parts that will be easy to get to (belts, timing belt, motor mounts, clutch etc). Good luck.

 

[FastEclipse96]

well i got bout 3 people helping now, yal think i could get this done in 2 days, gonna try for it saturday and sunday

 

[mitsubishi9908]

do they know what they are doing?

 

[FastEclipse96]

2 of them do but i dont. will i have to unbolt engine and pick up car for the shifter, or can i just unbolt engine and pull it out threw the top

 

[FastEclipse96]

btw i have a push button start ignition, what would i need to wire it to

 

[2gawdtsi]

Some people take the engine out the top, and some take it out the bottom.
I took mine out of the bottom, but if you dont have a lift then the top works great especially if you have your hood off.

 

[whe3ls]

2 of them do but i dont. will i have to unbolt engine and pick up car for the shifter, or can i just unbolt engine and pull it out threw the top

you can pull it out of the engine bay. if its awd pull the transfer case before you pull the motor and trans

 

[FastEclipse96]

its FWD my avatar is pics of what im taking the engine out of.

 

[2gawdtsi]

Yeah you should just be able to pull it out either way.
Swapping an engine isnt as difficult as it is just time consuming. IMO...

just make sure to remember where everything goes and organize bolts, etc. so putting the new engine in you wont have to guess what bolt goes where.
someone whos done swaps before is really helpful also.

 

[rstare]

What month was your car made?
You might run into problems with the fuel system. The '95 to early '96 used a return fuel system. While the late '96 on used a "returnless system". The earlier one will have the FPR on the passenger's side of the fuel rail, so that's an easy way to tell.

 

[FastEclipse96]

mine was made in 01/97 dont know bout what month the 96 was made in its not at my house