96 Eclipse GS Clean Build

[cdkelly91]

Figured its about time to post in your thread. You've put a lot of work into this car and I commend that. There aren't many people here that would put as much effort as we have into a GS. Looks like you've done a great job with everything. I've considered coilovers myself but decided I'd get those for my turbo car if I can find one that I like. Would you mind posting more pictures or at least details into how you, personally, converted to LED dash lights? I want to do this myself but I know I'd want it to be done right.

 

[mitecl96]

Figured its about time to post in your thread. You've put a lot of work into this car and I commend that. There aren't many people here that would put as much effort as we have into a GS. Looks like you've done a great job with everything. I've considered coilovers myself but decided I'd get those for my turbo car if I can find one that I like. Would you mind posting more pictures or at least details into how you, personally, converted to LED dash lights? I want to do this myself but I know I'd want it to be done right.

I have a link to a thread with all the pictures I have. It's the second link in the led post on this thread. I'm not able to post the same pictures twice on here.

Any question I'll be glad to help.

 

[riopgtmn]

Great project man! I can relate to the bushings.

Those were a bi***. Heh. I did mine and it was way more involved.. here are some pics of mine

Progress // 2G DSM

Anyway, Keep up the good work!

 

[mitecl96]

FINALLY found and got me a header. I didn't want any of the slip joint headers that I see everywhere. I wanted a flange one. Seen one for little less than $200 and was saving. Then I came across this one for $75, risk it and got it. To me it seems like a good quality one and fit perfect.

Planned on it turning bronze because I didn't want the chrome/polished look in my bay. Turned out great.

With that heading fixing all my exhaust leaks from the flex pipe, I was finally able to hear my muffler I got for $150 a year ago. Video soon. It's not loud or ricey got a good sound. Also got rid of the 4 inch tip I hated.

Eclipse 420a Headers, ANSA Sport Muffler - YouTube

Still have that random smoke, smells weird and not oil, maybe Cat? I know o2 sensor bank 2 its showing code.

 

[mitecl96]

Well ready to drive my car off a cliff on fire. On my way to my grandma's house, 20 minute drive spun a rod bearing again. Not even 5,000 miles on the motor. Just feel like killing the car.

 

[BigRed12]

Well ready to drive my car off a cliff on fire. On my way to my grandma's house, 20 minute drive spun a rod bearing again. Not even 5,000 miles on the motor. Just feel like killing the car.

I don't mean to insult you, but what did you do to break in the motor after the rebuild? I ask because, and correct me if im wrong, you roasted a front pair of tires within that 5k miles.

Also, how often did u change the oil in that 5k? Personally I like to go on a 25, 100, 500, 1000, 3K after a rebuild. It is a lot of oil changes in a short period of time, but this way you can make sure you get out any small shavings from those new parts that are seating together before the shavings do things like grab to rod and main bearings.

 

[dsmcrzy]

I don't mean to insult you, but what did you do to break in the motor after the rebuild? I ask because, and correct me if im wrong, you roasted a front pair of tires within that 5k miles.

Also, how often did u change the oil in that 5k? Personally I like to go on a 25, 100, 500, 1000, 3K after a rebuild. It is a lot of oil changes in a short period of time, but this way you can make sure you get out any small shavings from those new parts that are seating together before the shavings do things like grab to rod and main bearings.

I agree with the oil changes. I do the same it's expensive but cheaper than the possible alternative.

Also I am curious on how you broke the motor in as well. Sorry to hear about the bad luck!

 

[mitecl96]

The front tires where bad because of a bad alignment. I did a lot of oil changes. I did 20 miles than 70, 500, 1500, 3000, and I was about to do one this weekend. My car is 250 mile to hit 5000 on the rebuild
As of breaking it in I know this is controversial topic and some will say I was right and some will say I was wrong. But I followed an article I was show on here that made since to me. I did read more than one way.

One I started it up I went straight on a cruise. I let it warm up for a few miles to the highway. I did acceleration and decelerating in 1st gear and 2nd gear. For the first 20 miles then drove it back to the house and changed the oil after I let it cool down. Than I did normal driving since than.

 

[mitecl96]

Well when and pulled the oil pan and got to look at my rod bearings. It's very clear the cause, Oil starvation. But the confusing part is my car has never been low on oil, I checked it constantly, the light never came on, and my lifters never started ticking, which I've been told is the first sign of low oil.

#1 and #4 look the exact same as #2, and #3 of course was the one knocking to come out the block.

 

[mitecl96]

Finally got the email back from King. It was cause due to oil starvation. I have no idea how always was full of oil.

Oh well went to a pull a part today and got me another engine that had 127000 miles on it. Car was there because it was wrecked. No leaks everything looked great on it. Spun freely just like my engine did. Could feel the compression. Oil that was left in it looked good. Also had a new gates timing belt.

Hopefully tomorrow I will have the engines switched out.

Also I seen this there a laser. Was in great condition inside and out. Sucks you can't by cars or this would be mine if I could.

 

[mitecl96]

Well I guess its about time to post an update about my car. Not to much has gone on pulled my motor and got the junkyard motor put into my car. But for those of you that seen my post that motor only lasted for 4,000 miles and it spun a rod bearing. Fed up with this I just slapped a new bearing into it and called it a day.



Also got to join a local group in Tennessee called tnmog. Got me a decal and representing now.



I decided to try to fix so things that have been bothering me since I got the car. Trip to the pick n pull and got a few things.



Finally for rid of seeing the old lovely medal floor I've had forever after cleaning the carpet.






Also was able to finally get my driver side ground effect cap and door piece. It was green so sanding and paint was in the works. I just used some red spray paint from Walmart I had laying around. Turned out to not be to bad off in the shade and hard to notice its different but looks way better than missing and broken parts like before.






Right now plans with the car are megasquirt. Still doing some more research and got a few things to test out. I plan on having a complete stand alone and still keep cruise control and a/c. As a daily driver I would like to keep these.

After I megasquirt I plan on building my old motor with either high compression or go with custom pistons for either stock compression or maybe just a little higher. After all that the next step would be to boost it. In the end I want around 300 HP for a daily driver.

 

[iPyromaniacC42]

goodjob on ever thing you did and like they said its nice to see a 420a being fixed instead of a 4g63 i have been trying to fix my 420a it had some rust on the hood where the paint chipped sanded the spot and painted it black but anyway ways my gf would love your car she loves the color red and she will eventually have my 420a im buying a GST from my boss at work ( he just hired me also) im going to push for the 500hp mark for the gst tho

 

[mitecl96]

Not done to much lately been jobless for 6 months but finally got a job making over twice as much as I use to so maybe more will get done faster now.

I did pick up so spare wheels for $150 with 90% tire left and the wheels I have been looking for more tire and better ride for dd.



Got to have fun with my car, finally. was flying down gravel roads for lug trucking around 45 mph car drove great, was a lot better ride comfort than pavement. WTF There was also a dirt trail we took. Then finally when we were heading back to the house the damn intake fell off and I ran over it. With some quick thinking my friend took his sock off and now have a better intake, higher flow . Time to get another intake I guess.











Also, now that I live in a city, my car has to pass emissions so seeing how either my cat or rear o2 sensor was bad just made a simulator to help me pass till I get money to completely fix it the right way.

 

[Jesse2012]

Lol at the sock. You need a rear camber kit!

 

[1sick_gst]

Nice attention to detail! Bummer about the freshly rebuilt motor tho. Hope to see it back up and running soon! Nice build bro.

 

[buhay6]

Love the dedication!
But for your rebuilt motor spinning a bearing, highly doubt it had anything to do with the engine being low on oil. Oil pump or improper oil clearance's are more then likely the culprit. Oil pump pumps the oil and oil passages/clearances create the pressure to keep your rotating assembly from even making contact, contact being made between cranks and bearings is what makes bearings spin.

Jafro has great videos on youtube that go through everything step by step (mainly 4g63 oriented but same basic philosophies apply). He just posted another good video not long ago that I think you'd find to be a very good watch.
Link to video:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYnUbm1mUj4&list=UUyGT_yinKL7uRiZmTjC17RQ]Hyundai Elantra 4g63 Shortblock Assembly - YouTube[/ame]
Great channel for any DSM guy to follow, Jafro really knows his stuff.

Hope this helps some, Glad to see things looking up man, seriously I'm in the same boat as you almost and it's taken me 2 years to get mine even remotely close to driving. keep on her man!

 

[TheFallenJosh]

Nice build man!! 420a's are a great daily. Glad to see you haven't given up on it! Keep up the good work man

 

[mitecl96]

Lol at the sock. You need a rear camber kit!

Sadly I have a rear camber kit maxed out with 3 thick washers and longer bolts and it is still at -2. I am saving up because going to do another suspension overhaul. So, hopefully I can fix the camber because I will be going lower.

Nice attention to detail! Bummer about the freshly rebuilt motor tho. Hope to see it back up and running soon! Nice build bro.

It is back up and running, I put a junkyard motor in and it spun after 4,000 miles. just slapped ONE new bearing in the motor and she has 8,000 miles on it now with me giving it a little abuse.

Love the dedication!
But for your rebuilt motor spinning a bearing, highly doubt it had anything to do with the engine being low on oil. Oil pump or improper oil clearance's are more then likely the culprit. Oil pump pumps the oil and oil passages/clearances create the pressure to keep your rotating assembly from even making contact, contact being made between cranks and bearings is what makes bearings spin.

Jafro has great videos on youtube that go through everything step by step (mainly 4g63 oriented but same basic philosophies apply). He just posted another good video not long ago that I think you'd find to be a very good watch.
Great channel for any DSM guy to follow, Jafro really knows his stuff.

Hope this helps some, Glad to see things looking up man, seriously I'm in the same boat as you almost and it's taken me 2 years to get mine even remotely close to driving. keep on her man!

Good stuff on that channel, not to worried about what happened anymore because I can't change it but I did learn a lot and ready to build another motor.

Nice build man!! 420a's are a great daily. Glad to see you haven't given up on it! Keep up the good work man

Thanks, mine has it's moments but to many if I say. I have thought about getting rid of it, but I know I would miss it and all I put into it. Plus that 36 mpg helps also

 

[mitecl96]

Well been waiting to do something to my car for a while with this move and finding a job has put a lot on hold. But finally getting back on my feet then Saturday night my ball joint went out at 45 mph a mile away from home. Cost $175 to get it home. The tow company was retarded and busted my from bumper trying to wedge the well locks under the car which was pointless how are you going to pull my car by the wheels when the wheel is no longer attached to the car. It finally hit them they had a perfectly good bed to put it on.

Got it jacked up to see what all is broke just the ball joint and cv axle.
Got both lateral arms for both sides to replace the cheap ones with Moog and a new cv axle for only $104, Love my job ha.

Got it took a part and back together in less than an hour. Now I need a new bumper and finder.

 

[mitecl96]

Finally got me a bumper and fender. Got it all painted and mounted color is a little brighter than the rest of the car but close enough for using spray paint.

 

[mitecl96]

Not a lot has really happened but getting this up to date. Had a odd thing happen to me. My slave cylinder rod decided it was going to go through my clutch fork. Did a quick fix to get me home then got all the parts I needed.

Got a few other things to fix other issues.

Next it was time for a repair and an upgrade. My rack and pinion was bad so it was getting replaced. I also decided to do the equal length driveshaft. Got everything together and got the mount that was needed.

Before I could get started I rebuilt my power steering pump at work.

Was time to get working. Yes we are fancy working on a nice rug haha.

The only thing you have to fix is the Crankshaft sensor. It is in the way of the bracket for the shaft so you have to cut a groove to twist it. Always fun to cut on a $120 sensor.

Got it all put together and I will say that equal length drive shaft will make a difference. My suspension is still messed up but traction wise you can tell both tires pull. In my neighborhood there is a stop sign on a hill and if it rains I always spin taking off and always was the passenger side tire. (And no I am not trying to spin or show off) After the new set up at the stop sign it spins both. Same tires nothing changed but will really test it this summer when I autocross and compare to it the past.

Still have a lot more to do to my car. Doing the 3g control arms in the back and sway bar. Replacing my front shocks with the same ones I had for now till I get new for front and back. Also doing routine maintenance on the poly bushing. (joke) But to anyone just in case you didn't know get the 2 piece poly bushing set not the solid ones. Just way better, easier and my thicker sides.

Got Megan Racing toe arms because the cheap toe arms setup with the Dodge Intrepid didn't work for me. Arms wouldn't get short enough.

Also got to do some engine work been looking for a place to work on it but hopefully soon.

Wasn't able to get the sway bar on yet because I forgot you have to make a 7/8" thick shim to mount the sway bar away from the lower control arm to work right. Working on that this week.

Still a lot more to do.

 

[frenchie4g63]

What kind of paint are you using that will withstand the heat in longevity? Have you had any problems with peeling? Looks great BTW.

 

[dsmcrzy]

Glad to see your still at it! I did the prothane inserts on the suspension as well. It wasn't fun to do but the results were totally worth it!

 

[mitecl96]

What kind of paint are you using that will withstand the heat in longevity? Have you had any problems with peeling? Looks great BTW.

Did a few different types, prep work is key. I have used krylon, duplicolor, and rustalum.

Glad to see your still at it! I did the prothane inserts on the suspension as well. It wasn't fun to do but the results were totally worth it!

Yeah they are a pain done it twice to this car but way worth it.

 

[mitecl96]

Finished up most of the suspension this weekend besides the rear sway bar working on the spacers. Also got the exhaust fixed but come to find out when I had the new flex pipe welded in the guy made the down pipe an inch shorter which now puts the exhaust against the rear sub frame so need to add some exhaust to get the clearance to install the sway bar. I got brakes finally and car stops 10x better than it ever had sense I have owned it.

Got it aligned for the cost of lunch for the shop, got to love working where I work get discounts at most any shop in my area. Car has camber though but my camber kits are maxed out. I guess -2 is a lot better than -4. Think it is really time to start working on my upper control arm idea for front and back.

All that is left to address is to rebuild a motor and maybe a new transmission because 1st gear sucks shifting into.