99GS: What to do first

[rezalas]

Background: I've wanted to own a stock eclipse (97-99) for a very long time and finally had an opportunity to purchase an old 99 GS from a local individual. The car is in poor condition with only a few modifications (replacement rims, exhaust, CAI) which is what I was looking for (it's a project for me as well).

Issues: The problem I'm having is where to start really. I know it can run (I drove it 34 miles home) but I also know it idles rough and has black residue that it left on my driveway after running for a few minutes. The interior is damaged severely (broken pegs and brackets, lock cylinders laying in the doors, what smells like angry hobo sex in the seats) so I'm certain it needs replaced, but I'm also certain that the engine needs a lot of work (the engine compartment has signs of previous oil leaks). I definitely want the smell gone, but I'm not sure if I should spend time doing that if I'm going to have new parts sit there for months while I'm toiling away fixing whatever hate crime was performed previously on the engine.

Goal: I'd like to rebuild the car up to a showable quality vehicle. I'm not talking about competing, but I'd like to have something I can enjoy and work on in my spare time. I'd like to hear any views on where to start to reach this goal, and perhaps any suggestions for a good way to plan this out. I've been reading the forums and already have the manuals bookmarked to continue reading through them (there's a ton of info to learn).

Side note: I'm a software engineer and network architect by trade and not a mechanic, so I'm admitting up front that I have a lot to learn. If I missed any info that you need please feel free to let me know and I'll provide anything I can.

 

[Breezio69]

Is the connection good with the new o2 sensor?

 

[rezalas]

Is the connection good with the new o2 sensor?

I believe it is. When I installed the sensor I made certain it was in tight and the plug snapped into place firmly. I found the camshaft sensor location, fortunately if that's the actual problem it will at least be easy to change.

 

[rezalas]

After tons of reading the forum I'm questioning my choice to have purchased a car with a 420a. Not having known the difference before, I'm sad to say it seems my ignorance has cost me quite a bit in terms of future goals. I still love the car but everything I'm finding on the forums says that the 420a is hopeless for reaching 300hp (with many resorting to insults and 4g63 bragging).

So here's the rub of it all at the moment. I'm in $2000 so far. I spent $1,600 buying the car (thinking all eclipse models were made equal), and I've spent $400 in maintenance work / repairs thus far. I have no intention of not meeting my 300hp goal (and 2 hours on these forums today has been enlightening) but I'm looking for options.

The only possibilities I've heard so far are:

1. sell the car (which means eating ~$1,000 of loss most likely) and try to get one with a 4g63.
2. Hope I can find a cloud car 2.4L that swaps easily into the place of the 420a and build it up instead (which 4g63 people have said is also stupid).
3. Rip out the 420a and build up the internals, ending up with whatever I end up with (people have suggested it would be lucky to hit 200hp).

So, For anyone who knows enough to give me a straight and honest answer, please read over the list and let me know what you think.

EDIT:
So everyone knows before hand, this is not in any way my DD (that's the mustang), so I'm not worried about having it on a bench for a while. I'm more concerned with just being able to enjoy the car and hit some goals.

Thank You,

 

[Gomes]

Welcome and GL

Ain't that the truth

 

[rezalas]

Ain't that the truth

People have thus far been very helpful with basic maintenance and suggestions. Thanks for viewing the thread, any useful info is always welcome.

 

[synthetek]

The only possibilities I've heard so far are:

1. sell the car (which means eating ~$1,000 of loss most likely) and try to get one with a 4g63.
2. Hope I can find a cloud car 2.4L that swaps easily into the place of the 420a and build it up instead (which 4g63 people have said is also stupid).
3. Rip out the 420a and build up the internals, ending up with whatever I end up with (people have suggested it would be lucky to hit 200hp).

A 420a NA would be lucky to hit 200hp but if you build the motor with forged internals you can turbo it and hit your goal of 300-350. Speaking from experience and having been in a similar situation I chose option one and got a GSX

 

[rezalas]

A 420a NA would be lucky to hit 200hp but if you build the motor with forged internals you can turbo it and hit your goal of 300-350. Speaking from experience and having been in a similar situation I chose option one and got a GSX

Hmm. That brings to mind the question of what the forged internals and required turbo parts would add up to. If I go that route I'll likely get a junkyard 420a and build it up. But, I'm also leaning strongly towards a 2.4 swap after reading slo2gen's and glowryder's build journals (though I have a feeling that a 2.4 swap is harder than people let on).

 

[rezalas]

Well from what I'm told there's a turbo model eclipse in a salvage yard not far from my house, so I'm going to go check it out today and see what I can get off of it and/or if I could get most of the parts required for a swap. One man's trash as they say...