Advice on 420a motor

[blk97eclipse]

Over the past year I have wanted to do work to my 420a 97 eclipse rs. It seems ill be putting about 4 grand(no installation fees included) in my car just to build it up to the power of a gst or gsx. Although it will probably cost about the same to do get the 4g63 motor and do the swap just less complications IMO. My third choice is to get a new car with a stronger engine. I am stuck between the three choices.

If i could get some different point of views on building up the 420a's engine to go all motor and possibly turbo that would be great. What type of horsepower could i put out to the wheels with all motor.

AND

I wanted to know if it is possible to swap a 4g63 with a turbo into a 420a's spot. If so, how much it will cost for the engine and where I can find one. Or am i just better off getting a new car with a more sufficient engine to build off of.

FINIALLY

Thanks for your time any advice and/or input is wanted

 

[huafist]

Over the past year I have wanted to do work to my 420a 97 eclipse rs. It seems ill be putting about 4 grand(no installation fees included) in my car just to build it up to the power of a gst or gsx. Although it will probably cost about the same to do get the 4g63 motor and do the swap just less complications IMO. My third choice is to get a new car with a stronger engine. I am stuck between the three choices.

If i could get some different point of views on building up the 420a's engine to go all motor and possibly turbo that would be great. What type of horsepower could i put out to the wheels with all motor.

AND

I wanted to know if it is possible to swap a 4g63 with a turbo into a 420a's spot. If so, how much it will cost for the engine and where I can find one. Or am i just better off getting a new car with a more sufficient engine to build off of.

FINIALLY

Thanks for your time any advice and/or input is wanted

Buy a GST or a GSX. You'll spend 10 grand or better swapping a 4G63T into a 420a.

 

[wally98gs]

Personally I would stick with the 420A and install an aftermarket turbo system. Hahn Race Craft make a beautiful system that is upgradeable in stages.

 

[blk97eclipse]

Personally I would stick with the 420A and install an aftermarket turbo system. Hahn Race Craft make a beautiful system that is upgradeable in stages.

i would have to rebuild my engine in able to support that turbo system right?

could you give me some advice on how far id have go go with rebuilding the engine before i can mount that turbo?

 

[andymoraitis]

I think your decision depends on what your goals are. Having previously owned a 95 GS and now a 98 GSX, I can say that they are both excellent cars. The GS was incredibly reliable and easy to maintain. I had it for 5 years and it never left me stranded or gave me a lick of trouble. Unfortunately, it was slow and since I'd owned 12 second cars before, it was difficult to drive something that would never come close to that without a major investment.

The GSX on the other hand is a complete beast. The interior is beautiful and I receive compliments on what a pretty car it is, but for me, being able to launch on street tires at 5000 RPM and feel instant traction at 19 psi is a rip. It can be docile or an all out monster when called upon. I take meticulous care of it and it requires more attention, but I enjoy the process nonetheless.

I think, considering your investment ability, that if you really love your particular car, that you can add the Hahn turbo kit and see GS-T type performance from it. If your 420a is in good shape, has strong compression and is well maintained, then this would be the way to go. The important point to note is that you know the car and have a more intimate knowledge of it's little quirks which you won't find in any used car until you've spent some time with it. I say do what makes you happy, but avoid the 4G63 swap when you can have a great increase in performance for around 3K instead of spending tons of money on a swap.

Hope that helps and good luck in making your decision.

Andy

P.S. The Hahn Stage I and II kits don't require bottom end work, but anything above that does. If you have an extra $1000.00 left over after purchasing the kit, then it may be a good idea to do some rods and pistons to support more boost than is allowable in Stage II.

 

[punishercb]

As a owner of a 420a and a 4g63, I would recommend just going with a gs-t or gsx. Making horsepower with a 420a is doable, but it will take much more time and money. To match the power of a 4g63, you're going to have to build up the internals to accomadate a turbo. You can do a stage 1 or 2 turbo like mentioned above, but eventually you will have to replace the bottom end. Also, if you got a gst or gsx you would get huge gains from basic mods. Unlike the 420a, where headers and full exhaust barely do anything, the 4g63 will get big gains from them. These cars were built for boost, so they have much more potential.

I'm very glad that I got a gst. Granted the 420a was a reliable engine, it just wasn't near as much fun as the 4g63 I'd just sell your n/t if I was in your shoes and use that cash to buy a car already built for performance. just my .02

 

[ECLIPSE95]

well here is my .02

2nd gen RS looks great and is and excellent honduh killer if needed and requires little maintence..on the other hand my TSI AWD will be a weekend killer..gunning down STIs and SRT4s

 

[wally98gs]

i would have to rebuild my engine in able to support that turbo system right?

could you give me some advice on how far id have go go with rebuilding the engine before i can mount that turbo?

You wouldn't have to rebuild the engine until stage three. Stages I & II are completely bolt on. Hahn Race Craft claims that the stage II kit can make up to 275 hp. Thats more than a stock GS-T. But to use this kit your car has to be in good working order. If you want more than 275 hp, you'll have to do engine work. With stage III you'll need new pistons and connecting rods to change the compression ratio. Stage IV adds their Port Fueler system and stage V upgrades the turbo. At stage V HRC claims that you can make 500 hp.
For a bolt on kit that needs no internal engine mods Stage II isn't a bad way to go. I'm getting one myself in a few months.

 

[WHite97RS]

4 grand, built bottom end, fmic, EMS, t3/t04e 50 trim, etc....... not installed yet but hoping to make in the range of 300hp maybe more with tuning. pay the 4g with the reliability of a 420a, or get a GS-T/GSX and pay more for insurance and then more to upgrade. dont get me wrong if i could afford a GSX i would def get one. but i cannot which is why im modding my 420A plus..dont hate me for saying this you 4g63 guys but ive noticed alot of breakdowns with those motors????

 

[hillbillyboostn]

i have a 97 eclipse. i built my 420a up. bored .20, pistons, rods, bearings, turbo, injectors the hole thing. i kept the head stock though. with everything included and i installed it myself i have about 4k in the dam thing. for about 1500 i could have had a 4g63 complete. w/ harness, computer and trans. money wise go with the swap. if you got $$ to burn go w/420a.

 

[WHite97RS]

i have a 97 eclipse. i built my 420a up. bored .20, pistons, rods, bearings, turbo, injectors the hole thing. i kept the head stock though. with everything included and i installed it myself i have about 4k in the dam thing. for about 1500 i could have had a 4g63 complete. w/ harness, computer and trans. money wise go with the swap. if you got $$ to burn go w/420a.

+labor+fabbing motor mounts+...............swap is more expensive. http://www.automotiveforums.com/t202750.html.....
"Here are all of the costs of the swap (compliments of 2gnt )
1. 4G63 turbo engine (stock) $1500
2. transmission (stock GS-T FWD) $500
3. wiring harness for engine $300
4. 4G63 ECU (stock) $300
5. shift linkage $200
6. custom engine mounts $200
7. chassis cross member $100
8. complete exhaust $200
9. intercooler, turbo, related parts $500
10. boost gauge/fuel filter, etc $300
11. Installation $1500"

 

[hillbillyboostn]

+labor+fabbing motor mounts+...............swap is more expensive. http://www.automotiveforums.com/t202750.html.....
"Here are all of the costs of the swap (compliments of 2gnt )
1. 4G63 turbo engine (stock) $1500
2. transmission (stock GS-T FWD) $500
3. wiring harness for engine $300
4. 4G63 ECU (stock) $300
5. shift linkage $200
6. custom engine mounts $200
7. chassis cross member $100
8. complete exhaust $200
9. intercooler, turbo, related parts $500
10. boost gauge/fuel filter, etc $300
11. Installation $1500"

you could go with the website as he expland.
http://www.orientengine.com/mitsubishiprice.html or go with this one
http://www.japanesenginesautoparts.com/miectuen.html and save

 

[hillbillyboostn]

+labor+fabbing motor mounts+...............swap is more expensive. http://www.automotiveforums.com/t202750.html.....
"Here are all of the costs of the swap (compliments of 2gnt )
1. 4G63 turbo engine (stock) $1500
2. transmission (stock GS-T FWD) $500
3. wiring harness for engine $300
4. 4G63 ECU (stock) $300
5. shift linkage $200
6. custom engine mounts $200
7. chassis cross member $100
8. complete exhaust $200
9. intercooler, turbo, related parts $500
10. boost gauge/fuel filter, etc $300
11. Installation $1500"

you could go with the website as he expland.
http://www.orientengine.com/mitsubishiprice.html or go with this one
http://www.japanesenginesautoparts.com/miectuen.html and save you could prob get the other parts on the same site. if not ebay it. 1500 for an install !

 

[huafist]

You obviously have no idea how much work is involved in swapping a 4G63T into a N/A 2nd Gen DSM w/a 420a - it's not a drop-in process. You're going to have to fab new mounting brackets for engine/transmission (it's oriented 180*), rewire the engine bay, new ECU, etc, etc. It's a VERY time consuming and expensive undertaking. Easier (and in many cases cheaper) to buy a GST or GSX.

 

[WHite97RS]

you could go with the website as he expland.
http://www.orientengine.com/mitsubishiprice.html or go with this one
http://www.japanesenginesautoparts.com/miectuen.html and save you could prob get the other parts on the same site. if not ebay it. 1500 for an install !

I apologize, it is obviously cheaper to turn a 2gnt into a STOCK GS-T, instead of building up a 420A and making it faster than a GS-T

 

[GSGoinFast]

heres the way i see it. if your gonna sell your car for a turbo model, get a GSX. a GS-T your still stuck with FWD, and the price difference between a RS and a GS-T(atleast around here) is enough that i could rebuild my engine and turbo it and still have change left over. otherwise, stick with the 420a and build that. if you want to save money, dont buy a kit. they charge you about double just for the convinience of the kit being put together for you, when if you do enough research you will be able to build your own turbo kit for about half the price. but if you insist on going with a kit, i would go with Star. pretty much better components in nearly everything, plus, its cheaper. ill have an extensive write up on how to turbo your 420a for less then $1000 up in a couple weeks, as soon as i get it running . but ive got all the parts i need already(or there in the mail) and im under $850.

 

[Slammed0]

heres the way i see it. if your gonna sell your car for a turbo model, get a GSX. a GS-T your still stuck with FWD, and the price difference between a RS and a GS-T(atleast around here) is enough that i could rebuild my engine and turbo it and still have change left over. otherwise, stick with the 420a and build that. if you want to save money, dont buy a kit. they charge you about double just for the convinience of the kit being put together for you, when if you do enough research you will be able to build your own turbo kit for about half the price. but if you insist on going with a kit, i would go with Star. pretty much better components in nearly everything, plus, its cheaper. ill have an extensive write up on how to turbo your 420a for less then $1000 up in a couple weeks, as soon as i get it running . but ive got all the parts i need already(or there in the mail) and im under $850.

Same as around here. My car was 1 car lot over from one that had a GS-T and they wanted $3600 more for it. I couldn't imagine what they would have asked for a GS-X.

 

[greenmeanie99]

I have a 99 GS and probably will turbo it this summer. The 4G63 enginge is by far better and your money will be better invested. For instance you can free mod a 4g63 and get great results. I have a friend with a Laser RS spent $40 and runs mid 13's in the quarter(removed balance shafts, 2g manifold, MAF hack etc.) There is more power to be unleashed from the turbo motor than what you can get by modding the neon motor. Don't get me wrong I love my car because of the looks but its definately not fast compared to the turbo DSM's by far

 

[EclipseSH21]

Another thing to consider is you can no longer "just" buy a GS-T or GSX. What I mean by this is, the number of unmolested low mileage turbo DSM's is shrinking rapidly, and the prices of the few nice ones left are skyrocketing. If you have the time to repair a broken down turbo DSM thats great, but not all of us do. I am finding this out right now, as I don't have the time to build my 420A so I am looking for a clean 2G-T...and it's not an easy find. Combine the higher price of the car, with the price of insurance, as well as any maintenence you may have to do on the car you just buy and the 420A buildup looks less expensive. True, deals do exist, and you can still find a reasonably priced nice turbo DSM, but it is getting more and more difficult to do so.