Advice on Project Car Decision

[GrngoColombiano]

As of right now, I am driving a 96 Eclipse GS with the 420a motor. I have a new job so I'm starting to have a nice steady cash flow. My father drives a 2003 BMW M3 so performance AND reliability is something I'm used to and trying to achieve for my car. In other words, I am trying to build a powerful car with potential that i can drive to work each day without sacrificing streetability. My predicament is I'm conflicted between projects cars, which are my eclipse or a 240sx with a rb26dett motor in it. The list of the MAIN parts needed for each car is as of follows:

1) My Eclipse GS - As of right now, all I have done to it is an intake and tokico illumina shocks with tein s. tech lowering springs.
Mod Goals: - Howell 2.2 Stroker kit w/ turbo compression ($3650)
ARP Head Bolts ($120)
Hahn Stage 2 turbo kit w/ fmic ($3400)
Hahn Porfueler system ($900)
Fluidyne Raidiator ($400)

2)95-99 Nissan 240sx - Price of car will be basically same as what i can get for my eclipse
Mod Goals:- RB26dett Motor w/ all hardware($4000)
Rb25det rwd trans ($1500)
RB26dett mount kit for s14 240sx ($675)
S14 Driveshaft for RB26 motor ($525)
RB26dett downpipe adapter for s14 240sx ($525)

Please note:
- I have multiple friends who have garages and machine shops so the labor and fabrication process between the two is not an issue.
- The mount kit for the 240sx is not a garbage ebay kit. It is from a respected performance shop who has done the conversion many times. This kit is made so the fabrication process is severely limited.
- I HAVE done my research on both of these cars so please do not insult me.
- I know that miscellaneous parts are missing. This is to give an idea of the major components involved in the conversion or upgrading and to also to get the car driveable.
- Also some parts (exhaust systems, etc.) are also not listed because this price is relatively equal between the two cars.

My thoughts on the topic:
- The work between the two cars is in different areas. The eclipse work will be mostly in tuning the car because all the parts are "bolt on". The 240sx's work is getting a differerent engine to bolt up with no tuning is required.
- The power after tuning and tweaking should be relatively the same. I am estimating that the eclipse with the above setup and basic bolt on upgrades (exhaust, higher flow tb, etc.) should be around 350hp. I am basing on Hahn's claim of 275 hp on the stock 2.0 liter. The skyline rb26dett motor is 280hp stock and is known with minimal bolt on parts to be in the 350-400 hp range.
- Both cars will have more potential. Hahn has proved that the 420a can pump out 475hp with its stage 5 kit. The rb26dett motor is known to pump out 500-600hp on stock internals and with an engine rebuild forget about it. As of right now, I'm considering a car for the 300-400 range with the choice to get into the 400-500hp range depending on my mood .


Please whoever is posting, don't just say the eclipse or the 240sx. Please give an explanation why you picked the car. Also, any advice relating to either project is greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys for your interest in my topic and for any future input you will give.

 

[ilikespeeding]

If you really want reliable power and you have that much money to throw away, why dont you sell both of your cars and pick up a mercedes CLK?

 

[Beezle]

I've always wanted to do one for the longest time. You can do just basic bolt ons to the rb and have a decently fast car that would be reliable everyday. If you're talking about a fwd turbo eclipse then I say definatly go with the 240. If it's AWD then both are a good choice but I still say go with the 240.

 

[90gst_sean]

I have had them both and I'd have to say that I'm partial to the ECLIPSE by far! I mean, this may not be fair because my 240 had the "K" truck engine in it. There for I cant speak to the performance boost there would have been if it had the turbo 2.0.
As far as the feel of the cars, I like the Eclipse. The Eclipse felt like a smaller car but still has plenty of room for me at 6'3. I did like how low you sit in the 240 though.
As far as the look, I like the Eclipse; although the non hatchback 240 is the better of the SX's.
Handling, the 240's ass seemed heavy in corners, with the rear drive pushing the tire's loose. Granted that was the funnest part about that car.

Honestly, I like DSM's better, thats why I sold my Nissan and got a Mitsu. If your wanting to drift then the choice is easy. But if you ask me, Nissan put a 2.4L truck engine in most of them for a reason. Because the drove like one!

I can only speak to the feel of both cars. I have not really modified ether of them to the length you are planning. I have put miles on both of them and felt how they respond over pot hole and ruff roads. Granted, they both may have been on there last legs. Modified I'm sure ether car could be suited for what you want. As far as what your going to be starting with, I feel the Eclipse will be the sturdier platform to launch from. With the 4G63T you'll be working from a engine that has been put through its paces by many people. With the 240SX you'll need to inport a engine that has seem very little of America's scenery.

 

[silver bullit]

I would go for a skyline powered 240 over a gs any day but a awd dsm is always welcome here. A 240 + rb26dett stock is good almost 300hp and mid 2600ish lb vs a front wheel drive um use gs as daily driver and tuned 240. Then after swap and light mods you can race people at the track for cash, save and buy a nice gs or awd or nt and tune that!
A skyline powered 240 will be much better tune car! Period!

 

[ROOKIE1]

I would choose the rwd over your fwd . I have never liked the feel of a fwd car , van whatever . Rwd > Fwd , AWD>Rwd . But that is me . I like the control feel when I drive . I do not get the same feel with fwd .

 

[GrngoColombiano]

wow guys that is really helpful. I was expecting people to be calling me a traitor and everything. I wish I had the 4G63 motor in my car. AWD wouldn't hurt either . I'm trying to get something not overdone. There are so many people in my area that have GST and GSX, thats why I ruled out the gst and gsx, as much as I am envious of you guys who have them .
I'm looking for a sleeper car. Thats why I was looking at the Howell stroker motor for my car. It seems that the 240 would be the best sleeper due to the skyline motor. Unfortunately, I'm very conflicted with it because I love my eclipse but I crave the rwd.

ilikespeeding - While I am a fan of bmw and mercedes, I am looking for Japanese import right now. I want to do the body kit, rims, system thing while I'm still into it. I'm 20 now and doubt I will want to do it in my late 20s so now is the time. Don't worry, I'm not a ricer, I like body kits which accent and enhance the body rather than the ones that add scopes and intakes every 2.5 inches. Plus, the clk won't shut my dad up with his m3. He's too proud, and what better to do then take away his braggin rights, either with a 2.0 or 2.6 liter.

Beezle - Same here. Not being able to own a skyline in the U.S. is disheartening. What better to do than take its power source and bolt it up in a car that is 300 pounds lighter.

Silver Bullit, you are convincing me....I'm thinkin about keeping the eclipse as an everyday driver and buyin the 240 as a "backup car". Then i get the best of both worlds. . We'll just have to see how the money situation is.

Rookie - I definately agree. FWD<RWD. I miss having the tires spin out on a sharp turn, made my passengers reach for ANYTHING. Unfortunately, I haven't owned an awd car yet so I'm in the dark on that part. My friend had a 92 3000gt vr4 tho. All I know is he couldn't peel out even when he dropped the cluth at 6000 rpm. Too much traction. Gotta love the awd traction.

90gst_sean - was the suspension in your 240 bone stock or u work on it? How bout the suspension on your eclipse? Trying to get an idea how each of them responds to an upgraded suspension.

Keep the replies coming guys. Looking for more input from everybody who has something to contribute, also people with a setup similar to what I would put in my eclipse. ie howell stroker motor with hahn stage 2 turbo kit. Thanks!

 

[GILZTSIAWD]

I skipped the other responses, but I say if you don't want to do a gsx then go for the 240.

 

[GrngoColombiano]

gilztsiawd - I was posting when u left your reply. Check out what I said about gsx. ALso, I can't buy another eclipse to replace mine. Thats like replacing your girl because the new ones got better assets. . I love my car and I love my girlfriend (plus my girlfriends got nice assets ).

BTW I love the color of your talon. I'm a big fan of that metallic blue. I like the body kit too.

 

[elfroggo]

Not to put down Turbo;ed 420a but for the money, a 240sx with a rb26dett swap done properly will be quite a monster compared to a turbo 420a. I say go for the 240, preferably a 97/98 (kouki) version *drool*

 

[GrngoColombiano]

el froggo - yea, if i was gettin a 240 it would have to be the kouki. No way I would change my beautiful eclipse for a front end like the 95-96. That would be an insult.
I'm getting more and more convinced towards the 240 as my project.

KEEP THE REPLIES COMING GUYS.

 

[GrngoColombiano]

just bumping up this forum...I'm looking for input from people who are running the howell stroker kit and hahn turbosystem for the 420a....thanks!

 

[president95]

bumping is bad..............................................................







Even if you did turbo your 420A, it still isn't going to satisfy your crave for rwd. Also what wrong with trading for something with better assets ?

 

[GrngoColombiano]

Also what wrong with trading for something with better assets ?

I just reread this forum and I was debating that same thing...

Bumping is not bad if its for a reason. I'm still looking for input with somebody whos running the howell stroker motor with the hahn kit.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Hahn has proved that the 420a can pump out 475hp with its stage 5 kit

Last i checked, they were still in development with that kit, as they do not sell anything from their website above stage II. I would stick with the eclipse because you can make a 420A pretty fast if you want to, plus they look good stock let alone with a kit and all that on it. People dis the 420A all the time, but hey the fastest eclipse i have ever seen at a track was a 420A (of course with a lot of mods). He was hitting low 10's, he was racing fully built Cudas, Chargers, GTOs, and just about anything else that would step up to the tree. Of course the skyline engine is always nice, so is RWD but if your not drifting its not that important (not as important). As long as your front tires stay on the ground during the drag you are fine hehe.

 

[crazy_skier]

I personally would go for the RB26DETT just because it is something that very few people have compared to a turboed and stroked 420a, not saying many people have those either. Also, if you live in an area that checks emissions, then I would unfourtunatly rule out the RB26DETT because the main reason nissan did not bring it to the US is because they could not get the engine to pass emissions. Either way you will be having a tight ass car!!!

 

[DGajre777]

Here's an idea, keep your GS and buy another GSX since you don't want to get rid of your assets.

 

[nightspeed87]

i say keep the eclipse as everyday driver and make it look good but leave it slow... And then keep your 240 as a sleeper with the rb engine in it, and personally to have a car with a skyline engine would be more than enough right there, and think about it a 2.6 v6 twin turbo skyline motor would have a lot more potiential than a 2.2 stroked turbo 420a chrysler engine..... No comparison to me. If you cant afford what i just said i think you should just go with the 240.

 

[EvolvingGST]

i'de say 240sx with a SR20DET with a upgraded turbo and it will cost you about the same ammount of money just for the RB and you can get simuliar power but with better weight ratio.

 

[GrngoColombiano]

well the reason I want to go with the rb26 over the sr20 motor, besides braggin rites, is the low end torque and massive room for expansion on the skyline motor.

 

[Marc91GSX]

i'de say 240sx with a SR20DET with a upgraded turbo and it will cost you about the same ammount of money just for the RB and you can get simuliar power but with better weight ratio.

Have you researched this at all? The RB20 is the redheaded stepchild of the RBseries engines. It shares the same displacement as the SR20 but weighs 110#s more and only had 10 more horsepower 200 vs 210. There are very few performance parts for the RB20 because it was not very well liked in japan (which is why you can get one so cheap) so anything other than exhaust, intake and turbo you will be out of luck. Then you have to consider that neither engine was ever produced in a USDM vehicle so you are relying on aftermarket support if you ever break anything. Plenty of companies offer parts for the 25 and 26 so it will be easier to find parts for those engines if you break something; Not to mention the 25 is good for 500 whp on stock internals and the 26 is good for over 800.

To the poster that said the 240 handles like a truck , I have lapped a slightly modded 240 ( all suspension and bolt on )around the Talledega Grand Prix in 1:10-1:11 range, for reference WERA was there this weekend and the 600s were lapping in 1:00 flat and the 1000s were in the 1:04s. The fact that 600cc bikes were faster shows you that the turns are tight and the straights are not very long. I don't know the dimensions of the track but the same day I ran those a ferrari was lapping 05s and a BMW M3 was lapping in the 06s. I thought the car handled great it was just severly under powered.