Airtrek 4G63t, To Be Or Not To Be

[Dreamboat]

Bought this Airtrek thinking it would be the same as an 8 4G63t to do a swap on my 2G Eclipse, but after spending some time speaking with some folks and going through the block, I realized it’s not all the same.

There are differences in the block, whether it’s minor or major, I’ll let you be the judge. I’ve highlighted the areas and labeled them so you can see for yourself and compare. Aside from the highlighted areas, everything else seems the same.

Not sure if I want to build this or sell it ATM. But I may have to recoup my loss and just pick up an Evo 8 4g63t. The comparison photo is from STM alongside mine.

LMK what you think.

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[steve]

I assume this is a block from a Mitsubishi Airtrek which we know in the states as an Outlander? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Outlander

 

[Dreamboat]

I assume this is a block from a Mitsubishi Airtrek which we know in the states as an Outlander? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Outlander

Yeah, that’s it. I also pulled up some spec comparisons.

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[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Airtrek is later evo based engine. This is very easy to find out just googling the engine and looking at the VC. Pre checks could of shown you this before buying it. Swapping now would be going backwards vs forwards.

 

[Dreamboat]

Airtrek is later evo based engine. This is very easy to find out just googling the engine and looking at the VC. Pre checks could of shown you this before buying it. Swapping now would be going backwards vs forwards.

Yeah, I hear ya. From what I gathered it’s basically a detuned Evo 7. I bought it because the description said Evo 7/8, upon delivery is when I found out it was an airtrek- which wasn’t in the description when I purchased it. I could get a refund but I’m trying to figure my options first. I posted here because any help would be appreciated.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Its got most of the running gear from it also. Its a decent platform and can make good power still.

 

[Spleen8urLSX]

Airtrek is later evo based engine. This is very easy to find out just googling the engine and looking at the VC. Pre checks could have shown you this before buying it. Swapping now would be going backwards vs forwards.

Keep in mind Bobby he is referring to swapping a U.S. spec non turbo car with the Chrysler 420a engine that’s oriented the same as the Evo4-9 and Airtek 4g63, far from going backwards compared to what he’s starting with, I’m sure you’re aware but over here that is a much more viable option than swapping the earlier dsm/evo1-3 style 4g63 into a nt 2g chassis.

As far as the differences go I’m no expert on the later “flipped” orientation 4g63, but I don’t see the differences with the Airtek engine causing an issue. I’m assuming you’ll be looking for a manual trans from a 3g Eclipse for this swap so as long as the transmissions that bolt to the evo8/9 block bolt up to the Airtek block I don’t see anything else being much of an issue. The Airtek block seems as if it perhaps uses its own water pump which could be a pain as it’s possible that pump isn’t available at the parts house here in the states opposed to an evo 8 water pump that any autozone, oreillys, advance, etc can get easily if they don’t have it on shelf, but still wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

EDIT: it also appears the Airtrek block doesn’t have oil squirters, which again, not an issue. Many delete them and many 6 bolt builds start with the non turbo 6 bolt that doesn’t have them. I’ve always ran non turbo blocks with no oil squirters and never had an issue, as well as David Buschur once stated he preferred the non turbo blocks for their customer engine builds as it’s oil better supplied elsewhere.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Keep in mind Bobby he is referring to swapping a U.S. spec non turbo car with the Chrysler 420a engine that’s oriented the same as the Evo4-9 and Airtek 4g63, far from going backwards compared to what he’s starting with, I’m sure you’re aware but over here that is a much more viable option than swapping the earlier dsm/evo1-3 style 4g63 into a nt 2g chassis.

As far as the differences go I’m no expert on the later “flipped” orientation 4g63, but I don’t see the differences with the Airtek engine causing an issue. I’m assuming you’ll be looking for a manual trans from a 3g Eclipse for this swap so as long as the transmissions that bolt to the evo8/9 block bolt up to the Airtek block I don’t see anything else being much of an issue. The Airtek block seems as if it perhaps uses its own water pump which could be a pain as it’s possible that pump isn’t available at the parts house here in the states opposed to an evo 8 water pump that any autozone, oreillys, advance, etc can get easily if they don’t have it on shelf, but still wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

EDIT: it also appears the Airtrek block doesn’t have oil squirters, which again, not an issue. Many delete them and many 6 bolt builds start with the non turbo 6 bolt that doesn’t have them. I’ve always ran non turbo blocks with no oil squirters and never had an issue, as well as David Buschur once stated he preferred the non turbo blocks for their customer engine builds as it’s oil better supplied elsewhere.

I may have miss read the post with the cross chassis. I dont remember reading 420A, but i actually thought he wanted to put an older 4g into the airtrek,

 

[Dreamboat]

Keep in mind Bobby he is referring to swapping a U.S. spec non turbo car with the Chrysler 420a engine that’s oriented the same as the Evo4-9 and Airtek 4g63, far from going backwards compared to what he’s starting with, I’m sure you’re aware but over here that is a much more viable option than swapping the earlier dsm/evo1-3 style 4g63 into a nt 2g chassis.

As far as the differences go I’m no expert on the later “flipped” orientation 4g63, but I don’t see the differences with the Airtek engine causing an issue. I’m assuming you’ll be looking for a manual trans from a 3g Eclipse for this swap so as long as the transmissions that bolt to the evo8/9 block bolt up to the Airtek block I don’t see anything else being much of an issue. The Airtek block seems as if it perhaps uses its own water pump which could be a pain as it’s possible that pump isn’t available at the parts house here in the states opposed to an evo 8 water pump that any autozone, oreillys, advance, etc can get easily if they don’t have it on shelf, but still wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

EDIT: it also appears the Airtrek block doesn’t have oil squirters, which again, not an issue. Many delete them and many 6 bolt builds start with the non turbo 6 bolt that doesn’t have them. I’ve always ran non turbo blocks with no oil squirters and never had an issue, as well as David Buschur once stated he preferred the non turbo blocks for their customer engine builds as it’s oil better supplied elsewhere.

Spot on. I wanted to swap out the 420 for the evo but now I have the airtrek. I hear I should be able to find the outlander water pump. I also wanted to run an evo trans over the 3g eclipse because the plan was to do an awd. I was also thinking of running forged internals due to no oil squirters. I’ve also heard what you’ve mentioned, about the preference of not having them. I’ve read that if I did want them, it may be possible to find a shop that has experience adding them but that it’s also risky. And supposedly this is a turbo? But the casting on the block doesn’t have the T. Is it possible it wasn’t included in the Outlander blocks? At the end of the day, I don’t want to have an expensive boat anchor.

I may have miss read the post with the cross chassis. I dont remember reading 420A, but i actually thought he wanted to put an older 4g into the airtrek,

Nah, I wanted to swap out the 420 in my RS for a 4G63t. I should’ve been more detailed. My apologies.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Nah, I wanted to swap out the 420 in my RS for a 4G63t. I should’ve been more detailed. My apologies.

No worries. I likely read it to fast, i have a habit of that while im working on the other screen side by side . If thats the case then yeah its a good upgrade but alot of money for custom axles and chassis/frame alterations. Only a few have done it over yesrs and its well over 10-15K alone without engine work rebuilding. Mostly everything is possible though but always comes down to funds. If you got open pockets then go for it as its a small rare club to join so be well worth it

 

[Spleen8urLSX]

I couldn’t tell you on later generations of the 4g63, however forged internals are NOT required to not need the oil squirters. I ran the whole non turbo bottom end as is for 30k miles seeing over 400 at the wheels, in the older generation the rods and crank were the same as their turbo counterpart but the pistons were different, but it was an untouched stock non turbo bottom end pistons and all, last time it was on the dyno it made 454 at the wheels on 93 octane pump gas and was going to shoot for 600 on e85 but never got that far as the oil filter backed off mid rip a week or so later and wiped out the balance shaft bearings. Lack of oil squirters was never an issue.

My question is are we sure the lack of oil squirters means it was a non turbo engine, I could see them leaving squirters out as the Airtrek was not meant to be driven like an evo but still utilize the same pistons rods and crank as an Evo 7. If that happens to be the case I wouldn’t sweat it in the least bit.

No worries. I likely read it too fast, i have a habit of that while im working on the other screen side by side . If thats the case then yeah its a good upgrade but alot of money for custom axles and chassis/frame alterations. Only a few have done it over yesrs and its well over 10-15K alone without engine work rebuilding. Mostly everything is possible though but always comes down to funds. If you got open pockets then go for it as its a small rare club to join so be well worth it

Over here the Evo 4-9 swap into a 2gnt chassis has become not so out of the blue, yes very few have swapped the dsm/Evo 1-3 style into the 2gnt, however the later 4g63 is much easier to utilize for that reason. It’s not “bolts right in” like I used to see people think on Facebook, but it’s actually a pretty feasible swap vs cutting up the car to use the older 4g63, many also use the later 4g64 and build it or the later 2.4 Hyundai/Kia engine for this swap as it’s cheaper to build a 4g64 or the Hyundai/Kia variant than it is to buy a running Evo swap but with similar results. A few years ago at the shootout there was I believe 5 or 6 Evo 4-9 swapped 2g’s lined up for a photo opportunity that had all started life as 420a cars. The downside to the swap is once it’s said and done you’ve spent the money and the time and if you keep it pretty basic it’s not much different than a stock 2g GST with bolt ons and a 16g.

 

[Dreamboat]

No worries. I likely read it to fast, i have a habit of that while im working on the other screen side by side . If thats the case then yeah its a good upgrade but alot of money for custom axles and chassis/frame alterations. Only a few have done it over yesrs and its well over 10-15K alone without engine work rebuilding. Mostly everything is possible though but always comes down to funds. If you got open pockets then go for it as its a small rare club to join so be well worth it

Similar to myself. I tend to talk faster than most folks and usually get told to slow it down cause they couldn’t catch a word i said. They make me feel like the match box guy…

And yeah, I definitely know this will be a money pit, but one thing I plan on is time. So long as God gives it to me, this is a road I’m willing to take.

I couldn’t tell you on later generations of the 4g63, however forged internals are NOT required to not need the oil squirters. I ran the whole non turbo bottom end as is for 30k miles seeing over 400 at the wheels, in the older generation the rods and crank were the same as their turbo counterpart but the pistons were different, but it was an untouched stock non turbo bottom end pistons and all, last time it was on the dyno it made 454 at the wheels on 93 octane pump gas and was going to shoot for 600 on e85 but never got that far as the oil filter backed off mid rip a week or so later and wiped out the balance shaft bearings. Lack of oil squirters was never an issue.

My question is are we sure the lack of oil squirters means it was a non turbo engine, I could see them leaving squirters out as the Airtrek was not meant to be driven like an evo but still utilize the same pistons rods and crank as an Evo 7. If that happens to be the case I wouldn’t sweat it in the least bit.


Over here the Evo 4-9 swap into a 2gnt chassis has become not so out of the blue, yes very few have swapped the dsm/Evo 1-3 style into the 2gnt, however the later 4g63 is much easier to utilize for that reason. It’s not “bolts right in” like I used to see people think on Facebook, but it’s actually a pretty feasible swap vs cutting up the car to use the older 4g63, many also use the later 4g64 and build it or the later 2.4 Hyundai/Kia engine for this swap as it’s cheaper to build a 4g64 or the Hyundai/Kia variant than it is to buy a running Evo swap but with similar results. A few years ago at the shootout there was I believe 5 or 6 Evo 4-9 swapped 2g’s lined up for a photo opportunity that had all started life as 420a cars. The downside to the swap is once it’s said and done you’ve spent the money and the time and if you keep it pretty basic it’s not much different than a stock 2g GST with bolt ons and a 16g.

Great amount info you just shared with me so I’m grateful. It’s definitely not going to be a bolt on. And thank you for sharing your experience. Greatly appreciate it. Its’s amazing you’re getting that much power from NT.

I definitely have some options on what I can do. My fear was investing money into something without knowing it’s full potential. And that’s because experience is the teacher of fools, so to speak. Like the one time I spent 2500 on a 307 block just because I wanted a numbers matching car, but the money I spent could’ve went into a 350. Same with my 287 when I was making plans for trumpets- thank God though I didn’t take the trumpet route, but I do regret the 2500 on the 307 and wish I just got a better small block- sorry both were Nova’s 72 & 73. I was new to the whole thing and didn’t weigh my options.

Now I’m trying get into a tuner (first timer) and want make sure that I have at least spoken with the experts via email, forums, cold calls, etc. and did some DD before dropping any kind if money on building something. But after speaking with a few folks, I’m kind feeling comfortable with what I want to do so long as I have the proper info before me. But like you stated, i do believe it’s easier with the later models then the earlier ones. I’ll do like it was suggested to me, build it stock, get it running, and build from there.

 

[Dreamboat]

Quick question, do any of you know if the 4g63t Airtrek block has the “T” stamped on it behind the 4g63 casting? Mine doesn’t have it but the person I got it from says it’s a turbo block and he himself stripped it. I need to verify if the airtrek turbos did or did not come with the stamp? Any help would be appreciated.

And forgive my ignorance but it’s learning experience for me. Thanks.

 

[Bud92gsx]

The airtreck is sort of a defined evo 7 gta.
They do have a smaller turbo, & a few differences in the engine as you pointed out.
I'm no expert, but I do know this much, which is always dangerous ( I know)

 

[Dreamboat]

The airtreck is sort of a defined evo 7 gta.
They do have a smaller turbo, & a few differences in the engine as you pointed out.
I'm no expert, but I do know this much, which is always dangerous ( I know)

I did happen to find the squirters. Crazy. The guy who sold it* to me explained it’s location. And I guess not every 4G63 Turbo came with that infamous T as in the case with this airtrek block. “Not all heroes where capes.“ You can see what I mean in the provided pics. Squirters are underneath the cylinder walls.

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[Bud92gsx]

A few years ago at the shootout there was I believe 5 or 6 Evo 4-9 swapped 2g’s lined up for a photo opportunity that had all started life as 420a cars. The downside to the swap is once it’s said and done you’ve spent the money and the time and if you keep it pretty basic it’s not much different than a stock 2g GST with bolt ons and a 16g.

Okay let's start here..the evo and gallant vr4 ALL came with a 16g..so unless ur literally saying it's just a gst with evo motor you would be correct. Is that what you were trying to say????

I did happen to find the squirters. Crazy. The guy who sold it* to me explained it’s location. And I guess not every 4G63 Turbo came with that infamous T as in the case with this airtrek block. “Not all heroes where capes.“ You can see what I mean in the provided pics. Squirters are underneath the cylinder walls.

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So the auto evo,& airtreck came with 235 hp vs the evo 275 ish?

 

[Dreamboat]

So the auto evo,& airtreck came with 235 hp vs the evo 275 ish?

I think just the airtrek was 235hp since it was considered to be a detuned evo. But believe the auto Evo may have been the same HP as the manual?? Again, I’m new to tuners so any knowledge you could share is much appreciated.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I think just the airtrek was 235hp since it was considered to be a detuned evo. But believe the auto Evo may have been the same HP as the manual?? Again, I’m new to tuners so any knowledge you could share is much appreciated.

The evo 7 gta had a smaller turbo and turbine housing for faster spool, lancer registry.com. It says may have come with the subi 15g, and rotates backward

Airtrek may have also the smaller turbo as well.

I KNOW the rvr had a smaller turbo, sold as jdm eclipse motor at some places. Which is a lie, looks almost identical to the 2g 7 bolt engine. The 1g auto came with a 13g and smaller injectors as well. It's what I believe the rvr came with too.

Id drive an airtrek or 7 auto, or rvr.. i loved the 13g on my 1g.
Ill stop replying, I think this may sum it up.