Back in the Game

[darkness_fallz]

So I am happy to say that I am once again back in the game. After 5 years running in the Toyota\Lexus Scene, I sold my IS for a sizable profit, and have turned around and bought a 2004 Eternal Blue Pearl Honda Civic EX Sedan as my daily driver and a 1996 Eclipse Spyder GS.

I did pay a little over blue book for the car, but as i am in Michigan- anything I saw at or below blue book was rusted, damaged, non-running, or just not worth my time (there's something about buying a 99 RS that's been riced out for 5500 that just makes me want to vomit). I found this beautiful Barcelona Red Pearl Spyder with a new top, new accessories (Alt, PS Pump, AC Cond, and water pump), decent audio system, and absolutely NO rust (Car was a florida car up until 2006 when it was brought up to michigan and then garage kept by previous owner). The good on this car goes on and on- while the bad is a short list. First and foremost is the interior. It needs some TLC. A good few hours with a bottle of armourall and a carpet cleaner will go through and do wonders. There is staining throughout on the carpet, but the seats are all clean. The trunk carpet is MIA and the covers over the bolts for the mirrors are long gone. Then the only other thing that is a little on the meh side is that the previous owner had a run in with his garage door and took out the passanger side mirror. To replace it, his 17 year old son bought him a set of M3 replica mirrors off of EBay and they are absolute crap.

So that leaves me with a little bit of a sense of uh oh... as, I have never owned a Spyder. I've heard rumors of doing a head swap (And I've actually already started hunting down parts for doing this), stories of doing an all wheel drive conversion (Oh- how I wish!), and other little bits and pieces that are either extreme or basic, but what I really need to know is, are there any Spyder owners out there that can go through and give me a few good hints or tips on where to start with these cars? Should I aim high with the head\turbo swap? Or are there other routes to pursue?

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

No pictures??

 

[Lofty]

It's a 420a, there's not too much power you can push out of that unfortunately

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

No it's a 4g64 SOHC. That is what came in the GS spyder. Now throw on a 4g63 head and turbo that thing.

 

[Lofty]

No it's a 4g64 SOHC. That is what came in the GS spyder. Now throw on a 4g63 head and turbo that thing.

Oh sorry, I'm dumb
So how much horsies can you crank out of that with a swapped head?

 

[fwdmaster]

Do what this guy did




Google Image Result for http://4g64.150m.com/oldengine.jpg

 

[darkness_fallz]

Do what this guy did




Google Image Result for http://4g64.150m.com/oldengine.jpg

If I decide to turbo (which I will be) I will most definately be going for the 4g63 head swap. No sense in turboing when the head will all of a sudden become the most constricting part of the build- which will result in me tearing it down and swapping anyways....

Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.

 

[xioca]

Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.

Wise words.

 

[NoCreep]

If I decide to turbo (which I will be) I will most definately be going for the 4g63 head swap. No sense in turboing when the head will all of a sudden become the most constricting part of the build- which will result in me tearing it down and swapping anyways....

Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.

Ditch all of that, you answered your own Quote "Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time" Just save up and do a 6 bolt swap

 

[knochgoon24]

Ditch all of that, you answered your own Quote "Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time" Just save up and do a 6 bolt swap

And why is that??? You need to give some support to your arguments. The extra displacement can be nice for larger turbos. Makes them more streetable.

To the OP:
What exactly do you want out of this car? Is is a go fast, sound fast, or look fast car? Lady killer or Honda killer?

Start with basic maintenance. You'll learn a lot about your car just by doing all the maintenance yourself. Next, get some good rubber. Once that's all done, start modding. In the time it takes to get all the maintenance done, you'll have enough time to peruse the forum. You'll see for yourself what people like to run. Do a members search for spyders and look at their setups.

 

[darkness_fallz]

And why is that??? You need to give some support to your arguments. The extra displacement can be nice for larger turbos. Makes them more streetable.

To the OP:
What exactly do you want out of this car? Is is a go fast, sound fast, or look fast car? Lady killer or Honda killer?

Start with basic maintenance. You'll learn a lot about your car just by doing all the maintenance yourself. Next, get some good rubber. Once that's all done, start modding. In the time it takes to get all the maintenance done, you'll have enough time to peruse the forum. You'll see for yourself what people like to run. Do a members search for spyders and look at their setups.

Maint. is all taken care of. Literally two weeks before purchase, the car was completely done over with new harmonic balance, belts and water pump, radiator flush, tranny flush and fresh bleed on the clutch, oil change, new plugs, wires, and all that. As for good rubber- I have a set of Nitto's on some enkei's that are going to find a new home on her.

As for my goals... I'm thinking a fun blvd cruiser. Nothing insane, but I definately want to have the go fast to back up some good looks. The car is sharp, and will get better after a little bit of body tweaking (i'm thinking 2gb Talon conversion all around) and if I can wrangle a decent 275-300hp while still keeping the gas milage in the respectable range, I'll be happy.