Can I swap a GS-T engine into a RS/GS

[scyzzo17]

Can I swap a GS-T engine into a RS/GS with engine mounts or special fabrication. I know I'll have get new axles.

 

[2fast420a]

Can I swap a GS-T engine into a RS/GS with engine mounts or special fabrication. I know I'll have get new axles.

If you can make this work you would be one of the first. It is really hard and the fabrication is a pain. Not to mention you have to swap out the ECU and wiring harnesses. You will pay an arm and a leg for a harness from a dealer and trying to pull one from a junkyard would be a lot of work. Your best bet is to turbo your 420a or just buy a GS-T.

 

[eclipse2gnt95]

your best bet is just to turbo your 420a motor, or buy the gsx but then again gs/rs is about 400 pounds lighter than a gst/gsx and if you were to but the turbo model the first thing you would do would be upgrades on the turbo so now you wasted your money on a gst just to take the turbo of, swapping the motors not including labor would be close to 5,000 dollars for the motor tranny and all wires and computers, stick with the 420a and turbo it

 

[2fast420a]

your best bet is just to turbo your 420a motor, or buy the gsx but then again gs/rs is about 400 pounds lighter than a gst/gsx and if you were to but the turbo model the first thing you would do would be upgrades on the turbo so now you wasted your money on a gst just to take the turbo of, swapping the motors not including labor would be close to 5,000 dollars for the motor tranny and all wires and computers, stick with the 420a and turbo it

RS/GS weighs about 2842/2906 depending on the options. The GST weighs 2921/2998 depending on the options. The myth that the N/T weighs that much less than the turbo is false. The weight advantage comes from the RS/GS weighing less than the GSX because of the AWD parts. Yes with the turbo models you will most likely upgrade the T25 to a larger turbo but at the same time You can make 300hp very cheap with a turbo model vs doing it with the 420a. Now don't get me wrong, you can make 300hp with the 420a but your limited by how much boost you can run (8psi is what I ran) unless you plan to upgrade the short block. Once you upgrade the short block and the fuel system then your options open up. I've had both a 420a w/turbo and a 4G63. I sold the 420a to get an AWD, but I did like the 420a and made plenty of power with it.

The playing field really does not start to even out with these two cars until you clear 400hp. The 4G can support just over 400hp on the stock internals while the 420a does require an upgraded short block. With the 4G63 you will have to make all the supporting mods to do this but it can use the stock short block to do so. Advantages of the 420a are that you don't have to touch the head at all. Once the shortblock has been upgraded you do not have to touch the cams or the intake manifold. Although cams are never really a bad idea. For the 5,000 dollars you'll spend in just parts for the motor build up you could easily make 300hp on the turbo block.

I'm not trying to get you to sell your car for a turbo by any means. I'm just saying if your on a limited budget then you need to consider where you want to be. If you have the cash then turbo your 420a then I would say go for it. If your on a limited budget and you want the most hp for your cash then go GST. If you are wanting to be the biggest and badest then a FWD is a bad idea either way you go.

Keep this in mind. If your afraid of high insurance then you might want to look at what it's going to cost you on insurance before you go GST. Also the GST will cost you a little more but not that much if you look carefully.

 

[miamieclipse]

Can I swap a GS-T engine into a RS/GS with engine mounts or special fabrication. I know I'll have get new axles.

If the reason you want a gs-t engine is b/c internals can hold more boost then: GET SOME INTERNALS ON YOUR 420A!!!!!!! BUY A TURBO KIT & GO BOOST HAPPY


EDIT: Yes your insurance WILL go up, i pay $140 (p.i.p.) a month (expensive because im 17 and wont go down until i turn 25....and then i was told it wont go down it just wont keep increasing Saddest part is no tickets or accidents, Oh Well). I was looking to purhcase a gs-t because someone was going to buy my car (saw it on the street & made an offer) they didn't come up with the money but i looked into insurances. It would have increased from $140 for a 97 n/t to $240 for the turbo model, thats $1200 a year more....something to think about

 

[EclipseAtLSU]

ive always thought about a 6 bolt 4g63 swap, simply because my 420A on my new one has 172,XXX miles on it. Now we all know its a weak engine, and i wouldnt doubt it dying (sp?) soon. With the body in flawless condition, what's the point in dropping another 420A in? It's pointless! why not save up a little, and do the swap...im sure it CAN be done. The jdm cyclone's go for around 1500, and yea an ecu, wiring, labor, etc...but i tell you what. If i saved up the money and did it, im sure it'd be worth it...especially with the body being like new like i said...it'd be a pretty sweet car

 

[2fast420a]

ive always thought about a 6 bolt 4g63 swap, simply because my 420A on my new one has 172,XXX miles on it. Now we all know its a weak engine, and i wouldnt doubt it dying (sp?) soon. With the body in flawless condition, what's the point in dropping another 420A in? It's pointless! why not save up a little, and do the swap...im sure it CAN be done. The jdm cyclone's go for around 1500, and yea an ecu, wiring, labor, etc...but i tell you what. If i saved up the money and did it, im sure it'd be worth it...especially with the body being like new like i said...it'd be a pretty sweet car

The problem is that there is a lot of fabrication involved with making that work. All the 4G63 motor mounts have to be recreated as well as the exhaust. It would actually end up being cheaper to turbo the 420a and make the hp that way then to actually try and put a 4G63 motor into a 420a chassis.

 

[audiousECLIPSE]

What about getting a whole GST front clip and switching the parts in?

 

[EclipseAtLSU]

The problem is that there is a lot of fabrication involved with making that work. All the 4G63 motor mounts have to be recreated as well as the exhaust. It would actually end up being cheaper to turbo the 420a and make the hp that way then to actually try and put a 4G63 motor into a 420a chassis.

yea i know, but like i was saying...with 172 thousand on it already, i wouldnt dream of doing that...i duno, thats my opinion , but yea man i see where you are coming from.

 

[2fast420a]

What about getting a whole GST front clip and switching the parts in?

You would have to use the entire clip to do it that way. That would involve aligning the frame which can end up being just as much work if not more than just fabricating the mounts. You would also need a frame machine to do it. There is nothing wrong with the 420a motor if your willing to rebuild it. You might as well if it already has high miles on it.

 

[miamieclipse]

yea i know, but like i was saying...with 172 thousand on it already, i wouldnt dream of doing that...i duno, thats my opinion , but yea man i see where you are coming from.

How about a 2.2l stroker engine??? Turbo charge that bish and have a sweet ass ride

 

[Defiant]

What about getting a whole GST front clip and switching the parts in?

Better, next oil change keep the oil and change cars.

 

[audiousECLIPSE]

People don't quite understand that not everyone can afford the insurance on a GST, so we keep the RS or GS for the VIN.

 

[2fast420a]

People don't quite understand that not everyone can afford the insurance on a GST, so we keep the RS or GS for the VIN.

How much will it cost you if you destroy your turbo kit in a fender bender? Insurance will not cover your turbo conversion. I do see your point though.