Converting from a Talon to an Eclipse [Merged 3-8]

[CanadianTSi]

Hmm, thats weird...my 95 Talon wasn't like that. Maybe the 2gb Talon's were different.

Maybe, the 2 brackets on each side were about an inch or two low and the one in the middle is like 6 inches to low.

 

[aridsmith]

I've searched the subject but didn't exactly find what I was looking for.

I wanted to know how easy it is and what the estimated cost would be.

To my understanding, all exterior parts are compatible b/w the talon and eclipse, is this correct?

 

[larsenracing]

i believe so they should be the same

 

[DGajre777]

Depending on what year 2G you have the front bumper cover will be different. Talons use headlights that are used on the 95-96 Eclipses. 97-99 Eclipses use different headlights that are not as wide as the 95-96 headlights.

For the rear bumper you'll need Eclipse tail lights. You'll need back up lights from an Eclipse, have to extend the wire to the backup lights (since Talon lights are built-in) and you'll need to use 2 L brackets to lift the middle of your rear bumper cover up so it doesn't sag. Some people take the welds out from the center bumper plate and re-weld it higher.

As for the cost, depends on how much parts will be. It is easy to do it yourself, just read up on it. I wouldn't take it to a body shop to install the bumpers and lights.

Depending on what year your talon is, if you have the long plastic line looking thing that goes sideways on the door, you'll have to take it off. After you take it off the door will have 5 holes and the quarter panel on each side will have 2 holes. You will need to fill those holes and repaint it. To put on Eclipse side skirts and the door cap, you will need to drill new holes.

 

[aridsmith]

I will be getting a 97' or 98' Talon. So your saying even the 97' and 98' Talons use the 95' -96' Eclipse headlights?

I didn't even notice the side skirts.

Is this conversion common?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[CanadianTSi]

I will be getting a 97' or 98' Talon. So your saying even the 97' and 98' Talons use the 95' -96' Eclipse headlights?

I didn't even notice the side skirts.

Is this conversion common?

Thanks for the replies.

Yes they do.

Also for the rear end all 3 brackets need to be moved higher, not just the middle one.

 

[aridsmith]

If I were to get a cf hood for a 95'-96' Eclipse then that would fit a 97'-98' Talon?

But if I were to get a cf hood for 97'-99' Eclipse it wouldn't fit the 97'-98' Talon?

Bottomline what I want to know is can a Talon be converted to look exactly like an eclipse of its year.

BTW: I've only decided to look for a 97'-98' Talon because they look the same and the are the latest models so the problems from earlier years should have already been dealt with (that is what I have read for the earlier and later 2G eclipse's so I assume the same for the Talons. Is this the right thinking or would it be fine to look for 95-98?

 

[dr1665]

Why not just shop for a 2Gb Eclipse instead of bastardizing a perfectly good Talon?

If you buy a 2Gb Talon and want to go 100% 2Gb Eclipse, you will have to replace the following:

-headlights
-tail lights
-additional reverse lights
-wing
-side skirts
-door caps
-front bumper skin (fascia)
-rear bumper skin (facia)
-driver side SRS
-owners manual

Still. As a Talon owner, I think this is dumb.

 

[fuzzyturtles]

Its not all that had to do. I help a buddy with his a while back with little problem.
You may want to check the local junkyard for a 2gb eclipse they may have all of the parts you need for the conversion. That is were we found ours and did it extreamly cheap. the only real cost was paint. hope everything goes smooth for you.

 

[aridsmith]

Why not just shop for a 2Gb Eclipse instead of bastardizing a perfectly good Talon?
.

Because a 2G 98'-99' GSX is out of my price range. Thank you for the list.

 

[TurboFever]

I plan on doing a 97-99 conversion to my 95 Eclipse. Maybe its possible to convert a 95 Talon also but dont quote me on that.

 

[92_75i]

I plan on doing a 97-99 conversion to my 95 Eclipse. Maybe its possible to convert a 95 Talon also but dont quote me on that.

very possible i did it on my talon

headlights, front bumper, back lights and bumper and wing if u want...



-az-

 

[dr1665]

Because a 2G 98'-99' GSX is out of my price range. Thank you for the list.

No problem, but you said this:

I've only decided to look for a 97'-98' Talon because they look the same and the are the latest models so the problems from earlier years should have already been dealt with.

I don't see how you can afford a 2Gb TSi AWD, but not a 2Gb GSX. Yes, there are differences in price between the Eagle and Mitsu brands, but not so much that doing a full conversion is going to net you any savings. If anything, you'll pay more to convert a TSi AWD to same year GSX trim than if you started with a GSX to begin with.

If you want to do this sort of thing in the most feasible manner, you should look into a 95 GSX and freshening that car with the newer headlights and front and rear fascias. Less parts to purchase. Less labor at the body shop. Less bastardizing of a perfectly good Talon.

Don't forget that you're going to have to perform some basic, routine maintenance on whichever DSM you buy before you will be able to really put the screws to her.

 

[aridsmith]

^^^Very good point. But the cheapest GSX's I can find are at least 10.5k. I'd like a 98' or 99' just because they are the later models (my mindset). As far as I can tell Tsi AWD's are almost half the price and the conversions would happen gradually while I get the money.

If 10.5k is too much for a later model GSX then I'd definitely take advice on where to search for more classifieds. Any help appreciated


Basterdizing the talon? , is it looked down upon to do this conversion?

 

[dr1665]

Basterdizing the talon? , is it looked down upon to do this conversion?

Sadly, only to those of us with the good taste to buy a Talon in the first place. There are no body kits or Altezzas for Talons and we like it that way.

 

[aridsmith]

As for the cost, depends on how much parts will be. It is easy to do it yourself, just read up on it.

Where could I read up on it?

 

[Defiant]

There's always the danger that those who can't look up the Tech Article will be incapable of perfoming the abort... sorry, conversion.
Remember, the smaller end of the screwdriver points at the screw.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55243

 

[VegasTSI]

I want to convert my 1995 Talon rearend to a eclipse rear. Lights/bumper/ect...

what all is required to do this?

 

[Gatosport]

tail lights , reverse lights, bumper. thats about it.

 

[endlessMyk]

I want to convert my 1995 Talon rearend to a eclipse rear. Lights/bumper/ect...

what all is required to do this?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199369&highlight=talon+rear+end+conversion

It's the 7th post and it's made by DSM Wiseman dr1665. I agree with him on it, too. Also, that search took me all of 10 seconds.

 

[talonation777]

Alright, I'm swapping out my 97 Talon rear bumper and tailights for an Eclipse rear and tails. I'm just wondering how hard it was for anyone whos done it before? What kind of problems did you run into, etc. I've taken off my front bumper before, but I've never done the rear bumper yet, so I'm just wondering how long its going to take, and what kind of problems I might face. Any advice or tips for converting a Talon rear end into an Eclipse would be appriciated. Thanks, happy holidays.

 

[DGajre777]

Tech Guide - http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55243

The Talon bumper sits lower than the Eclipse bumper. You'll have to make 3 brackets to raise the level so that your Eclipse bumper doesn't sag and fits properly. You will also need to extend the reverse lights about 2 feet.

I did a search on Talon Eclipse conversion and found these:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199369
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196529

 

[rs-t eclipse]

[QUOTEThe Talon bumper sits lower than the Eclipse bumper. You'll have to make 3 brackets to raise the level so that your Eclipse bumper doesn't sag and fits properly. You will also need to extend the reverse lights about 2 feet. QUOTE]
you don't have to make any brakets for your bumber the side ones and the bottom one well hold it in place you only need to buy eclipse taillights backup lights and drill 3 holes for the eclipse center taillight piece.
http://www.cardomain.com/member_pag...mages/12/web/288000-288999/288764_27_full.jpg

 

[DGajre777]

[QUOTEThe Talon bumper sits lower than the Eclipse bumper. You'll have to make 3 brackets to raise the level so that your Eclipse bumper doesn't sag and fits properly. You will also need to extend the reverse lights about 2 feet. QUOTE]
you don't have to make any brakets for your bumber the side ones and the bottom one well hold it in place you only need to buy eclipse taillights backup lights and drill 3 holes for the eclipse center taillight piece.
http://www.cardomain.com/member_pag...mages/12/web/288000-288999/288764_27_full.jpg

No brackets? How does the stock side Talon bumper plate hold it in place when it is lower than the Eclipse bumper? Did you check out these threads?
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199369
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196529

You need to use something to raise the level so that the bumper has something to sit on. The best way is to reweld the bumper support plates higher (like the Eclipse), but using brackets is cheaper. You CAN use zip ties (if you want to trust zip ties to hold a bumper). http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177420 You can also use some long bolts. I'm sure there are many other "half-ass" ways of doing this, but I wouldn't do them nor would I tell anyone to do them.

If you have some NEW information on not needing brackets or anything to hold it in place, please share it.

talonation777: GILZTSIAWD and CanadianTSI both have Talon > Eclipse conversions (if you want/need to PM them)

 

[blcknspo0ln]

another one bites the dust..

PM if you want to get rid of the bumper + lights