Easiest way to figure out which engine you have

[johneclipse]

I am trying to figure out what engine is in the '94 eclipse GS im looking at buying. The seller has paperwork showing receipts for a new engine installed, but it doesn't list what engine it is. Anyone know how to tell if its a 420a or 4g63? thanks for the help in advance. I also did search and couldn't find anything about being able to tell.

 

[Boost92awd]

Its a 4G63 most likely. Not sure if they put the 1.8L in them in 1994. The 420a motors were only used in 2G's.

 

[turbo23]

I don't beleve the 94 would have came with a 420a in any situation.. farily sure it has to be a 4g63.

 

[95GSXBLUR]

It's a 4G63 N/T - the best way to tell is that a 4G63 Looks the same if it's turboed or not form just looking @ the valve cover. 420As came out in the 2Gs (1995+ cars)

If it's a GS it shouldn't be a 1.8L that was in some of the 1G Base models. I'm 99% sure youve got an N/A 4G63.

 

[nuclearr]

it could be a 2.0 (4g63) or a 1.8 mitsubishi engine. 420a didnt come out untill 95.

 

[Detroit98GST]

90-94 had 2 versions of the GS: Base model (1.8 L 8-valve SOHC 4G37) and the Mid Model (2.0 L 16-valve DOHC 4G63A, A stands for non-turbo). Both engines had the F5M22 transmissions so theres a likely chance its either. I've never looked for an engine model number on the actual block (shame on me) but you can tell the difference between these two by the valve cover. It'll say DOHC if it is the 4G63.. dunno about the 4G37.

And isn't the big visual difference between the 420a & 4G63 is which side the belts are on? I've only seen the 4g63's in person and the belts on on the left side (drivers side) whereas some pictures I'm looking at show the 420a on the flip side.

 

[92_talon_awd]

The previous posters are right in saying it wouldn't be a 420 since it's a 1g, that being taken into consideration it's pretty easy to tell which engine it is by looking at the engines/valve covers and here are some pics.

4g63 valve cover
http://hondaswap.com/gallery/data/500/car-lores-13.jpg

4g37 (1.8L) engine
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2396/2921/30988960003_large.jpg

 

[Dsmj89]

1g's never came wit hthe 420a, only the 2g's. The 1g models came with the 4g37 engine (found on the base models), 4g63 engine (found on the gs models) and the 4g63t (found on the gst/gsx).

 

[johneclipse]

The previous posters are right in saying it wouldn't be a 420 since it's a 1g, that being taken into consideration it's pretty easy to tell which engine it is by looking at the engines/valve covers and here are some pics.

4g63 valve cover
http://hondaswap.com/gallery/data/500/car-lores-13.jpg

4g37 (1.8L) engine
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2396/2921/30988960003_large.jpg

from these pictures, it looks like the 4g37 engine. Would it be possible to drop a 4g63 DOHC into it using the existing transmission and bolt right up to everything? or would it be more worthwhile to just build the 4g37? I have a donor car i can buy for $400 with an AWD tranny and the 2.0 motor with everything in it{all wires and everything}. from my understanding, you can swap the FWD tranny with the AWD tranny and only have to fab brackets to mount the back shaft as long as you have all the pieces from the other car right?

sorry but im a noob at imports...only car i've ever helped build is a 03 cobra mustang...

 

[DSM1G90]

only car i've ever helped build is a 03 cobra mustang

You got LONGGGG ways to go "little grasshopper..." You need to learn GM's, Mopars, FORDS, VW's, straight 6's, carburetion, point ignition, small engines, motorcycle motors, et.al. to really know about engines. But, you're young and got the world in front of you to go after.


You can also use the VIN. If you see a letter "B" in the VIN, that's the 4G37 1.8L SOHC. The letter "E" would be the 4G63NT and the "F" would be the turbo for the 1994 year.

Mitz had to drop the 1.8L due to a contract agreement with Chrysler to put their 420A motor in their cars being the vehicle was made in the states. Thus, Mitz had to design the NT with the 420A motor and use a Chrysler tranny, both manual and automatic - why that motor is turned around with the cam assembly on the right side of the car, and didn't need to worry about the "bump" in the hood, being for the Turbo which was still allowed.

Would it be possible to drop a 4g63 DOHC into it using the existing transmission and bolt right up to everything? or would it be more worthwhile to just build the 4g37? I have a donor car i can buy for $400 with an AWD tranny and the 2.0 motor with everything in it

To do so, you'd need to change out the complete harness and ECU as well. Being the 4G37 ran a different ECU than the 4G63 along with the harness.

Best fix up the 4G37 if you wanna be smart and save some pennies.

 

[rbwtrans]

Why not just build the $400 donor car? AWD swap into a 1.8 car is definately not for the noobs. Most of us with years of experience at this wouldn't even try that one. The body (undercarriage) is COMPLETELY different from 2wd to AWD.

 

[johneclipse]

Why not just build the $400 donor car? AWD swap into a 1.8 car is definately not for the noobs. Most of us with years of experience at this wouldn't even try that one. The body (undercarriage) is COMPLETELY different from 2wd to AWD.

I guess i could do that. I was plannin on having my buddies dad who is a master mechanic with fords, hyundais, hondas, and nissans do the swaps.

How much work goes into fixing a burnt valve on the 2.0 turbo engine? im pretty sure thats all he said is wrong with the 400 dollar car. I might buy both, use the 1.8 as a DD and use the 2.0 to build. they are both '94 models as well.

how hard is it to change out the harness and ECU? because like i said, the 94 GSX donor has all of it with it.

 

[DSM1G90]

Doing heads on a 4G63T is elementary work for a shop - replacing a burnt valve can be done with eyes closed. BUT, how that valve got burnt is another story in itself.


What I would say as well .. Redo the DONOR car since everything's intact outside of doing that motor-be tons easier and cheaper.

Yanking that lengthy harness out is a PITA - let alone if you have no complications. You gotta take out practically everything inside to get it all out - dash, seats, carpeting ... gut the vehicle out to the shell.

And agree: forget about AWD conversion on a chassis that wasn't designed for AWD. The 1.8 chassis isn't strong enough for AWD - it's a lighter chassis called a "D21" chassis.

2.0L NT and Turbo has a heavier chassis being the "D-22" chassis.

Plus, putting a turbo motor on a F5M22 tranny isn't too smart also being that the final drive ratio is taller than the F5M33 tranny - 3.78:1 to 4.13:1

Thus, you got it figured out: DD the 1.8 and fix up the GSX donor.

Good luck-DSM

 

[johneclipse]

one more quick question....would a stock t-25 turbo kit bolt right on to the 1.8 engine? and would you need any wires{like ecu, harness, etc). Even if im not building the crap outta the engine, i still want a turbo on it .

also, what would be a good price for a stock t-25 turbo, intercooler, some piping and gauges?

 

[DSM1G90]

Some have actually turboed the 1.8L with this post.Turbo 4G37 FAQ - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com It's an old post but great reading.

Pict of this motor.

Pricing- do a search on all what needed being so variable of a price.


-DSM

 

[johneclipse]

so basically, turbo manifold, piping, turbo, intercooler, 02 housing, wastegate should be all i need?

which i can get everything but the 02 housing from this guy local. I just dont know a "good" price for a stock t-25 set up from a gst

 

[DSM1G90]

Add - larger injectors, DSMLink (engine management) or similar, larger fuel pump, exhaust mods and what else you can do a search on doing turbo conversions on NT motors.

 

[Littlebeeper]

fix the GSX and DD the 1.8
making the 1.8 FWD into an AWD would not be worth the trouble . the FWD chassis is WAY different in the 1G cars (2G cars can be swapped to AWD with a lot less effort than 1G cars since the chassis is the same). the 1G FWD does not have the space in the rear end for the rear diff. the AWD chassis has a different gas tank and also the trunk floor higher making our trunk shallower from the inside. you would have to make mounting brackets for the rear end, find a way to weld in the brackets and hack the trunk for the rear end to fit. Then the fuel, ecu, wiring, instrument cluster, braked are smaller.........list gets longer

again, just fix that little GSX gem you are being offered for 4 bills.