Engine Choice Advice for 90 Talon Tsi

[Eternalsolitude]

Hey Guys,

Need some advice here:

I recently purchased a 90 Talon TSi FWD Turbo 5-sp. It has a seized engine.

I need to acquire a new engine for the vehicle. I am not 100% sure which would make for the best transition (smoothest)

I know several things are different on 91-94 models (aside from the obvoius 7 bolt starting in 92) as opposed to the 90's. I also am aware that the ECU is different for 1990 vs 91-94. Is there any reason not to get a 91 or early 92 6 bolt motor for my 1990 talon? Will there be any compatibility issues?

Also, I have been pricing out JDM 4g63t's. Does anyone have experience swapping one of these into a 90 as opposed to the 91-94 models? Do I need to look for anything specific?

Thanks a bunch guys. Any input is appreciated.

 

[bsbllfit7]

6 bolt 2.3 stroker, get a little low end grunt and better turbo spool. Just dont plan on revving past the stock rev limiter. Can get kits for around 1500 for a built 2.3 stroker kit!

 

[Eternalsolitude]

Thanks for the input, but I don't have any desire to build this motor as a stroker. I will be using it as a daily driver and would like to maintain some amount of reliability with the vehicle. I will not be modifying this vehicle excessively. I already have a high horsepower vehicle and this one is just for the commute.

 

[bsbllfit7]

stroker builds are just as sturdy as a normal rebuild. With the stroker you actually get more DD driveabilty. Just because its stroker doesnt mean its less reliable. It will have more low end torque. It will definitely hold up to your goals for a long time. It doesnt require any modifying, just a 100mm crank normal length rods, and stroker pistons. All goes into the block. Read up on it. For the price i would do it for sure, much better daily driver drivability, and if you want to upgrade to a slightly larger turbo it can spool it. just my $.02

 

[dsm-onster]

Then just go in and see what's wrong. Or swap in another 6-bolt motor.

 

[Eternalsolitude]

DSMonster - I did go in to see what is wrong. There is rust on the cylinder walls. Crank will not turn. Apparently water sat in it for some time, though no other part of the vehicle has water damage.

You suggested just swap another 6 bolt motor - now does that require any other modifications if I bring in a 91-early 92 and I'm going into a 90 harness and ECU?

 

[bsbllfit7]

from what ive read it should be pretty much plug and play! Idk if that block would be re-usable with rust but some experts would know, might be able to hot tank it bead blast it, bore it and hone it and then save the money for the whole new engine!

 

[2slow4utsi]

DSMonster - I did go in to see what is wrong. There is rust on the cylinder walls. Crank will not turn. Apparently water sat in it for some time, though no other part of the vehicle has water damage.

You suggested just swap another 6 bolt motor - now does that require any other modifications if I bring in a 91-early 92 and I'm going into a 90 harness and ECU?

Do some research bro you will find all of your answers on here easily.

 

[rlacasse1]

Well if the only issue is that there is rust in the cylinders then take it and get it bored and throw in a little larger piston. Use the same crank and rods, just bigger pistons. Be cheap and reliable.

 

[Eternalsolitude]

Do some research bro you will find all of your answers on here easily.

I actually did research for quite some time prior to posting this thread. I wasn't able to find anything talking about putting a 91-early 92 motor into a stock 90. I would appreciate if you would have any advice.

 

[dsm-onster]

If there was water in the motor enough to rust up the cylinders, then it's possible the crank was submerged. This means that the journals are subject to rust. It may need to be turned. You will need to bore the block. And throw in new/oversize pistons. You might be better off freshening up a boneyard block and putting that in instead.

Get a 6bolt block: 1990-1992. It will bolt in. You already have a 6bolt block. 1993-1994 7bolt blocks will boltin as well, but remember they have the smaller headbolts. No wiring modifications for any 1g or 2g BLOCK.

 

[19Eclipse90]

I actually did research for quite some time prior to posting this thread. I wasn't able to find anything talking about putting a 91-early 92 motor into a stock 90. I would appreciate if you would have any advice.

As stated a 6-bolt, 90-92 block will bolt right in.

Should you go that route and to make the transition as smooth as possible, use the coil pack, ECU, harness, CAS, power transistor unit, and both pairs (bolting to the block and bolting to the frame) of front and rear engine mounts from the 1990 car.

Your 1990 should have an external (air) oil cooler as well. If you swap in a 91-92 6-bolt, you will have the option of keeping the water-cooled system equipped on that engine or you can retain the external cooler from the car. For the smoothest transition for a straight up swap, it would be easier to just go with the water-cooled system and remove the external oil cooler from your 1990.