Engine Swap

[Prc30]

I currently own a 1997 Spyder GS-T. I want to engine swap it over to a Hardtop Eclipse GS-T Shell. I’ve had the spyder for over two years and the Hardtop shell for a year. I love aesthetics of spyder (and the wind when i drive!), but i really dig the hardtop more. Is there anything i should know beforehand?

 

[pauleyman]

I currently own a 1997 Spyder GS-T. I want to engine swap it over to a Hardtop Eclipse GS-T Shell. I’ve had the spyder for over two years and the Hardtop shell for a year. I love aesthetics of spyder (and the wind when i drive!), but i really dig the hardtop more. Is there anything i should know beforehand?

What year hardtop? There are differences year to year regardless if its spyder or hardtop.

 

[Prc30]

1998 GS-T

 

[pauleyman]

Should be plug and play. Only difference i can think of is maybe evap cannister location. Not really important. Should be able to yank the motor as is and drop it in all sensors attached and go. Once removed it's a very good opportunity to do cleanup work, new seals etc. No easier time then with engine out of the car.

 

[luv2rallye]

Should slip in pretty clean. Only differences I can think of are (but shouldn't make any difference anyway if your 98 hard shell came with it's factory 98 harness and 98 devices that plug into that harness - ie. you're not swapping them with 97 ones):

- The starter relay and theft alarm starter relay may have a different pinout/connector. Starter relay part number is different on 95-97 vs 98-99.

- Fuel vapor charcoal canister may be in a different place (my 99 GST has it in the gas tank! Others have it under battery or under left headlight or next to gas tank or in gas tank - doesn't seem to be any consistency as to where it appears. It often doesn't even agree with the Mitsu factory manuals for that model/year.). Of course this usually isn't a harness issue although the evap emission purge solenoid valve may then be in a different place.

- 98-99 has a fuel tank diff pressure sensor and evap emission vent solenoid where 95-97 doesn't have either.