Is a 2g eclipse gst a good car to learn to mod and tune on?

[artur1292]

Hey guys, So I really really want to start modding and tuning cars I'm thinking about getting a gst because I found a bone stock 97 with 81k miles I can get for cheap for fun to learn on. So is it a good car to learn on? I already know allot about cars and turbos and everything just don't have any experience working on them. I have been reading alot about different cars and how to properly mod them. Yes I know that the 7 bolt 4g63 is notoriously known for having crank walk I've done my research. Just for the record i have been driveing for 3 years and Iam 18 So this is not gonna be my first car.

 

[LiquidX]

Crank walk is over rated. Any motor with a crank can walk.

You'll be doing a lot of maintenance before you consider doing any sort of power modifiers but when you get there it's a blast. Depending on what you are using to tune can determine if it's easy or not, same goes for any vehicle.

 

[tmota503]

I LOVE 4G63! haha there fun cars to drive man. my friend has a 420a and damn that thing pulls!
but Bump on what LiQUiDx said

maintenance, then the fun begins ;D

if u get the gst welcome to the family haha

 

[D's GS-T]

These are very good cars to learn on. Alot of guys knew nothing about cars, and learned most of what they know from DSMs. Just take it slow, make an effort to learn and understand everything you do, ask for help when you need it ( DSM guys are very helpful and like to tinker with stuff ) and take good care of the car itself and you should be fine.

 

[dsmtun3r98gst]

Yeah a DSM is a great platform to work on. Just remember one thing.. be good to your car and it will be good to you as well. Don't be cheap/skip maintanance and spect the car to be reliable.

 

[AK Maniak]

I got my first DSM when i was 16 and even though it was an RS I learned how to do everything on that car. And since i had the 420a first I appreciate my AWD turbo DSM even more.

 

[artur1292]

Thanks for all the input guys really helped Ill be looking into buying it then =]. Yes I know these cars require allot of tlc so I will be taking very good care of it and when its ready take it to the track. I was gonna start with a rs or gs then slowly build my way up to turboing that or dropping in a 4g63 but seeing I live in SOCAL emissions rules are crazy here rather get a car with a turbo already then risk getting huge fines and what not. Also guys what can I expect to do first for the maintance stage before starting to mod?

 

[aquanimi]

I would Start with the CEL. If it's on find out why and replace sensors as nessecery. Also Find out if the owner knows when or if the timing belt has been changed, if he has no records or doesn't know its would be wise to plan on it in the near future. Check the vacume lines for cracks or leaks. Take the intake pipe off at the turbo check for shaft play and oil around the opening around the turbo. That should get you started. These cars can be a lot of fun modding but it's nothing to sink $2,000 just in wear n tear parts.

 

[V8killer23]

Thanks for all the input guys really helped Ill be looking into buying it then =]. Yes I know these cars require allot of tlc so I will be taking very good care of it and when its ready take it to the track. I was gonna start with a rs or gs then slowly build my way up to turboing that or dropping in a 4g63 but seeing I live in SOCAL emissions rules are crazy here rather get a car with a turbo already then risk getting huge fines and what not. Also guys what can I expect to do first for the maintance stage before starting to mod?

Just an fyi you cant just drop a 4g63 in the gs or rs the motor mounts are different so you are better off buying a gsx or gst, or starting with the n/a to learn more about them, but you wont get the experience on the 4g.

 

[97'spyder-trbd]

dsm's are always a good platform bro, but you have to know what your doing before you even try to modify it yourself.

 

[artur1292]

Just an fyi you cant just drop a 4g63 in the gs or rs the motor mounts are different so you are better off buying a gsx or gst, or starting with the n/a to learn more about them, but you wont get the experience on the 4g.

Yes I know the motor Mounts arent the same and that the engine is mounted diffrently I think. I know it would take some fab work to pull off it was just a thought I had till I remembered I cant do that here in California because of the laws and whatever. Not THAT new to cars . Any way thanks for the help guys Ill look into all that is there anything else I should look for to make sure its ready for modding?

 

[razrman8]

Anybody that can turn a screwdriver can apply modifications to a vehicle. It's the knowledge, want, and patience to learn what to do, when to do it, and why.

As far as what to look for to determine if a car is ready for modding, you need to just be sure that the car is up to date on ALL maintenance before you try and "go fast". People think that as soon as they get a 4g63, installing a boost controller makes them invincible. Don't be that guy.

 

[artur1292]

Thanks Razman and everyone else yea I want to learn to do everything the right way not just buy a car throw on mods and hope the engine will last. Im really looking for this to be a learning experience and come out with a reliable car I can drive have fun and take to the track a couple times a year. I will keep you guys posted and ask if I need help with anything.

 

[phunny]

Every 60000 or 48 months
1) Replace fuel filter
2) Timing belt change: A complete list of 60k timing belt service would include all these:
- Timing belt
- Balance shaft belt
- Timing Tensioner
- Water pump
- Timing belt tensioner pulley
- Balance shaft tensioner pulley
- Idler pulley
- Crank seal
- Oil pump seal
- Balance shaft seal
- 2 Cam seals
- Harmonic balancer
- All other belts
Get only MITSUBISHI parts for the list above. OEM part does not always mean that the part is made by MITSUBISHI. If you don't know where to but parts from, this is a good start - Where Can I Buy OEM Parts Besides Junkyards and Ebay? - DSM Forums.

If your car is old, go ahead and replace all the vacuum hoses. RRE makes a good kit here - RRE's Larson Silicone Hose Kit

And the 7-bolts are just fine.

 

[whyadsm]

I hope you have better luck than me. I still love my car tho! Maintenance before performance!

 

[7naYRu7_rs]

oh you so lucky i wish i had a gst, but yeah im pretty much agreeing with everyone here, the 4g63 has been seen as one of the best engines made and has the best bang for your buck! so just keep it simple and clean!!

 

[turboglenn]

Just an fyi you cant just drop a 4g63 in the gs or rs the motor mounts are different so you are better off buying a gsx or gst, or starting with the n/a to learn more about them, but you wont get the experience on the 4g.

not to mention they are placed in opposite directions of each other

But yea, any 4g63 car is a great car to learn to tune on as they are tough and very forgiving, but the 420a ones i'm not so certain about

 

[4g63tc]

Yes I know the motor Mounts arent the same and that the engine is mounted diffrently I think. I know it would take some fab work to pull off it was just a thought I had till I remembered I cant do that here in California because of the laws and whatever. Not THAT new to cars . Any way thanks for the help guys Ill look into all that is there anything else I should look for to make sure its ready for modding?

In California, it is legal to do an engine swap, so long as the engine comes from a same year or newer model, and retains all the smog equipment.

It will have to be Brought to a CARB ref, and the CHP. Not Illegal just A PITA.

It wouldn't be worth it to swap a 4g63t into a RS or GS, when for a couple of bucks more you can find a GST, or GSX.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...pe=b&num_records=25&cardist=68&standard=false and it's in Santa Ana Unmolested, and Stock.

 

[my dreamt dsm]

I think 4g63 is the perfect turbo motor to start off with. My buddy started with an 89 supra turbo and after that... he went back to n/a.

 

[phunny]

I think 4g63 is the perfect turbo motor to start off with. My buddy started with an 89 supra turbo and after that... he went back to n/a.

Funny you say that, I just unloaded an 87 turbo engine to build. The woman has a few Mark II supras and she wants 2 of the built :/.

DSM is a perfect learning platform. You won't find a site with more/better info than here.

 

[unplugme71]

DSM is actually a great platform. Not only will you learn how to modify a car and tune it, but you'll become a pro at diagnosing all the issues that come along with it and repairing/replacing it.

 

[Achelea]

As mentioned above, DSMs are a GREAT platform to learn on. Stories of their demise and difficulty are usually overrated. Since we don't really know what type of automotive experience you have before, you will need it.

Actually, now that I think about it, you should invest in plenty of tools as well. Start out with a basic wrench set, sockets, needle nose pliers, vice grips, band aides, and a prescription strength bottle of patience.

You should probably print or write this list down and keep it handy.

1.) Maintenance
2.) Repairs
3.) Supporting mods
4.) Mods in proper order!!!! <-- I'm learning this one the hard way myself.

Since you're in Glendale CA, I'd suggest hooking up with www.ladsm.com they have meets Every monday, so you can check them out and look their cars over, heck some of the guys from Road Race Engineering show up. These guys know their stuff.

Another thing to consider is to set up goals for your car and stick with them if you can. Do you want a little extra pep? a drag race monster? a cruiser? figure out what you want to do with it and read. ALOT.

If you have questions, look at the top and spend at least an hour or two researching your question. Think of different ways of saying it and research that. We'll help you out in a pinch if you're on the side of the road during a thunderstorm, but we a little less inclined to assist some one that just wants the answers fed to them.

Read the rules and do your best to follow them.

We like people that can make complete sentences because it's easier to read, as well as it shows effort and concern for doing it right.

You can get surprisingly far if you learn your stuff. Lofty came here knowing next to nothing and within 3 years, he made moderator. Now that I think about it, he joined about a month after me.

Here's a few places you would want to put in your favorites.
VFAQ Site - Visual Frequently Answered Questions
Virtual Tour of the DSM Engine Bay - Top index

As a final comment...

Remember to be patient. Getting frustrated or not wanting to do it in the proper order will only cause headaches. If you get frustrated, stop, set it aside and come back to it later. More often than not, you'll turn out for the better.