Spyder New guy DOHC swap and auto to manual swap

[Jacobmt95]

Recently I was given the opportunity to make a Spyder Eclipse manual and turbo and DOHC so here I am. This will be my first swap so I have a lot to learn but I've rebuilt engines before so that part should be easy.

Has anyone else done this before?

 

[fi3ndx]

Plenty of people have. Your best sources are http://web.archive.org/web/20050304031519/http://www.4g64.150m.com/curtspyder.html and also http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=52

The first site I linked has a good write up on the head swap as well as many other mods you can do to GS Spyders.

I'd recommend a rear drum to disc conversion and rear sway bar if you haven't already. Those are two easy fairly cheap mods that can improve your car significantly.

 

[Jacobmt95]

Awesome! Thanks. I'll be posting pictures as I go. Hopefully I can start on it within a week or so

 

[fi3ndx]

Awesome! Thanks. I'll be posting pictures as I go. Hopefully I can start on it within a week or so

Good luck! I also have a 4g64 eclipse but I'm going a different route. Im going to keep the head and just turbo it and run 7 or 8 psi.

 

[Jacobmt95]

Good luck! I also have a 4g64 eclipse but I'm going a different route. Im going to keep the head and just turbo it and run 7 or 8 psi.

Not quite sure what kind of power I'm looking at. As of now it will be a stock turbo but who knows what will happen later on. Do you know if anyone has done a auto to manual swap? I'm wondering if the engine and Trans harness is the same

 

[fi3ndx]

Do you know if anyone has done a auto to manual swap? I'm wondering if the engine and Trans harness is the same

I personally haven't as my car is already manual so I've never looked into it but I can say that I believe the 4g64 manual transmission bolts up the same as the 4g63 turbo cars, the difference is the gearing. So you may be able to use either transmission for the swap. I'd google it and read the other forum post as I'd imagine this topic has been solved somewhere before. I can't see why you wouldn't be able to do the swap I just don't know what parts are necessary and if all would bolt up without issues

 

[Jacobmt95]

I am seeing a lot of things about a 6 bolt and 7 bolt engine. I know what it means but I can't find any reliable sources to tell me which my two engines are. Both cars are a 98 one is turbo one is not. Any info on this would be appreciated

 

[me2151]

Look at your flywheel.I forget the exact way but Its on the flywheel. A 2g is going to be a 7-bolt unless it was previously swapped though.

 

[Jacobmt95]

same engines in both. Thanks for the reply. Just wanted to make sure before i start tearing into everything and end up having to order more parts. I've been reading some about the head swap. Have you done it before? If so any tips? I saw I will have to block 5 ports and I was just wondering if there is a different method other than cut a soda can and use that with silicon. Couldn't you just use the head gasket as a sealer since it's not pressurized?

 

[me2151]

same engines in both. Thanks for the reply. Just wanted to make sure before i start tearing into everything and end up having to order more parts. I've been reading some about the head swap. Have you done it before? If so any tips? I saw I will have to block 5 ports and I was just wondering if there is a different method other than cut a soda can and use that with silicon. Couldn't you just use the head gasket as a sealer since it's not pressurized?

I have not done it so I cannot give you any advice on that. I don't even have the same engine as you .

 

[Jacobmt95]

Lol well that sucks. I'm surprised no one else has commented on this as well.

 

[Jacobmt95]

I was able to work on it on Tuesday. I got the bumper, headlights, heat exchanger, radiator, bumper support all off. Next is getting the engine ready to be pulled out then pull it out.

Tried to put some pictures on this but it didn't work for some reason.

Also can anyone post a picture of how the turbo piping goes the ones I've looked at are aftermarket and I think I'm missing pieces

 

[fi3ndx]

Forgot to mention that you should probably upgrade your clutch to something more durable and throw in a lightweight flywheel while you're at it. From what I've read the stock clutch on the N/A spyders don't handle the increased power well.