Showcar Build RS to GS Restoration Build

[dsm_ribbitpoison]

Well, the mechanic will have to wait for now. I just spent a bunch of money at an auto recycler this afternoon. They had a 99 Eclipse 10th Anniversary GS in great condition that had barely been picked over yet!
View attachment 628449
I bought the:

• Front bumper (it looks almost new!)
• Hood liner
• Headlights
• Battery cover (it had one!!!)
• Bumper air duct
• Hood support rod
• Door panels

I'm ecstatic! I can't wait to clean them up and get them installed!

That high rise looks fantastic and in great shape! I'd totally buy the high rise spoiler, no cap.

 

[Widgmaster]

I did not even notice the different spoiler .. I agree .. the high rise is cool .. So I assume the 2G`s come with different spoilers on different models ?

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

That high rise looks fantastic and in great shape! I'd totally buy the high rise spoiler, no cap.

They know what they have though. The prices reflect that, and are comparable to what I have found elsewhere. The real value is in the condition and not having to pay for shipping.

I did give it some thought, but I really like my low-rise spoiler. It's still sporty and it has great visibility.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

I did not even notice the different spoiler .. I agree .. the high rise is cool .. So I assume the 2G`s come with different spoilers on different models ?

Yes, the 95-96 cars and non-turbo 97-99 models came with the low-rise spoiler, and the 97-99 turbo models and the 10th Anniversary (sport package) GS came with the high-rise spoiler. Base RS had no spoiler.

 

[IHeartMyHonda]

Yes, the 95-96 cars and non-turbo 97-99 models came with the low-rise spoiler, and the 97-99 turbo models and the 10th Anniversary (sport package) GS came with the high-rise spoiler. Base RS had no spoiler.

All spyders had 3 piece spoiler as well. Turbo and non.

 

[dsm_ribbitpoison]

Yes, the 95-96 cars and non-turbo 97-99 models came with the low-rise spoiler, and the 97-99 turbo models and the 10th Anniversary (sport package) GS came with the high-rise spoiler. Base RS had no spoiler.

I'm not sure if my RS is a base RS, but it did include a rear spoiler. But that's interesting to know.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

I'm not sure if my RS is a base RS, but it did include a rear spoiler. But that's interesting to know.

Sounds like it has the Preferred Equipment Package then.

Here's some more info:

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/comparison-1995-99-mitsubishi-eclipse-rs-gs.532056/

EDIT: wait, your car has a rear wiper, and fog lights? Were those added? Does it have power mirrors too? Rear disc or drum brakes? A 50/50 split back rear seat? Might it be a GS?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Well, the mechanic will have to wait for now. I just spent a bunch of money at an auto recycler this afternoon. They had a 99 Eclipse 10th Anniversary GS in great condition that had barely been picked over yet!
View attachment 628449
I bought the:

• Front bumper (it looks almost new!)
• Hood liner
• Headlights
• Battery cover (it had one!!!)
• Bumper air duct
• Hood support rod
• Door panels

I'm ecstatic! I can't wait to clean them up and get them installed!

It's a shame they didn't keep the car together and sell it as a whole. I'd save that thing any day. I'm glad you got what you needed though!

 

[Widgmaster]

I wonder what they would want for the whole shell . Bring it home and gut it...rebuild the engine with twin turbo`s and your off to the drag races .. Maybe even a Nos kit when you need to scramble at the finish line.. Okay..it`s just a dream but all of us would be in our glory to own some thing like that ..

 

[dsm_ribbitpoison]

Sounds like it has the Preferred Equipment Package then.

Here's some more info:

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/comparison-1995-99-mitsubishi-eclipse-rs-gs.532056/

EDIT: wait, your car has a rear wiper, and fog lights? Were those added? Does it have power mirrors too? Rear disc or drum brakes? A 50/50 split back rear seat? Might it be a GS?

Honestly, I don't really know. I think that's how the car came with.

It has drum brakes in the rear, IIRC its a whole one back seat... No power mirrors (however, I think those might be added for new covers I'm buying). It does have the rear wiper, and fog lights however.

P.S: It also had power windows too.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

It's a shame they didn't keep the car together and sell it as a whole. I'd save that thing any day. I'm glad you got what you needed though!

Yeah they told me they tried selling it whole this past winter but the strut towers are toast and nobody wanted it. The rust is pretty bad. Otherwise I would have bought that car in a heartbeat. Other than the color, that is my dream car. I just can't seem to find one worth restoring though, so I've been putting my time and money into upgrading my RS instead.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

I wonder what they would want for the whole shell . Bring it home and gut it...rebuild the engine with twin turbo`s and your off to the drag races .. Maybe even a Nos kit when you need to scramble at the finish line.. Okay..it`s just a dream but all of us would be in our glory to own some thing like that ..

Haha nah, it's too far gone for me. If it weren't for the rust though, it would be in my garage.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

Honestly, I don't really know. I think that's how the car came with.

It has drum brakes in the rear, IIRC its a whole one back seat... No power mirrors (however, I think those might be added for new covers I'm buying). It does have the rear wiper, and fog lights however.

P.S: It also had power windows too.

It sounds like an RS that someone added the fog lights to and swapped hatches with a GS or higher trim. I plan on adding fog lights to mine, and if I could find a rust-free hatch with the rear wiper I'd be tempted to swap that out too. I love how those things look and was bummed the RS didn't have one. Your car looks great man!

 

[dsm_ribbitpoison]

It sounds like an RS that someone added the fog lights to and swapped hatches with a GS or higher trim. I plan on adding fog lights to mine, and if I could find a rust-free hatch with the rear wiper I'd be tempted to swap that out too. I love how those things look and was bummed the RS didn't have one. Your car looks great man!

Trust me, the hatch has a hole of rust right now that I can't bother patching since I don't have bondo or a sandblaster (for the bondo to be applied later anyway), and the hood has rust bubbles at the moment which are due to eliminating. I also got my front hood latches to be found brand new, and I also am attempting to remove my bumper with no luck. I tried ripping it out by force, but that is so strong.

And nah. The RS from '95 had the low level spoiler. Kind of crazy, but then again, Puerto Rico sometimes has a different market to offer. IIRC the Mirages from 1997 to 2002 had the TECNICA badging on them, which basically made them into some kind of name tax, kind of like the Supra name for the MKIV.

Regardless, I'm planning on repairing my project and doing a budget "Evo" swap. But good luck on converting your RS to a GS!

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

It sounds like an RS that someone added the fog lights to and swapped hatches with a GS or higher trim.

It still has the OEM RS sticker on the hatch... Maybe it's an RS with some custom order options...

 

[dsm_ribbitpoison]

It still has the OEM RS sticker on the hatch... Maybe it's an RS with some custom order options...

I might ask the previous owner to see if it was a custom order...

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

Just another crazy small detail nobody but me is likely to notice.. But I restored the missing caps on both of the outer kick panels today. More parts are on the way...

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

It took a lot of time and patience, but I disassembled my new driver side door panel, replaced the arm rest/insert with a gray one I bought from a GSX partout in the classifieds, swapped the broken air vent out with the one from my old panel, and installed a brand new switch and switch bezel.



It turned out great and I am really geeked about it.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

Mostly just waiting on parts, the weather, and my wallet to line up so I can get that engine work done.

In the meantime I swapped out my old hood support rod with the one I bought from the GS a few posts back, and installed a new pivot bushing. It looks and works great.

The pad on the old one was extra crispy. I assume that was from spending two decades in the dry Arizona air? This one is nice and soft still.

The engine bay is still dirty and turdy but I'm working on it.

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

Although the car has been out of storage for a little more than a month, today was the first time I actually drove it this year. I added just a few miles to the odometer driving it to the gas station and back. It drove really well, but it seemed to idle poorly at the stop lights. It didn't stall though, so I'd say it was a successful drive.

I really missed being behind the wheel of a 2g.

In other news, I actually saw two in my area last night, which was pretty exciting and very unexpected. I was wondering if mine was the last one left around here. Apparently not.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Any plans for headlight restoration/replacement?

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

Any plans for headlight restoration/replacement?

Yup! I bought the headlights from the silver GS and the auto recycler cleaned up the lenses for me. The rest of the assembly is still really dirty and I'm going to clean them up when I get some time so I can check them for damage. If those don't pan out, I bought a set of Eagle Eye OE style headlights a while back and they are still in the box and ready to go.

Unfortunately the set on the car now aren't in good shape. The adjustment gears are toast and one of them is missing the level cover. I tried my best to restore the lenses but they are just... tired .

The replacements will go on with the restored front bumper... Someday... Lol

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

I took the car out recently and it died on me again. This time the check engine light came on and the fault suggests the camshaft position sensor is going bad. This could explain the issues I've been having with the car, but it's also possible there are bigger issues at play.

Given the immense amount of maintenance I have in front of me, and the huge cost that goes along with it, I decided to schedule an appointment and replace that sensor ahead of the engine repairs. I'm also going to scratch a few more things off the to-do list that are unrelated to those planned repairs as well.

All I am trying to do now is just keep the car running. While I barely drive it, I do run it regularly to keep the fluids moving, the A/C cycling and the battery charged.

In time, I'd like this to be one of the best maintained and cleanest N/T's out there. But there is a ton of work to do before I can drive into that ballpark.

 

[Widgmaster]

Looks great in the picture Gary. Looks like your well on your way to having the car of your dreams ..

 

[Bland-Biscuit]

Thanks Larry! It's coming together piece by piece.