QuestionQUESTION: I have a 98 eclipse gs, 2.0L non-turbo, believe that that is the 420A engine, though I am not completely sure of that. I was getting some smoke from the exhaust, whitish blue, mainly around startup, but small amounts while it was running. I had the car checked out and was told that the valves themselves were leaking oil and that the repair job would likely be almost as much as an engine swap. The car has 150k miles, and runs fine other than the smoke, and a rough start. I know I do need to handle this problem, and my question is about possible choices in an engine swap. With the mileage on the car, a repair short of rebuild likely wouldn't increase its longevity by much, and with the damage and high mileage, a sale wouldn't likely be worthwhile. I have decided to bite the bullet and do the swap, but I have decided that I might as well improve the car as much as I can. I am interested in getting a better engine into the car if possible, still FWD and 4-cylinder, but possibly a honda v-tec, right now, I am favoring the prelude 2.0l 200hp DOHC vtec, but I don't know the plausability of such a swap. Basically, I would like to know if such a swap, or similar is possible, I am hoping to get a good quality engine (the reason I have been looking at honda), with decent horsepower, but don't want to go through the hastle of a swap to a turbo engine like the GST 4G63. I have really had a tough time finding answers about swaps online, and sincerly hope you can give me some ideas, if not the above engine, something similar that is plausible.
Thank you
Randy
ANSWER: Sorry, the 4G63T would be your best bet. If you think that any other swap would be easier, I can't find anything that would. Not only that, but you can bolt in a mitsu 4G63T, and have 200hp before any mods. If you truely want a Honda, I would just buy one of them, swapping motors around in the Honda world is pretty easy too, but without figuring out custom linkages, axleshafts, coolant and wiring issues and such...
I would go to DSMtuners.com and register. A search there would give you lots of information, and would likely prove my opinion about an easy Honda/DSM swap. Good luck though, Anything can be done and if you have enough resources, you will prove me wrong.
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QUESTION: Have you done a 4g63 swap? That was my first idea, but I heard that that is rather difficult, and that you would likely have to replace the transmission as well, plus reposition much of the wiring etc. to have room. If this swap is the best bet, I would definetly go with it, I was just looking for some alternatives as I had heard that that one is rather difficlt
AnswerI deal with swaps all the time (but never a 2G NT to T swap), and the best answer I can give is buy a donor car. I am sure you can't upgrade the AWD stuff into a 1g, but am unsure of the second generation, which would be a plus). With a donor vehicle, you will be able to have acess to all the different components such as intercooler, ducting, wiring for the different sensor and such. I am unaware if you will have to change the transmission. I believe from a 2.0 to a 2.0 the bolt pattern is the same, as is the input spline and such. If this was my swap I would find a wrecked donor (auto auctions, salvage yards and classifieds). Remember that these vehicles won't be worth all that much from a private party and many times the owner will not advertise in the normal ways (ebay, newspaper classified and such) When I go looking for donors, I place craigslist ads, check with local clubs, and keep signed up for auction notices (or just watch the paper under auctions). Depending upon the damage, I would bet you could find the donor for under $1K easily and sell off some of the items you don't need to help recoupe some of that money. DSM tuners is a great source for this information for you.
