turbo help?

hey guys, im new here to the forum and have a few questions about a 97-99 eclipse GS.

first off, i am 17 and buying a new car shortly. I am currently looking for 97-99 eclipse GS mainly because the car has only 140 hp, and insurance should be managable. Altho, i will be looking for somemore power, hence, i am looking into future modding of the car, if everything goes as planned.

I understand how a turbo works, but thats about it. I would like to know what all i will need to install a turbo on the car, and what to get???
Also how much psi, would be safe to fun for a daily driver?, and weather or not i will need a boost controll?

also
what is the engine code for the 2.0 sohc?
and an estimate for the cost of the turbo?

thanks beforehand

hey guys, im new here to the forum and have a few questions about a 97-99 eclipse GS.

first off, i am 17 and buying a new car shortly. I am currently looking for 97-99 eclipse GS mainly because the car has only 140 hp, and insurance should be managable. Altho, i will be looking for somemore power, hence, i am looking into future modding of the car, if everything goes as planned.

I understand how a turbo works, but thats about it. I would like to know what all i will need to install a turbo on the car, and what to get???
Also how much psi, would be safe to fun for a daily driver?, and weather or not i will need a boost controll?

also
what is the engine code for the 2.0 sohc?
and an estimate for the cost of the turbo?

thanks beforehand
Well for safe measures id say around 4-7 PSI you dont wanna mess up ur pistons once u get ur turbo kit

hahns racecraft makes a turbo kit from the GS. it comes with everything you need except for the blow off valve and gauges and fuel pump. it comes with some crappy ass in line pump so i would recommend you install a walbro 255 unit. the kit sells for around 4K and they run at round 7 psi. you should just make 200hp at the wheels. its nothing crazy but its a big improvement over stock. but i would not recommend you installing it on your own. when i was working at speed world some kid had a GS with that same kit. his friends installed it for him, and the kit was done all wrong. his boost controller was set at 3 bars (45 psi!! ) and his FMU was hooked up wrong and it was actually causing a restriction instead of adding fuel pressure. and abunch of other stuff that could've blown his motor up. he was lucky that the boost controller was hooked up wrong or else he would've over boosted and blew the thing up. bottom line is, the GS's fuel system is alittle tricky. there is no fuel return for that car. so hooking up a FMU is kinda hard and requires some custom stuff.

umm.. tat this 1 was all mine! damm u! lolz
if you want power get a gs-t or gsx because itz easier to make reilabe hp their is nutthin wrong with the gs or rs but it jus takes lotz more mods to make hp.. i says spend the $ you will invest in a turbo to get a gst\gsx\tsi and work that it will be alot easier and less problems then adding a turbo kit to a gs.. gst\gsx\tsi can easily reach 350+hp @ wheels with intake/exhaust/fmic/bov/and boost controller n fuel pump..

for more info go to www.dsmtuners.com and look around they have a excellent tuning guide for turbo n non turbo eclipses and talons..

good luck

1

thanks for the info guys,

i really dont want to spend 4k just for a turbo, but how about this one?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/parts/product_info.php?cPath=86_91&products_id=439

does this kit contain quality stuff, and everything i need to have it installed?

EDIT:

the reason that i am looking for a GS, is mainly because 140 hp, if i get a car with a turbo, it will probably be pertty hard to pay it off.

One good thing about getting a car that was designed from the manufacturer with a turbo is you know that the car can handle it. You don't have to worry about anything breaking because of a turbo :) And your insurance company might not complain about it. I don't know how your insurance is where you live. But some places require you to tell them about mods or they won't cover you if you get in an accident.

I also remember reading the august or july edition Turbo magazine and some guy asked about turboing Eclipses. He said something about getting one with a turbo instead of installing a turbo on a non-turbo one. I think the main thing he worried about was blowing piston rings or something. I can private message you the article if you'd like :)

EDIT: i'll let turbo2nr answer the question about if thats good for you. Since he'll probably kick my ass if i tried too :)

Here's a basic list of stuff you need to SAFELY run a turbo:

1. Garret T3 Turbo (or maybe a used one from an older Eclipse/Talon)
2. Intercooler (also could find one used from an Eclipse/Talon)
3. Assorted 3" and 2" Mandrel-Bent pipes (180 degree U)
4. Custom Headers (probly could find them for an Eclipse :biggrin: )
5. Bigger fuel Injectors
6. Bigger fuel pump
7. Heat Shield (dont wanna melt your wires)
8. Racing Wires (extra Precaution)
9. Blowoff Valve (can buy one from Saab for $30)
10. Replace your gaskets, Piston rings, etc. (extra Safety Measure)
11- etc. 3" turbo hoses, oil lines, etc.

My friend just went around and bought many of these parts used and he turbocharged his camaro for under $1000!! If you gather together the parts and have them professionally installed then it may run you over $1000 but it's better than a $4000 kit.

EDIT: Its not BETTER than a $4000 kit but its better PRICED.... :iceslolan

BASICALLY if u boost more then 10psi on stock internals on the gs motor you will burn da piston seals.. even with proper fuel managment the motor isnt really made for turbo so you WILL experience problems,
get a gsx\gst\tsi because you are just startin off

1

I'm not sure how beefed up the internals are in the N/A version of the 4G63. I wouldn't go over 7 PSI on your stock internals. To install a turbo you will need the turbo, piping (mandrel bent), oil lines, boost controller, and a fuel management system. Those are the bare essentials. If you want to run more boost you will want to replace the crank and connecting rods with forged ones. You will want some lower compression pistons, between 8:1 and 9:1, cast pistons will be fine. You might also need to replace the sleeves. You will also want a good intercooler otherwise you will get detonation after a certain boost level. You're looking at a lot of time and money also if you have an automatic, in my opinion, you would be wasting both.

Your best option is to swap a 4G63 from a TSi, GSX, GS-T, or ES with all the needed items. It will cost less money and work a lot better. It is better to start with a turboed motor from the factory.

that star kit that you linked is basically a hahns racer craft kit. however it doesn't come with a intercooler or a blow off valve. but who said that you need a intercooler to run a turbo? anyways polygon the 2nd gen eclipse GS and RS didnt' come with a non turbo 4G63. the 2.0 on the GS has nothing to do with the 4G63 and looks nothing alike. the engines are completely differnet. the GS motor is a chrysler motor. its also found in the dodge neon, and dodge stratus.

itz the a 2.4l motor.. itz not to bad once the internals and fuel managment is done..


1

thanks for all the info!

after hearing all that, im kinda leaning against the turbo idea, i would really like to get a factory turbocharged car but i believe that insurance would be too much for me.

i priced out a 97 prelude SH with a h22 (195 hp, im sure you allready know) and it was $1300 every 6 months for the SH, 300 dollars cheaper if it was not a SH (sport handleing).

do you guys think a 97 turbo DSM would be cheaper?, ill have to check.

but if all fails i could just do bolt-ons to a gs, and possibly obtain another 20 hp or so?

hummmm? (pondering).....

how about a nitrous system. I dont want to have to push a button to start spraying, but i read about a system in a RSX, that sprayed every time you were running wide open over xx mph.

anyone know anything about that?

I'm not to familiar with nos. But it won't be any safer and better (as in car parts not breaking) on the car then a turbo.

It would appear from these posts that you don't have a lot of income. I suggest you just buy a car and wait for a while. Save your money up then later down the road decide on something to do. This will give you lots of time to look into turbos and nos and read about it. Thats what i'm doing, but i'm enjoying my parents car and just saving up :) Their is nothing worse than buying a new car, tossing in nos or a turbo. And the first time you press the button or it spoils up or sprays, the engine blows. :banghead:

Since your 17 years old. Did you ever consider driving your parent(s) car(s)? I know it wouldn't be as cool as driving your own car. But the benefits are:

1. Your insurance is much much less.
2. You'll gain driving experience which will help lower insurance.
3. You'll be able to save your money.
4. You can run the gas to empty then let them fill up :lol:

1-3 of the benefits are the only really good thing. Because the 4th one, after you do it once, they do it to you :( Many times i've had to cought up $80 to fill up when only driving it once.

But, the 1-3 benefits help you. With a lot less on insurance you can save up more money. With driving around with your parents car your insurance will be lower when you want to buy a car. And you'll save your money. This way, when you do decide to buy a car. You can buy a really nice one and toss on turbo's and everything.

ahh, no. i cant just drive my parents car, that is not gonna happen. And yes, i do not have alot of income, and i would like to save money for college, etc...

but heres the deal, my parents will pay for insurance as long as its reasonable, and i have about 10 grand to buy a car that will be moderatly fast, fun to drive, and last me through college.

hence, i came apon an eclipse/talon, or possibly a celica. I have a couple of friends in the automotive business, that will install/help install a turbo for free. That is the way i will most likely go. I would like to buy a car with a factory turbo, but because of insurance, it would be cheaper to install one myself.

i dont really want to mess with an engine swap, so that is out of the question.

Also, i was not planning on getting a turbo right away, but i want to know my options, for furture reference.

so who thinks it would be a good idea to stick with a GS, and plan for a turbo later?

ahh, you lucky son of a... gun.. :) Getting insurance paid for you.

I guess your choice is up to you. I think you should talk to an insurance agent and see if the insurance will go up if you turbo the Eclipse. You never know, with a Turbo installed, it may become the same insurance rate as the Eclipse with a factory turbo. Also, if you buy the car, will it come with a warranty? If it does, as soon as you mod it, your warranty becomes void. Well it usually does. That could also be a factor in which you choose.

I still suggest you get one that has a turbo installed from the factory. I don't doubt the skills of your friends. But as someone said above, you can do more with those cars. (Don't know if it's true, just restating from above :) ) And your parents might not be willing to cover it because it's to much right? Well talk to them and maybe you can strike a deal where you pay like %10 or the insurance and they pay the rest or whatever.

i really dont want to mess with all the engine mod stuff either, but it might be my only option to be moderatly fast.

when i was looking at a prelude the idea came up to split insurance, so that may be an option. And yes, it is good to have insurance paid for you . :)