Talon vs Eclipse

Is the ONLY difference the front/rear body and lights? Or are there other small differences too?

There isn't much difference, the engines are the same, i think it's just the body a few differences. I like the look of a eclipse a bit better, but thats IMOI. if you do a search i'm sure you will find more on this

I like the eclipse much better too, especially the tail lights. That's why I was asking, because around here it is easier to find a Talon TSi AWD than it is to find an Eclipse GSX. I figured if EVERYTHING except the body was the same I could just get an aftermarket eclipse bodykit, eclipse tails and heads and just make my talon into one.

I like the eclipse much better too, especially the tail lights. That's why I was asking, because around here it is easier to find a Talon TSi AWD than it is to find an Eclipse GSX. I figured if EVERYTHING except the body was the same I could just get an aftermarket eclipse bodykit, eclipse tails and heads and just make my talon into one.
im chaning my tsi to look like an eclipse

i found this on a website awhile back. hope it helps.

Greetings,

For the archives, I'd like to relay some things I learned about making a
hybrid DSM. In the last post I explained an oil fire that melted the
rear bumper and tail lights, as well as peeled paint from the sides.
The bumper cover and part of the tail light assembly was declared
unsalvageable by my insurance adjuster and would need to be replaced.
In order to make the car look a little more unique, and to save some
money to cover my deductible, I opted to go with Eclipse parts. I
selected a 97 bumper cover, 97 reverse lights, and a set of
Euro-style/Altezza-style clear tail lights and ordered them. (My car is
a 1995 Talon TSi AWD.)

I thought these parts were bolt-ons. They weren't.

Of course the lights on Talons and Eclipses are completely different,
and you need to change the lights and bumper cover together, when making
a hybrid. But behind the parts you can see, there are a number of other
parts you can't see that are also different.

Once the old bumper and lights are removed, an Eclipse bumper will "fit"
up to the Talon no problem, but you can't attach it directly. The two
cars use exactly the same bracket to mount the bumper, but the bracket
is actually in a different location! So the first trick to getting the
swap done was to grind off the old bracket, and weld it into the new
location. This is definitely best left to the pros! Next, there are
brackets at the bottom of the cover that hold it in place. These must
be ordered with the cover. If you don't order these extra support bits,
the bumper looks fine standing still, but would flap in the wind while
moving. Reverse lights must be ordered to fit the specific bumper you
choose. Lastly, the licence plate light which is recessed into the
bumper is also completely different. To avoid hack jobs, order the ~$10
tag light.

Other bumper related problems included shipping. It's too big for UPS
or FedEx. It was sent as freight through a shipping company that took
forever to get to me. And the paperwork involved was a nightmare. No
simple "sign here please"!

The big problem with the lights were the wiring harnesses. It never
dawned on me how different they would be. Right down to the types of
connectors used, nothing fit. NOTHING! The solution is to order the
appropriate Eclipse harnesses. Anything less (splicing wires for
example) and you loose the weather resistance. You have to also
remember the harnesses for the reverse lights, the tag light(s) and the
third brake light if you're changing the spoiler too. (I chose not to
change the spoiler because money was tight, and the holes used to mount
the Talon's "half-disc" spoiler were going to cost a fortune in labour
to braze closed.)

All in all, there were no fewer than 15-18 little bits and pieces that
had to be ordered to make the hybrid idea work. And since I live in
Canada everything had to be shipped to me through customs (there are no
sources of Mitsu parts around me). It took a total of 3 shipments and 2
months to get everything right.

But the car does look wicked now. :-)

And yes, I did save money. The complete set of clear lights cost as
much as just one side of the Talon lights (from my local Chrysler
dealer). The bumper cover was slightly cheaper, once the freight
charges were added up.

Good Luck,
Morgan D'Antonio

Hm.. so it's not just a simple swap.. maybe I will keep looking for the Eclipse GSX then.

Hm.. so it's not just a simple swap.. maybe I will keep looking for the Eclipse GSX then.
its cheaper and prety simple if you know how to use a ratchet and a screw driver

you also have to use a torch/cutting device and a welder and a wire cutter and know how to CORRECTLY solder wires. read before you post and maybe you would sound like you know what you're talking about. easier to just buy the gsx, but maybe not as cheap.