I just would like your opinion here. A friend of mine that i just started talking to off this forum said that I should buy a 1997- 1999 eclipe N/T and build the engine up on it then put a turbo in it. OR should i buy an eclipse that already has a turbo in it? He told me that the N/T built up would last longer and I'd be more happy with it. What do you guys thinK?

Buy one with a turbo already installed. A quick search will reveal that this question has been beat to death.

Lol, why would you be happier with the 420a turbo'd? The only reason I could think of is that you did the whole install yourself. Get a gsx or tsi awd.....then you will be happy :2cents:

I own a n/t......

....... not cool

The title says buy and build or buy and drive, but you can do both with either. You can DEFINITLY build the hell out of a turbo'ed e/t/l. But go for a turbo in the first place. :2cents:

And I seriously doubt a built 420 will last longer than a 4g63.

yes but the 420a is very fast if turboed,read on
A very strong bedplate four-bolt main lower end design appears quite capable of handling much higher than stock HP. This bedplate design means the engine block actually separates into two sections along the crankshaft centerline, rather than the more conventional and much weaker practice of using separate main bearing caps. This design is typically used only on high output motorcycle or automotive (Suzuki, Viper, Porsche, Ferrari, etc.) engines.

Direct Crank Trigger ignition adds accuracy to spark timing. A strong, knife-edge crankshaft comes standard.

The Lotus-designed four valve cylinder head not only flowed well stock, it also exhibited excellent detonation control from modern port / chamber design and well executed cooling.

Mahle pistons, well known for their quality, added durability to the package. The more we analyzed this engine, the better it looked!

In the first year of testing, we studied the effects of our Stage I and II turbosystems on completely stock engines. This long term testing was crucial to determining the safe upgrade limits for these otherwise stock engines and drivetrains. Over thousands of street miles through all types of climates, with dozens of drag strip passes in between, our prototypes were put through their paces. The stock engines proved quite well suited to the 250 to 275 HP that our Stage II kit produces.

After a year of successful turbosystem and durability development with the stock engines, the time had come to explore the next level. With a target of 375-400 HP, new engines were prepared with forged pistons and billet connecting rods. One was installed in our Eclipse, another in the Neon. These units were carefully assembled, but were intentionally left otherwise completely stock except for the pistons and rods. We also upgraded the fuel systems to full programmable units, while adding a more powerful ignition amplifier. These changes allowed the turbo and intercooler that are standard in Stage I and II systems to run higher boost and produce their maximum airflow of almost 400HP.



We then power was sufficient to land our 2400 lb. Neon squarely into the 11.7 second /119-mph quarter mile range, while still maintaining daily driveability. As a matter of fact, this car has always been driven, not towed, to the dragstrip! The engine proved quite docile, yet still very willing, during street use on pump gas at low boost. The addition of higher-octane fuel and higher boost allows 400HP, all while retaining daily driven dependability. The performance value of the Neon was stunning: the total investment, including the purchase of the 1996 car, was still under $15,000 for a genuine, daily-driveable, late-model eleven second car which still gets great gas mileage in daily driving! The performance per dollar approaches that of a modern sportbike. Needless to say, the Neon was responsible for a lot of jaw-dropping at the local dragstrips.



The next step in power, was tested with our Eclipse RS. In addition to the fuel system and engine internal mods, we added a larger intercooler and converted the turbo to Super 20G specs. Remapping of the programmable fuel system we had previously installed allowed us to take advantage of the additional airflow provided by the larger turbo and front-mounted intercooler. Here the 420A engine proved itself yet again: it was now producing 450+HP, enough to propel the 2900 lb. Eclipse to 122 MPH in 11.7 seconds. Yet the car is compliant and cooperative in street driving, still wears air conditioning and goes anywhere!



It is important to note that our 375+HP Neon and 450+HP Eclipse 420A engines are still stock in terms of airflow. For the sake of turbosystem economy and simplicity, as well as good street manners, we decided to explore the maximum amount of power available while still blowing through a stock throttle body, intake manifold, cylinder head, cams and valves. The outcome is impressive, to say the least. Although the durability improvement provided by the piston and rod upgrades is essential to the use of these engines over 300HP, the pistons and rods do not help produce more power. The power gains are strictly achieved through the capabilities of the HRC turbo and fuel systems. 450+HP is enough for most, and readily achievable. Yet a brave few will try to imagine what results could be achieved with the addition of cylinder head / manifold improvements!

that's pretty damn interesting. i never thought a 420a motor could be such a strong competitor.

where did you find all of this information? I'm skeptical of the 450+ hp eclipse still being as dependable as a 450+hp 4g63. I have read a lot about how well built the 4g63 was, and how shitty the 420a was. That engine was not built to handle over 3 times the power, and I don't think driveablility would be as good, whereas the 4g63 was made to handle the power.

hahnracecraft,,go there and see

sorry,here it is
http://www.hahnracecraft.com/auto/tech/dev.htm

You make a good point bostonjoe with that article you posted... neat reading!!.... but I would have to say the big question to EDMUND is ... Do you have the money to build a 420A up to a turbo'ed engine?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4556297367&category=6352

not to sure at the moment... wha tyou guys think about this for a starter?

Which is why is is not always a bad choice to turbo a 420. Same info I read a few months back. I'd still rather have a 4g63.

Bottom line-- the Hahn turbo kit throws you at sub 300 HP for over 1000 dollars. You can't boost more than 8psi reliably.

Buy a 1g AWD, and boost a 14b into the twelves for the price of the Hahn kit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4556297367&category=6352

not to sure at the moment... wha tyou guys think about this for a starter?

Three things that stand out to me when I read this....

1. The guy has basically no feedback, so the possibility of him lying and there being major issues with this car are more probable.
2. He states there are 8 speakers in the audio system. Unless he forgot to mention that he added 2, there are only 6 on the "higher end" stock system. I doubt it though since he was listing all the factory specs. Leads me to believe more into #1. He is either ignorant and has been thinking his car has 8 speakers for a long ass time, he is bullshitting everyone, or he really dosn't know. Either choice is not a good one.
3. He points out that he wants half the money within 3 days, but at the botton it says $500 deposit within 48 hours. WTF? So you deposit $500 into his paypal, wire him the rest of the 1/2, and then pay the rest in 4 days? You can't pay the first 1/2 in 3 days unless you have like $1,500 sittin in your Paypal, and that is rediculous.

I own a n/t......

....... not cool

:iamwithstupid: :banghead:


get one with a turbo already.