Here is the situation. I just joined today because I am getting ready to get into a serious build. I finally left my Nissans and moved over to what I have been wanting to do for some time now. I already have in my ownership a 1996 Eclipse Base model 2.0 5spd manual, the chrysler version. I am going to be buying another Eclipse to go with. One will be a daily driver, the other will be my build up. What I need to know is simple, should I begin the build up with a higher end model such as a GSX or a GS-T that already have the built in Turbo or do I start with a base model 2.0? I know their can be troublesome hurdles with vehicles already sporting factory Turbo that make it difficult to build on sometimes. I also know that blowing 2.0 motor is not hard and wont take much additional HP. Please advise.

 

depends entirely on what you want/ can afford to do.

I enjoy a challenge. Id put a 2.4 head on the 2.0 block.
And supercharge the b*tch.

 

I am talking total build. Something I don't have all the time and money for at this moment. This is a time project to build a car that I can eventually finish, pull out of the garage on the weekend and let it rip on a saturday afternoon. I am going to be doing this bit by bit which is why I am buying another Eclipse. I want to eventually garner as many horses as I can without blowing the motor, too often at least. I am not looking to get out of this the cheap way, I want it done and done well which is why I am doing it myself. If this was a Nissan, I would know where to start and what direction to go. I have built a few of those. However I am breaking new ground. I know very little about the Mitso engines and their strengths and weaknesses at the moment. I am literally going on a dream I had as a teenager.

 

Don't bother with the GS/RS, you'll spend twice as much to have a car half as fast.

Get a GSX or else you'll end up selling your car to get one anyway.