Whats up guys, Im new to these forums. I own a 1998 Eclipse RS, 110,000 miles on it. I have a few questions for you that I would love to hear opinions on.

I am looking forward to putting a turbo on my car, but I am a bit leery about putting it on this engine with such high mileage. Right now I dont have the money to do anything...but by the time I hit around 120-125,000 miles I will have money to either A) Put a low mileage 420a into the car, or B) Put a turbo on, as is. What would you do in my situtation? Suggestions please (:

And one more thing, I have been looking for sites that sells engines for cheap. I have also been looking around for a FULL turbo kit. Please post any sites that are cheap!


Thanks!

 

www.hahnracecraft.com www.slowboyracing.com

 

Thanks for the sites, but whats ur imput on me turbo'ng the 420a with 120-125k miles? Think I should get a low miled 420a first?

 

I can't answer your question from personal exerience, of the "been there done that" variety, but I do have 35+ years experience wrenching on vehicles.

I don't think you can put a turbo on an engine with that kind of mileage and expect it to last. With that many miles on it the engine is at least half worn out, even if it has been babied its whole life. The extra stress of a forced induction system is probably going to shorten its life dramatically. When you look at the expected lifespan of otherwise basically identical turbo and non-turbo engines you can see what I mean. As a rule the turbo engine will not rack up nearly the number of miles that the non-turbo will before something major breaks - due to the extra stress the added performance from the turbo puts on the engine.

Looking at it the other way, though, if you've already decided that you're going to end up with a turbo 420a in it one way or another, what have you really got to lose? If you turbo it and it grenades, then you can buy a low-mileage engine and put the turbo setup onto the newer engine. It isn't very likely that the turbo is going to be damaged by the tired old engine having a meltdown. All you loose is the work it takes for you to install the turbo on the old engine. And even that won't be wasted effort because you'll get at least some significant use out of it before the old engine goes bye-bye!

So, like I said, if you're determined to end up with a turbo, then I say go for it! Put that bad boy on your existing engine. Just get started right away shopping for a good deal on replacement for when it craps out on you

 

I agree BobC92. Same number of bearings + same bearing size + added torque + old engine + young guy with heavy foot, be prepared!
Tell me Eclipse656, if you can only do this on the cheap now (not a strategy for success) how much will you be able to afford to fix it when the engine fails?

 

I will have money to fix it...lol no worries

 

I agree with both those guys. You'll need a new engine soon but you might as well turbo what you have then replace it when it goes. BUT I STRONGLY recommend getting the turbo work done RIGHT the first time being that you'll be reusing it on the new one. Remember the rule of thumb. You get what you pay for.

 

get a gst or gsx