Remember my buddy with the eclipse that wants to race the Jetta? Well I told him that if I ever get my lude running, I'll race him. Not to see who's got a faster, better car, just for fun. Oh, and just for fun, my LeBaron too. Here's my est. of the specs:

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (2700lbs.)
Mods-Air Intake(not cool air)
DOHC Chrysler I-4
140hp/130 lb/ft. torque
5 speed

1986 Honda Prelude 2.0Si (2380lbs.)
Mods-Stock
SOHC Honda I-4 (with fuel injection, not carbureator)
110hp/114 lb/ft. torque
5 speed

1992 Chrysler LeBaron GTC Convertible (3010lbs.)
Mods-Stock
SOHC Mitsubishi V6
141hp 171lb/ft. torque
4 speed electronic automatic


I know the Eclipse is packing more power and torque, but it's
also packing more weight. It might not be enough to make a difference,
but what do you guys think? Am I gonna get my tush handed to me? What
about my LeBaron? Does it stand a chance against the Eclipse?

 

Is that prelude pushing an h-series engine or the f-series? There's a difference between the 2 that's very significant. The older f-series are more economized(i'm not talking about the f20c), so they tend to make a broader torque band. They're not too good for racing or high performance use. Being a single slammer, i'd say that it makes a good amount of it's torque down low, but kinda chokes up high, hence the low hp rating. But yeah, that extra 300+ pounds the eclipse has really is gonna drag it down a bit. I believe you may be able to beat him with a good launch, but keep it floored after first gear. The lebaron, well....that's another story....no contest, the eclipse would win. Also for the lude, you have to take into account the car is nearing 20 years in age. The tranny an engine aren't in peak condition, so the power may have dipped down a bit. But you should race him and let us know how it turns out!

 

I'm not sure if it's the F or H series, I could look at the engine when I get home and see if it might say which one it is. I know it's the 2.0 SOHC with programmed fuel injection. It makes 110hp and 114lb/ft. torque. Those numbers aren't very impressive, but this car came out in 1986 when V6's were scarce and every car was pushing a 4banger. The car is light weight, so that horsepower goes along ways for a 2400 lb. car. It's torquey, but not like my LeBaron. My Chrysler does burnouts just flooring it from a standstill and just takes off. I was told that my Prelude would probably beat my LeBaron untill about 40mph then it would catch up and eventually win. Wouldn't that make my LeBaron a challenge for a GS eclipse? If my LeBaron was a 5 speed and the turbo model, that would make all the difference. More replies are always welcome.

 

See now, i would take into account the gearing for the lebaron. I don't really know the specs for the v6 tranny, but you'd think that a lebaron would be more of a "tourer" type car. Not to say it doesn't merit good performance, but perhaps quarter miles aren't what it's geared towards. I dunno, they might have the gearing from a NA 3KGT! The Stealth base model was offered with the SOHC v6, so that might be interesting for you to consider.

 

Yeah, you're right. It's the GTC model which stands for Grand Touring Coupe.
I know it's not a performance car or anything, it's just that for a Sport Luxury car
from the 90's, it still packs a punch. It has great off the line acceleration that dissapears after the other half of my speedometer....darn SOHC. Plus the fact that it's a 4 speed automatic and has a Chrysler tranny.

 

You could always swap in the DOHC heads from a 3kgt, and maybe the FWD manual tranny from the car too. But then again, you know what they say, "it'll be cheaper to just buy a 3000gt!" Oh well, as long as you have fun with it, that's all that matters.

 

What if I threw in a cold air intake, K&N air filter, and new exhaust system? Would
that help my chances against an eclipse?