Need help w/ motor for 96 base model
 

My sister has a 96 Eclipse base model. I'd have to got check on the engine, but I believe it is the base 2.0l. Anyways, the motor made a pop while we were taking a road trip and the car is now dead. The shop in Tulsa said the motor is gone. I have a hard time believing that a used motor for this damn car costs $1300! I tried the only engine source I know of in Dallas, TX and that was the price they told my father. I got a 97 motor for one of my Miata's for $700 so why is the Eclipse motor so pricy?

So any advise on where to get a new motor for a good price? Otherwise we are going to sell the car as is.

Thanks,
Chris

RE: Need help w/ motor for 96 base model
 

Depends on the extent of the dammage. Do you need a compleat motor or just a bottom end. From what your describing it sounds like it threw a timming belt. If that is the case call up local u-pull-it's and ask if they have either a motor for a 98 neon r/t, 98 dodge avenger, or a 98 talon. All of those cars shared the base model eclipse motor (420a). Btw its a chrystler motor so try to find a junk yard that deals with either dsm's or mopar cars. Sometimes you can get them for cheap but I cant see it being less than 700 bucks.

RE: Need help w/ motor for 96 base model
 

you can rebuild the motor .25 over for cheep as well anywhere from 1200-1400 with a warente.

RE: Need help w/ motor for 96 base model
 

If you are in Dallas, there is a dodge/chrysler junkyard. They should have plenty of engines still out there. I try to go once a week.

RE: Need help w/ motor for 96 base model
 

Oh yeah, thanks for the input.

The motor was locked up so its more than a broken timing belt. So if you say a motor from a Neon and Avenger will work, then maybe we'll have better luck trying to find a used motor.

I can't believe these motors costs so much![sm=yikesomg.gif] Hell, a couple years ago you could get a 90-93 Miata crate motor for that kind of price!

*you guys have some cool smileys on here! lol