All right, here goes this might be a long one. I am getting ready to buy a rebuilt engine for my car. I am getting the 420a 2.0L cause I can't afford the 2.2L and because I am just not experienced enough to get into the 2.4L. I was wondering which of these 3 you would suggest: FTY, VT, or Howell. Mostly looking for personal experiences with both the companies and the actual quality you get. Also, would it be better to buy a bottom end kit and try it myself with the help of a machine shop?

Next, I am getting a Stage III racing head from Dark Enhancement. Any comments on them? One thing i need to decide on is cam gears (thinking AEM) and cams. For the cams, I was thinking 3/4 race cams, possibly full race but i don't know what I need to back up the full race cams.

I am also getting a tranny with 80k mi. with a phantom grip LSD, safing brackets, and susposedly racing tuned. To go with that I am getting an ACT 2600 clutch, w/ aluminum flywheel. Any preferred suggestions on any of that?

Now here is the main question. I have my car completely gutted right now, what other things should i replace/upgrade while everything is easily accessible and am I missing any mods I need to support this rebuild? Sorry for the long ass post, but I just want to make sure i do it right the first time. :thumbsup

Thanks everyone.

What no help? Well, i have a question about getting a clutch and flywheel. I am getting an aluminum flywheel and a performance clutch. I saw this site: http://www.zumeclutches.com/index.php?cPath=41_42 and these look like decent clutches. Any comment on them. I dont know if i should try it. Also, do i need a non-modular clutch to put on a aluminum flywheel? I'm a little in the dark on the whole subject and i am in a crunch for money, that is why i was interested in this Zume clutch. Oh, and why do people say to get ACT 2600 clutches when i thought they didnt make them for 420a? Thanks

Originally posted by EclipseDrivinDelt
I was wondering which of these 3 you would suggest: FTY, VT, or Howell. Mostly looking for personal experiences with both the companies and the actual quality you get.

FTY does business through VT Engines, if your interested in them I would contact VT, you can get information needed at their website to contact them, http://www.vtengines.com

I personally would recommend VT if your looking for someone experienced to be building your engine, others may say different as we all have our opinions for our best interest. I just got my 2.0 shortblock back with them and they did some damn good work. Quality wise, VT hands down. They know their shit.

Originally posted by EclipseDrivinDeltAlso, would it be better to buy a bottom end kit and try it myself with the help of a machine shop?

Again this is really up to you, due to the lack of machine shops in my area I went with VT. One of the harder parts is finding a reputable machine shop who knows what they are dealing with, call around find out what they work with. Money wise you would probably save some compared to having VT do your work. Others here on the board should be able to help you out with this one a lil better than I can.

Originally posted by EclipseDrivinDeltNext, I am getting a Stage III racing head from Dark Enhancement. Any comments on them? One thing i need to decide on is cam gears (thinking AEM) and cams. For the cams, I was thinking 3/4 race cams, possibly full race but i don't know what I need to back up the full race cams.

I haven't heard much about Dark Enhancement, someone else might though. The AEM cam gears work well, make sure you get the ones for the 420a eclipse and not the Neon gears, the timing marks are off by half a degree on the Neons. Other people run the Fidanza gears or the Cranes for the insurance of a 5 bolt pattern on the gears, instead of the 3 with the AEM's. If your looking to run full race cams your going to need some serious supporting mods, and will have plenty of idle/tuning issues to iron out if you plan to go with big cams. The Crower stage 2's are a good upgrade, but it really depends on all that you plan to do with your engine.

Originally posted by EclipseDrivinDeltI am also getting a tranny with 80k mi. with a phantom grip LSD, safing brackets, and susposedly racing tuned. To go with that I am getting an ACT 2600 clutch, w/ aluminum flywheel. Any preferred suggestions on any of that?

I have an Automatic so I can't help ya here :/

Originally posted by EclipseDrivinDeltNow here is the main question. I have my car completely gutted right now, what other things should i replace/upgrade while everything is easily accessible and am I missing any mods I need to support this rebuild?

If your going to get your head port and polished I would recommend getting your intake manifold port matched to the head as well. Also upgrading your throttle body, either increasing the bore or upgrading to a Jeep TB. Upgrading your motor mounts wouldn't hurt either while everythings easily accessible. If your going to go all out TURBO would be the next big step.

Hope this helped ya out some.


*rebuild in process*
GST Muffler
injen short ram intake
magnecore 8.5mm wires
EGR removal/blockoff
front/rear strut tower bars
GSX dual piston calipers

Thanks man. Now all i need is info on clutch and flywheel.

Originally posted by EclipseDrivinDelt
Thanks man. Now all i need is info on clutch and flywheel.

Try the MTX forum right here in Performance/Engine.

www.exileracing.com

geta spec clutch. and act dosent make a clutch for us. i run a spec clutch with my stage 3. holds great.

Lol dark enhancement heads suck!!!! Well from the pics ive seen they do. He acts like there a freken collectors items and trys to stamp a number on them. If you want your head ported and polished i got a guy for you. Hes well known in my area for head porting. With decent prices. He owns w.o.t in warsaw (wide open throttle). Hes awesome at head porting with out killing your wallet like howell auto or dark enhancement. PM me if your ever interest in his head porting. He has pics of porting and polishing my head. Damn thing looks awesome and its not powder coated gold!!!! Thats just my opinion.