Hello I'm a new-be to the import scene . I think I found a deal maybe bought a 97 eclipse gs non turbo for $300.00. The lady said it got hot one day the next it just shut down and she just parked it ... I found a broke timming belt bad water pump & It has 2 bent intake valves on #2 . so I think I'm going to build it . any ideas don't want to get to off the hook yet but would like to have a good base for later up grades. Lookin for Ideas??

Well what are your ultimate goals for the car? Boost? Stay n/a?

Really not sure I bought it for my 17 year old little girl she is into racing and fast cars and bikes , but don't think she is ready for off -the hook yet .I just want to start with something somewhat bullit proof til she's ready for major up grades..If it was for me I would build till the bank account said stop ya know.

Originally posted by lightnin
Hello I'm a new-be to the import scene . I think I found a deal maybe bought a 97 eclipse gs non turbo for $300.00. The lady said it got hot one day the next it just shut down and she just parked it ... I found a broke timming belt bad water pump & It has 2 bent intake valves on #2 . so I think I'm going to build it . any ideas don't want to get to off the hook yet but would like to have a good base for later up grades. Lookin for Ideas??

Hmm, so here's my guess at what happened; it overheated, the lady kept driving it, it spun bearings and seized up (though it may turn over now) and broke the timing belt, thus making the valves go i nto the pistons.

With that being said, you may be looking at a bad crank as well. Rebuildable? Sure. The better question would be, how is the rest of the car? Tranny? Brakes? Body? Rust? Suspension? Wheel bearings?

IMO, this is a great platform for a new driver. Provided the car is in good shape.

Originally posted by bullettdsm
Rebuildable? Sure. The better question would be, how is the rest of the car? Tranny? Brakes? Body? Rust? Suspension? Wheel bearings? IMO, this is a great platform for a new driver. Provided the car is in good shape.

couldn'tve said it better myself

I would try to find a 420a motor in a eclipse, talon, avenger, etc etc... at the local salvage yard in a car with massive body damage on the side or rear (around $125 w/o the core charge here). That way you know it ran when it was parked, pull it, do a massive tune up consisting of-

plugs, wires, air filter, pcv valve, fuel filter, valve cover gasket, timing belt, water pump, timing tensioner and idler plleys, oil change, front and back brakes, gas treatment, and a full tank of 93 :).

Check tranny fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, and maybe make sure the A/C is in good working order since it's about to get hot out. You will still come out way better than the ~$2500 they run for at car dealers and would have something that should be reliable that you shouldn't have to put alot of fix-it's into later.

Of course check all of the usuals like shocks, tires, tie rods, and bushings, etc... The most expensive part would be labor if you don't know how to do the work yourself, and since you have found this site with it's massive amounts of information on literally everything you would ever need or want to know, you have no excuse not to do it yourself. :-)

The body is in great shape the inter is great but dirty the brakes an susp. are new the 5speed seems to be in good shape mostly clean fluid and no chunks clutch is in good shape the block seem to be ok so far need more cleaning ,
still haven't found what the #'s I found state yet weather stock or rebuilt hope to find out more soon.
building it is a change but most of the basics are the same just a little bigger than bikes with air compressor's on them and a little smaller than my 6.6 duramax just lookin for some insite and tips an some spec.s on lil street racer cars.

I got it pulled apart sending the head in to get checked out and done up ,just a quick look didn't see any possible cracks though. the bottom end looks good the cylinders still have X score marks in them with a small ridge on top an bottom can't tell if anybody has been in there before the pistons measure 87.mm. with L 13/10 stamped in them don't know what this means (stock or aftermarket) all the rod bearings are stamped with the same #'s CF 1-7 85 not sure what that means . the mains are all in good shape ,non of them were spon

sounds like a stock bore, untouched (internally) motor. have the crank checked out by a machinist and see if it's still usable. if the head and crank check out, get some .020 overbore pistons and lube her together