Why do people said it is better to sell an na eclipse and buy an turbo one? Does that have to do with reliability or what? But, don’t most people upgrade to a s16g anyway? And the insurance is cheaper on a na too, right?

Well, making a turbo model go fast is considerably cheaper than to make an NA model fast. But also keep in mind, that the cost of buying a turbo car will offset the cheaper cost of buying an NA model and buying a turbo kit. So in the end, they will be the same. Also, NA insurace is considerably cheaper than the turbo model. With the money you save, it can go toward even more 'go fast' mods. That is, if you compare both 2G GST vs. RS\GS. The 1G and 2G GSX's are a different story.

Most people will say, "sell your n/a and buy a GS-T or GS-X." In most cases, it is easier to build up a factory turbo car because of the abundance of aftermarket vendors and experienced tuners for those cars. It's also true that a 4G63 can handle approximately about 350-400 hp with stock internals. There are many pro and cons.

I am debating this right now, I know the insurance is going to be a little higher, but the way I look at it is that my car has 65000 right now, by the time I get enough saved I might as well go straight to a stage 3, with that much money I could sell my car which I could probably get at least 11000 for it, plus sell some of my stuff and with the money I've saved get a turbo model with lower miles and won't have to worry about smog checks, I live in southern cali and a snail in my NA engine compartment will lift some eyebrows at the station before they send me home. so inner self debate continues...

Yea.. i don't know how you cali people do it... they are so anal retentive about every kinda car thing. Can't believe you guys don't have 93 octane. =P

And yes, if you were just going to get a GST, i'd say keep the RS/GS and turbo it. I know some GSX people, and they hate GST's.. it's the AWD that makes the 4g63 stand out.

The pros and cons....
420A Pros.... cheaper insurance, cheaper car, turbo'ing a 420A is a lot rarer and a bigger challenge then modding a 4g63.

Cons.... You gotta rebuild eventually and you cant go over 8-10 psi for long if your lucky before u gotta dump a big chunk of $ into a rebuild..... Stage 2 turbo kit plus Howell bottom end and machine shop work is easily $4500 plus installation unless u do your own work.

4G63 Pros.... Its already turbo'ed, AWD if u get GSX or TSI, stock engine can handle 100 more HP to wheels at least. easy to bolt on 16G turbo to stock manifold, put full exhaust, a fuel pump and a boost controller on it and your running low 14's. a 16G turbo on a 4g63 looks close to same size as stock when its on car so u can tell people you got stock turbo. ha

Cons.... Crankwalk happens to 1/4 4g63's i believe, higher insurance

If I was to do it over Im sorry but Id go 4g63 and have back up $ ready for a 1G 6 bolt motor in case I got crankwalk. You can get TSI AWD Talons for really cheap if your lucky. My friend paid like 6-7G's for his w/ 70K miles or something. Hope this helps
-Dave

My $.02
OK granted, the 4g63 is cheaper to make fast. But why do what everyone else is doing? In reality people don't know jack about the 420a. And it has proven itself to be a strong motor, the only flaw is that is was designed to be n/a so it has to be upgraded to run high boost. We have a guy in my area that is stage 3 or 4 and its amazing the lack of respect he gets. But the thing is that nobody knows what it is capable of yet. And this is what modding is all about, trying new things. Up until about a month ago I was going to buy a turbo car and take the easy way out, nnow I have decided to turbo the fook out of my GS. Anyway, sorry about the little rant. Good luck!

I was debating this same thing. I've got 60,000 miles on my RS and I'm trembling every second I get in it thinking something will break or whatever since I'm going turbo soon. But you know what, I think it's worth it. After reading about our motor and figuring out what all I need to do to keep it safe I've really gotten attached to that little sucker and I'm keeping my RS. If it blows then it blows and I'll figure out what to do then (which it shouldn't since I'll be at low boost, stupid stage 1). But these guys are right, with $2,300 you're already blowing away a fwd 4g63. Insurance for me is also a lot less because I'm only 17 and I'm a male. So I'm doubly screwed there. I'd say keep the N/A and save up.

the only thing that amkes sense on buying a 4G63 over turboing the 420a- the 4G63's stock internals can handle quite a bit of power and boost. The 420A has to have money for a turbo kit, 3295 stage 2 I believe, and then a rebuild. The 4G63 can take it better, but the 420 will give cheaper insurance. After you turn 19, your insurance should be pretty cheap anyways. They told me 914 a year full coverage for a 99 gsx 5 speed. I couldn't sell my rs tho, so no gsx for me.

But, I nedd a new engine already because my engine died. So it would be cheaper to build the 420a, right?

...Both motors are excellent BUT if you already have the NT then build it. Simple as that. A stage 2 turbo is between 2800-3400 dollars plus a rebuild and you're looking at another 1100-1500. Now look on the bright side of that aspect: you've spent 3900-4900 on a motor that can take 700HP. Sorry no stock 4G-63T motor can do that realiably everyday and with the stage 2 you're blowing away MANY cars on the street. The money you save in insurance and the cost of the car make it a better buy and that just can't be argued. Besides you've just bought realiability and the main issue, which is crankwalk. I never liked people writing about what % of 4G's get crank walk because it can, and has, effected every 7 bolt block(I'm not picking anybody out). The year doesn't even matter because some of the later models haven't gotten it yet so that is why their numbers are still small anyway hopefully, now, you have better understanding.

3900-4900 OUCH!!!
I guess i got some more saving to do!!!!