Sluggish performance - DSM Eclipse '92 GSX Turbo (4G63)

ECUs, intakes, turbos, fluids, transmissions, exhausts etc.
User avatar
Ozimandius
UB Super Member
Posts:3804
Joined:09 Aug 2008, 5:13 pm
Vehicle:Mazda Miata MX-5 NA

Post by Ozimandius » 10 Apr 2010, 2:01 pm

Hi All,
I recently purchased a '92 DSM/Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Turbo (4G63), with only 91k kms on the clock, at a pretty decent price, from a Filippino who was was desperate to sell it.

I'll upload pictures later, but the car's interior is in excellent condition, almost brand new! But here's the problem:

1) The car has a sluggish start, and it feels like I'm driving a truck. When I floor the accelerator, there's a delay in response, and then it starts, but again, it feels like driving a manual car at 3rd gear from the start, it's very very laggy. It's an auto transmission btw.
2) I don't feel the turbo kick in.

He said the engine needed tuning, and gave me the number of another filippino guy who works at a garage in Industrial Area 5, BMW Road, and these guys only specialize in Eclipses, but that muppet isn't answering the phone after we agreed to meet today.

I really need assistance/help/tips in finding WTF is wrong with the car. Is there anyone reliable I can go to who can source parts and still do a good job, and has decent communication skills? I don't want to go to someone who has no idea of explaining whats wrong with the car. And I hate to think I've bought a lemon. I bought this car as a weekend car and primarily for Track Days. A friend drove the car and said it could be the problem with the transmission, or the turbo itself.

Help!

User avatar
fahad992
UB Senior Member
Posts:430
Joined:22 Nov 2009, 2:01 pm
Vehicle:PathfindeR
Location:RAK-AD

Post by fahad992 » 10 Apr 2010, 2:30 pm

well congratulations :D so how much u paid ?

User avatar
WKZ
UB Advanced Member
Posts:902
Joined:18 Mar 2007, 12:48 am
Vehicle:EP82 Starlet+Jeep Wrangler
Location:Ajman,Melbourne

Post by WKZ » 10 Apr 2010, 2:50 pm

Ozimandius wrote:Hi All,
I recently purchased a '92 DSM/Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Turbo (4G63), with only 91k kms on the clock, at a pretty decent price, from a Filippino who was was desperate to sell it.

I'll upload pictures later, but the car's interior is in excellent condition, almost brand new! But here's the problem:

1) The car has a sluggish start, and it feels like I'm driving a truck. When I floor the accelerator, there's a delay in response, and then it starts, but again, it feels like driving a manual car at 3rd gear from the start, it's very very laggy. It's an auto transmission btw.
2) I don't feel the turbo kick in.

He said the engine needed tuning, and gave me the number of another filippino guy who works at a garage in Industrial Area 5, BMW Road, and these guys only specialize in Eclipses, but that muppet isn't answering the phone after we agreed to meet today.

I really need assistance/help/tips in finding WTF is wrong with the car. Is there anyone reliable I can go to who can source parts and still do a good job, and has decent communication skills? I don't want to go to someone who has no idea of explaining whats wrong with the car. And I hate to think I've bought a lemon. I bought this car as a weekend car and primarily for Track Days. A friend drove the car and said it could be the problem with the transmission, or the turbo itself.

Help!
First of,CONGRATS BRO!!!
I guess the garage you mentioned is called Santana as they too are filipinos and specialise in eclipses,heard mixed reviews about them but most were positive.
Does it lag while change in gears or is it only the acceleration?
If it lags while changing gears and you get a minor jolt then its most probably the engine mounts or the transmission but you better get it done asap.I'm not an expert and I might be wrong.

User avatar
Ozimandius
UB Super Member
Posts:3804
Joined:09 Aug 2008, 5:13 pm
Vehicle:Mazda Miata MX-5 NA

Post by Ozimandius » 10 Apr 2010, 3:02 pm

@Fahad - you tell me, how much is a '92 low mileage GSX turbo worth? ;) I think the price wasn't really cheap, but it wasn't over priced either. Hell, if the car gives me too many problems, I'll sell it off at no profit! The interior is absolutely mint, plus it comes with a DVD player, Sony Xplod AMP + Kenwood Sub (the cylindrical ones)

@WKZ - thanks! I've been looking for a car to be used only for track days, and found this, and bought it within a day, as it was an impulse buy of sorts.

Thanks for the garage name, is that the one on BMW Road? It's an auto, so didn't change gears while driving, but the lag feels initial. I do feel a bit of boost at 3000 RPM, but not as much as I'd expect from a Turbo car.

Update:
I gave the car to Emarat FastTrack, and here's what they say:
1) The front left and right tyre rods need to be changed
2) All tires need to be changed, each tire will cost AED 600, as they're 18". I personally don't like the tyres due to their offset and design, so I fig'd I'd go for 17" tyres later
3) The car needs new spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, and transmission fluid! He says he's not sure if Al Habtoor will these parts for it, but will changed the transmission fluid for AED 120.
4) He also says that sluggishness can only be properly identified once the above has been ruled out.

I've asked him to go ahead with replacing the transmission fluid.

User avatar
docaam
UB Advanced Member
Posts:1169
Joined:06 Jul 2009, 1:42 pm
Vehicle:G35s and 370Z
Location:Route 66

Post by docaam » 10 Apr 2010, 3:04 pm

Are you sure there is turbo..it can be looong lag :grin:

Solution is later ...you have been searching cars all over the world literally and then all of a sudden buy something without even checking??

I think you have to check ignition, gearbox or can be anything....maybe the seller wanted to sell it as whatever he fixed it would last only a day ..... and day is already gone. If i was you I will take it someone (dont know about eclipse) and get everything which needs to be changed get changed as its almost 20 yrs old car so there would be issues. I can only suggest Evolve

User avatar
Ozimandius
UB Super Member
Posts:3804
Joined:09 Aug 2008, 5:13 pm
Vehicle:Mazda Miata MX-5 NA

Post by Ozimandius » 10 Apr 2010, 3:07 pm

True. Already posted on Evolve, no replies yet.

Rogue
UB Advanced Member
Posts:1426
Joined:29 Jan 2008, 11:18 pm
Vehicle:Infiniti G35 06

Post by Rogue » 10 Apr 2010, 3:11 pm

ER.... a more expensive but always useful optiion wud b to give to al habtoor for a complete check !!!

User avatar
AccordTuner
UB Special Member
Posts:1637
Joined:17 Aug 2009, 1:25 pm
Vehicle:Lexus LS460
Location:Alain / Sharjah

Post by AccordTuner » 10 Apr 2010, 3:13 pm

:happy: good luck finding parts n right person to do the job,
Turbo + old car = membership in a garage
N congrats on the impulse purchase
:p

Rogue - habtoor would charge him the price of the car to repair it

User avatar
Ozimandius
UB Super Member
Posts:3804
Joined:09 Aug 2008, 5:13 pm
Vehicle:Mazda Miata MX-5 NA

Post by Ozimandius » 10 Apr 2010, 3:17 pm

Yeah, that's my plan C. But the good thing about Fast Track is that they're in touch with all dealers and get their parts directly from them. If they can't solve the performance problem, I have to give it to the garage called Santana (they specialize in Eclipse), and finally, Al Habtoor.

User avatar
WKZ
UB Advanced Member
Posts:902
Joined:18 Mar 2007, 12:48 am
Vehicle:EP82 Starlet+Jeep Wrangler
Location:Ajman,Melbourne

Post by WKZ » 10 Apr 2010, 3:21 pm

Habtoor's not gonna help you with parts,one of the reasons DSM's don't have a resale.Happy hunting in salvage yards!
I suggest going straight to Santana,they should be able to source parts for you.

User avatar
docaam
UB Advanced Member
Posts:1169
Joined:06 Jul 2009, 1:42 pm
Vehicle:G35s and 370Z
Location:Route 66

Post by docaam » 10 Apr 2010, 3:24 pm

Ozimandius wrote:True. Already posted on Evolve, no replies yet.
I meant evolve workshop

User avatar
Ozimandius
UB Super Member
Posts:3804
Joined:09 Aug 2008, 5:13 pm
Vehicle:Mazda Miata MX-5 NA

Post by Ozimandius » 10 Apr 2010, 3:30 pm

Ah. Thanks Doc.
WKZ, I'll see if I can go today. Damn, I know I should've posted here earlier, but had a feeling I'd get flamed. Santana are my only hope now!

Rogue
UB Advanced Member
Posts:1426
Joined:29 Jan 2008, 11:18 pm
Vehicle:Infiniti G35 06

Post by Rogue » 10 Apr 2010, 3:44 pm

no no dont get the repair done ... jus ask them for a complete check up n estimate ...

User avatar
inkedpiercedemo
UB Senior Member
Posts:488
Joined:05 Mar 2007, 6:41 pm
Vehicle:97 eclipse GSX + 08 LancerEX gt
Location:KARAMA-dubai

Post by inkedpiercedemo » 10 Apr 2010, 4:09 pm

Ozimandius wrote:Ah. Thanks Doc.
WKZ, I'll see if I can go today. Damn, I know I should've posted here earlier, but had a feeling I'd get flamed. Santana are my only hope now!

ozii, sanatana has been closed for a while now.. :roll:
i got my eclipse overhauled there... their garage is located along the hobby shop turn at bmw road..

i visited them a few weeks back and only 1 filipino guys is left there, the owner and the mechanics are all different now.

User avatar
Ozimandius
UB Super Member
Posts:3804
Joined:09 Aug 2008, 5:13 pm
Vehicle:Mazda Miata MX-5 NA

Post by Ozimandius » 10 Apr 2010, 4:52 pm

Inked, who can I take it to then?



Locked