My clutch...

Alright, I have a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS with the 420A (non-turbo)

Within the last few days, it started with this grinding sound. Also, every once in a while, (so far 4 times total) it would make this loud cracking sound that sounded like wood. But it still drove fine. Also, the front of my car lurches upward as though the engine is trying to come out from under the hood. I am going to get it looked at for the clutch because it has the same clutch from the day it was born, so after about 12 years, I am sure a new one is in order anyways. But I was just wondering if maybe someone else has had any problems like this, because this is my first stick trans car.

Also, there is quite a noticable loss in power, and the grinding sound only starts up when I am not holding the clutch, in neutral or in gear.

How many miles are on the motor and tranny?

All things considered and heard, it most likely is the clutch itself. You can get relatively cheap performance clutches for the 2g's so atleast you aren't going to be dumping out your bank account to have this fixed. Also, hearing that this is your first car being a stick = you had to learn how to drive it, which can cause a ton of wear and tear.. I'd recommend getting it checked out before it totally craps out and your car is stuck.

Well, yesterday I tried to start it, and it started really rough, then died. And now it's having a hard time turning over. My dad says it might be the battery, which I hope it is. If it suffers from the dreaded crankwalk that many a engine of this year have, then I am going to go all out as far as modifications go.

If the engine is dead, then I am going to put in a VQ35 and make it rear wheel drive. I am going to be doing all the work myself with my dad's help (or vice versa ). I know the VQ35 is a Nissan engine, but I can't really afford a 350Z, so the next best thing would be put the heart of a Z into my car.

I realize there will have to be HEAVY work done to the firewall to fit the rear facing tranny, but I don't think it will be much, as the Eclipse already came with a AWD model. But in the end, I will have a truly one of a kind car, and isn't that why we modify our cars in the first place?

Dude, honestly. I wouldn't waste your money, not trying to downplay your hopes or anything, but you'd be cheaper, and better off just buying a different car.

You've gotta realize what kind of work you have, besides just the firewall, this will not be a simple drop in. First off, you've gotta remove all of the hardwiring that is done to your car, all the sensors, every little motor, everything. You can not swap anything over from that mitsu to the Nissan motor as they are completly different and nothing matches up or can read off of one another. Also, you'd have to probably re-weld and change out all of your motor mounts and positioning, as well as get a new motor, driftshaft (provided you want to make it AWD), rear axel setup: also one that will fit that car. Etc, etc, etc.

If you want to swap the Vq motor into anything, get something to start off that would be compatible, such as another nissan, I believe the 240sx's will work,(s14) body styles, and whatnot.

Anyways..


If you want to test something real fast in your eclipse, you can go to autozone, walmart, wherever and grab a can of "Carb cleaner". Just pop your hood, unbolt your intake tube right at the throttle body, and have somebody spray it in your TB when you try and crank your car over. This will give you a rough guestimate.... If the car doesn't start while spraying Carb Cleaner in the TB then you've got electrical problems, or even injectors, etc. If it DOES start over from spraying carb cleaner while trying to start it then you've more than likely got some fuel issues going on..