Mitsubishi Eclipse Second Generation

1995–1998 (2G)(1995–1999) Mitsubishi Eclipse

Also called	Eagle Talon
Production	1995–1999
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 3-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler PJ platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L 140 hp (100 kW) I4 2.4 L 141 hp (105 kW) I4 2.0 L 205 hp (153 kW) I4 2.0 L 210 hp (160 kW) I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	98.8 in (2510 mm)
Length	1995-96: 172.2 in (4375 mm) 1997-99: 172.4 in (4380 mm)
Width	68.3 in (1735 mm) 68.5 in (1740 mm) 68.7 in (1745 mm)
Height	1995-96: 50.2 in (1275 mm) Convertibles: 52.8 in (1340 mm) GSX: 50.5 in (1283 mm) 1997-99: 49.8 in (1266 mm)
Fuel capacity	16.9 US gal (64 L/14 imp gal)/12 US gal (45 L/10 imp gal)
Related	Chrysler Sebring coupe Dodge Avenger Mitsubishi Galant

Overview

The second generation car maintained the market focus of the 1G car, but had a major update in styling and had different engines between trim levels. New to the line was a convertible model, the Spyder, introduced in 1996. The convertible was available in two trims: The GS and the GS-T. The first is powered by the non-turbo 4G64 engine, and the latter by the turbo 4G63 found in the GS-T (turbo) and GSX (all-wheel-drive) hardtop models. There was no convertible model powered by the Chrysler 420a.

The turbocharged motor was a more powerful version of the previous one (210 hp vs 195 hp). The non-turbo motor found only in the hardtop RS and GS trims was a version of the Chrysler Neon engine, manufactured by Chrysler and delivered to and installed at the Diamond Star Motors facility.

The Talon was discontinued in 1998 because lack of sales in previous years.

Trim levels

The Eclipse was available in seven trim levels: Base[Only available in 1996.5 (mid-model year)], RS, GS, GS Spyder, GS-T, GS-T Spyder, and GSX.

Second generations (1995–99) cars:

• Eclipse: Base FWD model equipped with a 140 hp 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Chrysler 420A engine
• Eclipse RS: Equipment Upgraded FWD model equipped with a 140 hp 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Chrysler 420A engine
• Eclipse GS: Equipment upgraded FWD model equipped with a 140 hp (100 kW) 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Chrysler 420A engine
• Eclipse GS Spyder: Convertible FWD model equipped with a 141 hp (105 kW) 2.4L 16-valve SOHC Mitsubishi 4G64 engine
• Eclipse GS-T: Hardtop FWD model equipped with a 210 hp (160 kW) turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Mitsubishi 4G63 engine
• Eclipse GS-T Spyder: Convertible FWD model equipped with a 210 hp (160 kW) turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Mitsubishi 4G63 engine
• Eclipse GSX: AWD model equipped with a 210 hp (160 kW) turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Mitsubishi 4G63 engine

The models had different trim accoutrements:

• Base - No tachometer, standard antenna, No rear defroster, no driving lights, 14" steel wheels with covers or center caps
• RS - Tachometer, 14" alloy wheels, optional spoiler
• GS - Power antenna, driving lights, cruise control, body coloured door handles, 16" alloy wheels, lower body cladding, spoiler, rear windshield washer
• GS Spyder - Power antenna, driving lights, cruise control, body coloured door handles, 16" alloy 5 spoke wheels, lower body cladding, spoiler, double tipped stainless steel exhaust
• GS-T - 16" Alloy 5 spoke wheels, Grey painted panel around lower body paneling (1995–96), larger spoiler (ONLY on 1997–99), double tipped stainless steel exhaust
• GS-T Spyder - 16" Alloy 5 spoke wheels, double tipped stainless steel exhaust
• GSX - 17" wheels after 1997, 1995–96 cars had 16" alloys, Grey painted panel around lower body paneling (1995–96), double tipped stainless steel exhaust, larger spoiler (ONLY on 1997–99),

There was a freshening of the style for the 1997 model year. The front grille opening was made less 'classic' and more 'aggressive' with regards to the radiator opening. The slightly reshaped headlights acquired black areas internally. The driving lights became smaller and round. The rear bumper cap was altered and had the reverse lights moved away from their original central position, presumably to reduce the 'ponderous-ness' of the rear view of the car.

The Talon was available in four trim levels, Base, ESi, TSi and TSi AWD. The Eagle Talon saw its production end in 1998 when Eagle went out of business.

• Talon Base: equivalent to Eclipse Base
• Talon ESi: equivalent to Eclipse RS & GS
• Talon TSi: equivalent to Eclipse GS-T
• Talon TSi AWD: equivalent to Eclipse GSX

There were similar alterations to the styling of the Talon as there was for the Eclipse.

There was a unique version of the 2G Eclipse sold in some European countries. It used a normally-aspirated Mitsubishi 4G63 motor, similar to what was available in the 1G, unique sideview mirrors, and unique amber rear turn signals.

Drivetrain

The basic driveline layout of the Eclipse is a transverse-mounted 4-cylinder Chrysler 420A, Mitsubishi 4G64 or 4G63 engine. The Mitsubishi motors are mounted in the same orientation as for the 1G cars. The 420A-powered cars had the engine mounted on the right side of the car,and further back in the chassis. AWD models had a similar transmission to the 1G car. The 2G GSX also had a stronger carrier/differential when equipped with the limited slip option.

Motor

All motors are 4-cylinder gasoline engines. All have iron blocks with aluminum cylinder heads. The 4G63/4G64 engines retain the balance shafts for smoother operation, while the 420A does not use them. The 1995-1999 turbo engines were given an increased compression ratio of 8.5:1, up from 7.8:1, and a smaller turbo, a Garrett T25 in place of the previous Mitsubishi TD04-13G (automatic cars) and TD05-14B (manual cars). This was done to minimize turbo lag, which was an undesirable trait for mass-market appeal in the US.

The 4G63-7Bolt (1992.5-1999) A select few of the 7-bolt engines built from 1995-1999 have had issues called "crankwalk", which refers to excess axial movement of the crankshaft. Most people suffering from Crankwalk had modified their engines for more power, therefore voiding warranties from Mitsubishi Motors. Although it is a known fact that the 7-bolt configuration is more likely to crankwalk vs. a 6-bolt configuration under more power than they were originally designed for, it does not mean that a rebuilt 7-bolt block is guaranteed to crankwalk. Albeit enthusiasts still recommend a 6-bolt block when rebuilding the 4G63. Note that it is possible for any engine to crankwalk, but because of the increased volume of enthusiasts rebuilding their 1G and 2G Eclipses, the community of DSM owners have noted that rebuilt 7-bolt blocks are more likely to Crankwalk over rebuilt 6-bolt blocks.

The 4G63 engines found in 1990-1994 models have a 60 mm throttle body compared to the 1995-1999 MY's 52 mm. The intake ports on the head and runners of the intake manifold are also larger. They also have larger crankshaft bearing journals to allow better lubrication.

The first-generation 4G63 head with its larger intake ports appears to offer better performance potential than the second-generation head due to its increased flow capacity in stock form. However, the second-generation head can be ported to increase the size of its intake ports similar to that of the first-generation head. Furthermore, the smaller ports provide greater velocity which aids in cylinder filling, and thus, as is the case with any head porting, port size is a compromise between air flow and air velocity.