Thoughts on 4B1 engine swap?

[rafinger]

Hey all,

My daily is currently a 1997 Base 3000GT with a 5-Speed transmission. With close to 150k on the odometer and a neglectful previous owner, the engine isn't doing so hot. It's not on it's last limb or anything, but there are coolant and oil leaks along with the burning oil. I got some estimates, and with labor plus the charge of a machine shop to level the cylinder heads for new gaskets, I've been advised that it might be cheaper to drop a new engine in there.

I've considered this for a long time, but haven't really thought about asking about it until now. Why not put a 4 cylinder from a Lancer in? The engine could easily be taken from a wrecked or salvaged vehicle for a low price. Both the 2.0L (4B11) and 2.4L (4B12) produce the same, if not more, power of the SOHC V6 that's in my car currently and it would be more reliable (if the swap is done correctly) and efficient than the stock engine. With a custom ECU, it could easily be tuned for fuel efficiency (I commute 60 miles round trip each day) or for power if so desired. Even if running a custom ECU would make it not cheaper than repairing the one I have, I would still be okay with it given the benefits.

There are somethings to take into consideration such as:

• Custom motor mounts
• transmission adapter plate
• Exhaust
• ECU (previously stated)
• Coolant Hoses and Vacuum lines (?)

The motor mounts and adapter plate shouldn't be too hard, just time consuming. I've been drafting for the past few years for school (mostly for NASA) and have access to a machine shop where all the parts could be CNCed and fabricated.

I've never made a custom exhaust system before, but I'm sure that it wouldn't be too hard to do. It would also only fabricating as far as the downpipe. Again, just tedious.

Running a Haltech or anything of the sort for an ECU would make wiring this thing a dream.

I haven't really looked into what needs to be done regarding the cooling system. I assume just running new lines to the engine would be enough, but If I had to get a new radiator, it wouldn't be too much to ask of me. I can only assume that for the vacuum systems like power steering and cruise control would require just running new lines to the components.

If this were a VR4, I would leave it stock in a heartbeat and repair that engine, but seeing as this is the base model, I am more than okay with getting rid of the one I have. I know that it might irk some people that I'm replacing a 6 cylinder with a 4 cylinder, but with the smaller engine being more powerful and more efficient, I really don't see anything being lost here. An argument against this swap might be "Why not just get a lancer or another car that has the efficiency and power that you want?" Well, I happen to like my 3000GT very much and if I could extend it's life and make it unique in the process, why not?

I know that an engine swap of any sort is a huge undertaking, especially for one that hasn't done one before (I have rebuilt an engine with a neighbor, but that went right back into the car it came out of), which is why I'm wanting to get some input on this. If there is anything I have missed, or if there are any suggestions, I am all ears!

[DocWalt]

The engine is on the wrong side of the bay too, so it will be backwards from how it was originally which will mean whatever exhaust you do will need to somehow get past the oil pan. Making a proper clutch/bellhousing adapter setup isn't the easiest thing either. IMO the 4B1X series of engines are miles better than a stock SOHC.

[rafinger]

The engine is on the wrong side of the bay too, so it will be backwards from how it was originally which will mean whatever exhaust you do will need to somehow get past the oil pan. Making a proper clutch/bellhousing adapter setup isn't the easiest thing either. IMO the 4B1X series of engines are miles better than a stock SOHC.

For sure on the adapter setup! I'll have to do quite a bit of research on getting that setup properly. But engine position is one thing I considered but forgot to mention! The current setup for the Lancer has the exhaust manifolds leaving on the frontward side of the engine going underneath to do back. If it were placed in the orientation for a 3000GT they would be facing toward the back so there would be no need to clear the oil pan!

[donniekak]

A fwd 4g63t engine and transmission from a 90-94 Dsm will drop right in with minimal fab skills.

[familyMAN]

^this.

With the amount of questions you have on the swap, I would say that 4b is definitely not the right path. 4g will be much easier. I know a place where you can get mounts for a 4g swap as well

[MDoe8]

^this.

With the amount of questions you have on the swap, I would say that 4b is definitely not the right path. 4g will be much easier. I know a place where you can get mounts for a 4g swap as well

4g63 suck. LS for life.

lol

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

6g74 😊

[rafinger]

A fwd 4g63t engine and transmission from a 90-94 Dsm will drop right in with minimal fab skills.

Hmm, the 4G63 was not an engine that I have considered. I was leaning more towards a newer engine for two main reasons, reliability and efficiency. The 2.0L 4B11 is estimated at a combined fuel economy of 34 mpg, at least in the Lancer it is. I haven't seen a car running a 4G63 get anywhere near that, but I definitely will still consider this as an option. Thank you for pointing it out!

^this.

With the amount of questions you have on the swap, I would say that 4b is definitely not the right path. 4g will be much easier. I know a place where you can get mounts for a 4g swap as well

Can you send me a PM telling me more about the mounts? Much appreciated!

6g74 ��

If power was my main concern, that would be the route I would take. However, like previously stated, I'm really concerned about fuel efficiency and reliability. I know that most people would just advise me to get a different car if that is the case, but I already addressed that in the first post. I'm fairly attached to my 3000GT and if I did this swap, it would not only make the car last longer, but it would also make it unique, seeing as I've never seen this swap done before.

HOWEVER: If I ever get my hands on a VR4, a 6G74 will definitely be in consideration.

[CoopKill]

That right there should give you a hint. Check his thread creations on his profile, and you will find some interesting info.

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

Hmm, the 4G63 was not an engine that I have considered. I was leaning more towards a newer engine for two main reasons, reliability and efficiency. The 2.0L 4B11 is estimated at a combined fuel economy of 34 mpg, at least in the Lancer it is. I haven't seen a car running a 4G63 get anywhere near that, but I definitely will still consider this as an option. Thank you for pointing it out!



Can you send me a PM telling me more about the mounts? Much appreciated!



If power was my main concern, that would be the route I would take. However, like previously stated, I'm really concerned about fuel efficiency and reliability. I know that most people would just advise me to get a different car if that is the case, but I already addressed that in the first post. I'm fairly attached to my 3000GT and if I did this swap, it would not only make the car last longer, but it would also make it unique, seeing as I've never seen this swap done before.

HOWEVER: If I ever get my hands on a VR4, a 6G74 will definitely be in consideration.

Gearing would help your cause without changing engine platforms. With the 12% higher fifth gear in my old NA I routinely got 27+ MPG and got 29 on a long trip doing 90.

I imagine a 5 or 6 speed getrag swap would produce similar results, in fact a six speed JDM trans would probably be perfect. It does 2000 RPM at 60. 2500 at 75

The 6G7x series engines are reliable, especially in NA form. My old NA had 180,000+ miles last time I heard of it and it sounded perfect. transmissions on the other hand...