Talon vs Eclipse

I am looking to buy a new project car and I have come down to two, a 1998 Eagle Talon tsi or a 99 Mitsu Eclipse GSX.  I just wanted to know is there any differences in the two other that the body work?  Also, any ideas on the first few mods I should buy?  Both need rebuilt and are in equally decent shape (a few dings here and there both motors are blown, and both have 17XXXXmi on them).  Any help would be great, thanks.
Matt  

If you look closely, there really is no differences between them, except for maybe a few things like the rear lights, or the wing. I would recommend that you go with the Eclipse GSX because even though you can find parts for the Talon, the eclipse would be your best bet.

Now with the mods, the first obvious thing you have to do is get a new engine. You can either go with a JDM, the engine is the 4g63, and its $1600. Or you can go to the junkyard and maybe find one, but you take the chance of something being wrong with it. Than after you get that out of the way, my advice would be to, get a cold air intake and a K&N air filter. Than of you can, change out the headers, and the exhaust. That will get you at least 30 more horses if not more. Getting air into the engine, and exhaust out of the car is one of the most important things you can do.

As with the dings, if they are really bad, you can probably pop them out. But if they are just from normal life of the car, I wouldn`t really worry about it.

If you have any questions about anything, feel free to contact me.  

I'm assuming the comparison is between a Talon TSi (non AWD) vs a Eclipse GSX. If that's the case go with the GSX because of the AWD. Exterior is going to be what you like better, but you can always covert a Talon to look like an Eclipse. To get a better idea of how to tune your car check dsmtuners.com.  
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http://rides.importtuner.com/ride/1076723/jimichanga/2005/honda/s2000/index.html

No they were both AWD.  I ended up buying the Eclipse, but when I went to get it the little prick informed me that he had sold the turbo (one that he had in the ad as new).  So it ended up costing me $500 for the car instead of 1500 like he wanted. My grandpa went with me and stuck the fear of god into the guy.  Now Im looking for this JDM engine but i havent had much luck.  Any help?  

Well, to answer your question about the differences between the two, the TSi AWD and the GSX are the SAME EXACT CAR. The Talons just have a Chrysler shell.  

As for the motor, it really depends on your mechanical skill level. If it were me, I'd just yank it and rebuild from the ground up.  MUCH cheaper, know it's done right and enjoy working on your own car.  Then I'd find a used T25 and slap it on.

As for upgrades, try getting on dsmtuners.com and looking at their Upgrade Paths.  They're based around a certain budget and horsepower.  

I own a 95 TSi AWD. Completely stock.  It needs a clutch so I'm gettin ready to put an ACT 2100 Clutch kit and flywheel in it.  But after that, it's tune up time.  DSMs have the bad reputation of being unreliable.  That's because they're neglected and people get so excited to start bolting things on that they forget regular maintenance.  I'm gonna replace the head gasket and studs with somethin a little beefier. [FelPro MLS and ARP studs] send the head in and have all the valves, lifters and seats checked and have the stem seals replaced.  Also will have them de-bur the cast lines from the intake and exhaust ports [minor porting].  Plus an entire top end gasket kit, new plugs, wires, fuel filter, coils, vacuum lines, etc.  You'd be surprised how much better they run after a good tune up.  Trust me, we've already done it to both my buddies' [95 GSX, 98 GSX]  

So I beg you, PLEASE keep your DSM in good shape and don't add to our unfair reputation.  
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"It's either a fuel injection or carbeuration problem" said the man with a 2001 Saturn Ion
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Daily: 2000 Honda Accord Coupe F23A1 VTEC
Project: 1995 Eagle Talon TSi AWD

I am going to end up rebuilding the motor.  I have it on a stand right now.  As far as the turbo I picked up a Turbonetics T-5 Ball bearing (well I ordered it) along with the rebuild kit for the motor.  This is the first import engine ive ever tore into, I  grew up on Ford V8's, so is there anything I need to look out for when doing this?  

Well, if you're gonna tear into the bottom end, I'd recommend replacing all the bearings, have the crank checked and balanced as needed and REPLACE THE THRUST BEARING.  IF you don't know what that is, well... Google for a more detailed definition but basically it's the center main bearing on the crank.  It has little 'fins' or sidewalls on it and these prevent crankshaft lateral endplay. More popularly known as 'Crankwalk.'  IF you haven't heard already, 7 Bolt 4G63s are infamous for having thrust bearing issues.  But if your crank is going to walk, it's going to walk. Period.  The only real way to prevent it is to rebuild the bottom end, balance the crank and so on like I explained earlier. But if your car is above, say, 70-80 thousand miles, you are most likely ok.  Because over 90% of all crankwalk cases happened on vehicles around that range of miles....  
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"It's either a fuel injection or carbeuration problem" said the man with a 2001 Saturn Ion
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Daily: 2000 Honda Accord Coupe F23A1 VTEC
Project: 1995 Eagle Talon TSi AWD

no difference just the body work and maybe some interior logos. They were built along side each other from 1989 up to 1999, the Plymouth Lasers production ended after the 1st gen. but yeah no differences.  

^ You really should read the entire thread before you post.  His question has already been answered.. :/  
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"It's either a fuel injection or carbeuration problem" said the man with a 2001 Saturn Ion
---
Daily: 2000 Honda Accord Coupe F23A1 VTEC
Project: 1995 Eagle Talon TSi AWD