webby459

iTrader: (8)

Anyone know anything about this vintage of mitsu mirage? A guy is selling a ragged out one, already all set up for ice racing with a cage. I know nothing about them. Are they one of the mitsus that were rebranded as something else? Will parts be impossible to find? **** like trannies, engines, axles/CVs (big one), misc stuff? What about aftermarket parts, although that doesn't matter as much, nothing turbo or anything, but suspension, etc. Do they have any known glaring problems?

I haven't spoken to the owner or seen pictures or anything, but it's very very cheap. I figured I would do a little research before getting involved at all in it. My gut tells me it's going to be much harder to find parts for this than it would for a Civic or VW or something.

thx

Rafa

iTrader: (22)

Those were the small Mitsus called "Lancer" in other parts of the world. I've seen a few in the States but I'm sure you'll have trouble finding parts for it.

My wife had one for 8 years. What a piece of crap!

Jeff_Ciesielski

iTrader: (10)

IIRC, (and this is strictly unofficial because I don't remember the years all of the various engines came in these unholy pieces of poo), Rafa is correct. In other parts of the world it was the lancer platform, and *THEORETICALLY* should share similar engine mounting points and such.

With that being the case, you have some options:
1. 4g63 - My personal fav. Non turbo blocks can be had for cheap, ~160hp dead nuts reliable (if you maintain the ******!) and plenty of parts if you know where to look. Turbo blocks are slightly more expensive, but in stock trim can handle upwards of 400hp with enough fuel and a good tune. Also of note, if you were to go this route, get the "6 bolt" bottom end from the early 1g eclipse/laser/talon or the g63b from a d50/arrow/mightymax/sonata/elantra. The later 7 bolt blocks have thinner rods and a really nasty problem with crankwalk.

2.4g37 - Another good motor. When compared to the 4g63, this motor looks like a POS at first glance, but they are reliable as hell, can handle well over 250hp in stock trim, and are SOHC non interference motors -> which makes for a good motor to be beaten on. Aftermarket support sucks, but parts are reasonably cheap.

Hope this helps.

Edit: I looked around, and I was wrong in the years. Old mirages (89-93) work with the motors I mentioned, but the newer ones use mounts that are basically "mirrored" from what I'm used to working with. However, it looks like an EVO 4-9 motor would fit, you'd just have to figure out the tranny :

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

my wife drives a 2000 as a daily, i hate it but can't really complain as she bought it before i met her and she's put 100k miles on it without a problem, could blow up tomorrow and i woudn't care. they are very light cars too like 2200 lbs for a 1.5. as far as swaps you can do a bunch like the newer eclipse v6 i think. there is a forum, like mirageperformance.com or something i can't remember.

jacob300zx

I'd look for an old vw or miata? I would think with studded tires a miata would do quite well. What about a old fox body stang v8 or not?