Making the galant faster

[hengagc75]

I love my gc but she just runs like a turtle.. It has an auto trans and I am already going to do a manual conversion to the jap five speed (once I find all the parts ). I just wanted to know how did all of you start off with making some extra power to your galants ? Did you just do straight engine swaps etc. Asking because I'm not exactly sure which direction I want to go with this project..

[geezer101]

Best bang for buck power upgrade is an engine swap. There's no substitute for cc's and the difference it'll make to day to day driving is a world apart. The amount of cash you'd throw at building your current engine for more power will end up costing you more than buying something running that has 200 cc to a litre more capacity from a wrecker. I had an auto Galant wagon I fitted with a 2 litre 4G52 engine and trans from a wrecked Scorpion and it was a hoot to drive Wasn't a straight forward swap but I did it on an uber tight budget and recycled a heap of stuff from the donor car.

[hengagc75]

Thanks for that geezer! Do you have a build thread I could read that I could use as a guide?? Or what are some things I should like out for when swapping to a 4g52 if I was to eventually do it..

[A112H]

Asstron swap is by far the cheapest and easiest power up grade for a Galant.
Spend $500 on the Saturn and you will get a carby and manifold that will sound different but probably not go any better.
Spend $500 on a shitty but running Sigma and you will have everything you need for the swap.
Pretty much all you need to do apart from bolting the thing in there is extend the alternator wire as the alt is on the passenger side on a Asstron. You will need to mess with the engine side of your exhaust system. You may need to get a tail shaft made up depending on what gearbox/diff you choose but if you are staying auto all 4G52 were narrow so your gearbox will bolt right up too. You will need a flex plate (or flywheel if going manual) from the Sigma, both engines will be narrow block but the Saturn has a 5 bolt crank and the Asstron has 6 bolts
Apart from that it is a bolt in affair.

[hengagc75]

Is there a "go-to" sigma that most people use for the engine or are they all fairly ideal? I feel stupid asking but is it possible to use a triton engine? Sorry I have no knowledge!

[A112H]

Yeah Triton engine is the same set up but I am pretty sure all Tritons were narrow block.
If you are looking for total bang for buck I would be looking for a TM/P Magna and go for the efi set up, much nicer and smoother than carbs, better on fuel and the fact that dirt is worth more than most Magnas is a definite bonus.
I am not sure where you are but here are some ideas
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/machans- ... 1030842643

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/leyburn/ ... 1032361638

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cambridg ... 1033441999

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/clarendo ... 1032442309

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/macquari ... 1030329343

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/whyalla/ ... 1028252517

And so on........

[hengagc75]

Will a jap 5 speed still bolt straight into one of those magna engines? I'm really thinking of going down that path as you said they are a lot smoother etc..

[A112H]

All FWD Astrons are narrow block, as long as you 5 speed is too it will bolt right up, same clutch and all

[hengagc75]

Could I go later models than the TM or TPs? As long as they're FWD so it can bolt straight up to the 5spd from a siggy?? Any advice/info is appreciated

[A112H]

You can use any model Asstron you wish. Even the TF 2.4 will bolt up but the newer you go the more things need to be modded.
The intake manifold on the first gen Magna is the easiest to use in a Galant, newer ones sit too high and require more work to make fit

[hengagc75]

Oh that makes sense.. If I was to stay with an auto for now which box would I need?

[A112H]

Your current box should work, I haven't really played with the autos, but you will need the correct flex plate for the engine. Asstrons have a 6 bolt crank and Saturns have a 5 bolt crank

[hengagc75]

Will have to figure that one out, cheers jase might have a look around a buy myself an astron today!

[A112H]

No problems, happy to help