Diamante Intake Manifold Swap, Success Story!

[jon3ggt01]

So yesterday I was curious and ran down the the local Pick-n-Pull and found a gem. The website didn't list any Diamante's on the lot, but the website lied lol. I found a 99 Diamante with a sparkling intake manifold shining in the sunlight. I dropped my tool bag and got to work. Pulled it off in about 25-30 minutes and I had my manifold and off I was.

Payed $29.99 for the manifold, and it was in perfect condition. Took it home, put a heat resistant paint on it and started tearing my manifold apart. I read every single word on this sites 'How To' and 'Question' threads, and found out what I needed. After wrestling with it for an hour or so I pulled my stock mani off. But by then it was dark, so the next morning got up around 8 and started to get everything fabbed up for the build.

The only things different I did were the following; I did not replace the TB coolant line on the bottom of the TB, it is kinked but not enough to build up pressure or stop flow completely. My ERG devil tube was about the hardest thing I came across, the bracket to the left of it was suppose to be removed but I broke my ratchet trying to get it to come loose, so I beat the shit out of it with a hammer(not recommended but was surprisingly effective ) Then before i tried to wrestle the manifold in i finger tightened the two bolts on the the ERG tube. Then let the wrestling begin! I had to pry and get a pry bar to get the manifold to go over the bolts on the front of it.

After getting it over the bolts it had to be tapped a few times with a rubber hammer to get it to eventually fall into its final place. The right rear bracket that is the support for the old mani i just took out completely.

As far as removing all the metal vacuum hoses I haven't done that yet, I had to make several longer but for the most part i just zip tied them to the strut tower bar. After all of that the last thing that needed attention was the throttle cable, and its new position, I tried a few things with the supplied bracket, but ended up just taking the bracket completely off and bolting it strait back onto the manifold bolt holes.

After triple checking all of my wires and vacuum hoses, my Injen CAI fit just fine back in, the batter just needed to be scooted over about 1/2" or so.

Started it up, let it idle for 10 minutes or so, the idle never spiked! It was very steady at 800-850rpm(checked constantly via SAFC II.) Took it for a test drive to the autoparts store(Figure that was a safe enough location to head towards ). Everything was perfect. Then I decided to take to the interstate to give it a quick shake down run, it ran beautifully! Got home and gave it one more inspection, everything was great.








On Performance: The car actually did have a very noticeable HP/TQ gain at 2300-4000 RPMs, but after that it settled back down. When driving around I noticed letting it coast while in gear, it seemed to hold the RPMs a lot longer than it use too, it may have been just my imagination however. But the performance gain wasn't, you could definitely feel it.


On Sound: The sound that the engine makes as its going through the RPM range is amazing, when sitting around revving, it almost mimics the whistle of a BOV. When driving around city streets, you can tell a different note coming from the engine bay, and the muffler as well(Invidia Cat-back.)


Overall Impression: I really enjoy the benefits this gave me, my current mods list is Invidia catback, Injen CAI, SAFC II(un-tuned). But idk if I would do it again, it was very hard for me to actually get everything lined up and bolted properly. I have a pretty good mechanical background, but haven't done much like this in the past. If you are just thinking, hey i can do that too, its not that easy. If you have every single tool, or have readily available all the tools you need, then it may be easier for you. It sucked trying to get it all taken care of and not break a bolt out, or round off anything. My hands are torn to hell, and i may need a chiropractor..lol. But if you have the tools, and knowhow you can def do it.

I do plan on FI'ing my 3g in the next couple of months, but till then it will just be something neat to look at.

If you have any questions you can ask me, I'll try to help to the best as i can, I'm like alot of you and have no damn clue what a ERG solenoid or valve is, nor does. But I know where shit is, and where it plugs back into!

Donor car: Mitsubishi Diamante '99
My Car: 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT



*Result not typical, ask your doctor before attempting if you've had any history of fucking up cars.

[jon3ggt01]

I also forgot to mention, while you are at your parts store getting stuff for the swap, do as I did and ask if they have any extra vacuum hoses laying in back that is just junk. I asked, and dude brought me a BIG handful of a bunch of assorted sizes and lengths, and he told me if i needed any more just come back by and bring the size i need.

[Pace187]

why gold?

[stb05gs]

+1 for reSearching

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by Pace187

why gold?

It was a little brighter than i wanted, but eventually I'm going to get the darker bronze rims for my eclipse, that and i'm going to color match my valve cover to the color of my car. But I like it.



And yeah I'm not exactly a noob, I've had this Eclipse for 6 years, I'm just a recent convert from the "other" site , got tired of all the bullshit over there and actually found help over here.

[jon3ggt01]

I'm thinking about going back to PicknPull and getting the TB from the diamante too, but after dealing with this...I'm having second thoughts..lol

[stb05gs]

Originally Posted by jon3ggt01

I'm thinking about going back to PicknPull and getting the TB from the diamante too, but after dealing with this...I'm having second thoughts..lol

I was wondering what Pink-n-Pull was in your OP

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by stb05gs

I was wondering what Pink-n-Pull was in your OP

Whoops!

Sounds like a spank tank!

[finesse49ers]

Congratulations. It looks great. Nice work.

[chavezeclipse]

the throttle body is not hard at all. Maybe you can keep your cruise control since you have the 72, i had to lose mine. This is because the cruise control is mounted on the throttle body. It's a bracket on the rear.

[Silvertune]

^^^ I was gonna say, the tb swap is probably the easiest mod for these cars minus the intake and cat-back. It's a mere transplant.

[Bitter]

just double check everything that you don't have a vacuum leak, from what you said about the whistle and it holding itself at speed when cruising it kind of sounds like you may have a small one somewhere.

[chavezeclipse]

I had problems with my evap disconnected. The 74 had a TON of torque and ran a little rough, connect it then it ran just like the 72 with more power. Saved em alot on gas too.

[Steveodotcom1]

Congrats! Glad to hear it was possible to do a successful diamante swap without a crazy idle.

The diamante TB swap is a little easier, although you do have to sodder the diamante IAC to the stock harness (about 4 wires).

[jon3ggt01]

Sounds pretty easy then, I'll probably run back over there and pick it up. I took it all apart with all the bolts and hid it..just in case i wanted to come and get it.

But I forgot to mention, the middle of the three vac sensors on the left hand side of the manifold(not sure of its name), the nipple broke of inside the tube somewhere along the install, I figure it would run poor with this but it had little to no effect on the running. However when i plugged it with my finger the motor started to sputter out, so i will see if i can swipe that sensor from the diamante as well. Someone already took the plastic engine cover, i was wanting that too!



Oh and what does the sensor from the diamante TB look like that i'll need?

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by Steveodotcom1

Congrats! Glad to hear it was possible to do a successful diamante swap without a crazy idle.

I think the crazy idle may come from improper throttle cable placement. I messed with mine for the better part of 30 minutes to get it EXACTLY at an equilibrium. Only when it reached balance did i bolt it back up. If anybody needs any pics of anything, let me know. Tomorrow is suppose to be sunny and 60 here so perfect photo op.

*UPDATE - Just got back from a cruise around downtown Little Rock, the car ran really well. No spikes in RPMs, no overheating, no smoke, no problems thus far. I went stoplight hopping trying to get it a little hot, then hit the interstate and everything went well. I like the way this thing feels, can't wait to get the diamante TB to match up with it.

[dewber85]

O man sounds awesome I would like to know if anyone has one for sale or knows where I could pick up one at around hickory nc or if anyone from the area or close to area would mind helpn me put one on if I found a diamante mani.

[White Knight]

looks like you did a great job on the swap, although i would advise against prying and bending. if you plan on doing the tb swap make sure you get the right diamante tb, not all of them will fit. the ones that have 2 golden colored vacuum circle thingys won't work. and thanks for searching

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by White Knight

looks like you did a great job on the swap, although i would advise against prying and bending. if you plan on doing the tb swap make sure you get the right diamante tb, not all of them will fit. the ones that have 2 golden colored vacuum circle thingys won't work. and thanks for searching

Yeah aren't those the ones with traction control? I don't think that one had the traction control option, but I'll check it out this week.


dewber85, if your looking for one, do as I did and just go to the junk yards around. I got really lucky, but you never know. There was only 1 diamante in the whole lot, and it happen to be the one i needed. Good hunting to you

[drunkoffjuic]

Originally Posted by White Knight

looks like you did a great job on the swap, although i would advise against prying and bending. if you plan on doing the tb swap make sure you get the right diamante tb, not all of them will fit. the ones that have 2 golden colored vacuum circle thingys won't work. and thanks for searching

Think you might be mistaken. If your talking about the 2/3 tubes on top of the TB "A/E/P" The "P" is for Traction Control. Our Stock manifolds onlt have 2 of the tubes "A/E". At least thats what i read.

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by drunkoffjuic

Think you might be mistaken. If your talking about the 2/3 tubes on top of the TB "A/E/P" The "P" is for Traction Control. Our Stock manifolds onlt have 2 of the tubes "A/E". At least thats what i read.

I think what White Knight is speaking of are the golden circles, as in like our cruise control "golden circle". The diamante has an option for two, one for traction control, one for cruise control. I believe that's what he is talking about.

[Silvertune]

Sounds pretty easy then, I'll probably run back over there and pick it up. I took it all apart with all the bolts and hid it..just in case i wanted to come and get it.

No better way to secure your shit!

[White Knight]

swappable one (top) non swappable one (bottom)

[drunkoffjuic]

What the hell is that black circle thing on the right side of the "swappable" TB

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by drunkoffjuic

What the hell is that black circle thing on the right side of the "swappable" TB

Not sure, but our TB has it too, I noticed it while i was putting everything back together. When I go back to the junk yard I'll take some side by side pics of the two throttle bodies to show you guys the difference just fyi.

WhiteKnight, thats what i thought you were talking about. Thanks for clearing that up for us!

[Silvertune]

I've stripped down 2 74's and only found what you're saying is the swapable tb. What does the non swapable come on?

[chavezeclipse]

I'm wondering the same thing. As long as it's a diamante with a 6g74 you should be fine.

[strestout1]

that's part of the cruise control system if I'm not mistaken. Glad to see guys are still doing this swap. If you used my how to, hope it helped! I'm finally redoing my vac lines for a nice tucked look :-)

[chavezeclipse]

on my 6g74, i had to to disconnect the cruise control, hits the firewall. The other is the traction control. they are the same.

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by strestout1

that's part of the cruise control system if I'm not mistaken. Glad to see guys are still doing this swap. If you used my how to, hope it helped! I'm finally redoing my vac lines for a nice tucked look :-)

Yessir! I used your how to, it was super awesome. It turned out great and I love it! I'm going to do the vac line tuck here before too long, I've got some see threw vac lines from a Vac sensor gauge i bought a while back. Its kinda cool with the see threw lines!

Will the 6g74 front valve cover fit on my 72? If so that would be a cool swap just to have a flush valve cover IMO. I can get it powder coated to match my car, I think that would look good.

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by White Knight

Is that the sensor I need, on the far left with the orange casing?

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by drunkoffjuic

What the hell is that black circle thing on the right side of the "swappable" TB

no clue, but i've been wondering for quite awhile

Originally Posted by jon3ggt01

Will the 6g74 front valve cover fit on my 72? If so that would be a cool swap just to have a flush valve cover IMO. I can get it powder coated to match my car, I think that would look good.

it will fit, the smooth ones are really hard to find, i only found one and it was damaged, most have the metal tabs on them

Originally Posted by jon3ggt01

Is that the sensor I need, on the far left with the orange casing?

no, you need the black one on the bottom and the pigtail with enough wire to solder

Originally Posted by Silvertune

I've stripped down 2 74's and only found what you're saying is the swapable tb. What does the non swapable come on?

newer diamante and the 74 galants. i've never heard of a galant coming with a 74 but i swear up and down it was there, even the little metal plate on the firewall said 6g74

Originally Posted by chavezeclipse

I'm wondering the same thing. As long as it's a diamante with a 6g74 you should be fine.

nope, i have found 2 of them, one was on a diamante and the other was on a galant

[wright06jhs]

Looks like you done a great job.

BTW i like the color of your car, in the pictures it doesnt look like an stock color.
What color is it?

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by wright06jhs

Looks like you done a great job.

BTW i like the color of your car, in the pictures it doesnt look like an stock color.
What color is it?

It's actually a Subaru color, and the silver stripe is from Audi. Pictures really don't do the color justice, the camera's can't quite pick up the exact hue. But i like it alot, and thank you.


WhiteKnight, I am pretty sure the donor for this Intake mani had a smooth valve cover. Like I said, i'll check on it when i go back there for the TB.

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by wright06jhs

Looks like you done a great job.

BTW i like the color of your car, in the pictures it doesnt look like an stock color.
What color is it?

i didn't notice that at first, but it does appear to be a pretty high quality paint job, looks like the car used to be silver

edit- ^he beat me to it

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by White Knight

i didn't notice that at first, but it does appear to be a pretty high quality paint job, looks like the car used to be silver

edit- ^he beat me to it

Yup! You'd be right. It use to be sterling silver metallic. If i can rustle up an old pic of the set up i'll show you, but beware...it was hideous...

Well I'll do a members ride write up for it before too long. Just need to clean it up.

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by jon3ggt01

WhiteKnight, I am pretty sure the donor for this Intake mani had a smooth valve cover. Like I said, i'll check on it when i go back there for the TB.

just curious, did it have a really shiny intake manifold, because the only one i've seen with the smooth cover is also the only one i've seen with an abnormally shiny intake manifold

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by White Knight

just curious, did it have a really shiny intake manifold, because the only one i've seen with the smooth cover is also the only one i've seen with an abnormally shiny intake manifold

Nope, I wish it was shiny. It was grey matte like our stock GT manifold. I glanced at the valve cover and it seems to just be smooth, but I'm not for sure.

I don't want to keep asking questions and thread whore, but what else can I swipe from the 74; ex: fuel rails, injectors, etc? Or should i just get bold and try what ever seems fit?

[wright06jhs]

Originally Posted by jon3ggt01

I don't want to keep asking questions and thread whore, but what else can I swipe from the 74; ex: fuel rails, injectors, etc? Or should i just get bold and try what ever seems fit?

Just swipe the whole motor and swap FTMFW!

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by wright06jhs

Just swipe the whole motor and swap FTMFW!

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by wright06jhs

Just swipe the whole motor and swap FTMFW!

hahaha dude you have noooo idea how bad I want to! If I had something else to drive for my DD...I would. PicknPull has a engine puller onsite that just rolls up to what ever car you want, and you just yank it out. I'd love to go pull it and build it up. But i think I'm just going to vulture off that motor for a bit.

[wright06jhs]

Originally Posted by jon3ggt01

hahaha dude you have noooo idea how bad I want to! If I had something else to drive for my DD...I would. PicknPull has a engine puller onsite that just rolls up to what ever car you want, and you just yank it out. I'd love to go pull it and build it up. But i think I'm just going to vulture off that motor for a bit.

I would at least go ahead and get the motor, because i know those pick-N-pull places sell motors cheap. The last one i went too you could get ANY 4 cylinder for $150. That way you have it for when you have the time and another car to swap it. You can easily pull it apart and store it somewhere.

[Special_K]

Did you have that intake plenum powder coated?

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by Special_K

Did you have that intake plenum powder coated?

omg read the effin thread you noob!!! -1 erep.

[jon3ggt01]

lol ^^^ Agreed


But I just heat sprayed it, I ran an Aux cable from the porch and let it hang so that i could spray it equally from all sides. Turned out good for a rattle can.

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by wright06jhs

I would at least go ahead and get the motor, because i know those pick-N-pull places sell motors cheap.

Yeah I should really, I'll get a quote while I'm down there...but the only down side to those stupid picknpull cars is the majority of them are 150xxx+ miles. I'm about half way done with college, so this would take a little more commitment then I have time.

But if someone was close and had time, I would meet them down there to help them pull it, if they wanted it.

[Special_K]

Originally Posted by Bitter

omg read the effin thread you noob!!! -1 erep.

Looks pretty good for rattle can. I really like the Bronze/Green color scheme going on. Would be nice to see some gunmetal or black chrome in there also!

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by Special_K

Looks pretty good for rattle can. I really like the Bronze/Green color scheme going on. Would be nice to see some gunmetal or black chrome in there also!

Thanks man! Thats what I'm going for is that exact color scheme. I'm going to get the 74 smooth valve cover and either color match my car or gloss black. My rims are gunmetal(or they are when they are clean)

[chavezeclipse]

Originally Posted by White Knight

just curious, did it have a really shiny intake manifold, because the only one i've seen with the smooth cover is also the only one i've seen with an abnormally shiny intake manifold

my 6g74 has a smooth front valve cover and so did the other one at the junkyard by me.

[jon3ggt01]

*UPDATE

I went to hook my vacuum gauge up to my top vacuum line on my intake mani and went to go around the block, it was sputtering terribly.

I suppose the lines i used were not good, seemed like a terrible vacuum leak. So i hooked it back up just like it was, and it was fine.

Until i got to school then it started sputtering again!? It would correct itself every once and a while, but would start sputtering again. So as of right now my battery is unplugged so that my ECU can reset. Hopefully that will solve my problem. I'll post when i test drive it again.

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by chavezeclipse

my 6g74 has a smooth front valve cover and so did the other one at the junkyard by me.

yours isn't smooth, i just looked and you have the tabs

[jon3ggt01]

I reset the ECU and re-did the vac lines. Runs smooth again. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Don't need to miss school!

[chavezeclipse]

Originally Posted by White Knight

yours isn't smooth, i just looked and you have the tabs

smooth meaning no lettering at all.

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by chavezeclipse

smooth meaning no lettering at all.

i meant smooth meaning no lettering or tabs

[chavezeclipse]

Originally Posted by White Knight

i meant smooth meaning no lettering or tabs

well alright then. i stand corrected. may ask what tabs you are referring to?

[White Knight]

Originally Posted by chavezeclipse

well alright then. i stand corrected. may ask what tabs you are referring to?

i was referring to...

[strestout1]

so when can we expect the tuck? i read this thread yesterday and finally decided to do mine (after doing the swap...3 years ago?)

[jon3ggt01]

Originally Posted by strestout1

so when can we expect the tuck? i read this thread yesterday and finally decided to do mine (after doing the swap...3 years ago?)

Glad I can inspire someone! But yeah i need to do the tuck ASAP. I had a big vacuum leak from hoses i used, they weren't vacuum hoses and when they got hot my car sputtered terrrribly. But I zip tied those on for the time being, I've got tests to study for all this weekend and homework to gets done. So when ever I get a day or two off then I'll attended to tucking and getting rid of those cheap lines and all the metal vacuum lines.

[Scooby00GT]

I had a similar problem. At first I used cheap hoses from Autozone that kept crimping once the car got hot. After I realized what the problem was I switched to more solid rubber fuel lines and haven't had any problems. I've been running them for about 10 months or so now.

[strestout1]

i switched all mine to fuel injection hose yesterday. i made a few adjustments as well. instead of running the evap line from the solenoid to the vac bracket on the TB back to the firewall I just went straight from the firewall to the solenoid. Additionally, i hooked up one of the egr solenoids to the egr tube flange at the manifold instead of T-ing it off at the intake. Guess what? PO455 is finally gone and won't even come up as a saved code anymore.