Greetings from the USA and looking for a New Motor

earthlin · Post by **earthlin** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 6:25 am

Hey gang!

My friend just gave me a 1989 Mitsubishi Star Wagon which I believe is another name for the legendary Delica. It has a gas 2.4L LS motor that needs to be replaced, but the body is so clean it's worth it. Can you guys direct me towards a good place to get a rebuilt engine that will fit? Are there other Mitsubishis that ran this same motor that might be easier to find in the States? I'd be open to a Turbo Diesel if it fit easily but I'm guessing it isn't straight forward. I'm a big Toyota Van guy and have always admired the Delicas, but I never had a chance at one until now.

You can see a pic here: http://iconosquare.com/p/691177681367115050_8896064

Thanks!

Peter

thedjjack · Post by **thedjjack** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:20 pm

the gas motor was used in lots of things just get the engine code.. I think you have a 4G5 series engine. You can find it in dodge and mistu products... the 4D56T (L300 diesel engine should bolt up to the transmission)... but it is underpowered so you may as well stay the the gas motor... the 4M series diesel in the L400 will not bolt to your transmission as far as I know...

Swapping to diesel is easy due to the mechanical injection... but not worth the effort... 4x4 swap is near impossible due to the change in the front sub frame.... if you dream of 4x4 go toyota solid front axle... it will be lots of work...

Mr. Flibble · Post by **Mr. Flibble** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 12:17 am

thedjjack is right, in your case, stick with the gas motor. The more powerful 4M40 from the L400 won't fit, and it would probably break your transmission anyways.

In the case of the L300 diesel that might fit your frame, the gas engine has more oomph in that case, so you are better off with the model you currently have.

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:32 am

I think someone did an engine swap and said the labor almost was worth it. Might be harder than its worth to pop a diesel in there.

earthlin · Post by **earthlin** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:59 am

Thanks guys, I'm looking into gas motors and just trying to decide now between a working used motor and a fully rebuilt one. What's the average lifespan on the gas engines?

Cheers,

pk

thedjjack · Post by **thedjjack** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:29 am

for the gas motor you will need a different forum as 99% of the Delica's in Canada have the Diesel motor... Maybe a Mazda pickup forum???

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:09 pm

The Name "Delica" is a general vehicle class for "wagons", as opposed to "vans". Technically a van is something you move goods in, where a wagon is technically something you move people in. The word "Delica" is a derivative of "Delicate Carry" (it's a Japanese thing), which refers to humans as being delicate, which is true when you compare them to say a steel I beam. Mitsubishi has a number of vehicles that are called Delica ~ the Starwagon, the Space Gear, the D:5, &c..

I just got off the phone with a buddy of mine who did an engine swap (from diesel to petrol) and he said it's definitely NOT worth it. Different engine, different mounts, different transmission, and some.

I looked at your picture in the link you posted ~ what you appear to have is the Mitsubishi Vanwagon, which was made for the American market. Two wheel drive, right? I believe the engine is a 4G64, not 100% on that. I would suggest you write down the frame number (VIN) and call up a Mitsubishi dealership in Connecticut and ask them what the stock engine is in the Vanwagon.

Hope this helps!

Falco.

naterade · Post by **naterade** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 12:34 pm

FalcoColumbarius wrote: The word "Delica" is a derivative of "Delicate Carry"

Not to rustle any jimmies, but Delica comes from the contraction of english 'DELIvery CAr', as per the Mitsubishi Motors Company

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corpor ... ct2005.pdf (page 33)

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:03 pm

naterade wrote:
FalcoColumbarius wrote: The word "Delica" is a derivative of "Delicate Carry"
Not to rustle any jimmies, but Delica comes from the contraction of english 'DELIvery CAr', as per the Mitsubishi Motors Company

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corpor ... ct2005.pdf (page 33)

Hahaha. I remember when that was going around, about the same time "DELIcate CArry" was also going around. The thing is the "Delica" was originally a passenger vehicle (P25Wagon), as opposed to the L300 type delivery van (P05Van). So, the question still remained for me and I asked my buddy シュレッダーさん (Shureddā-san) and he figured that out of the two it would more likely be DELIcate CArry, rather than DELIvery CAr, especially considering that it's not actually a car. Having said all that ~ he's not a mechanic.

I did look through the link you posted, in particular the sections on "Japan" (6), "Products Over The Years" (26) and "Derivation of MMC Model Names" (33). Well, it looks as though Mister Mitsubishi has spoken ~ I stand corrected. It truly is "DELIvery CAr". Nice find, Naterade... smiles.

I'm going to post this link in the Delica FAQ Section so we have a record of it.

Falco.

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