you got it... mid 92 early 93=good cars

 

The 6-bolt engine was available in 90-91 DSM's and is a bit stronger than the 92+ 7-bolt engine, although the 7-bolt is by no means weak.

IMHO, the best model years were 93 & 94: You get the 2-piston "big" brakes (93+), 4-bolt (mid-92+), ABS available with LSD (92+), and the 94's have the best tranny's also.

 

you got it... mid 92 early 93=good cars

No, they switched to the 7-bolt motor in April/May 92... Which I think is also when the 4-bolt rear started. And then in 93 the big brakes. It might be easiest to get a 91/early 92 with the 6-bolt motor and then put on the big brakes and swap in a 4-bolt rear end. I would think that would easier than doing a motor or rod swap. I would avoid the 90, it has a few of its own unique quirks like the ECU.

 

93 isn't the year u want the have 2 piston calipers&4 bolt rears but they also have the 7 bolt cranks&small rods. From what I know u can't get the 6 bolt crank 2 piston calipers 4 bolt rear at the same time. they went with the 4 bolt rear in 92 and had the 6 bolt crank up until 92.5 then the went to the 7 bolt crank and 2 piston calipers.To bad I have a 93 and had a early 92 pos deer.

 

90 has the least TSBs, the best attention to the interior details, and has the pop ups!

Otherwise, I'd have to say 93-94 would be a close second.

 

I have a 92 Laser AWD that has a 4 bolt rear in it from the factory, the manufacture date is August of 91. It has the 6 bolt motor and for only $300 (everything included), it now has bigger front brakes.

IMO, I think the early 92's are a great buy. All it lacks is the bigger front brakes. Granted, they all don't come with the 4 bolt rear ends but sometimes you just get lucky, as I did. I am not too sure about this but I don't think all mid 92+ AWD's came with 4 bolt rears. I test drove a 93 last summer that had a 3 bolt in it, and a few months ago I test drove a 91 with a 4 bolt. I don't know how Mitsu figures which car gets what rear end. It maybe an unsolved mystery

 

I purchased a 92 Talon that was made in April a few month's ago that has a 6 bolt motor and 4 bolt rear. At that time I didnt know there was a 6/7,3/4 bolt setup. Great way to start out!!

Stan
90 XR7 (SCv6) 12.98@104.7
92 TSI ??

 

You have the ultimate DSM there. Since the Lasers were also the lightest models.

 

my car also has 4 bolt rear and 6 bolt engine, my car was made in january of '92

 

What do you look at to determine if u have 6/7 bolt motor 3/4 bolt rear?

 

Just out of curiousity, what would be the best model year dsm to get? by best, I dont mean looks....I like the way they all look. I mean, is there a specific time in production where the dsm came with a 4bolt rear, 6bolt engine(big rods), upgraded awd brakes? Would this be somewhere int he middle of the 92 year? If all of these weren't available at once, whats the best availible combo??

94 DSM

 

to see if you have a 6 or 7 bolt go here
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/early-late-engine.html
for 3 or 4 bolt look under the back of the car to where the drive shaft connects to the thingy (on the back of the wheel)
this is what the two look like side by side

 

Why is a 4 bolt rear better then a 3?
And is it true about the 94's tranny being the best? If yes then will a 94 tranny fit all the other year (same model)?

 

Best year IMHO

I think the best year is the 92 DSM's. reason being is that if your some lucky soul that happens to come across a 92 with 90 style big rods in a 6-bolt, a 4bolt rear, and a LSD rear diff your golden, dont worry much about the 93+94 trannies, if you get deep enough into racing, it wont matter what year tranny is in there, it'll still break.

 

Im kinda partial to 94

In my honest opinion I would say that 94 is the best year especially if you are getting the AWD. First off there were not very many of them made. The car is the last of the first gen. It has the strongest tranny. Big Brakes. Best Leather if you get leather. LSD. 4 Bolt and they are newer. I know being newer doesn't mean better but you can still get a loan for one if you would need it to put mods on. I am kinda partial to my 94 so that is my opinion. The 6 bolt is better becuase of the big rods, but it is really the only benefit. I guess everyone has their opinion.

 

Why is a 4 bolt rear better then a 3?

See the above picture that B430 posted to see how much more solid the axle hub for the 4-bolt is, and the rear axles are significantly stronger on the 4-bolt, too - I can't remember exactly but I think the 4-bolt rear axles were like 2-3mm thicker. People have been known to break the weaker 3-bolt axles a lot more often and sooner than the 4-bolt axles, on a hard launch.

And is it true about the 94's tranny being the best? If yes then will a 94 tranny fit all the other year (same model)?

From what I know the 94 tranny is a bit stronger and durable than the 90-93 trannies. And yes, it will fit into a 90-93 DSM, but I believe you also have to have a 94 transfer case too, due to different-splined output shafts.