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Mid mounted? That makes it a sports van! I was doing an engine conversion on one of my Subaru’s and borrowed my uncles Nissan Serena to go to work for a few days. It was a 2.3 diesel. No turbo or anything. 75 BHP trying to pull 2 tonnes of van. I complained to my uncle that it was too slow. He said, shut up, the engine is in the middle, it’s a sports van!

I know for sure 2009 does not have timing chain. Because i changed it 6 months back.

100% it’s a belt. I don’t know about the eclipse, never worked on one but as @Gaurav said, the later Evos had a chain. In such a case, the chain still needs maintenance at 60k. It’s not a case of change belts but chains are always ok as many people think. Chains stretch, especially on newer cars with VVT where there is extra strain on the chain. A stretched chain can easily see you with bent valves or broken rockers.

The stiletto wasn’t bad compared to some of the crap BL were putting out at the same time. Infinintly more interesting too with it’s rear engine setup to make more passenger room. Check how the engine is almost tilted on it’s side to get it into the small space, Was also the first British production car with all aluminium head and block. Now that we’re on the subject, here’s a car built in Ireland on the same chassis, the Clan Crusader. Wouldn’t really be known to many outside the rally and hill climb world. Tiny little car but Lotus levels of handling on tight lanes. Here’s another I’m sure most of you won’t have heard of, again it primarily only runs on local level rallies but it’s running a Millington Diamond engine which any good car enthusiast will know about. The Darrian T90 GTR. Always reminded me of a baby RS200. If you have a good sense of humour the sun strip will make you laugh.

Now as Oil is on the move as per many analysts it might cross 100 mark soon, I'm wondering what will happen with UAE fuel prices, probably soon to 3.5 dhs per liter instead of gallon till a few years back. Dinky cars will eventually rule here too like rest of the world, instead of V8's and bigger cubic engines.....!