Blog Title: $800 dsm

My build/resurrection of a 1990 Tsi AWD

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Talon Resurrection

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Posted 08-30-2011 at 02:01 AM by EZSpeed
Updated 09-04-2011 at 07:44 PM by EZSpeed (changing title)

I'm new to DSMs, I come from the LS1 part of the car world but have been more interested in cars in general lately. I was going away to school, but recently decided that I didn't want to be a high school teacher anymore because my interest in cars has progressed beyond obsession. I'm now going to community college to get an associate's degree in automotive technology. My parents were really cool about me moving back in, and my dad even said I could get a beater car for the Chicago winter because he likes my Camaro more than I do(almost...)

Anyways, after looking on craigslist for a few weeks, I finally found the perfect car: a 1990 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD with 108,xxx miles. The guy said he was selling it because he ran out of time for it, but it seems like he was just sick of it. He said it needed a new idle air control motor to run right, but when I went to check it out with my dad he couldn't get it to start at all. Luckily this dropped the price, because he just wanted it out of his driveway. My dad has a warehouse for his business so we had it towed there.

Let's start with the bad first. This car is in pretty good condition for being 21 years old, but it's got some nasties. There's a few dents

along with plain neglect

yeah that's oil pooled on the valve cover

and a driver's door that doesn't close

That's a golf club holding up the hatch. It came with the car when i got it

oh yeah and ziptied exhaust

Now for the good. As you may have noticed, those are big wheels. 17 inchers from a 3rd gen eclipse I believe?

Also it's lowered an inch and a half, has a front mount intercooler but no piping, and I think has a different turbo(not stock). I don't really know too much about DSMs yet so excuse my lack of terminology. Also it has more aggressive cams, HKS 272 intake and exhaust with adjustable cam gears. I haven't heard it run yet, anyone have any idea what it'll sound like?

I just got the car today so I haven't done a lot to it yet, just took off the door because it was annoying and I want to fix the hinges that are misaligned.

I think my goal is to make it look decent before I try to get it running. This doesn't mean perfect, but I want my door to close and maybe touch up some of those dents, just give this car some lovin'. I'll keep updating whenever I do anything interesting(to me), so feel free to comment, critique, and question whatever I do. I don't know a lot about these cars going in, but I like learning by doing.

-Ed

Posted in DSM Project Car/Build Updates

Views 1794 Comments 22

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Comments

	I think those are 17" gsx (2g) rims you got on there. Anyways it's awesome you're saving it
	Posted 09-02-2011 at 08:06 AM by agarc023

	After some time and money this will be a very beautiful car. I'm going to follow this blog to keep eyes on!
	Posted 09-03-2011 at 01:41 PM by Blue Talon Boy

	just a word of advice also when you go to the parts store make you get 1990 parts! they are differnt from 91,92,93,and 94. Good luck and if you need to know the differences just do some searching on here you will find tons of info on this topic
	Posted 09-03-2011 at 02:23 PM by Awdspyderman

	Looks like a great project. Glad to see another DSM getting saved. But for the love or God, change your blog title.
	Posted 09-03-2011 at 02:43 PM by Kreez

	Looks like you saved that one just in time. Good luck and have fun cleaning her up.
	Posted 09-03-2011 at 06:42 PM by 5taR

	Hey, good luck with your project DSM; however, keep in mind that you're in for a tedious treat as DSM's, to me, represent the game of chess in the project car world. Piece by piece you will make your repairs, moves, and sometimes you will just be stuck...good luck!
	Posted 09-04-2011 at 04:43 AM by hzagadinow

	I Have tons of 90 parts, also 1g tan leather seats and 5pc black wrap around wing. looks like it will be a good dsm once you get her all fixed up.
	Posted 09-04-2011 at 01:22 PM by doggietom

	Looks like it is going to need much TLC for a long time :-)
	Posted 09-04-2011 at 11:20 PM by DWR-DSM

	i got a nice interior for that car bro... its definately a nice project you got going.. i hope it comes out looking as nice as what your aiming for
	Posted 09-05-2011 at 01:04 AM by dsmallday609

	I WANT THAT TAN INTERIOR in trade for my mint dark gray and black interior lol. Nice find, whats the rust status on her thow? Make her clean and proper dude.
	Posted 09-05-2011 at 02:57 AM by dented_coffee

	Good luck with the project! Looks a little rough around the edges, but with some time, you'll get it looking good! The zip tied exhaust is quite hilarious!!
	Posted 09-05-2011 at 05:11 AM by 95talongirl

	Nice project, some time and work is involved there but it will come together at least you have a awd shell, you can always find decent interior parts.
	Posted 09-05-2011 at 07:37 AM by iugrad92turbo

	Sad Panda ((( but still a panda! bring her back !!
	Posted 09-06-2011 at 06:42 PM by HaveBlue83

	Its all way nice seeing dsm getting back on road once more. Its all ways a good thing
	Posted 09-06-2011 at 06:50 PM by griffin81

	thanks for the comments guys :-) doggietom i want that wrap around wing! how much are you trying to sell it for? and dented coffee i would love to trade for dark grey and black, i hate brown haha and haveblue83, i should have named this save the panda! haha
	Posted 09-06-2011 at 10:39 PM by EZSpeed

	Nice project!
	Posted 09-16-2011 at 07:27 AM by 90 Black Talon

	how much you pay for that drift monster. if you dont mind me asking
	Posted 09-17-2011 at 07:59 AM by goodbuds

From my past experience of restoring an old 91 in about the same shape, (full autobody, paint, interior, rebuilding engine) i would recommend trying to find a REAL good shell, no rust, straight.

I would be worried about why that door is misaligned, could be more than just a crooked door. These days empty shells are fairly easy to find if your patient.

That is what I wish I would have done. Either way good luck with the resto!

Posted 09-17-2011 at 09:10 AM by SmoochDarling SmoochDarling is offline

	goodbuds I picked it up for 800
	Posted 09-17-2011 at 12:23 PM by EZSpeed

dude that's a great deal in parts alone you easily have that much ... but i agree with smooch buying another body will save you a lot of head aches like all projects its the body work that will be what makes the end product worth the time and also will get you in touch with your inner gear head.. but if you want to cut and weld up another body panel more power to you.. but ### don't try to repair that jacked end with 35 lbs of bondo..

Posted 09-17-2011 at 05:54 PM by goodbuds goodbuds is offline

	yeah it's just kinda tricky because my dad wanted me to get a beater car for the winter but I still wanted something fun so I found this, so at the moment I don't have a lot of extra funds. but maybe in the future I'll be able to get a shell and swap everything over, that would be tight. thanks for the comments and advice!
	Posted 09-17-2011 at 06:13 PM by EZSpeed

	I have an extra 90 tsi shell chillin in my boys yard in VA.
	Posted 09-18-2011 at 05:35 PM by Cpl08