DSM Forums - History of my 96 GSX

Blog Title: History of my 96 GSX

I purchased my 96 GSX in Feb 06 while on R&R from Iraq. The seller lived in AZ and I as visting family in CA. I won the car on EBAY for 5300 and the seller agreed to meeet me 1/2 way which was about a 3 hour drive each way for both of us.
It was basically stock except for the FPt28 Apexi 3in exhaust and the TSW EVO-R 17s.
When I returned from Iraq in Sept 06 I took my family back to CA to visit family and pick up my car. The plan was to go to Disney Land and some other theme parks. Eagerly I get in my new car and I put it in gear and the car didnt even budge. Sadly my father in law took my car out for some joy riding and COMPLETELY smoked the clutch. Well I didnt have any tools or the space to fix it my self so I ended up having to pay a shop to replace the clutch and a front axle. This cost me almost $800 for the repairs which killed the vacation funds.

Almost done!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 07-15-2011 at 02:04 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

Here it is all put together. Just waiting on a few little things then its off to the alignment shop.

One issue. I have raised the car 3 times and adjusted the coilovers and every time the measurements are off. Should I just ask the alignment shop to do this since they have a completely flat/leveled surface to work with?

Notice the blue daily in the background.

...

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Didnt make surgery deadline.

Posted 04-21-2011 at 05:07 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

Well the car is essentially done. I didnt make my deadline due to certain vendors not shipping when they say they will and saying they have things in stock when they really dont. Im not gonna name anyone tho. Ill be taking a break from the car so that I can heal up from shoulder surgery so unless a friend from work comes over and hookes me up this will be the last progress update for a while....

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Final leg.

Posted 04-18-2011 at 07:32 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)
Updated 04-19-2011 at 06:48 PM by tenn-gsx

Well engine, trans and suspension is back in the car. Should have her running sometime tomorrow hopefully. Got allot to do still but it will definitely be back on the road before my surgery on Friday. Ill post pics tomorrow or Wednesday once its done. Man the suspension is stiff!
Ran into a fitment issue with my mishimoto radiator and fan shroud setup being too close to the FP exhaust housing...

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Saturn alt and EVO9 OFH

Posted 04-12-2011 at 11:13 AM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)
Updated 04-12-2011 at 12:49 PM by tenn-gsx

So I'm starting to bolt things to the long block and found a issue. I'm running the Saturn alt and the EVO9 OFH. There is very little clearance between the belt and part of the OFH. I'm not sure if the housing should be ground down or not. I know I'm running the longest belt that you can without grinding the tab down though. The other issue is that there is another tab on the OFH that stops me...

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Head and port work/completed short block

Posted 04-06-2011 at 06:31 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

Here it is guys. Engine is completed. I start the swap tomorrow. The vc and cop arent mine. Ill be running a blue vc and stock ignition.

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Seat pics

Posted 04-01-2011 at 02:03 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)
Updated 04-23-2011 at 09:15 AM by tenn-gsx

Quick update with the seat pics. Took some of the bottom for you guys who like to build your own brackets. The Corbeau brackets look pretty low profile. Ill post more pics once the seats are in the car. These seats are courtesy of my wife. What a great gift huh! I just mentioned that I wanted/needed some safer seats and she offered to help! So I owe the first piece of safety equipment on the...

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Short block completed.

Posted 03-09-2011 at 03:09 AM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

Well the shortblock is completed.

I was only able to pull some of the pictures from the email so sorry but enjoy.

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Machine work and final parts list

Posted 01-28-2011 at 06:46 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)
Updated 04-19-2011 at 06:52 PM by tenn-gsx

The build will have the following parts installed

Block
Weisco HD1400 pistons
Manley Turbo tuff Ibeams
Manley forged 100MM crank
ACL race bearings
ARP main studs
MAP H11 head studs

Head
Street/Strip port work
GSC S2 Cams
Fidanza cam gears
Kiggley Beehives
Ferrera SS 1 piece 1mm oversized valves...

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The next step.

Posted 01-09-2011 at 01:16 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

So I went home for R&R and got my block head and several other parts together. Loaded everything into the van and headed south about 30 min past Nashville and dropped it all off with Doug at Xtremefabrications.
This guy is very knowledgable and has spent several hours on the phone with me discussing my goals and my limits on the budget. As well as he is prompt to reply to an email...

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Third Deployment Third round of parts

Posted 11-07-2010 at 01:41 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

So here it is 4 years 9 months and several thousand dollar later. I learned ALOT of lessons over the last few years. (mostly being DONT BE CHEAP) So my plans for the car once I get home are this.

First Im going to strip the drivetrain out and HOPEFULLY get it to the body shop and have it painted inside and out. I have my original 96 block still which will see the machine shop and...

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Return from Deployment and 2nd stage of mods.

Posted 11-07-2010 at 12:41 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

I got to redeploy early so I cam home end of Nov 08. I immediately got busy on the car. I removed the eng and trans. Gutted the stroker short block and took the rotating assy to a local shop to have him source a new block and assemble the short block for me. While waiting on this i decided to purchase a TRE stage 4 tranny and a Full Blown dual pump hangar. I replaced my complete fuel system with...

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Second deployment

Posted 11-07-2010 at 12:01 PM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

Jan 2008 I leave for my second deployment, first one to Afghanistan. So a couple months into it I purchase a PTT twin disk clutch, FP3575 journal bearing turbo and an Eagle Weisco combo 2.3 long block assy. All of these parts were new not installed but purchased from private sellers not vendors.
During this deployment I spent 8-10k on major parts and supporting mods. I went home for R&R...

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First stage of the build

Posted 11-07-2010 at 09:05 AM by tenn-gsx (History of my 96 GSX)

Apon returning to KY I immediately started ordering parts. First as DSMlink V2.5 and some 650cc injectors. Then a set of Tokiko HP shocks and lowering springs with complete camber kit and all new OEM suspension components minus rear upper control arms.

I ran this setup for about 6 months adding boost, egt, and oil psi gauges. I took it to the local 1/8 mile track and ran a 8.1 on cheapo...

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