Autocross Build: 1995 GSX Project "RedSun" Restore then Gymkhana

[Leonthefaded]

Yep, Army active duty. I appreciate the support from all you guys and gals out there. And I'm glad you among others like the build!

I have to look into rechecking the timing again to make sure that my timing is in fact dead on. Gonna have to find some dsmer eyes to fall on it. The compression numbers are bothering me.

[zac83]

yeah those numbers are kinda low but its rare to have all of them low uniformly like that, probably a faulty gauge. How exactly did you do the compression test? If another gauge is not available, I would try a dry test again with the engine at running temperature then I would do a wet test to confirm. The wet test is exactly the same as a dry test but you pour about 1 teaspoon of engine oil into the spark plug hole before you install the tester. Crank over for 6 rotations and see what you've got. Be forewarned, It'll smoke like a mug till that oil is burned out; should only take a minute to clear up.

If a dry test is performed in this manner and you still have 120, then a wet test returns 145-160s, it's indicative of possible ring issues. If a different gauge doesn't confirm your compression higher, I'de find someone who can do a leakdown test to find out what the culprit is (rings, head gasket, intake or exhaust valves)

[808DSM]

I would recommend keeping your car... Seeing that I saw a FS ad on CL.
BTW I saw you at the NEX on Sat Night.

[Leonthefaded]

I definatly am. After meeting up with other dsms finally and not feeling like the only one on oahu. It definatly reinforced why I have this car and am doing what I'm doing

[Leonthefaded]

Obama can't gymkhana

[Purple_Demon]

^Love it.

[Leonthefaded]

I ordered a stock SMIC from ebay the other day. I hope it gets here soon because my halfass job of patching my current smic I forgot about awhile ago, I realize is heavily leaking air when building boost. I knew something was off when I could hear air loud as hell on the passenger side. BOV flutter I need to look into.

My logging hardware will be here soon and although I have many doubts about it I figure why the hell not! Never trying something is the same as failing in my book. It will be a nice step in preperation for openport, and ceddymod.

Later tonight ill snap some pictures for you all, and yeah I'm still waiting for many reasons to get that damn boostgauge

[Lofty]

I have a small feeling that my intercooler is the cause of my low compression, not enough air is making into the system during the tests. And not enough air is present during startup of the car for it to start in one go.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that.


By pretty sure, I mean very sure.

[Leonthefaded]

Originally Posted by Lofty

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that.


By pretty sure, I mean very sure.

Lol I'm sure too I just read what I wrote, my brain is fried argh

Edit I fixed it lol. Time for a nap and then back to slaving

[Leonthefaded]

So recently I purchased the Torque app from google play marketplace for droid, as well as the ELM327 from ebay. When I first about about this app and product I was extremely skeptical but a lot of the myth and mystery behind it all was debunked. Ill write a full review on it later. Ill also post up my logs here from time to time so you can all see what I've seen all day today.

I do say one thing though. It has me super curious and wanting more better and more detailed logging outside of the ability of my phone and app.

My opinions of detailed tuning and engine monitoring and managment has sharply changed into the other direction. Now I wanna know everysingle detail about what and how my motor is doing full spectrum.

[Dsmkauai]

Ecmlink!!!!!!!!

[Leonthefaded]

Originally Posted by Dsmkauai

Ecmlink!!!!!!!!

What?! And lose this sexy black ecu... Lol

[Leonthefaded]

I have an unhealthy obsession for my GSX. Whenever I am out I take photos of it in hopes that I can place it in my build journal here. I feel as though if you can see what I see, through my photos in various ways. You can get a better feeling as to where this restoration and build up is headed. Not only to follow along with performance upgrades and maintence updates, but also blow by blow as new scratches, dings, dents and roadgrim come into play with it.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[Leonthefaded]

Finally got my plates in!

I know a lot of you are wondering why my updates have been more random and not so full of content; less organized. My daughter destroyed my laptop, so my updates come from my wifes desktop when she allows me to use it and my phone through taptalk.

I would have another laptop by now and would be typing up my updates and editing them through MS word but I can't

Sorry if this is an annoiance to any of you, I know it bothers me. I like having them indexed and chaptered out for easy nav and organizational purposes.

[Alan11]

Unsuscribed.

[NWHTanK]

NICE tag LeO

[Leonthefaded]

Originally Posted by NWHTanK

NICE tag LeO

Thanks was only 25 bucks, I paid for it 2 months ago lol.

Wish it was my replacement SMIC instead. I need to get these replacement parts finished out.

[Leonthefaded]

Well yesterday after researching more and more, I finally figured out why my bov fluttered instead of having the crisp metalic sound that others with the greddy type s bov have. Realizing that after modding the tophat screw to go in reverse I was adjusting backwards. So realizing this, I went ahead and modded the bov, by removing the softer spring and adjusting the screw the otherway, and now there's no more flutter. And I now have release of pressure properly.

My replacement sidemount intercooler finally came after long wait, I cleaned it out with some gasoline and bolted it up, verified any leaks and took special care in mounting. I ran some gas through the old smic and found 2 leaks where a bracket had broken off. The redsun now runs a lot better and hasn't had a problem starting since. I'm gonna perform some more tests such as a compression test to rule out some possibilities I have in my head. As you all know my last compression test results were 120 across the board.

Anyway next update will be some headlight install, and other parts I've been getting for my birthday. Cause I share my amazon wishlist on facebook lol

Here's some recent pictures. Video will be uploaded shortly of some suspension testing on kolekole mountain pass

[NWHTanK]

Nice pics leo.

[NWHTanK]

I was woundering if u can get a pic for me? We lived on the southern tip of scholfied barracks i would have to ask mom the exact addy but it was the second from the end next to high way. But things probly have changed.

[Leonthefaded]

Originally Posted by NWHTanK

I was woundering if u can get a pic for me? We lived on the southern tip of scholfied barracks i would have to ask mom the exact addy but it was the second from the end next to high way. But things probly have changed.

Sure no problem man I love taking pictures.

[Leonthefaded]

Just a warning a very large update is coming soon for all the subscribers. I'm gonna start typing it up and make it nice and pretty on my wifes computer and I'll be sure to throw in as many pictures as I can.
Some restoration parts have been added and some long awaited parts are finally going to be here.

[GsXdSmKingGsX]

I go away for a few months and you are no longer a douch/tool. Congratulations. Clean car/s.

[Leonthefaded]

Look what was waiting for me at home after work today.

I have to take the time to stop and give a big loving thank you to my supportive wife. Without her acknowlegdement of my hobby and building passion for cars and specifically my DSM. This build would not be possible. She is continually keeping my focus and perspective when you wisemen and dsmers aren't able. She is the best friend I've ever had and the love of my life. Now if I can only get her to ditch her srt4 and get a DSM lol jk.

[Leonthefaded]

Here's a small photo update along with some slight news.
Some parts have been coming in at a slow trickle like my prosport digital boost gauge, glowshift triple pillar, nrg pedals and shift knob.

I also as you can tell installed new oem spec headlight assemblies from amazon. Still no computer and its really difficult to use my wifes but ill keep the updates coming as much as possible.

Leakdown test coming to a post near you

[Coldsou]

Almost died laughing when I saw the "Obama can't Gymkhana".

Love that license plate, too!

[canada4g63]

You plan on a shaved VC?

[Leonthefaded]

Originally Posted by Coldsou

Almost died laughing when I saw the "Obama can't Gymkhana".

Love that license plate, too!

I loved the license plate at first but now I'm thinking it is a bit too much :\ I might be channging it to something more simple and fitting for the car and the build itself which has come to slow down to a crawl.

I do not plan on using a shaved VC at this time. I have the valve cover completed actually and was going to wait before I posted pictures of it in a more elaborate update, but i have :P

To all my current subcribers alot fo you know I got into a bit of trouble a few months ago, currently, 80% of my project money alloted has been going to paying off the debts to society I owe.

That being said. It kills me that I have to sit and look at this sexy Prosport Digital Boost gauge I bought from STM and the triple pillar pod I purchased from glowshift :\ That and now I'm waiting on my replacement door handles to arrive (I broke mine). At least I can fix the annoy fuel pressure solenoid issue and then be back on track as the restoration portion of my build reaches near 80% completion by my estimate.

For all those wondering about the oxydation on the roof and spoiler. I will be looking to my local MACCO for the work in fixing the few scatches and oxydation.

[Leonthefaded]

Well everyone. Id like to thank you all for your inspiriations and motivations in my project. Unfortunatly I have to end the project today, not put it on hold. As a grown man, father and husband I have to take into account that due to my current situation and the direction I need to move towards. Restoring this car is out of the question the the level I'm going towards. The money so far I alloted for upgrades has all been spent on recent repair parts after repair parts instead of upgrades towards my goals. I want only the best for my dsm project, and I cannot live to those standards knowing my current finacial obligations need to be met first to ensure my families needs are met above all so. I sold the redsun as of 10 mins ago of this post. I'm filled with a small bit of sadness to see the sexy black car go, but I'm happy that I sold to another DSMer who I know is going to take good care of it and take it to heights that I intended. One day after I pay back the rest of the money I owe the state for the accusations made against me and save enough again. Ill find another GSX in need of saving. For now I'm out of the DSM game. I hope to continue posting on the forum to help out with what I can knowledge wise, and learn more for the next round.

Thank you all the wisemen, forum members, and haters for helping me mature as a DSMer to what I am now.

Oh I forgot to add, the tipping point of me realizing I couldn't go on putting the money into it was it not starting a few days ago for the arising and common problem of the power cable to the starter. Easy fix, cheap too, but there were many small cheap fixes before this that ultimatly made me realize how much money was leaving my pocket. Remember everyone DSM ownership isn't cheap and isn't for amatures at all

In the future the next DSM project if able will have a new build thread. Please unsubscribe as you wish.

[Alan11]

Well man I'm sorry to hear this. I know I've been an ass to you sometimes and I'm sorry man.
I got something to say. I'm 19 and I will keep my car forever as long as I live, no matter how much money I spend on it, it will not equal to how much I love it, and I am happy to see it parked every morning outside my house, even when its not running I hope to see you back, and if so, don't make a new thread contunue with this one.
Here's my journal!
97 silver GSX history and Build.