Street Build: My 90 GSX build Updated with videos!

[KyDSM]

What I have here is a 1990 Eclipse GSX. My plans on this thing is to be in the low 10's. Maybe get lucky enough to be in the 9's. Before the build it just had a simple 16g turbo and stock injectors and upgraded pistons and rods. Nothing impressive at all. That is all going to change!



I started doing MAD scientist work on it. Getting ready to remove the engine.



Removed the intake manifold, turbo and exhaust manifold, IC pipes, engine mounts and some odds and ends.








I pushed it into the garage and yanked the engine and tranny. I didn't like how nasty the engine bay looked, so I changed that. I did a little painting. I also lowered the wire harness down on the firewall.



So far its turning out pretty good. But I had to stop due to my relocation for the Navy. Heading to California. Hope I didn't leave anything behind.........

Months later.....I'm now situated in California.

After looking at the GSX sitting in my garage I didn't like how the wire harness was looking. So I re did some of the wires. Also did a little more painting.




A little more paint.



The re done wire harness

[liquidsilver]

Looking good! What turbo you plan on running? And lets see some exterior shots

[KyDSM]

Ok now we get to mess around with the engine after getting the engine bay how I wanted. I disassembled the engine. Didn't get many pics of the process but 99% of the people reading this have been there and seen it.

Took off all the timing components, took the head off, and water pump. Got stuck on trying to get the crank pulley bolt out. Made a little tool to make my job easier.


After getting that damn bolt out. I got the front cover off. Then removed the oil pan to get to the crank and pistons. Got the pistons and crank out.



Didn't want to put the block back in my car looking like that so I did a little painting to it. I really like the paint gun



Since I already had Ross pistons in it and Scat rods, I didn't see no reason to change them. I just cleaned them up and put new rings on them. Ordered new bearings for the crank and rods. I sent the crank to get balanced and to get a knife edge put on it.

Got the crank and pistons in.



The knife edge on the crank.



Ok so before I want to get the head back on, I sent it off to get new valve stem seals in and it decked. Then I got to looking at it and got a idea. I should put my polishing wheel to some work. So I polished my head. That's right I "Polish HEAD lol"



The polishing came out pretty good I think anyways. I got a cometic MLS head gasket and threw the head on with ARP head studs of course.



I also got a Gates water pump and a new front cover. Got the turbo oil feed fitting installed into the OFH too.

I have more goodies sitting in the garage but you'll have to stay tuned for the updates.

Originally Posted by liquidsilver

Looking good! What turbo you plan on running? And lets see some exterior shots

I edit one into the 1st post at the top! Planning on many changes to come.

[liquidsilver]

Originally Posted by KyDSM

I edit one into the 1st post at the top! Planning on many changes to come.

Looks clean! I usually don't like white 1st gens. Looking forward to the updates...

[KyDSM]

Got a couple updates. But this time I didn't take pictures, I did a video!
Hope its better than pictures

Got new lifters, this video is of me bleeding them and getting them ready to install.
Click the video to start! It will take you to my photobucket.


And now for the building up the head with revised lifters and 272 Crower cams and AEM Trutime CAM gears. It is also ported and polished from before.



Hope you all enjoy the videos.

[98mitsgs]

Learned a lot from those couple of videos. Thanks for posting them up.

[buhay6]

+1 on learning from your vid's. Nice build man!
Gotta couple q's for ya though, How'd you polish the head so well? I'm trying to do my valve cover, tcase and tranny and its not going so well.
And what size socket is needed for the head studs?

[KyDSM]

The ARP head stud bolts use a 12 point 14mm socket. But when you go to install them, use a thread chaser NOT and tap to clean out the bolt hole in the block. Install the head studs DRY (no lube) and hand tight into the block. When you go to fasten the head down use ARP Moly lube for the nuts. If you don't have the ARP moly lube you can use Loc-Tite. I have contacted ARP for an alternative to their ARP Moly lube and this is what they told me.

As far as polishing your head, valve cover or anything else with hard to reach corners...I used a wire wheel to start the polish. On other items such as a valve cover or FMIC I use different stages of sand paper. Go horizontal on the item at first, then vertical. I did these steps about 3 times. Then I used a 3 inch polishing wheel with the black emery polishing compound. Then I finished the polish with the white compound, but when you go to use the white polishing compound use a NEW polishing wheel. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask me about anything else and maybe I will have a answer. Happy tuning!

[KyDSM]

Ok so I got my IC pipes and thermostat housing back from the powder coating shop. Only had time to put the thermostat housing on. So here is a few pics for your enjoyment. Stay tuned for a video on swapping out my power steering rack and pinion to a manual rack and pinion.





Then installed piece!

[tkstoygsx]

Looking good, keep up the good work. Ill be doing similar work here soon. Im still in the body work area of my build. Subscribed!

[KyDSM]

Expect to see a couple updates this weekend. Got a few parts in and will be installing them. Also will be removing the old fuel system.

Edit: Sorry about getting your hopes up about a update. Got tied up at work and helping my buddy with his Rustang. So I have been really busy. Once I get his Mustang out of my garage I will get back to working on the GSX.

For a little update, I did send my HX40w 6 blade PRO turbo off to Justin for a rebuild. Can't wait til it comes back looking brand "Spanking" new!

[KyDSM]

Ok its long over due for a update.

I sent my HX40 6 blade turbo off to be rebuilt by one of our very own, "Justin"!
So I had time to see if my BEP turbine housing will fit. I was told Holset turbos sometimes have clearance issues with the block. Guess what, I was having that issue. I bought a exhaust manifold flange and longer studs to see if this would solve my problem. I got very lucky because it did. It gave me 1/4 inch clearance between the turbine housing and block. I didn't fully install anything here because I was just seeing if it would work. I even laid the newly powder coated VC to see what it would look like. I'm very excited with the out come. Now I got to fab up the exhaust to clear the alternator and oil filter. If I can't make it look nice (hate the pie cut look). I will be relocating the alternator and going with a forward facing OFH. Can't wait to get my turbo mounted!

On with some pics.



Got the clearance I needed.

Threw on the waste gate to see how I was going to run the dump tube. I like the look of it so far.


I got my VC powder coated in the wrinkle black, same as my T stat housing.




Hope you guys dig it!

[stacked1G]

damn man, that engine is looking super dope man, i love the valve cover and the lettering. dumptube looks nice A+++

[KyDSM]

Just got my turbo back from Justin......AND its AMAZING!!! Drool over this guys!



With the BEP turbine housing bolted on it.



Will be throwing it on the engine tonight to see how it looks. Stay tuned!

[Tiny]

What is the differance between with the knife edge and regular on the crank?

[KyDSM]

Faster rev due to less drag on the crank when it is going through all the oil in the oil pan.

[Tiny]

makes perfect sense! Thanks!

[KyDSM]

Make sure you get it professionally done. If not you will have nasty balance issues.

[KyDSM]

Had the day off so I got around to cleaning the interior. Its in awesome shape IMO. I also installed my radio for some tunes!

Here are some pics for you guys!


The only flaw in my interior is that tiny crack

Some door panel lol



Back seat goods!


Front seats!


Perfect headliner!


Its gonna be awesome to get back in this thing when I get it finished! Hope I can get it to be one of the nicest DSM's in my area!

[KyDSM]

Ok so its been a long time and no update due to my laptop crashing to the floor. I finally got the engine in the car. Along with the turbo and some of my IC pipes. Got the FMIC mounted too. I got my down pipe somewhat finished. It just needs to be welded to the other half of the exhaust. The radiator and hoses are in to. Just waiting on my clutch, wideband and a few other odds and ins. Then she should be running and trust me, I'll have some vids!!! I'll also get some pictures up ASAP!!!

I'll get a better update once I get my laptop up and running. At work trying to give you all some updates.

[IrishBeatdown]

Originally Posted by KyDSM

Ok so its been a long time and no update due to my laptop crashing to the floor. I finally got the engine in the car. Along with the turbo and some of my IC pipes. Got the FMIC mounted too. I got my down pipe somewhat finished. It just needs to be welded to the other half of the exhaust. The radiator and hoses are in to. Just waiting on my clutch, wideband and a few other odds and ins. Then she should be running and trust me, I'll have some vids!!! I'll also get some pictures up ASAP!!!

I'll get a better update once I get my laptop up and running. At work trying to give you all some updates.

First time I saw this build thread, I enjoyed reading it. Good jobbage, I just got a holset rebuilt by justin as well, he does great work. If I knew how to subscribe to this, I would. Updates ###! What are you planning for your fuel system? I just got all my fuel shit in the other day, I have a build thread here somewhere, too lazy to link it right now.

[Apak00]

Nice videos!!

[KyDSM]

My fuel system is a dual walbro 255 fuel pump set up with 8 an lines from the tank to the rail. I went with 1250cc BlueMax FIC injectors. Hope that will be enough fuel for that HX40.

Here are some teaser pics. All this stuff is installed already.




Geez I really need to get you all a good update

Updated Mod list:

Ross pistons +.20
Scat rods
New rod and main bearings
Knife edge crank
Cometic MLS head gasket
ARP head studs
Port and polished head
Brian Crower 272 cams
AEM Trutime cam gears
New valve seals
Gates racing timing belt
New OEM tensioner
Megan exhaust manifold
HX40 Pro 6 blade turbo
BEP .70 a/r turbine housing
3 inch down pipe
-12 an turbo oil drain system
-4 an turbo oil feed from OFH kit
Dual 255 Wallys
-8 an fuel kit tank to rail
Aeromotive AFPR -6 an return
DSMLink v3
Innovate DB LC-1 wideband
GReddy FMIC
2.5 inch IC pipes
GReddy Type RS BOV
FP 4 inch turbo intake
2g MAF

There is more but I can't remember because I'm at work trying to give you guys more info......Geek Squad hurry with my laptop!

[KyDSM]

It has been a long time for an update. And here it is for you guys. I had the engine in the car for some time now but never got around to take pics nor a working comp. Now I have both. On with the update.

The engine is in along with the turbo and the intercooler pipes. And I got the 3 inch downpipe made for the turbo. I still need to get the wb02 bung welded on it. I got my 8 -an fuel line ran from the take to a FuelLab filter. I need to adjust the filter because the fuel line is kinking a little going to the rail. I have an AFPR installed with a 6 -an return. Got the boost controller installed but I don't like it's location. On top of that I don't like the boost controller all together, so I'm going to be ordering a new one very soon. I still need to install the transmission but I'm still waiting to get a clutch. I have a few in mind but stuck on the edge on which one I should order. I only have a handful of things left to do then I might get to start her up. A few of the things I have left to do is install the turbo oil feed/drain lines, install a wideband 02, oil dip stick, a coupler from the turbo to IC pipes, and few nuts and bolts and fluids along with the coil overs. I'm still on the fence about getting the Ksport pro coil overs or the Megan racing coil overs. Opinions are welcome

I'm testing out the black headlight pop ups with black lenses. Let me know what you guys think, I can easily change it back. I'm going with a OEM style CF hood soon.

Now onto the pics.








Let me know what you guys think of the black flip ups and black lense.

[ErikTande]

I liked the all white a lot better.

[KyDSM]

I do too. Good thing its just plasti-dip so I can peel it right off.

[yhype]

White flip ups and and black the center lense.

[KuckFatrina]

Clean car. I'm jealous of your clear coat! lol. Mine is all gone on my hood and fenders.

Also I say just take all of that plasti dip off.

[jmartinez1228]

+1 on the black flip ups and lens. Looks good man.

[KyDSM]

Planning on removing the plasti-dip today. Kind of stuck at the moment....taxes need to hurry