1998 Eclipse GST Complete Re-Build

[BossGreen]

What's up guys! So in April of 2013, I bought a 1998 Eclipse GST for $900. The body's in pretty good shape, it has 133,000 miles on the stock engine and tranny, however it is in need of a clutch and the entire interior is shot and smells like cigarets. So me and my dad went down to New Jersey to purchase the car, it was a very long and stressful day. Everything went good, we payed for the car, got the title and keys and than left to go get a trailer from uhaul to tow this baby home. So we drove around for about 2 hours endlessly searching for uhauls that my iPhone supposedly knew of. After going to about 5 places where there wasn't actually a uhaul we found a very small place. They had one tow dolly however, the man wouldn't let us take it because supposedly it wouldn't work with my dad's truck. So we decided to drive back home and go to the uhaul where we knew we could get a car transport. We went back down and picked the car up, the guy was very nice and helped the whole way. Now I see why he was so happy to get rid of it. All in all it took two trips(down and back.) Driving around searching for a uhaul was the only stressful part but, start to finish it ended taking us about 10 hours.

As far as goal's go for this baby I'm planning to keep her real clean, yet unique while still having some power. I'm hoping to have about 400 to 450hp to the wheels when I'm done. As far as cosmetics go I'll be gutting the interior and doing the gray interior swap. The way the exterior is currently, 10 holes in the hatch from 2 different spoilers (stock & aftermarket), clear coat is missing in some spots and faded in others, a few minor dings and very minimal rust. There's NO rust on the strut towers and very little else where and the paint on the stock rims is peeling and chipping. So all in all I think this will be a great project and will hopefully look great when it's done! This is not my daily driver but will be when it'd done, this is also my first dsm and first experience with a project this big so hopefully it'll all work out and with a little help from you guys everything will go smoothly. Here's some pics of when I first got her and more photos and posts are to come soon! Thanks!

Index


Post #01 - Intro
Post #04 - Interior Work
Post #11 - Starting Problem
Post #27 - Removing the Transmission
Post #36 - Clutch Install
Post #41 - Gray Interior Swap

 

[Jesse2012]

That's a pretty nice find for $900. You should swap the interior to black while you have it out anyway

 

[BossGreen]

That's a pretty nice find for $900. You should swap the interior to black while you have it out anyway

Thanks! I actually started installing black carpet today, I have black cloth to redo the headliner and I'll be getting black and green racing seats soon. I think I'll repaint my all my interior panels black but I'm not sure haha

 

[BossGreen]

A little update: It's been raining a lot around here recently so I haven't been able to get much done, however the old carpet is out and the new black carpet is fit but not completely installed. Today I started painting my tan interior black. I'll be blacking out the entire interior with green accents throughout it. Black and green leather racing seats, nice sound system in replacement of the rear seats, black headliner and a nice touchscreen head unit. Well here's how the stuff I painted today came out. Will hopefully be finishing most of the rest Saturday and Sunday.

 

[GofaST4life]

Awesome buy for $900.

Keep up the good work on restoring her.

 

[BossGreen]

Awesome buy for $900.

Keep up the good work on restoring her.

Thanks! Another update should be coming up on Sunday night! Hopefully the interior will be painted and can be pieced back together.

 

[Stmguy42]

keep us posted

 

[itbeatown]

nice pick up for $900!

 

[Bo0sTeD 4G63]

You got a great deal for $900. I would like to find a good shell because the gs-t I have is convertible and I would rather have a hard top. Congratulations I hope everything works out and keep us updated with pictures and you go along.

 

[BossGreen]

You got a great deal for $900. I would like to find a good shell because the gs-t I have is convertible and I would rather have a hard top. Congratulations I hope everything works out and keep us updated with pictures and you go along.

nice pick up for $900!

Thank you both. I've been really busy lately but I started working on her again. Only had a little because I was going to a local car meet but I started reupholstering the headliner. Hopefully will finish that later tomorrow and finish installing my carpet finally. More to come!

 

[BossGreen]

Ok so I'm a college student and I decided to take the summer off from work so I haven't had money to finally start real work on this baby. But I have been doing little things. So this past weekend I was trying to diagnose why she stopped starting. I thought maybe I had no gas so I tried to put in a few gallons and discovered a nice little gas leak. Still don't think thats the real problem but here's a video of what she's doing. If anyone could give me suggestions I'd really appreciate it. This is my first real mechanical experience besides oil changes and what not. The idea that maybe it's the starter has also crossed my mind. Anyway let me know what you think.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG2LbPhYwdk]1998 Eclipse Gs-t Start Up Problem - YouTube[/ame]

 

[IrishBeatdown]

Your story and car reminds me of my car:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dsm...irishbeatdowns-1997-gsx-punishment-build.html

Got mine for about the same price, we have virtually identical mileage, mine = 131k, red 2gb, and most importantly, wingless with gaping holes in the trunk where it used to be. Are you going to get a wing? Or plug those holes up somehow? I've gotten through all my engine build and so forth, and now getting to the point where I am going through the exterior and interior. Lets get down to it and figure this out.

 

[952g63t]

Gotta be a fuel or spark issue. Start with pulling a plug and smell it, if its smells like fuel then you're probably getting fuel and need to check your ignition. You could check your rail but you need to make sure you open up your gas cap and have something to catch any fuel that may spill out etc. It should have a noticeable pressure release when you disconnect the fuel line and it should dribble some fuel out of the rail. And be careful when you put the line back on the rail, its aluminum and easy to over tighten. As for spark, an easy way would be to have someone crank it while you pull the plug boots off the plugs and listen for clicking/spark in the plug holes.

 

[BossGreen]

Your story and car reminds me of my car:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dsm...irishbeatdowns-1997-gsx-punishment-build.html

Got mine for about the same price, we have virtually identical mileage, mine = 131k, red 2gb, and most importantly, wingless with gaping holes in the trunk where it used to be. Are you going to get a wing? Or plug those holes up somehow? I've gotten through all my engine build and so forth, and now getting to the point where I am going through the exterior and interior. Lets get down to it and figure this out.

Wow thats funny how identical they are. As far as exterior I'm definitely going to repaint her, just not sure what color. I like red but I also like to be different and was thinking of doing like the new mustang green. As far as the spoiler goes, I plan to fill the holes from the aftermarket spoiler and then buy a new stock spoiler. Really love the high rise spoilers. Since this isn't going to be my DD right away I'm gunna do all the body work and paint and than slap the motor back in and DD it and slowly build it.

Gotta be a fuel or spark issue. Start with pulling a plug and smell it, if its smells like fuel then you're probably getting fuel and need to check your ignition. You could check your rail but you need to make sure you open up your gas cap and have something to catch any fuel that may spill out etc. It should have a noticeable pressure release when you disconnect the fuel line and it should dribble some fuel out of the rail. And be careful when you put the line back on the rail, its aluminum and easy to over tighten. As for spark, an easy way would be to have someone crank it while you pull the plug boots off the plugs and listen for clicking/spark in the plug holes.

Thanks a lot. Makes sense, It's on and off rainy here today so i'll definitely try to check those tonight or tomorrow. Appreciate it! Right now in my mind I'm leaning towards ignition only because I found 4 sets of used spark plugs when I was cleaning out the car when I first got it. Just hoping it's nothing major! Thanks again

 

[IrishBeatdown]

Wow thats funny how identical they are. As far as exterior I'm definitely going to repaint her, just not sure what color. I like red but I also like to be different and was thinking of doing like the new mustang green. As far as the spoiler goes, I plan to fill the holes from the aftermarket spoiler and then buy a new stock spoiler. Really love the high rise spoilers. Since this isn't going to be my DD right away I'm gunna do all the body work and paint and than slap the motor back in and DD it and slowly build it.

How are you going to fill the holes though? Imagine that my best solution I can come up with is duct tape, and then respond taking that into account. I think you assumed I had some sort of skills of some kind.

 

[BossGreen]

How are you going to fill the holes though? Imagine that my best solution I can come up with is duct tape, and then respond taking that into account. I think you assumed I had some sort of skills of some kind.

haha well I had the idea of maybe placing something below the holes. Like a small sheet of metal? and than use like bondo to fill that pocket

 

[cypok]

can not wait to see it done

 

[BossGreen]

can not wait to see it done

Thanks me too!

 

[cherrymane]

Looks good bro pm me if u got any questions about the motor build I can help you with most things

 

[BossGreen]

Looks good bro pm me if u got any questions about the motor build I can help you with most things

Thanks! Appreciate that.

I can't decide whether I want to spend another 6 months restoring her or just sell my DD and get her roadworthy. I just want to drive her any input? Leaning towards getting her on the road ASAP

 

[cherrymane]

If you do which I would go to a good DSM known shop and have em go thru the motor thurouly and have money to put into new baskets and seals an plug wires plugs hoses tranny and rad fluid flushes. I literally bib the same thing as you bro. Bought my car from original owner bone stock and didn't really know to much about the DSM world so decided to just throe some mods on it and go balls to the walls. A month later car was in the shop hydro locked due to not checking the hole motor out and getting it evaluated and 1800$ later as well..... so if u wanna then I would say p for it then sell your other car and drop some money in to motor think of it like this.... is the inside dueable or not and if it is then focus on motor cause the interior part can always be done. The motor is the hear an soul of the car and with out a proper Check up you will be in the hole with a serious shop bill on your hands!!!! Lol u have any questions you can hmu 727 389 1012 my name is joe

 

[BigRed12]

Its hard to tell from the video, but it almost sounds like the starter is free wheeling rather than turning the motor over. If this is the case 1 of 2 things (that I know of) are wrong. Either the teeth on your flywheel or starter are gone, or the starter solenoid isn't kicking the gear out to mesh with flywheel.

 

[BossGreen]

Hey guys sorry for the late response

If you do which I would go to a good DSM known shop and have em go thru the motor thurouly and have money to put into new baskets and seals an plug wires plugs hoses tranny and rad fluid flushes. I literally bib the same thing as you bro. Bought my car from original owner bone stock and didn't really know to much about the DSM world so decided to just throe some mods on it and go balls to the walls. A month later car was in the shop hydro locked due to not checking the hole motor out and getting it evaluated and 1800$ later as well..... so if u wanna then I would say p for it then sell your other car and drop some money in to motor think of it like this.... is the inside dueable or not and if it is then focus on motor cause the interior part can always be done. The motor is the hear an soul of the car and with out a proper Check up you will be in the hole with a serious shop bill on your hands!!!! Lol u have any questions you can hmu 727 389 1012 my name is joe

I definitely understand what you're saying but I'm gunna go through the winter with it stock and just get keep her running and fixing small things and from selling my other car I'm going to buy a new engine and tranny and build it over the winter and than at the latest I will take a few weeks off from work at the beginning of the summer and clean the car up really good. I'm not going to do any mods on the current engine though, I'm not confident it could stand the beating. Thanks for your input though!

Its hard to tell from the video, but it almost sounds like the starter is free wheeling rather than turning the motor over. If this is the case 1 of 2 things (that I know of) are wrong. Either the teeth on your flywheel or starter are gone, or the starter solenoid isn't kicking the gear out to mesh with flywheel.

I'm going to be pulling the tranny today or tomorrow after school so I'll be checking the flywheel for sure and I might just order a new starter so I know it's new and good so I don't have future problems. I think it's the starter but I don't have much experience haha thanks for the suggestions!



Hey guys just a little update. I'll post pics tonight or tomorrow but my gas tank filler pipe is rusted to sh*t so I'm replacing it and it's a pain in the you know what. Also, I ordered a new XTD Stage 2 clutch kit and it should be here later this week so I'm hoping to get the tranny pulled at the latest tomorrow night so I can clean it up a little and than just pop the clutch in when it gets here and than throw the tranny back in because I only have 10 days till the east coast MOD and need to get this girl on the road. Pics to come later

 

[BossGreen]

Been a while since an update. Not much has really happen. I have to pull the tranny and replace my clutch hoping to get that done monday. However I had a tire/rim question. I really wanna get these xxr 530 rims 16x8 and a +20mm offset, i know nothing about rims and tires, ive been trying to teach myself everything but basically I'm wondering if I could order these rims and just go down to a tire shop and get a basic set of tires put on them and if it'd all fit comfortably under the car. Sorry if that made no sense, like I said I know nothing about this haha here's the link, if you know how i can make these work please let me know. Thanks! XXR Wheels: 530 16x8 Gold Rims

 

[cherrymane]

i dont see why not bro as long as it fits inside the wheel well. I just put new tires on my over the weekend and i realized how much room i had when putting it on. you can fit 20s all day on these car as long as its not dropped on it ass low to the ground.

i looked at the pic there really nice rims bro hell ya. if you need any extra oem or turbo lines or etc. let me know ill throw you them for free just pay shipping there just sitting around in my shop. i got new turbo lines egr intake piping pressure plate stock flywheel and a few other random things.