My 1990 eclipse GSX build "project GSX"

[jwcardy]

Hey guys, I've started at Blog on this build. It can be found here "project gsx"

and notifications of updates to the build can be found here. Project/Build Logs

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Ive been debating making this thread on the dsmtuners for a while basically because the car isnt really much to look at other than pieces. I, like many others on here have owned several different cars through the years and have modded every single one of them. Currently i have an 05 srt4, 02 rsx-s, 92 tsi awd and the 90 gsx project. After making roughly 500whp with my srt4 ive come to the conclusion that i will never be satisfied with a high hp fwd car. I want a serious street car and what better way to do that than with something AWD so "project GSX" is born. Right now im focusing on doing the body work, interior and front and rear suspension on the car. Right now a close friend of mine(graduate from wyotech in classic car/hotrod restoration) has been hot and heavy on the demolition and restoration of the body. There are a few dents and dings to be taken care of and the car will be repainted white with the black top. The hood and hatch will both be carbon fiber so we arent worried about those.

I will be using the 6bolt block, tranny, tcase and 4bolt rear end out of my 92tsi but that will all come later since the 92tsi is the winter time beater. Ive just been gather and stock piling parts for the engine build with its finally time to tear out of the tsi. Plans are to leave the block the stock 2.0liter(no stroker for me) and build it to be rev happy so that i can get the most out of the turbo i plan to run(borg warner s368). Right now im still undecided on where i want send the tranny for a rebuild...same thing with the rear end and tcase.

This is more so a thread to show my build process for you guys to comment on, give me ideas, and pointers. Just like all builds, this one is very time consuming and checkbook funds destroying, also the fact that im only home 3days a week doesnt help the progress much either so please bare with me as updates may be slow. Well here are the pics of some of the things that ive been working on.

-wes

here is the car the day that i picked it up

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didnt waste anytime tearing it apart, painting engine bay, and stripping, cleaning and coating the wheel wells

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some pics of the body work getting done...there is a bunch left to do...

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here are a couple of pics of the subframe and control arms torn apart ready to be cleaned and powder coated before i put in the new bushing kit...

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Subframe pieces and control arms back from the powder coater ready for installation. All new bushings, balljoints and swaybar endlinks. Main part of subframe already installed, sorry no pics

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My girlfriend loves cars and loves helping me in the shop (soldering is her specialty) so i put her in charge of sandblasting the stock calipers and brackets. Im running the stock calipers because i plan to run a 16in rota slipstream. No big brake kit for me.

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Here are a couple of pics of what the caliper/bracket looks like after theyve been cleaned up and coated. Still waiting on the rebuild kits to come in so that i can put them back together.

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haha ive reached my image quota per post so on with #2

 

[jwcardy]

Powerslot slotted rotors, Hawk pads and Techna-fit ss brake lines just waiting to be installed.

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I orginally picked up a set of f1spec.com R1 fully reclinable bucket seats, but i got to thinking that the red was just going to cut up the white exterior and black interior too much so ive decided to put them in my rsx-s and i picked up of set of their "type5" non reclining bucket in black.

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Im still waiting on my KSPORT coilovers, extended wheel studs and caliper rebuild kits to come in so that i can finally button up the front end. Let me know what you think guys...I will be posting updates as they come.

-wes

 

[crimsondragon]

Weight of the seats? Btw your g/f is hot. If all Nebraskan girls are like her, then I'm moving to the midwest.

 

[98GSXtreme07]

What did you use for your wheel-wells, if you don't mind me asking?



Oh nice build by the way. Looks like you've got the money thing down. I like all of the pretty new looking parts.

 

[Detective Coating]

I take it you used the rustoleum paint in the wheel wells obviously to prevent rust and clean it up. It's looking really good. What are your overall plans for the car? Track, street?

 

[Lofty]

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Wow fcking sexy!



The seat isn't too bad either.

 

[jwcardy]

Weight of the seats? Btw your g/f is hot. If all Nebraskan girls are like her, then I'm moving to the midwest.

not sure of the exact weight of the seats but the box was very manageable with both seats, brackets and sliders in one box if that tells you anything?
-wes

What did you use for your wheel-wells, if you don't mind me asking?



Oh nice build by the way. Looks like you've got the money thing down. I like all of the pretty new looking parts.

On the wheel wells, i cleaned/stripped them the primed the bare metal and used a rubberized undercoating... I cant remember the brand name right now, but i will let you know next time i go to the shop...sorry man...when the project is done i do plan to come home and run the car at no problem raceway...it would be nice to have a dsm meet around then...
-wes

I take it you used the rustoleum paint in the wheel wells obviously to prevent rust and clean it up. It's looking really good. What are your overall plans for the car? Track, street?

Overalll plans for the car? Right now i just want to build a clean powerful street car. Im sure it will make it to the track a few times
-wes

 

[oVaBoost]

very nice very very nice!!!! looking good!

 

[jwcardy]

very nice very very nice!!!! looking good!

thank a lot man! but i was very disappointed earlier today when i went to look at the pics of your car, figured you would have more...put some more up...the red and black looks clean from your avatar pic..
-wes

 

[crimsondragon]

not sure of the exact weight of the seats but the box was very manageable with both seats, brackets and sliders in one box if that tells you anything?
-wes

Not really . Is it going to be bolt on? Is there a noticeable difference in weight between those seats and stock seats? Give me an estimate!

 

[jwcardy]

Not really . Is it going to be bolt on? Is there a noticeable difference in weight between those seats and stock seats? Give me an estimate!

not a direct bolt in application but all you would need are brackets for your car. Noticeable difference, hell yes. The stock seats are a beast. These seats have a fiberglass frame with very little cushion and fabric. just guessing, a 1/3 of the weight of the stock seat, maybe lighter.

-wes

 

[crimsondragon]

Sweetness. That satisfied me. I was looking at the site for their brackets. Are you using those? Are you modifying stock seat brackets to fit? Will Sparco brackets for 2g work?

 

[jwcardy]

Sweetness. That satisfied me. I was looking at the site for their brackets. Are you using those? Are you modifying stock seat brackets to fit? Will Sparco brackets for 2g work?

I will be welding/fabricating and powdercoating my own brackets to my liking. I couldnt tell you anything about 2g sparco brackets. Give them a shout and ask for Ming, he is very helpful
-wes

 

[ILLiCliPSE]

Im thinking about getting the R1s from F1SPEC but in black. Im confused on what their site says...$400 per seat (in fiberglass, not carbon kevlar) Im guessing, and not $400 for the pair? They look like really sweet seats. They look like knock-offs of the Bride Low Max. If you have time, please PM me the details on your purchase of those seats.

Other than that, the build looks SWEET! Ill be checking for updates for sure.

 

[pj91gsx]

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Can I get a copy of that. Thanks.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Thats looking good.

 

[hdoerr]

Props on the plan, Mad props on the progress, Ultra props on your girl, but what I want to know is what do you slip into your girls food to enjoy this with you because I would like to order a metric ton of it

 

[92AWDHX40]

Lol, good idea.

 

[jwcardy]

Props on the plan, Mad props on the progress, Ultra props on your girl, but what I want to know is what do you slip into your girls food to enjoy this with you because I would like to order a metric ton of it

i guess that i just got lucky this time man...shes awesome...always there right beside me learning and helping...

-wes

 

[jwcardy]

I spent a little time at my shop today messing with the subframe and front lower control arms. I managed to get all of the subframe, lower control arms, new ball joints, swaybar and new swaybar endlinks installed. Sorry for the crappy/dirty pics, there is dust everywhere from all the sanding going on on the body.

-wes

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[hdoerr]

i guess that i just got lucky this time man...shes awesome...always there right beside me learning and helping...

Well everything you have shown us seems to amount to an absolute awesome ride when you’re done and I can't wait to see it. My son and I would love to get this knee deep into his but no place to do it. I am sure that most guys that will look at this thread will be jealous of the fact that you got so very lucky but I would enjoy it to the max if I where you.

 

[jwcardy]

i guess that i just got lucky this time man...shes awesome...always there right beside me learning and helping...

Well everything you have shown us seems to amount to an absolute awesome ride when you’re done and I can't wait to see it. My son and I would love to get this knee deep into his but no place to do it. I am sure that most guys that will look at this thread will be jealous of the fact that you got so very lucky but I would enjoy it to the max if I where you.

I hear ya man. Im very lucky with the old lady and the fact that i have an awesome place to work on all my toys since my house doesnt have a garage. Here is a pic of my shop where all the fun happens (40'x50'). Its close enough in town to walk to and rent w/ electricity is only $200/month.

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[turbosax2]

Holy shit, that shop is cheap! The only garage I could find within 20 minutes of my house was half the size and the guy was asking $1000/month

Nice looking project

 

[jwcardy]

Well guys, my body guy and i managed to spend a little time in the shop today. I didnt want to remove the heater core and crap just incase the car is driven in the cold weather, but i got bored today. Also decided to remove the engine bay fuse box wiring out of the engine bay so that i can tuck it under the dash and also weed out some of the wiring i wont be needing anymore.

my coilovers are expected to be delived on tuesday. My steering nuckles should be done being powder coated and new wheel bearings pressed in by then so i should be pretty busy this weekend buttoning up the front end.

-wes

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rear quarter knocked out ready to move on to the next ding.

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[pj91gsx]

hey, nice progress, I was wondering why you used so much glaze or bondo. are those really big dings? Im doing body work now, Im hoping Im doing it right. also, I took my dash out are you planning to put that back in?