Possibly going to purchase '91 laser

[Chrisj485]

Alright...My current car's (junk '02 Mercury Cougar) engine blew...bought a new motor and had it shipped to me. Paid to have it installed to find out it too was also a junk motor

So I've been looking through the classifieds for cheap cars to get me by for the time being and came across an ad for a 1991 Plymouth Laser Turbo. The car doesn't run. The seller only wants $300 for it because he said it needs a new timing belt (why it wont start) and he has a kid on the way etc. He said the car still cranks though. ANYWAYS...this really caught my eye because I've always been a fan of the 1G dsm's and would love to start modifying. We've exchanged a few emails back and forth and he has sent me pics of the car. The interior is 9/10 and the exterior has about 3 tiny rust spots...nothing rotted out or anything. So I think that I will take a drive to check it out.

Question is...is there anything else you experieced dsm owners think I should check out...I know im limited for things to look over sine it's not drivable, but just any advice in general?

Thanks in advance!

 

[98gst14b]

a blown timing belt is kinda scary.....but for 300$ you cant go wrong, Id get it, if its a 5spd that is. Good luck

 

[Chrisj485]

a blown timing belt is kinda scary.....but for 300$ you cant go wrong, Id get it, if its a 5spd that is. Good luck

Yeah...I was thinking that too...And yes, it is 5spd..and with the money I'll be getting back from returning the junk motor I bought ($1600) hopefully I'll get it running and then some...

But on the topic of the timing belt....I was reading that its possible the valves could have gotten bent and that the whole head may need to be replaced? Just wondering if I had read that right.

 

[dsmclipse97]

Yes the 4G63 is an interferance engine so its possible some of the valves are bent. I would pull the head off either way. but only $300? you cant really go wrong if you arent afraid to get your hands dirty.

 

[Chrisj485]

Yes the 4G63 is an interferance engine so its possible some of the valves are bent. I would pull the head off either way. but only $300? you cant really go wrong if you arent afraid to get your hands dirty.

Oh I'm definitely ready to do some work...I've been without a car for the past 3 months so I've learned to cope with not having a car and I have a garage...Looks like I'll have to pick it up....But as far as everything else goes...Probably nothing else to look for other than the engine huh?

 

[LTUDSM]

if i were you i would look for another dsm round here,you said that youll get back 1600 for your junk cougars motor,so and add up those 300 total it would be almoust 2000$ so for that amount you can get a nice working and drivible awd dsm so just think bout it...

 

[Chrisj485]

if i were you i would look for another dsm round here,you said that youll get back 1600 for your junk cougars motor,so and add up those 300 total it would be almoust 2000$ so for that amount you can get a nice working and drivible awd dsm so just think bout it...

It's definitely something to think about, but he said he had a couple people interested in it (could be BS) and I'll have to take that motor out by myself and ship it over to Wisconsin then wait to get my money back from all of that, so I think I might try to jump on this one quick.

 

[LTUDSM]

well then good luck to you... but dont forget if you goal is to go with 300 or more at whp you should def get a AWD DSM thats for sure...

 

[Chrisj485]

well then good luck to you... but dont forget if you goal is to go with 300 or more at whp you should def get a AWD DSM thats for sure...

Is that because of the fwd's drivetrain or actually being able to get 300 usable hp to the ground due to traction issues?

 

[dsmclipse97]

Id get that laser. Id be on that if i felt like driving a few hours to portland. Check shaft play on the turbo check the rest of the engine but im sure you already know that. good luck.

 

[LTUDSM]

Is that because of the fwd's drivetrain or actually being able to get 300 usable hp to the ground due to traction issues?

you see my friend got a talon FWD he got 410 whp and he cant use all hp on the street during the lunch because of crazy wheel spining

 

[Chrisj485]

Found another dsm for sale close to my house. 1992 Eclipse GS N/T. 5spd. Only wants $350. So this is another possibility...I've been reading about swapping in the turboed motor and have been getting alot of results to the effect of "sell the car and buy a already turboed one...or the cost is to much and not worth it." I noticed that most of the posts where referring to the 2g dsm's. Does this apply the the 1g's as well. Would it not be wise to buy an n/t dsm with intentions of swapping in the turboed 4G63?

 

[hewhoisknot]

I say just buy a turbo DSM and save yourself the trouble. And if the guy says the engine still cranks and he's been cranking it with a bad- t-belt i bet you the valves are bad and hopefully none have been thrown through any pistons. It's all on you though man.

BUN

 

[Chrisj485]

I've changed my mind and decided not to get either car...I'm taking the junk motor out of my cougar this weekend and shipping it back next week to gather my money...After I get my money back I will just buy a full running dsm. There are about 5, 1992 Talon turbo awd's for sale for under $4k near where I live. So I think I will just wait it out a little bit.

 

[funkbuster]

i say get it, sounds like a good deal. Just be ready to pull the head, if the belt went while it was running, or if he even cranked on it after the belt went, they it will most likely have bent valves.

 

[burnt_toast96]

i say get it, sounds like a good deal. Just be ready to pull the head, if the belt went while it was running, or if he even cranked on it after the belt went, they it will most likely have bent valves.

it would make for a cheap dd if the problems are slight, but still reliability.. But if you can wait out on a awd and your ok with waiting, go for that instead.