New to DSM, just some questions

[2gGSX97]

For the past year and a half I've owned a Honda Civic and I have recently decided to give it up and sometime this week I am picking up a 97 eclipse gsx. The entire block was rebuilt about 30k ago, along with a rebuilt transmission, new clutch, and a 14b turbo because I think the last one was bad. I've never owned a turboed vehicle and I just want to know if there are a lot of things I should be aware of. I had my Civic in the shop the other day getting something fixed for the guy who is going to buy it and I mentioned that I am getting an Eclipse and he pretty much told me not to. I'm buying it anyways but the thing is is that are they really that bad? I mean you are all dsm owners so I'm assuming you like them but this guy made it sound like my car of choice is terrible. Anyways I also wanted to ask, when I begin modding this thing, when do you need a tune? Is it mainly just after adjusting boost? Simple mods like intake and a new bov wouldn't require a tune correct?

 

[HondaStylez]

DSMs are not unreliable by any standard. The majority of DSMers are misinformed hackers that complain about unreliable cars, when in reality the failures are entirely their own fault.

You won't need a tune until you get larger injectors. That's the main difference you'll notice from the Honda. Increased boost and flow is seen and compensated for by the MAF, you don't have to worry about it until you start making too much power for the stock fuel system.

Welcome to Tuners, try not to say anything intelligent or correct anyone with facts, that might make everyone hate you. This is not H-T, people are here to make it known that they are better than you.

 

[TURB0]

Most people who claim that DSM's are completely unreliable simply don't know how to take care of their cars. I hate the stigma that has been attached to the DSM community. The 1g I'm driving now has been the most reliable of ANY car I have owned. Just do regular maintenance, keep an eye on fluid levels, and you should be fine. As far as tuning, I would recommend getting a logger no matter what mods you plan to do as they are inexpensive and extremely helpful at identifieng if your mods and running conditions are safe. Simple upgrades such as BOV (do a search for venting your bov before you jump into that, haha), intake,exhaust etc will most likely not require a re-tune however it is always good to know whats happening under that hood,

 

[dsmdragon]

OK then bro I'll try to cover all the basics about go or bad and maybe the pro's and con's.

Ok DSM's AKA eclipse's are a lot different then a honda then you may think possible. This is because they aren't vtec or anything like that, and you cant just put an intake, header, and exhaust on are cars and think it will do the same as a civic. You're gsx is the best DSM you can get ( some may think otherwise) because it is AWD and it is turboed with full abs/better rear piston calipers.
The Biggest problem with the 4G63 motor in a gsx/gs-t, is the motor is acceptable to crankshaft walk. Not a good thing but may not be a problem in some...50/50 chances. The n/t motor 420a doesn't have this problem.
The car you wish to buy is a good car because upgrades are cheeper then a n/t car.


pro's: AWD - abs 2piston rear cailpers - turbo motor at 210hp stock - lot of upgrades for cheep....etc but not to important

con's: crank walk - plastic bov - t25 turbo is about to its max - rubber intercooler pipping - cant vent to atmosphere(phoooosss) must resurculate bov....etc blah blah

The eclipse is a nice looking car and that is the first different better thing about it.
You need to know the car and what it can take not like a honda. This is why people don't like tghem in the performance world. They can be fast, they can move if you know what to do...So go to the main page of this site, scroll all the way down, click on the link that says tech guide!!! there you will find really important stuff on what to do what not to do and the differents on products and car...

Welcome to dsmtuners man..ask a question if you cant find it first, and we will gladely help man..

 

[merqury]

Well first of all, nice to have you on board. As everyone is saying if you don't maintain the car you will for sure experience problems. This is not a Honda (not saying are honda's are bad) and it requires much more care. So for all those people who complain that DSM's are just bad cars, that's probably because they don't know how to maintain them. I'll tell you one thing, now that you will buying a DSM, you will learn about your car inside out, if you choose to maintain it properly. When I bought my car, the second day it was being towed to the shop and that's when I started to learn about the car. Before that, I just knew I was buying a fast convertible. So, it all depends on which route you want to take. These car's are awesome in terms of performance and looks. I mean imagine driving it daily and having 400hp at the wheels. That's something I think a Honda can do but with a lot of money! Just upgrading your turbo setup and with a fine tune, that would achieveable. Only when you get into major fuel mods, that's when tunning comes into effect. Other then that, this site is great, the people are great and helpful, and.............. welcome!

 

[MyÜberFastGSX]

A 97 GSX is a very good purchase. I know because I have one.

If you're gonna decide to mod it, you should think really hard about doing a 6 bolt swap to avoid crank walk. I decided not to and blew my last motor.

This time around I'm doing a 6 bolt. So learn from my mistakes.

Which brings me to my next point. Learn from our mistakes. If it can be done, somebody on here has done it. So before you do something. Do some reSEARCH into how it worked out for other people.

Other than that, enjoy your new DSM, and don't street race.

 

[2gGSX97]

A 97 GSX is a very good purchase. I know because I have one.

If you're gonna decide to mod it, you should think really hard about doing a 6 bolt swap to avoid crank walk. I decided not to and blew my last motor.

This time around I'm doing a 6 bolt. So learn from my mistakes.

Which brings me to my next point. Learn from our mistakes. If it can be done, somebody on here has done it. So before you do something. Do some reSEARCH into how it worked out for other people.

Other than that, enjoy your new DSM, and don't street race.

Thanks for the advice. I've heard a lot about people doing 6 bolt swaps. The only thing that is turning me away is that is sounds expensive. I'm still in college so it's difficult to come up with much money. I haven't really read up on what crank walk is so I'll have to do that and look into it more. Anyways does anyone know what the stock psi is? I've heard different things so just curious if anyone knows for sure. Thanks a lot for the help and quick responses.

 

[HondaStylez]

About 12psi.

Crankwalk isn't as big an issue as most people make it sound and 7 bolts are plenty capable of making power. Unless you have a reason to replace the motor anyway, I wouldn't worry about a 6 bolt swap.

 

[2gGSX97]

About 12psi.

Crankwalk isn't as big an issue as most people make it sound and 7 bolts are plenty capable of making power. Unless you have a reason to replace the motor anyway, I wouldn't worry about a 6 bolt swap.

Yeah I mean there's only 85k on the car itself and about 30k on the motor after the rebuild. New crank, pistons, etc. So I really don't have a reason to replace the motor. I'll just have to read up a little on what crankwalk is. I really don't want to have to worry about it, just heard a lot of people talk about it so I'm a little concerned. As far as avoiding crankwalk, is this possible or is it just something that happens?

Oh and HondaStyles just wondering, do you have a 6 bolt or 7 bolt? Looks like you're putting down some good numbers with your gsx.

 

[njc1064]

First, whoever is telling you that a DSM is a poor choice might want to rethink that statement. Dsm's can become very very powerful without very much money. Also, i have owned dsms for the past five years, and i have to say that i have had very few problems. Poor maintainance is usually the main reason that they break, so take care of it! As for crankwalk, well, it could happen, but, many people have great success with their 7 bolt engines (as i am one of them). I think you will love the car, its pretty amazing!

 

[HondaStylez]

I'm using a 6 bolt. My 7 bolt spun a rod bearing.

Magnus has an excellent tech article on possible causes of crankwalk. It isn't really preventable, it either happens or it doesn't. Although the article gives a possible reason for it and a way to prevent it.

http://www.magnusmotorsports.com/tech/crankwalk.htm

I should be making more soon. I have smallish injectors and stock cams and they're both owning me at the moment.

 

[1g_tsi_awd]

Dsms aren't unreliable. If you treat it well, it will treat you well... Kinda cliche, but very true. Just make sure you put supporting mods in before doing anything big. And keep up with maintenaince and you'll be fine.

 

[2gGSX97]

Thanks a lot for the responses so far everyone. It's been a big help. And thanks HondaStylez I'm going to check out that site.

 

[jongreene]

Crankwalk on a 7 bolt is somewhere around 20% and a 6 bolt that crankwalked is pretty rare.

 

[pottersgst]

yea an the further your 2nd gen is from the year 95 the better...i have a 99 gst with 110,000 an not a stutter in the motor bout 100,000 i changed all the seals but that was just precautionary...but regular oil changes keep them runnin strong