To re-work, or trash...?

[talylover]

My 92' TSI AWD has been parked for nearly a year. I have every wish to get her back on the road, looking and working like shes better then new this summer, and yes, I understand the costs! My problem is simply, not knowing if the car is too trashed to work from. I know my baby needs a complete overhaul-where do I take her to get an honest opinion as to whether her frame etc. is too rusted/worn to work with. How do I know who to trust for the major parts of the re-work? Can a talon really be in too bad of condition to re-work???

 

[Skate4life_066]

hey man im in the same boat. i bought a 90 talon last year and it was pretty much trashed. since then ive been doing a lot of work on it. im not sure how much money you have to work with. i really wanted to bring mine back to life so i ordered a rebuilt 6 bolt motor from my local auto parts store. since the car is 17 years old, giving it a new engine is like giving a person a new heart. it runs great and now i can work on other things like the fuel system, turbo system, drive train, interior, exterior. the interior was pretty trashed so i took out most of the plastic panels and painted them myself. its already looking like new interior. unless your car is totally trashed, its definately worth it to work on. im getting mine painted in sept. after that it will look pretty close to a new car. good luck on your project.

 

[talylover]

Nice to hear someone else is rocking in the same boat. Ya, she's going to need some serious work done, got her rusted and all and that's my biggest concern- how rusted is too rusted out frame/body wise??? The cash ish- well, I know what I am getting into, it's just finding someone reliable enough to do the "big" work. I think the biggest part of my task this summer is researching who I can trust to work with me. And well, if I don't get her up and running till school's done next year so be it, but it would be nice to get started this summer. Hope the paint turns out nice for ya!

 

[MyÜberFastGSX]

It's alot more fun if you do the work yourself.

Plus you will save yourslef alot of money and appreciate it more when its done.

 

[Burnett03]

these cars are easy to come by and for cheap too.. if its rusted get rid of it, it's not worth it, just pick up another one.

 

[talylover]

The problem is that I have a bit of an attachment to the car, and it's becoming more of a challenge to me to one day fix her up. How big of an ish is the rust? I know I will be getting a new body for her, but the underneath she's looking scary! Considering I have never re-built before how rusted is too rusted? and what other signs should I be looking for that could tell me she's not worth it?

 

[Booztit]

Hi

First i d like to say that 1g cars, are a lot more tuffer than a lllooooootttttt of other cars (ex 240s, hondas etc)
I d even say that it s tuffer than 2 gs....
So if it s a little rusted I wouldnt worry about it....so what is little or big rust?
Take a look under the car and see if the floor is still solid, just knock on it, the rockers, and shock towers, basically just make sure there s no holes in the car because if there is that means the rust has already spread, and well....it s like a cancer...

If it s just a little orange with some little bubbles under the paint here and there, dont worry about it
And yes it s a bit normal if it looks scary underneath, just make sure there s no big holes
Pics would greatly help

 

[turbosax2]

Maybe some pictures of the car will help people give you their opinions.

 

[talylover]

Ya, I'll get on some pics soon, that sounds like a great idea. Well she def. needs a new body. She is rusted right through on each of the side quarter panels, the holes are fairly massive- I'd say the length of my fore arm. But the underneath is still looking solid, no holes- so I am hoping that being the case, then pretty much the rest can be fixed/replaced. I'll get some pics together soon. that'll will help!!

 

[tidalwake]

If you are scared to do work on the frame or body and don't want bondo or to pay shop prices, go to a local hot-rod show and check out the restored cars. Strike up a conversation with these guys, they are wizards with body work and will give you some pointers or help for cheap. Thats how I got my Galant VR4 in tip-top. Good luck!

 

[Cs4g63]

If your body is pretty bad off I would find a cheap non turbo 1g and cut the pieces you need out of it. There are tons out there to be found.

 

[chico904]

If it is rusted as bad as you say it is, then I would look for another one.

 

[talylover]

Well, went and took a look at her today, and she's really not in the best of shape. I took a few pics but I am sure anyone will agree that she's not fixable. The amount of rust underneath to the frame etc, nevermind under the hood I can't see it being financially or mechanically feasible- Take a look, but I am sure you will agree to forget her. The sad thing is, that I will probably move into a Mitsu 01 Eclipse if I don't put the money towards her, and really, I would rather put the money into taly- she's will be just way more fun!! Thanks for the inputs by the way, really appreciate all the help !

 

[Smitherines]

Thats a walk in the park, worst things are the fenders, big deal, just check out my 1g restoration project, and you'll see that you have it 100x better than I do. You better tackle it while its still half decent, and before it gets out of control.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=151185274&posted=1#post151185274

 

[talylover]

Wow, that looks like just as much of a job if not more then mine- How's she coming along??? I was reading some of your posts and you mentioned you just had surface rust not any rot, how do I know the difference (yes, fully this is an ami question I know- I am new at this)-as well in the wheel well and just generally in the frame? Once again, appreciate all the help, this is such great advice I am getting. This forum is awesome, you guys are great.

 

[talylover]

So, any idea where I should start the work on her. I would like to get her on the road soon, but not when she looks so bad and is running worse. What should be the process I take- as I have obviously no clue!!

 

[Smitherines]

Depends how you want to go about it, if you want to gut the whole car like I am, drop all the suspension and drive train, pickup the POR15, and have a wire wheel with a good electric drill, and take a week to do it, thats great. But if you just want to make it unnoticeable to anyone looking at it, then just replace the fenders.

The only way to tell if you're really in a bad position is to pull off all the ground effects, bumpers, and see what you're working with. Another likely rot spot is the door light switches on the outside of the body when you open your doors. Pull off the booties and see if its rotted (holes) underneath.

While you have the suspension out, you can rebuild it while you're at it. Replace bushings with OEM or go aftermarket with Energy Suspension Urethane Bushings. Take a look at your brake and fuel lines too, make sure that isn't a safety hazard.

All in all I would say its worth it. I'm already chest deep in my restoration, so theres no way I can back out.

If you have the room, I would say jack up the car on 4 jackstands, and just start going crazy on the underbody, get that baby mint, then if you want to start moving onto other parts of the car, by all means do so. Don't bother with anything if theres rot anywhere.

If you can jack the car up and take pics underneath, I can tell you whats up, but take alot of them to make it worth the while. Do you have rot on the wheel wells? How are the frame rails? How about those door light switches I mentioned? The front fenders dont matter, you can get new ones. Take ALOT of pics!

Keep us updated!

John Psaras

 

[talylover]

Right on, thanks so much, that's is some wicked help I will get on the pics this weekend, do you have any pics on your restoration? I'd love to see them. I will try to post the new pics up this weekend then I will let you know!!!!

 

[chico904]

After seeing the pics, it really does not look that bad. I'd start with at least getting a new fender.