Questions about maintenance, STP, Sea Foam

[Phoenixdriver]

Hey Guys,
I just got my hands on a 95 GSX. The car has 95,500 or so miles on it and is completely stock. I wanted to do the usual maintenance and check up stuff before I start messing with the stock configuration. What I plan on doing right now, or well over the next month or two is

- Replacing the spark plugs (NGK BPR6ES)
- Replacing the spark plug wires
- Oil change/Oil filter change
- Coolant flush/replacement
- New Tires
- Clean Fuel injectors

Anything else you guys recommend for a car with the mileage. I planning to keep the car through college and after, right now I'll have a weekend or two each month to work with it. My questions are..

-For the wires can I just get the recommended ones at Autozone?
-I usually use a regular Quaker Oil in other cars, any problems or better oils for this car?
-Never done a Coolant flush, with a turbo is it much different?
-I was reading about AWD cars and most postings from manufacturers recommend same tire tread heights, but I came across an article here which said that if one set was new and another set on the back was 50% worn it wouldn't cause the drive train too much trouble?
-Used to use STP Fuel products, and a friend recommended Sea Foam, just wondering if anyone had any experience with it? I want to use either to clean the fuel injectors.

-Also, my dad took out my car and put 87 rated gasoline in the car, and the manual asks for premium minimum 91 or something, I was wondering if that causes anything? The car was alright this weekend, but just seemed a little off.

Thanks for the help I appreciate any help. I am planning to write up a list/plan for the mods that I want to do, I will ###### post that later. Thanks

 

[ZmanIV]

Timing belt.

Other things would be a new water pump, and all accessory belts.

You must use high octane gas to keep down the knock.
Boosted cars require higher octane to prevent this.

 

[babell2]

I recomend SeaFoam for cars that haven't been regularly treated with a fuel system cleaner. If you have trouble passing emissions you can use a can sucked through the intake to remove carbon deposits in combustion chambers and de carbon catalytic converters and O2 sensors. If you do replace the timing belt you might want to change the water pump while you are in there. Not that it needs one now but the timing belt does have to come off to do one and while you are already half way there...

 

[98mitsuGSX-SD]

+1 for Timing belt. You never know the service history of the car. So going through and setting the standard is a must for new vehicles. If you plan on taking out the balance shaft now would be the most convient time.

If you plan on using Seafoam. Beware that you will be creating a large smoke screen. Since your a college student, you might not want to do this on college property. I'd suggest using 2 cans of seafoam. Put one can in the gas tank that will help clean the fuel system (including injectors) and then about 1/2 a can into the engine through the BOV vaccum line and sucked into the intake and the rest into the oil fill cap.

This will more than likely foul your plugs and you'll need a oil change right after. The carbon deposits will pool up with your oil. So keep your crappy spark plugs for when you want to use seafoam again. That's what I've done.

The use of 87 octane gas is ok as long as you don't suffer from knock. Since your not able to log knock, I'd stick with 91+ octane for the time being.

We dont' know the current condition of your tires, But it's true that you don't want to run different sized tires on any of your rims. You can get away with similar tires on the front or rear.

Personally I've never done a coolant flush on my car. I usually take it to a shop. I would think the process is the same no real difference.

The OEM replacment wires are ok for now, But once you move into more HP and require less interferance with your spark delivery you should upgrade to a more insulated wire.

 

[poooch]

defenitally run some seafoam. it is awesome and cleans out the internals nice but be preparred to see alot of smoke

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

+1 for Timing belt. You never know the service history of the car. So going through and setting the standard is a must for new vehicles. If you plan on taking out the balance shaft now would be the most convient time.

If you plan on using Seafoam. Beware that you will be creating a large smoke screen. Since your a college student, you might not want to do this on college property. I'd suggest using 2 cans of seafoam. Put one can in the gas tank that will help clean the fuel system (including injectors) and then about 1/2 a can into the engine through the BOV vaccum line and sucked into the intake and the rest into the oil fill cap.

This will more than likely foul your plugs and you'll need a oil change right after. The carbon deposits will pool up with your oil. So keep your crappy spark plugs for when you want to use seafoam again. That's what I've done.

The use of 87 octane gas is ok as long as you don't suffer from knock. Since your not able to log knock, I'd stick with 91+ octane for the time being.

We dont' know the current condition of your tires, But it's true that you don't want to run different sized tires on any of your rims. You can get away with similar tires on the front or rear.

Personally I've never done a coolant flush on my car. I usually take it to a shop. I would think the process is the same no real difference.

The OEM replacment wires are ok for now, But once you move into more HP and require less interferance with your spark delivery you should upgrade to a more insulated wire.

+1 ...I couldn't have said it better myself, except for the 87 octane thing. That's one that I wouldn't even mess with... granted that 87 in your tank with mild driving most likely won't lead to any problems, but it's so damn simple to pick up the premium nozzle instead.

If you add the timing belt/water pump to your list, you'll be in the right direction. Some things that you can do right now that don't really cost anything, would be 1. A boost leak test and 2. PCV inline check valve (you'll probably need a new PCV valve as well, but your boost leak test will let you know that).

 

[98mitsuGSX-SD]

The only reason I mentioned that people are able to run a lower octane. Is the fact they've tuned it so knock is already taken in consideration by other means ususally through meth/water injection; which increases the octane/detonation level of lower grade gas.

 

[TSITuner4Lyfe69]

If you're replacing your wires might as well get some upgraded wires for the extra cost while your at it

 

[Phoenixdriver]

Hey guys I appreciate the help and info...I haven't done anything yet, just been buying all the stuff I need, cause I saw that I was leaking a little oil. It is about 1-4 drops a week or so. Thats what I see on the ground when I come home for the weekend. You think I should put off the sea foam and changing oil till after it is fixed. Or since it really isn't too bad I can wait to fix it and go ahead with changing everything out. It seems to be coming from behind the timing belt case, maybe the front seals or something...