Buying '92 GS - Known Problems - Manifold & CV Joints

[mdburpo]

Getting ready to go scope out a minty fresh (allegedly) appearing 1992 Eclipse GS. If I like, I'm taking it home with me for an awesome $600 asking price. CV Joints "may" need replaced and it "may" have a cracked exhaust manifold.

I'm looking at $800 to replace a head gasket on an Olds Cutlass Supreme or buy a DSM, again. I figure with the known problems, the $800 I'll spend fixing the head gasket on the Olds that may have a cracked head will be better spent on the DSM. Had one at 18 for a few months (Laser RS Turbo) and been missing it for the past 5 years.

Assuming all is well and good with the rest of the car...

Do I shoot for CV Joints or Mani first? For CV Joints, are OEM replacements sufficient for twisty track fun times? Recommendations on a Mani for the 4g63NT? Keep in mind, I'm using this as an excuse to start my upgrading process already.

 

[GofaST4life]

i would perform all the maintinence(sp) first and get the car running good before thinking about upgrading...and remember the 1992 GS wont be as fun as you Laser RS Turbo...

 

[mdburpo]

I think, actually, it will be more fun. Considering I'm 23 years old, married, have three step-kids, and have been driving a '99 Caravan for the past year and the Olds CS before that. The NT will seem like it's a gagillion times more fun at this point.

That being said, obviously the maintenance will come first and foremost. Considering I don't know squat about the NT version of the 4g63, I was curious about the replacement manifold (2g, EVOIII, etc.). I figure if I'm replacing the manifold right off the bat, I might as well spend a tad extra and not just buy a straight OEM replacement. It's always been my way of thinking that if I'm going from A now to B in the future, but A is broke now, why buy another A if I'll eventually buy B anyway?

 

[bastarddsm]

Good luck with tthe GS man. For axle i reccomend goin to carquest, i believe its like $120 for both, with a lifetime warranty. While your at it I would put in a new timing belt and b-shaft, as well as tensioners if they seem questionable. If you don't already know, when the timing belt breaks it bends at least 4 valves, and its probably at least $500 to fix it.

For the manifold you will want to just get a standard n/t manifold, not from a junkyard. all usedones are cracked. You could buy a cheapie XS power tubular turbo manifold, and make a custom downpipe. Also I belive pacesetter makes a header for the n/t cars. You could also just live with it, unless the leak is huge it won't cause any major mechanical probs, it will just sound like pooopooo..

There was a vendor that catered to the 1g n/t, but it was a couple years ago i checked them out and can't remember the name. search around and you might find it..


What are you plans for the car? if your turboing it, then just score a used 2g mani and 14b...

 

[mdburpo]

Maybe a year down the road, I will turbo it. I haven't decided.

I stumbled across a 93 Laser RS Turbo that will need a tranny or I can take the tranny with it for an extra $150. He says it has a tranny from a '95 Eclipse in it right now...

I managed to find an engine/tranny combo locally on ebay for $150.

 

[spoonman]

I stumbled across a 93 Laser RS Turbo that will need a tranny or I can take the tranny with it for an extra $150. He says it has a tranny from a '95 Eclipse in it right now...

.

If the transmission is from a 95 it will not fit onto the 1G Laser. The 2G trannys have different motor mount locations and would be impossible to fit into a 1G chassis unless there was extensive fabrication to make it fit, but the bellhousing will mate with the engines perfectly. Almost all 1G exhaust manifolds crack and if yours does have hairline cracks on the out side you do not have to worry about replacing it, I ran on a hairline cracked manifold for years and never had it fail.

 

[mdburpo]

Before I posted the last post, I asked him a simple question: "How did you install a 2G transmission into a 1G car?" and went on to explain the differences between the two. He responded that "it bolted right up except for the starter bolts"... I'm starting to get wary of this seller. The original car I was asking about has a seller that seems to be a straight shooter. Mind you, all of this has been found through Craigslist and all communication thus far has been digital. I'm trying to feel out the cars and sellers before I waste my time driving an hour or more to see them in person.

My gut is telling me the GS is gonna turn out to be a good deal. I'll probably be calling the guy a little later tonight and getting some more in depth information such as replaced parts, last maintenance on common maintenance issues, etc. He's sending me pics Thursday which is the day I was hoping to make the trip to scope it out.

 

[mdburpo]

GAH!!! Sold out from under me.