My name is Josh and I come from the Utah area in the US. Just recently picked up a 1995 model GSX in silver w/ LSD.

After reading the forums for awhile, I thought I would post up my new find. Last year I picked up a 1998 GSX with 28k original miles that was just too clean to tune.

So I let that one go last fall and early this year found an early 1995 GSX with 105 K that wasn't running too well.
After some initial compression testing (wet/dry) the compression wasn't rising and it was pointing to the top end.

Last night I just pulled it into the shop and will perform a leak down test before I start getting into it.
Also want to see if I have a socketed Eprom.

The previous owner put some money into the suspension, wheels, and light engine mods (intake, exhaust, sway bars, down pipe). But had no tuning (ECMlink, wideband, etc) mods for future work.

This car will be used a lot as a primary car, but not entirely as a DD. That being said, I plan to upgrade the GSX as I can get to it since it isn't absolutely necessary to have to running tomorrow.

The plan is about 350-400 hp with tuning/bolt on modifications since I have a pretty clean slate with which to work.
I am not entirely sure that I want to upgrade internals until I have to either. Thanks guys for all the info I have already taken in.

Pics within 5 min.



So I decided to do the leak down today and go from there. Checked every cylinder at TDC, twice to make sure...
Only finding air escaping up top near the spark plugs on the 2-3 cylinders.

Just started disassembling to inspect the valves, head and gaskets since I want to drive it. Considering just pulling the engine for ease tomorrow unless anyone points out otherwise. Josh

Daily post:

Just getting ready to pull the engine and came across a set of brakes for a deal and a 1/3. So going to upgrade to brakes to a set of front/rear Brembo brakes while at work.

More tomorrow....

Daily post:

Just decided to pull the engine and transmission together. Just read the various ways to do it and separating the transfer case while removing the transmission seemed to make most sense, for me.

Now just need to decide how much of the engine to refresh. I definitely want the engine to seal up well as I don't want to do this again in a few months.

Brake brackets should be here by the weekend and I will convert the brake set to Brembo Evo X's.

So just before I left work yesterday I separated the block from head to see what is up.

It looks like there are most definitely valves hanging open upon initial inspection. Also the head gasket has given at the 2-3 cylinders as previously thought.

Going to clean some things this weekend, but I am hoping for some opinions before reassembly.

Piston rings,
Cylinder hone,
Head resurface,
Head gasket,
Various gaskets,
Oil pump,
Water pump,
New head bolts,
Valves seals,
Valve guides?
Are rod and main bearings necessary??

Anything else that I may be forgetting to order this weekend?? Thanks guys, Josh

Why not do a full rebuild now that the motor is out. Even just a stock rebuild using 1g rods and 2g pistons? With your hp goals this set up would do you just fine.

It is something that is on my mind considering I need to clean up the head and am going to re-ring the pistons for comfort.
I guess my experience thus far is limited to an engine swap, 3 teardowns (also in the head gasket process) and some minor engine work.

Just want to do this right and have everything seal up well. That is why I had this thread moved from the intro section.
Opinions for the rebuild are appreciated.

Today the pistons and rods were pulled... Along with the camshafts to gain valve access.
The pistons are not vertically scored, and you cannot hang a fingernail on the cylinder walls.

Now decisions for the rebuild....... Josh
.

Stock rebuild will hold the power you want but not much else. If you plan on making more power later might as well do forged internals. Better to over build a bit.

I am just thinking stock rebuild possibly with the 1g rod/2g piston set-up. It would be nice to have it running in a couple weeks or so.

After a year or two, I will consider building it up with forged internals. However, I really want to upgrade from my 1997 Mirage sooner than later. Josh

just put a head head gasket and headstuds on it and drive it. then buy a used block, 6 bolt or 99 style 7 bolt. and build it up. heck a running lift out complete engine from a 99 turbo car right now today for 500$ and about 200$ more to ship it to your door.

then you can drive your car and build the forged beast that you desire.

just put a head head gasket and headstuds on it and drive it. then buy a used block, 6 bolt or 99 style 7 bolt. and build it up. heck a running lift out complete engine from a 99 turbo car right now today for 500$ and about 200$ more to ship it to your door.

then you can drive your car and build the forged beast that you desire.

Click to expand...

\\\\\--------------------------/////

Wow... Has it really been 4-5 months.?.?.

Well I am just getting back to my GSX this upcoming week and am trying to make a decision.
Let me know what you guys think..

Would you rather use a 60k 4g63t from Ebay or just rebuild the engine??
Trying to avoid just tossing a headgasket on there and calling it a day.

What do you think the best option might be at this point?
Or where the best place to find a used engine might be?

Thanks everyone for any help or thoughts.
I would like to have this car running in about 30 days. Josh

So...

Made an executive decision this week. Decided on using a 2.3 stroker short block with forged internals and building a six bolt.

Meanwhile... I will clean and rebuild the 2g head, hone the cylinders, new rings, and new rod bearings for the 7 bolt to use as a driver.

New oil pump, water pump, belts, seals, & gaskets.

Still not quite sure on the head set up, turbo set up, transmission and clutch set up, intercooler set up, injectors, fuel pump for the six bolt.

Guess I am just getting started. Hopefully this won't take 2-3 years and get through most of this pretty smoothly.

Thanks guys for all the help in threads.
A lot of good information and definitely a ton of options. Josh

Soooooo... Just couldn't pass up a GST locally that needed quite a bit of love.

1997 2gb GST auto. This one will probably be a longer project.
But should be fun to get on the road again. Josh

Nice finds keep at it man. Let's see more updates.

Thanks...

Had to tell my girlfriend that I was making a few trips to the storage unit.
She still isn't too happy.

Will definitely try to keep this one updated.
Funds are always tight with so many projects including bikes and guitars.

Swapping a 3.1 forged piston/rod/crank set up into my Stealth this next week also.
Not too sure what I will be able to do to the 97 2gb this next week.

Probably just a damn good cleaning. Josh



I really need to invest in a load leveler.

Damn I understand. Good luck with your swap!

Don't know about you guys.... But my bell housing/transmission is dirty.

Time to get the transmission cleaned up and ready for upcoming work.
Just wrapped up the sensors, splines, seals and hit it with some orange degreaser and soapy water.

So here is 3 days before November.
It has been a while since I updated my thread and wanted to show progress.

Tomorrow I will get shots of the bottom end that I will be using and will start rebuilding the engine in 2 weeks.

Like most guys around here, I decided to go for more power and needed supporting mods to do so.

Last week I got my hands on one of the last pieces to the puzzle and hopefully I can get this car running in a month or so. Josh

So here is the block I will be using.
*2.3 Stroker block set up
*OEM 4g64 crank
*I beam rods
*Wiseco HD pistons
*Kiggly girdle
*ceramic coating

The head will just be a stock 2g while I work on a race head.
The holes have been opened 1mm for the 6 bolt swap.

Just going to get it hot tanked, pressure tested and the head checked for flatness.

Going with an MHI 20g for the first while while I gather add on's for the HX35 and consider transmission options.

Plus DSMlink, HKS Bov, FMIC, FIC 750cc injectors, Walbro 255 fuel pump. Full Apexi downpipe to 3" exhaust, Injen intake.

Still need an external wastegate set up and a fuel pressure regulator among the other small thing.

Hopefully this is a good way to start because it has been pushing this project back getting the right parts. Josh

Almost can't believe that I have had this car about a year now and it still isn't on the road.

Just way too many projects (auto& other) going on and just got myself into a small building to avoid the Utah winter.

Also just picked up a couple projects that could be interesting.
First is my DD 1989 Mighty Max with the narrow block 2.0 mated to the KM132 5 speed.



Then last week on a weird trade, 88 Ram50 2.6 for a 1992 GVR4 project that needs a lot of work.



Anyway, I just started getting back to the 2g and plan to have it running in the late winter/early spring.

Parts that I have gather led recently:

•DNP tubular manifold with the external waste gate (looks like it may need to be braced further).
•ECMlink V3 with cables, ECU.
•MBC
•FMIC

Plus a few 2g heads, various parts, intercooler piping.

Still, the list is quite long of parts needed.
255 fuel pump,
AFPR,
Wideband,
Finish the Brembo upgrade
New timing components.

Then there is a 4age MR2 that needs an engine swap before the 2g can get finished.
Plus, I would actually like to finish the wiring on the Stealth and get it out. Josh

Damn dude.

TONS of projects!

You should use the 2gb Auto as a daily.

Keep up the good work!

Oh yeah... Forgot about that one. Can't remember exactly when and where it went, but someone wanted the white 2gb and I sold it.

Honestly, next year I want to do the 4g63 swap into the Mighty Max, but right now I need it for moving bikes and stuff.
The GSX will probably end up being my DD if I can get it the way I vision.

The GVR4 was just too cool to pass up. It would probably make a good weight reduction car since it may need too much to get it back to factory correct.
But who knows, I have been wanting to learn more work and it might be a good project with which to start. Josh

Mighty Max starting to look a bit more sharp.

Sweet truck. It would be a pretty straight forward swap, no? Odd that I haven't seen many of these swaps before, was the MightyMax a lemon or something?

There is MightyRam50.net that has a few swaps. The 2.4 wide block looks to be one of the favorites for the swap. Some folks like the 2.6 for the Starion swap.

The 1989 Mighty Max has the 2.0 Sohc g63b engine and the 4g63 bolts up to the KM132.
The engine mounts do need to move the engine up almost 2 inches to clear the water piping though, and the wiring harness will be almost custom made.

It will be a project next fall if things go as planned. Not really a priority, but the swap is definitely in mind.
Still want to remove the bed and clean the entire truck chassis before I clean everything up. Not sure where I will post that build yet. Josh

Damn dude nice finds! I wish they're were more dsm's around my area, I sold mine like an idiot, and can't find another one for a decent price :/. Get back on that 2g! And the gvr4, I've always loved those things !!