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On the hunt for a DSM in Colorado

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sprezzatura

Probationary Member
9
0
Jun 11, 2015
BOULDER, Colorado
Hey all - been a long time lurker and finally have the itch to fulfill some of my longstanding DSM fantasies. I have been saving up some cash, so it is time to get something that will put a smile on my face as a DD - specifically I have always really been into the 2g Eclipse model, and I have found two cars that seem to fit what I am looking for.

Both cars are in great condition and also have their cons, and I would really appreciate any advice on them from those who know DSM better than me.

First car is stock with 100,500 miles
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5065987956.html

Second car is modified (with things I would probably do anyways) but only has 35,000 original miles - checked out with carfax. I would jump on this one immediately but it has a CEL randomly on start up which goes away after the car has been running for a while. Will most likely not pass emissions as it sits. Owner seems really honest and told me up front that it also has the notorious lifter tick which I did not experience when I went to see it.
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5009902214.html

Again, any advice about the two would be appreciated. Which would you choose and why? Or if you want to just say hey that works too.
 
Decided to make an offer on the latter car. The extras that come with the car seems to be a good deal, and 35,000 original miles is too tempting. Pics to follow if everything goes accordingly...
 
Bought the 35,000 mile eclipse for a great deal, and dropped it at an exhaust shop to get a cat put in over the weekend. I will pick it up Tuesday and post some pics. I can't wait
 
I agree with the above post. The timing belt and accompanying components are nearing the 20 year mark. Consider taking care of that soon to protect your investment.

ECMlink is definitely the way to go when tuning DSMs yourself. Take care of that maintenance first before buying more fun parts though.

Welcome to the Mile High DSM community btw!
 
Thanks for the advice. I definitely plan on getting an ecmlink and I will probably replace the key components just for peace of mind. I want to turn this car into a fun daily, so reliability is a priority.

Super excited to pick it up on Tuesday. Then the plan is to get the temp tags and drop it at a nearby shop to have them install the msd ignition booster and the ecmlink with 680 injectors and put a proper tune on it for me. I would love to do the work myself but I am super busy with work and want to drive it asap.
 
Alright! I have been neglecting this thread and the car since purchasing it because I have been busy at work. Luckily it has a garage space so the car will maintain its pristine condition.

The car had 4 check engine codes:
P0120 - Throttle Position Sensor A Circuit
P0110 - Air Intake Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit
P0105 - Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
P0300 - Random Multiple Misfire

I dropped the car off at an exhaust shop to have them add a cat, and they flanged it for ease of removal later. Hopefully the car is able to pass emissions now as it sits (I have cleared the CEL and it hasn't come back ... yet).

I will be taking the eclipse to a trusted shop to go over every inch of the car with a fine tooth comb and replace/repair any necessary parts in two weeks, and until then the goal is to do as much of it myself as possible. Once the car is in daily running condition, I will be going in for round 2 which will be to install the MSD ignition booster, ecmlink, and the 680 injectors. It could probably also use some new rubber.

For now I am working on the check engine codes and the water leak I have coming in from somewhere. Cleaned out the sunroof drains and the hatchback drains, but I haven't seen if that has fixed the problem. Next step is to check the rear wiper grommet.

It sits mostly in my garage for now, but here are the pictures from the previous owner.

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The good:
- big black FMIC that kept the stock lights
- ported evo 3 16g turbo
- ported stock exhaust manifold
- turboback exhaust (that now has a test pipe flanged in)
- oz racing 18" wheels
- 262 cams
- AEM big brake kit with steel braded lines
- AEM wideband directly behind the turbo
- Koni shocks and coilovers
- manual boost controller
- 255 fuel pump
- 1g bov
*edit - more pros*
- working a/c
- good looking tint

The bad:
- 4 codes on CEL
- water leak
- missing all of the back seats and trunk stuff
- most of the plastics are there, but they are missing clips to hold them in place
- interior is just dirty ... I will probably take it to have a full detail
- could probably use new tires - sidewalls showing cracks and not much tread left
- the brakes squeak sometimes - cause TBD
*Edit- some more bad*
- abs light is on
- the radio doesn't work because there are no speakers and the head unit is not wired
- there are wires everywhere from where the sound system was ripped out


ECMlink isn't doing any shipping until the 29th, so until then I am just doing some stuff on my days off here and there. My ultimate goal is to have something around 300hp that will be daily driven and taken to meetups on the weekends. All of the money going into this project was money that I had been saving up for a new motorcycle, but the weather lately in Colorado made me rethink spending money on something that will just sit in the garage 90% of the time.
 
Last edited:
Passed emissions today! Whoo-hoo

Nice!

You ever get it back from the shop and their fine-toothed comb?

In regards to a bike: my buddy and I used to ride a lot. We both sold our bikes recently (for the extra cash and to upgrade later), but I'd say May to October is decent riding weather (add on April and November if you've got the cool weather gear and some luck). It's nothing like CA or AZ here, but we always got enough riding in that by the time snow fell, we didn't feel like we missed out.
Denver region did have an unusually wet year in 2015. Like all of May was Portland weather. That was out of the ordinary though. On average, this region has more sunny days than Miami or San Diego. Of course, even if its minus 10 and the suns out all day, its considered a "sunny day" haha.
The afternoon thunder showers are the norm in the warmer months. They can catch you off guard if you arent expecting it. Just have to plan ahead and be a little more aware of what those clouds are doing.
 
Nice!

You ever get it back from the shop and their fine-toothed comb?

I did indeed, and it was running like a champ minus a few things here and there. It was running so well, in fact, that I decided to take it on a 'spirited ride' and blew one of the pipes from my intercooler off under full throttle. Haven't taken it under wot in 3rd gear since then... still nervous about it happening again. Considering getting it beaded, or maybe just replacing the t-links.
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Didn't feel like working on the car on the side of the road so had it towed for cheap.

Currently the car is in the hands of Absolutely Creative Customs getting a full soundsystem and head unit installed. The backseat was already ripped out, so I figured I had a good baseline to start from.
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Should be ready to be picked up on Friday. :)

Plans when I get it back include: taking care of the exhaust smell while driving, replacing the head gasket and studs, and fixing the intercooler piping from potentially blowing off again. Anybody have recommendations on a low-profile jack and stands?
 
Cars looking good!

Not sure what kind of T-clamps and piping is on the car, but a lot of those IC kits come with cheap stuff. I get any IC parts I need from this place... http://www.siliconeintakes.com/
Local Colorado company too.

Harbor Freight has cheap jack stands. They have a couple low profile aluminum floor jacks as well. I've had both for a few years now. Work great.
 
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