If it was as tuned on 1000 injectors then the 450 was installed then it yeah I’m sure it needs retuned. But see if he would allow a compression test to be done.

For 2500 its not a terrible deal. Just know you'll prolly spend another 1k getting it to a decent place, at least that's what i've always thought when buying used cars as old as these are getting. Tires look good, lots of parts. It has a lot done to it and i'm sure its been beat, but I always consider if I could get my money back if it turns out to be a crap car. Looks like you could turn around and get that back from someone who could fix it up or part it out. I'd say it's worth a look to see it up close at least. Good luck.

I don't understand why you would put the 450s back in and not just give it a baseline tune? I'm assuming the car has ecmlink. Doesn't say in the post though. The two things I always do when I go to look at a car is #1 compression test #2 I bring a spare oil filter with me and Pull the oil filter off the car and replace it with the new one. And open up the one I just pulled off the car and check for any foreign material. If it looks like the oil filter and oil has just been changed go take it for a test drive for a little while wait for it to cool down and pull it off (this won't work in this situation, I forgot he says it's not drivable cuz the tune). Seems like a good deal if everything is legit on the car.

Im a fan of the location of the 2nd ECU, always wanted to put the computer somewhere neat.

Id ask for the vin first and google it. I went to see a car advertised as a gsx. First thing I did was look for rear diff and axles. None present. A vin search on google is free and will at least say GS, GST, GSX or whatever it is. I think the price is fair considering it needs several things.. I don't trust buying cars with tons of aftermarket issues. Gig headache. Just me.

linksys42 said:

I don't understand why you would put the 450s back in and not just give it a baseline tune? I'm assuming the car has ecmlink. Doesn't say in the post though. The two things I always do when I go to look at a car is #1 compression test #2 I bring a spare oil filter with me and Pull the oil filter off the car and replace it with the new one. And open up the one I just pulled off the car and check for any foreign material. If it looks like the oil filter and oil has just been changed go take it for a test drive for a little while wait for it to cool down and pull it off (this won't work in this situation, I forgot he says it's not drivable cuz the tune). Seems like a good deal if everything is legit on the car.

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FYI saying "Just needs a tune" is the same as buying a car that "Just needs a tune up". It's a put off term that really means "the car runs like crap and needs work but I either don't know what work or don't want to tell you"



Stay away

Compression test no doubt and then also find out if he has DSMLink installed.. "Just needs a Tune" can mean everything from oops I blew my motor because I turned it up and didn't tune it properly, to it actually just needing a tune.. The Compression test will let you know if you need to pursue this deal any further.

OP give the guy a call ask a list of questions that are not clarified in the original post on Craigslist. If he's talking out his a*# or sidestepping questions. Write him off. The only real way you're going to figure this out is by making the trek and looking at the car.

It's literally not worth looking at

The evo3 turbo is an eBay turbo

There is a boost gauge installed under the hood

There has been a half ass wire tuck, the fuse box was moved and so was the coil pack, but the coil pack is just sitting on top of the intake and there are wires all over the engine bay in the wrong spot

The blue racing timing belt is worn through to the black from being improperly tensioned

There are bubbles on the passengers side strut tower

The drivers side motor mount has scratches under the paint showing a maroon color under the engine bay paint by the shock tower. It's also missing seam sealer in that same spot and it's been smoothed over with Bondo and paint

The clutch slave reservoir has over spray on the cap

The drivers side fender side skirt is missing

The front bumper isn't painted

The pcv valve isn't hooked up

The breather off of the valve cover isn't hooked up

The eBay Bov is vented

There are 6 missing valve cover bolts

The car is still running a mass air flow sensor

Seriously you guys need to go get your eyes checked. There's a boost gauge under the hood.....

chrysler kid said:

It's literally not worth looking at

Seriously you guys need to go get your eyes checked. There's a boost gauge under the hood.....

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Well, in my defense I only read the description on my phone, didn't see all of these pics, but I think you have broken it down for everybody ... OP, after seeing the pics and a boost gauge located under the hood, I would run far away from this Frankenstein project..

It's the classic "just needs a tune". Basically, the engine is probably blown or there are a million things wrong with it. Also, always assume that a "built" engine is not built at all. The thing doesn't even have any nice parts on it.

Any time I see a "just needs a tune" or "easy fix" I like to ask myself 'why wouldn't they just fix it and sell it as a perfectly running car, if it's so simple?' Most of the time, it's because it's anything but simple and they're just trying to off load the thing.

IHeartMyHonda said:

Any time I see a "just needs a tune" or "easy fix" I like to ask myself 'why wouldn't they just fix it and sell it as a perfectly running car, if it's so simple?' Most of the time, it's because it's anything but simple and they're just trying to off load the thing.

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Right. I've literally seen people say:" All you need to do is connect 1 or 2 wires and it's done!"

I'd offer him $500 and walk away if it's declined. @chrysler kid hit the nail on the head with this one.

Theres still more you find wrong the closer you look

The over flow reservoir is stained a mud brown probably from a bad head gasket

The aftermarket eBay fans wiring is zip tied to the coolant over flow hose over the intake. It's not wired to the factory connector, probably a rigged up switch somewhere. It loops around the intake and then goes back up to the fuse box.


All the little crap adds up and it's a big pile of crap. Unless you have a big shovel and some gloves, I don't think you're ready to get elbow deep in that engine bay

Wow, ya the pics say it all. What a piece of crap! Stay away from it!

Another way to check the VIN for accuracy is here from the vfaq page. The 5th digit will tell you which model it is.



He also makes no mention of a 6-bolt swap even though the spark plug wires are wired for a 2ga inverted firing order, and we can clearly see a 1G cas in the engine pictures, which is also from a 1990 model and isn't a great cas compared to other options. Also has a 1G oil dipstick. Has no vac lines on the throttle body suggest an emissions delete which probably explains why he improperly removed the PCV hose, removed the emission lines on the intake pipe going to the charcoal canister. Doesn't even look like there's any sort of wastegate control.