Mike_Lane
Probationary Member
- 3
- 0
- May 8, 2013
-
Manito,
Illinois
First off I would like to introduce myself, Names Mike Lane (if you didnt notice from my user ID) and I am kind of new to the DSM game. Since having my license I have mostly been into the v8 rear wheel drive scene owning a few very clean mustangs and some other misc. 4 cylinder daily drivers. Over the past two years I have been introduced to the DSM scene from a buddy (fellow co-worker) and have grown to like the platform. Although the DSM scene around the area is pretty large I found myself getting involved with and purchasing a Subaru WRX last summer once I sold my last mustang. The WRX is a nice clean car and served me well for a car that I can toy with and take to local shows which, by the way landed me a trophy at the Bradley University Car show this spring. For a while after purchasing the WRX I caught a lot of grief from Travis (tkstoygsx) for not just buying a DSM and this has lasted to this day. The main reason being because shortly after purchasing the WRX I had to do a motor swap due to some Rod knock after a night of racing at Cordova Dragway Park during a Midnight Mayhem event. About two weeks ago I finally broke down and got my first DSM, a 1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD.
Its kind of a unique story as to how I landed this car because it was kind of by luck that I even came across it. While in the Quad Cities for a car show, we went to a guys house so a friend could buy some DSM parts. While entering this guys garage for him to get the parts, I saw a 1st gen poking its nose out of the corner of the garage. Noticing it was being neglected as a storage shelf, I inquired and it was for sale. A short story ensued: The previous owner had built the car and during the first drive out of the garage the fuel return line cracked and caused a fire under the hood. The car had been sitting since then and the new owner had been gathering up parts and building a new engine for it. The new engine was sitting on his engine stand when I was there checking it out and I noticed that he had purchased quite a bit of Good/ high dollar parts for the engine rebuild. Weisco HD pistons, Manley Rods, Clevitte bearings, Manley valve springs and retainers, new valves and a full valve job and some other items. This was intriguing enough before finding out that the guy just didnt know how to put the car back together and wanted to get rid of it quickly. My opportunity window was now open. This guy had a daily driver Honda and a beat-up WRX that he was busy working on, seemed to me like he might be interested in a trade. At home I had a project of my own, an 85 Nissan 300zx Turbo with a few mods, it was running but now was in need of a head gasket and a paint job soon. After explaining this to the guy he was interested as he informed me he had always wanted one of those. So we shook hands and soon after returning home, I was loading the Nissan up on a trailer for the 150 mile trip back to Iowa.
After 2 hours in the pouring rain loading the 300 (too low for trailer) I was off to pick up Travis (tkstoygsx) for the long journey in the 8mpg 460 big block gas F-250. This day being the only day we all could meet, it decided to pour all day long. After much hassle we were on the way back with the truck bed full of DSM parts (some not even for mine but for the 93 year body style), and the car packed dash to hatch with the block on the driver seat, the head on the floorboard and the gas tank in the engine bay. Once back home the rain subsided and all my DSM friends came to ooh and ahh at the new project on hand and congratulate me for finally giving in and getting one.
It was unloaded and pushed into the garage where the stripping the fire damaged parts away was taken care of in no time and the engine was being assembled; the interior cleaned up a bit and all the spare parts went through and organized. More parts have been purchased and are on the way. All of the fire damage called for a new brake booster, reservoirs, and a harness. All of which has been supplied by local DSM friends. After work hours die down from 50-60 hour weeks, and the turbo swap and tuning of my Subaru are done, then full steam ahead to get the talon back on the road!
Things to come in the near future:
CLEANING!
Painting of the front end from the fire (fenders, hood and bay, back to factory champagne color)
A turbo needs to be purchased along with other simple necessities (radiator, exhaust, fmic piping, bov, ect.)
STAY TUNED!!
Its kind of a unique story as to how I landed this car because it was kind of by luck that I even came across it. While in the Quad Cities for a car show, we went to a guys house so a friend could buy some DSM parts. While entering this guys garage for him to get the parts, I saw a 1st gen poking its nose out of the corner of the garage. Noticing it was being neglected as a storage shelf, I inquired and it was for sale. A short story ensued: The previous owner had built the car and during the first drive out of the garage the fuel return line cracked and caused a fire under the hood. The car had been sitting since then and the new owner had been gathering up parts and building a new engine for it. The new engine was sitting on his engine stand when I was there checking it out and I noticed that he had purchased quite a bit of Good/ high dollar parts for the engine rebuild. Weisco HD pistons, Manley Rods, Clevitte bearings, Manley valve springs and retainers, new valves and a full valve job and some other items. This was intriguing enough before finding out that the guy just didnt know how to put the car back together and wanted to get rid of it quickly. My opportunity window was now open. This guy had a daily driver Honda and a beat-up WRX that he was busy working on, seemed to me like he might be interested in a trade. At home I had a project of my own, an 85 Nissan 300zx Turbo with a few mods, it was running but now was in need of a head gasket and a paint job soon. After explaining this to the guy he was interested as he informed me he had always wanted one of those. So we shook hands and soon after returning home, I was loading the Nissan up on a trailer for the 150 mile trip back to Iowa.
After 2 hours in the pouring rain loading the 300 (too low for trailer) I was off to pick up Travis (tkstoygsx) for the long journey in the 8mpg 460 big block gas F-250. This day being the only day we all could meet, it decided to pour all day long. After much hassle we were on the way back with the truck bed full of DSM parts (some not even for mine but for the 93 year body style), and the car packed dash to hatch with the block on the driver seat, the head on the floorboard and the gas tank in the engine bay. Once back home the rain subsided and all my DSM friends came to ooh and ahh at the new project on hand and congratulate me for finally giving in and getting one.
It was unloaded and pushed into the garage where the stripping the fire damaged parts away was taken care of in no time and the engine was being assembled; the interior cleaned up a bit and all the spare parts went through and organized. More parts have been purchased and are on the way. All of the fire damage called for a new brake booster, reservoirs, and a harness. All of which has been supplied by local DSM friends. After work hours die down from 50-60 hour weeks, and the turbo swap and tuning of my Subaru are done, then full steam ahead to get the talon back on the road!
Things to come in the near future:
CLEANING!
Painting of the front end from the fire (fenders, hood and bay, back to factory champagne color)
A turbo needs to be purchased along with other simple necessities (radiator, exhaust, fmic piping, bov, ect.)
STAY TUNED!!
!
