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Build Journal - Put up or shut up

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SkURTnDSM92T

15+ Year Contributor
122
2
Aug 16, 2006
Cincinnati, Ohio
A little background..

I bought a white 1992 Eagle Talon TSi FWD before my 16th birthday from a friend for $2K cash, and I have had it since (11 years later). What started as me rescuing it from the riced out state it was in quickly became my appreciation for the DIY'r, bloody knuckles and high boost sleepers. I learned a lot through my Haynes manual, friends, and DSM forums. Using my paychecks on MachV, Slowboy or Forced Performance websites became common.

Slowly I increased my driving skill and continued to tune, ending up with something like this:

Bolt-on Modifications:
Magnus SMIM
Buschur Racing 3" Turbo Back Exhaust
EVO3 Ported Exhaust Manifold
EVO3 Ported O2 Housing
FP Big16G w/ 34mm Flapper WG Mod
Custom FMIC (32.5x10.5x3 w/o endtanks)
Fluidyne Radiator
Perma-Cool 14" Aluminum Fan (2950 CFM)
Walbro 255 LPH HP Fuel Pump
Nippon Denso 660CC injectors
Aeromotive FPR with FULL SS fuel line setup (-6AN)
Autometer - EGT/BOOST/AFR/Water Temp/Oil Press
Blitz FATTDC Turbo Timer
Greddy Profec B Boost Controller
MSD Wires w/ NGK BPR8ES plugs
ACT2600 w/ Street Disc
Fidanza Alum Fly
TurboXS RFL BOV (re-circ)

Engine Management:
DSMLink
Autometer Boost/Vacuum
Autometer EGT
Autometer Water Temp
Autometer Oil Pressure
Autometer Volts
AEM UEGO Wideband
APEXi S-AFC

Engine Internals:
Built 2.0L bored 20 over (2.1L)
Ross 8.5:1 Forged Pistons
Eagle Forged Connecting Rods
Brand new OEM crank
All Clevite bearings (tri-metal)
HKS 264/272 Cams
Fidanza Cam Gears

Suspension Modifications:
KYB AGX Gas Shocks
Eibach Sportline Springs
Powerslot Rotors (all)
Hawk F composite brake pads
ASA JH8 17 x 7.5 Rims - Black w/ Machined Lip (40 offset) w/ Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's 235/45/17

I loved racing, even in places and times we were not really supposed to ;), originally growing up in Florida.. I was able to net some pretty solid street kills and ended up in the neighborhood of mid to high 12's @ 115 trap speeds. Ran 27 psi of boost at one point.

I moved to Ohio, got busy with school and work (easy to do as an engineer), and generally just stopped making time to wrench on my Talon. Shortly after moving to Ohio, I started overheating, assumed a blown head gasket. I also had some electrical issues. Pulled the head to see my head gasket perfectly intact, and decided to leave it that way for the better part of the last 4 years. I had a truck and a motorcycle, so it gave me an excuse to get around other ways.

School is almost done. I need something fun to drive when it's warm. It's time I get back to work. Hopefully many of you don't mind as I call on your knowledge and wisdom, as I shake the rust off (metaphorically) and my hands dirty again. I'm sure my post count will be increasing over the coming months. I've got lots of parts to unload as well..

A few pictures provided..

To Do List:
  1. Alternator Relocation
  2. Replace Timing Components
  3. Install New Head Gasket
  4. Replace Thermostat and Housing
  5. Reinstall Head
  6. Reinstall Valve Cover
  7. Install new FP Intake Pipe
  8. Get battery charged
  9. Reinstall Intake Manifold/Mount Throttle Cable
  10. Replace Wastegate Actuator
  11. Reconnect all Vacuum Lines and Hoses
  12. Clean/degrease bay
  13. Post all spare parts for sale
 

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Last edited:
Beautiful looking car, I have always been a sucker for a white DSM reminds me of my old one. Can't wait to see her running again.
 
My car has certainly never been referred to as beautiful, but thanks! It was always a bit of a beater/sleeper.. I think the rims make it look nicer than it is.. I'd like it to eventually get to that "beautiful" point however.
 
Just a quick update, I have been getting rid of old parts to get up some cash and make way for new, and I started poking around the bay to form a more logical order. It's just about to start getting warm here again which means perfect time to get some work done.

To Do List:
  1. Post/Sell all spare parts
  2. Clean/degrease bay
  3. Replace Timing Components
  4. Alternator Relocation
  5. Install New Head Gasket
  6. Reinstall Head
  7. Reinstall Valve Cover
  8. Reinstall Intake Manifold/Mount Throttle Cable
  9. Replace Thermostat and Housing
  10. Replace broken exhaust stud in head
  11. Replace Wastegate Actuator
  12. Reconnect all Vacuum Lines and Hoses
  13. Install new FP Intake Pipe
  14. Get battery charged/replace
 
OKAY!! Not the update you guys are probably expecting, but an update no less..

Parts making there way out of the house and garage, many more to join the classifieds soon..

I purchased a 2005 Mercedez Benz E500 4MATIC as my new DD. My truck was starting to go down hill. After replacing a fuel pump, water pump, transmission and significantly worsening body rust; I decided to move on. The good thing? I didn't have to give up my V8 love, still got 4 wheels to spin, and this thing is CLEAN. Only 37,000 original miles.

The more important part? This will allow me to get my focus back to the Talon, and be a reliable daily that won't sap time from my project. It's finally starting to stay above 30, so I'll have a few days of wrenching coming up.

The deadline is 3/31. I am moving to a place with no garage, but a friend is letting me use her's to mow her grass, a fair trade I believe. I refuse to tow this car there.

What I fear most about this build currently:
  1. When it was running, it was hot and almost overheating. Suspected blown HG was not, purchased all new WP and timing components anyway
  2. I have yet to get DSM link working, and I am fairly certain my car may have been running in open loop
  3. I had electrical issues which I believe I fixed, but I fear them..I HATE electrical work..

I'll be getting dirty soon. Anyone who's willing to lend their wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks! Less than 10K I believe, to be honest it's been so long since I drove it/looked at the odometer that I do not know!! Leaving work today and getting my hands dirty, it's going to be a long and fun weekend.
 
Updates:

Spent some time this weekend removing surface rust because I did not cover/WD40 it adequately. Good news is it was very sparse, due to consistently being garage kept. Got out a straightedge and feeler gauges to check the block for straightness/flatness as well, which checked good.

I had a local buddy (with some nutty Evos) come by to help me start poking around. Took the head to a local machine shop to get checked out and decked if needed, hoping to get it back by the weekend.

Tested radiator to make sure there was no blockage, and it was free. Removed old timing components and started to clear away debris to support replacement.

To Do List:
  1. Post/Sell all spare parts - In progress
  2. Clean/degrease bay - 50%
  3. Replace Timing Components
  4. Alternator Relocation
  5. Install New Head Gasket
  6. Reinstall Head
  7. Reinstall Valve Cover
  8. Reinstall Intake Manifold/Mount Throttle Cable
  9. Replace Thermostat and Housing
  10. Replace broken exhaust stud in head
  11. Replace Wastegate Actuator - Complete
  12. Reconnect all Vacuum Lines and Hoses
  13. Install new FP Intake Pipe
  14. Get battery charged/replace - Trickle charging now
Plan is to get back at it this weekend, starting Saturday morning.
 
BACK FROM THE DEAD!!!!

MBA finished, no more class and no more excuses.

To Do List:
  1. Post/Sell all spare parts - In progress
  2. Clean/degrease bay - Complete
  3. Replace Timing Components - Complete
  4. Alternator Relocation - Complete
  5. Install New Head Gasket - Complete
  6. Reinstall Head - Complete
  7. Reinstall Valve Cover
  8. Reinstall Intake Manifold/Mount Throttle Cable
  9. Replace Thermostat and Housing
  10. Replace broken exhaust stud in head
  11. Replace Wastegate Actuator - Complete
  12. Reconnect all Vacuum Lines and Hoses
  13. Install new FP Intake Pipe
  14. Replace battery - Complete
  15. Bleed lifters
  16. Install new water pump - Complete
A few exercises to get the cam caps in the right order and the rockers/lifters go on tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
Keep it up!

That's a long love story. Must feel good knowing the cars history.

:thumb:

It absolutely is, it's hilariously shameful to reflect on the fact that it has been parked for almost 7 years.. but recounting a few old stories with a buddy while getting back to it was all it took to remind me how much of a fun hobby it is.. I bought this thing 6 months before I got my license.. that was over 15 years ago

The best thing is, in the state of OH, she's an antique next year :D
 
Hey y'all, it me. Few promotions, wife, 2 year old, house since... but eh... ya know; it's a pandemic :)

Around this time of year I think about the Shootout and just dreaming about rolling in like good ol days.

She's still sat with not another mile on her, new parts sit unopened and unboxed.

Will be picking up the To Do List above as early as tomorrow morning.

Look forward to the friendly ribbing as I move along.

Updated To Do List
  1. Post/Sell all spare parts - In progress
  2. Reinstall Valve Cover
  3. Reinstall Intake Manifold/Mount Throttle Cable
  4. Replace Thermostat and Housing
  5. Replace broken exhaust stud in head
  6. Reconnect all Vacuum Lines and Hoses
  7. Install new FP Intake Pipe
  8. Bleed lifters
 
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