What up everyone! So I am in the middle of two things. I have a friend, who has a friend who has a nice '99 Gst, currently with no engine in it, because he is in the process of doing the 6bolt swap. The 6bolt engine has 69K miles on it. He claims it's all ready to go and all it needs is to be installed. He said he'd let me take the car off him with no engine in it, With the engine out of it, for $3000, but I can maybe talk him down to $2800. Then I can either have the 6bolt installed, or have some friends of mine work on it with me. However I only have about $3700 to play with.

-OR-

Another friend of mine is selling a '97 Gsx. Engine was rebuilt not even two months ago, and has like 2K on the motor and clutch. My only problem with that is it's a 7bolt. I never personally owned a car with either the 6bolt engine in it, or a 7bolt, but from my personal view on my friends and research on the internet I can see that the 6bolt is probably the definite recommended thing to do. My friend has gone through two blown 7bolt engines. While the mean time another friend of mine has a '96 Talon with the 6bolt swap in it, and within the time my friend blew out his two 7bolt engines, my friend's 6bolt is still running fine. He raced a camaro last night and both cars were neck and neck at 150mph. I can maybe talk my friend down to $4K for this car, but he's asking more than that, so I'd have to wait a little bit before I can buy this one.

So is the all wheel drive worth the 7bolt? Or should I take my friends Gst off him and attempt to replace the 6bolt engine? The problems with the engine swap is I'd rather have it professionally done just in case me and my friends screw up, or something unpredictable comes up. I know that will be pricey though.

Anyway, what are you guys thinking? Let me know! Let's chat this out

I'd be alllllll over the 97 GSX man, you can ALWAYS do a 6bolt swap later if the 7bolt even does mess up. Plus it's a fresh rebuild. GSX all the way!

If you got the gst, you'd be waiting until your work was done on the 6 bolt swap for a while anyways. $2800 plus shop work to drop the motor in will probably be right around $4000 too. Be patient and get the better car (gsx) that is already running and in known good condition. I'm pushing 380whp on a stock 7 bolt bottom. If your car hasn't crank walked by now, it probably won't.

Indeed, both amazing cars.
But indeed I rather choose a GSX too cause they have AWD.
Which is easier to release your horsepower on the roads.

And a DSM without an engine ain't a real good start huh

You can buy the GST with the engine mounted in though.
Which would be a decent start too.
But I rather would go for the GSX

shift2drift38 said:

I'd be alllllll over the 97 GSX man, you can ALWAYS do a 6bolt swap later if the 7bolt even does mess up. Plus it's a fresh rebuild. GSX all the way!

Click to expand...

+1

Gsx it up!

Honestly I love my gst, but if I had a chance to get a decent gsx that hasn't been raped by a 16 year old with fast and furious intentions, i would be all over it. But In the end it's all up to you.

I personally love my gst.. i'm boosting 26psi on my rebuilt 7bolt around 30k miles and i havent crankwalked..

don't listen to those storys.. Grab the GSX, I wish i had all wheel drive all the time; Hell i'm prob going to do the swap soon =)

It seems you fell victim to the myth that 7 bolts suck. I assure you they don't, just search around on here. Stock 7 bolt blocks have made 10 second passes already. Go with the GSX. AWD and the fact that it's already running make it by far the better deal from the sounds of it.

If you're going to buy a dsm, and plan to have stuff "professionally done", Id say you shouldn't get a dsm --

But in this case get the GSX... you have the whole internet, dont restrict yourself to only these 2 cars.

GSX, The 7-bolt is fine... Plus you can just drive it, no bs engine install that you have no idea how to do.

Just make sure to use quality oil, and do all maintenance with OEM parts....

Woah I didn't expect so many replies! Dsm community is where it's at, and I couldn't be more proud to be apart of any other Make and Family.

So! I checked out the Gst today, and it's super nice, the interior is unlike any I've ever seen, I swear it's like it almost just came from the showroom minus some dark carpet spots and dirt marks (it's the tan leather seats and carpeting with black dash). The body is clean, just needs some touch ups on the top, and needs the hoop spoiler (which aint too necessary just quite yet haha). Him and I have friends who went to automotive school and have worked inside and out on these cars and know them super good, so a engine install won't be too hard or big of a problem. I was honestly impressed with it, what can I say, and it's got a 20G turbo, so that's always nice.

The Gsx guy, I've been making him offers all day, and he won't reply. He turned down $4000, which is understandable. He wants 6K for the car, which I can appreciate, knowing and loving these cars. And unfortunately $6K is not in my bank account haha. And I'm already buried 6ft deep in credit card payments. Nothing is still set in stone yet, but as for now, it's leaning more towards the gst just ### it's mroe affordable for me. But I do agree with all of you, I would get the gsx if I could... bah.

I'm kinda new on here but i woulod say its your call. gsx is a good way to go. are you looking to race or us a daily driver? and its your call if you want to start from scratch or buy i mildly built dsm.

I am an avid FF-lover and supporter. Front-wheel can go very far on the street with the right mods and a tuned driver. But, at the end of the day, AWD will go faster and be more fun. Get the GSX if you can, but if you end up getting the GS-T, it will be a world of fun, too. You MUST build a GS-T correctly.

Let's see... take that $2800 for a car that currently does not run and add about another 2-3k on top of that in what you will spend to get it TO run, (more if you have the work done). Trust me, it will nickel and dime you to death.

OR, save and get one that does run and has been maintained properly. It sounds like you have already started to let your emotions take over logic... that's dangerous. Not to shoot down the car that is in pieces, but you really.. REALLY need to think it over.

Also, 7-bolt engines are not as bad as people have said they are. 9 times out of 10 they blow up because of stupidity. Of course, by time those same people "6-bolt swap" it, they have learned from some mistakes and thus is seems like the magic cure was the engine, when in reality it wasn't.

So yeah, long story short, do not jump into something based off an emotional response. Take your time otherwise your "awesome deal" will end up costing more than you ever imagined.

just save and wait a little longer you will find the car you want.. By the time you find another gsx you will have the funds

FWD is fun, until your pulling out in traffic and spin the tires because the inside looses traction. Happens at least 3 times a week going to work...

I would wait until you fine one that is perfect for you.

Less name brand mods in order is better than a shit ton of bs mods out of order...

I can't believe the OP asked that question on DSMtuners. The answer will be unanimous. If someone dissents on the knee-jerk GSX call, he will be pounded on mercilessly until he shuts up, falls in line, or the thread is closed.

Don't jump into buying a dsm. Save up money, research each model for your goals, then wait for the right priced one to pop up.

if you are looking on craigslist look out of your area you might find one that is good sometimes out of state is the place to look i bught a gst from wyoming and im from colorado and the price dropped because i drove out of state to check out and buy his car

Gsx a six bolt swap is better than an Awd swap and cheaper besides when your roasting your tires in the gst your gonna wish you got the gsx

Get the GSX if you can. There is nothing wrong with a good condition 7 bolt. Engines don't just blow up, alot of us have never blown a 7 bolt. Sounds pretty suspect to me. You'll be blowing up 6 bolts to if you have your head up your ass and don't know what your doing. I'd do more research on the subject and talk to guys who have been around these cars for awhile modding, tuning, e.c.t. 7 bolts are good, 6 bolts are better. FWD DSMs are good, AWD DSMs are better. If you really feel the need to spend extra money then get the GSX, and do a 6 bolt swap.

i'd keep looking for a gsx that you can afford.Dont just buy the first one you come across.Have patience & keep searching & researching

Some members here have 11 sec dsm with stock 7 bolt.
If your not a track and race person I would say gst will be okay. Saves more gas, less weight, and less noise, MAYBE!

Gsx.