Greetinsg all ;

I purchased my first dsm 3 weeks ago, a '97 talon. Somewhat stumbled upon this car while looking for a Dodge Omni turbo to serve as a fun daily while I build my '68 Chevelle wagon. Picked her up for a decent price. Like I said, I wasn't aware that the '97s were the second least produced model year of all. I always strive to be different than most and stick out in a crowd, so this was obviously a welcomed surprise.

Car has a fresh 6 bolt swap w/7 bolt head and an oem mitsu e3 16g.Had stock fuel system, as well as everything else. Plans for the car are 300+ whp in a reliable (obviously dependent on strict maintenance) daily driver that won't be one of 10 such cars at local shows/meets. Im an avid enthusiast, and have been for years. My previous vehicles being a low 12 '99 Camaro SS, low 12 '99 Trans Am, a '94 Z28, and my current baby being the Chevelle. Born and raised a diehard General Motors guy, I can appreciate any quality build regardless of the manufacturer.

Car will be taken to a minimum of 3 cruise nights a week and as many shows/meets that my time permits.

I have already acquired the following parts:
RC 550 injectors (got a helluva deal, so please dont tell me to go 650. When funds are avail...)
Deatschwerks 255lph pump
JMF small batt mount and odyssey batt
AEM eugo
Glowshift digital boost gauge (free from a good friend)
Ebay FMIC (pressure tested, leak free. $40 from a buddy with piping)

I know I need the following items. Looking for suggestions on which route to talk in specific. Money is tight but im in no rush to get her on the road. While I want to keep cost as low as possible, I never sacrifice quality components for a cheaper build and am not going to start now.

Fuel pressure regulator
intake (eBay injen is an option. Can I run factory tube, factory MAF, remove air box, and put k&n cone filter on?)
v3 Lite (I believe lite will be more than adequete? )
What am I missing???

Car will not be driven lightly. This is not only my first awd vehicle, but my second turbo ride all together. The first was a stock turbo mk4 gti, so it hardly counts. Needless to say, several boost launches are in the old girls future. From what I gather from searches, the drivetrain should hold up just fine at the power level im looking at. Correct me if im wrong?

Im in the middle of cleaning up the engine bay at the current time. Tucked the wiring harness under the intake, degreased everywhere, polished intake mani, fuel rail, TB, and elbow. Painted valve cover with VHT semi flat.

Here are a few photos of the progress thus far. Car is 99.99% rust free. The only significant blemishes are where the original owner drilled holes in the front/rear bumper covers for a body kit. Ive already located an immaculate 2gb front and rear bumper and will be picking them up next week.

Let me know what you guys think. Im always open to comments/suggestions. I realize its the internet.......you won't hurt my feelings.

Edit : Photobuckets mobile app is being a PITA ok ill post photos when I get back to the house.

Original owner evidently installed massive eagle decals on the doors as well.....Followed by a genuis idea of his to remove them with what looks like a screwdriver.



Routed section of harness going to injectors underneath the intake.







Don't mind the landscaping blocks under the front tires....I just moved into a new place after returning home from active duty.

Welcome, to answer your question as far as the intake go's you can run a stock intake pipe but you will need the maf adapter to put a regular cone filter on. For what its worth you can get an ebay intake pipe with the adapter for 50 bucks shipped and be done with it.
what are you using for a blow off valve? The factory 2g leaks under higher pressure, a good upgrade would be a 1g bov that you can crush. If you go that route just type in how to crush a bov and theres a thread that will explain it to you.

Also other things you will need, boost controller, wideband gauge, boost gauge.

Welcome to the DSM world, and congrats on your car. One of the things that makes owning a DSM so fun is the incredible wealth of knowledge and experience amongst the community. Tech articles (including proven upgrade paths) can be found easily through the search feature, but it looks like you're on the right path.

I'd replace the bov (1g would work fine), get a boost controller, and plan on maybe upgrading the clutch (depending on what's in there now). Other than that, I can't think of anything else you're missing. That setup should be good for high 200's low 300's.

These are fun cars. AWD + Turbo is a very addictive combination. Once you see how easy/cheap it is to make more and more power from the 4G63, I think you'll be hooked.

GSXDNA said:

Welcome to the DSM world, and congrats on your car. One of the things that makes owning a DSM so fun is the incredible wealth of knowledge and experience amongst the community. Tech articles (including proven upgrade paths) can be found easily through the search feature, but it looks like you're on the right path.

I'd replace the bov (1g would work fine), get a boost controller, and plan on maybe upgrading the clutch (depending on what's in there now). Other than that, I can't think of anything else you're missing. That setup should be good for high 200's low 300's.

These are fun cars. AWD + Turbo is a very addictive combination. Once you see how easy/cheap it is to make more and more power from the 4G63, I think you'll be hooked.

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I appreciate the warm welcome guys.

I knew I forgot a few things in my original post. I will address each item you guys' meeentioned here, and in my OP as well.

BOV - I have read up on the crushed 1g BOV's already, and see this as a viable option. Honestly, I want it to be loud. Scare people on the sidewalk loud.....I assumed a genuine Tial or HKS would simply better suit that need. Again, that's just my assumption and please correct me if I'm wrong.

Boost controller - The car came with a manual TurboXs bc. While a digital gauge is definitely on the short list, I figure the mbc will do the job until the extra coin is available.

Clutch - The car does have a fresh aftermarket clutch already installed. I forget what manufacturer the seller said and keep forgetting to ask him. I just shot him a text now so I will know soon. This very well may be a stupid question, but is there anyway i can check easily?

On the bov whatever you decide to get make sure you can recalculate it unless you plan on getting rid of the stock maf. As for the clutch, if you are asking if you can see the clutch to verify the make of it I believe you would have to pull the trans. If thats what you were asking that is.

You can try and peak in around the boot for the clutch fork. It will only show you what color it is though and wont tell you much more. Yellow is almost alwways ACT, South bend are red and some ebay. Most will hold around 300whp if they are aftermarket. If yours doesnt you know it was't anything special haha.

Insane20 said:

On the bov whatever you decide to get make sure you can recirculate it unless you plan on getting rid of the stock maf. As for the clutch, if you are asking if you can see the clutch to verify the make of it I believe you would have to pull the trans. If thats what you were asking that is.

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Fixed. He ment recirculate.

Greetings

Where are the pics?

Edit: i see it now

untouchablecc said:

You can try and peak in around the boot for the clutch fork. It will only show you what color it is though and wont tell you much more. Yellow is almost alwways ACT, South bend are red and some ebay. Most will hold around 300whp if they are aftermarket. If yours doesnt you know it was't anything special haha.




Fixed. He ment recirculate.

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This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks


Pictures are now up on OP. Rocking the sweet 1g wheels and all

Welcome to the addictive world of dsm. If your in the market for link v3 lite feel free to pm me, my cars going back to black box. Sounds like your on the right path for your goals so I'll leave it at that.

Matt

PM sent. Only need the link, AFPR, MAF adaptor/filter, and paint to get this on the road.

Panda paint scheme and evo 8 wheels are in the very near future

boilerfan91 said:

PM sent. Only need the link, AFPR, MAF adaptor/filter, and paint to get this on the road.

Panda paint scheme and evo 8 wheels are in the very near future

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I'd love to see some more pics of the car with the 1g wheels before you get rid of them.

ErikTande said:

I'd love to see some more pics of the car with the 1g wheels before you get rid of them.

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I'll definitely do that. Got a set of h&r springs for cheap that will get thrown on when i get time. No cash for coils yet.

Welcome! Love the build.

I appreciate all the positive feedback guys. Trying to do the best I can with what I currently have. Had a solid collection of tools, jack stands, etc in Washington during my stint with the Army. They were too much of a pain to bring back with me during relocation so I unloaded everything for cheap. My total tool supply consists of a craftsman 328 piece mechanics set from the girlfriend as a christmas gift, a borrowed set of stands, jack, and a creeper.

Like I said, going for a panda scheme paint wise. White bumpers, fenders, doors and quarters. Black roof, 2gb highrise, and hatch with black or CF hood. (Opinions)?


As far as wheels, im leaning towards gunmetal evo x wheels now.

Suspension will be the springs for the time being. Coilovers, strut bars, upper and lower control arms, sways, and bushings/mounts all around are on the extremely short list. Car will be my daily driver / frequent autox toy. Very similar build as my last, the '99 Trans Am. Car was an A4 auto, ls1tech. Full suspension, koni SA yellows, Strano springs and sways, and full bolts ons. Dyno tuned at 342 to the wheels with stock cam and ls6 intake. Fun car to say the least.

i love my dsms. when you get sick of them, you sell them, then you get back on or go buy one.. Story of my life..