This is the Build Thread for ReTimed. Reply below.

Last weekend I removed the wheel wells to get ready for shipping out the trans. Shocked at the cost of OEM wheel bearings yet again - what is everyone using for rear wheel bearings and cv axles? Are they poly bushings a rough ride? Anyway - somethings to figure out.

Likely will go with wilwood brake kits because they are bolt on & i dont feel like reinventing the wheel for Brembos - literally.

Long block is at the machine shop.

***Full valve train is GSC***
GSC s1 cams
Beehive springs
Brass guides
Titanium retainers
Gsc i/e valves (std)

Bottom end
Stock crank, polished
Wiseco 9:1
Eagle h beam rods


Bolt on parts i have on hand so far are

Jmf intake with s90 70mm
Fp exhaust
Fp green turbo
Oem timing kit
Hks gears
1750 Injectors
525 walbro kit

More to come.

very nice car! if you decide to paint it, please trade me white front bumpers before you do please

Maybe think about putting in some wheel studs....
Nice build specs, it should last you and give you smiles for miles!

Pjj said:

very nice car! if you decide to paint it, please trade me white front bumpers before you do please

Click to expand...

....why? Lol

Transmission removed!

Time to start stripping the engine bay. We are going to gut everything we dont need and get ready for the battery / fuse box relocate.

I am likely going back with a universal harness and starting fresh. I want as much out of the bay as possible. Id like to move into the cab - ill research what others have done.

A little more progress - i removed alot of items that I dont know what they are - so I guess i get to figure that out...chatgpt hates to see me coming.

I have a habit of putting bolts back into the threads in which they came from in an attempt to stay organized. We shall see how much a shit show thatll be later during reassembly.

I found a little rust in the passenger wheel well so we will peel it back and fix it.

The last owner stripped the bolts on the ABS unit - so I got what ones weren't out and had to snip the others. It will all work out in the end. Removing the brake lines to continue readying the car for paint.

I was pretty upset when I realized how oem routed these harnesses this will suck.

Im really good at keeping my head down and just doing the work - but I definitely underestimated the time this was going to take. All great things take time - this will be no different. Happy labor day.

Been spending about 15 minutes a night scrubbing the spray paint off the ebay find. Not too many more nights needed.

Welp — today was a housekeeping day.

Spent some time cleaning parts in the shop and getting everything ready for storage. There are a lot of parts I won't be putting back on the car, but I'll hold onto them just in case.

I also finally sat down and went through the financials of this project so far.

They're a bit gross.

But isn't everything these days?

I'm only sharing this for transparency for other builders, DSM members, and enthusiasts who may eventually decide to go down the same rabbit hole.

THE CAR​

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX AWD Auto

Purchase Price: $3,500

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EXTREME PSI — 08/19​

$9,060.38

• JMF Street Intake w/ 70mm TB
• Mishimoto X-Line Radiator
• Mishimoto Fan & Shroud Kit
• HKS Cam Gear (accidentally ordered one like a moron)
• GSC S1 Cams
• GSC Valve Stem Seals
• GSC Zero-Tick Lifters
• GSC Intake/Exhaust Valve Guides
• GSC Valve Keepers
• GSC Beehive Standard Spring Set
• GSC Intake/Exhaust Valves — STD
• ACL Race Tri-Metal Rod/Main Bearing Set
• ARP L19 Head Stud Kit
• ARP Main Stud Kit
• Eagle H-Beam Connecting Rods
• Wiseco 9:1 Pistons
• JMF Anodized Purple Fuel Rail
• Injector Dynamics 1750X Injectors w/ Plug-and-Play Adapters
• Walbro 525 LPH Hellcat Fuel Pump
• FP Green Journal Bearing Turbo w/ External O2 Wastegate
• FP Ceramic-Coated Exhaust Manifold
• OEM Oil Pump w/ Gasket Set

STM — 08/19​

$1,401.70

• Titanium Dress-Up Bolt Set — Anodized Purple
• JMF Radiator Brackets — Anodized Purple
• Zaklee Clear Cam Gear Cover
• STM OEM Timing Belt Kit
• STM Balance Shaft Delete Kit

EXTREME PSI — 08/31​

$952.77

• OEM Thermostat
• Kiggly HLA Pressure Regulator
• HKS Cam Gear #2 — because apparently engines have two cams
• Fluidampr Engine Damper
• Kiggly 7-Bolt Flexplate w/ Friction Diamond Shim

STM — 09/07​

$6,420.86

• Fortune Auto 500 Coilovers — 12K/8K w/ Swift Spring Upgrade
• Front/Rear Control Arm Bushings
• Front/Rear Sway Bar Bushings
• 3" Aluminum Speed Density Intake — Gloss Black
• OEM Front Axle Nuts
• OEM Front/Rear Wheel Bearings
• STM Power Steering Reservoir — Gloss Black
• STM Stainless Turbo-Back Exhaust w/ Purple TiAL Wastegate O2 Housing
• ARP Flexplate Bolts

SIMMONS MACHINE SHOP​

Estimated: $900

• Deck / Hone Block
• Balance Rotating Assembly
• Deck / Assemble Head

SOME GUY IN POLAND — 09/01 ​

$850

• EDM Taillights
• EDM Side Mirrors

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TOTAL PROJECT SPEND​

Vehicle: $3,500

Parts Purchased: $17,785.71

Machine Shop Estimate: $900

Total committed/estimated spend to date:​

$22,185.71

And we're nowhere near done.

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NEAR-FUTURE EXPENSES​

Transmission Rebuild — $5,000

Paint / Body — $7,000

ECU / Digital Dash / Controls — $5,000

Brakes — $2,000

FMIC w/ Piping — $1,500

Axles — $1,000

Transfer Case / Rear Differential — $1,000

Anticipated Build Total:​

~$44,685.71

And I'm sure there will be plenty of "$47 here, $180 there" purchases that somehow turn into another $3,000 by the end of this thing.

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This is what I think a realistic, properly done DSM restoration/build costs in 2026.

Am I buying some unnecessary stuff? Absolutely.

The purple hardware doesn't make it faster. The clear timing cover isn't necessary. I could buy cheaper wheel bearings instead of OEM. There are plenty of places where I could shave money off this build.

But once you're talking about a $40,000+ project, saving $100 here and $200 there by installing something I don't really want doesn't make much sense to me.

I'd rather do it properly the first time.

Some of these numbers will also get discounted toward reality because my BIL owns a mechanic shop, and occasionally I'm able to get dealer-level pricing. We use the systems and benefits available to us, and I'm no different.

When I started this project, I foolishly thought:

"I'll have a really nice GSX for under $20K."

Yeah...that was f***ing stupid.

I should have known myself better.

I'm a perfectionist, and I'll probably continue going through this car with a fine-tooth comb until I'm happy with every part of it. I don't like cutting corners to save five minutes or $100. If I'm already there, I'd rather replace it, rebuild it, clean it, paint it, or improve it and know it's right.

That's also a big reason I'm documenting this build here:

1. To document the entire process of bringing this car back to life.
2. If I'm doing something stupid, hopefully someone with more DSM experience catches it and redirects me.
3. To give future builders a realistic idea of the time and money it takes to properly bring one of these cars back.

My original absolute goal was under $35K for a completely redone 1997 Eclipse GSX AWD Auto with modern touches like paddle shifting, standalone engine/transmission management, and a digital dash.

The reality is sitting right in front of me now.

This is probably going to be a $40K+ DSM.

Do I feel a little crazy spending that kind of money on this platform?

Absolutely.

But when it's finished, I'll have the exact DSM I wanted instead of the DSM that fit a budget.

And at this point, I'll probably die with the damn thing.

YOLO.

That's what I'm telling myself so I can sleep at night.

— RETIMED

jacobdsm7 said:

....why? Lol

Click to expand...

because yours is in better shape than mine and i dont plan on panting my bumper

I can't seem to get a fully coated fluidamper. Feeling alot like a Karen for continuing to swap them out but for $500 I feel like the coating should be intact out of box. They've been easy to work with but i would love to just get this balanced.

I know im being extra - but it is a near $500 pulley