1995 GSX Project "RedSun" Restore then Gymkhana

[Leonthefaded]

Yeah john I still think it sucks I kept hitting those snags. Derwin (my friend who bought the car) calls me from time to time for some advice here and there. I know he's taking good care of it.

Even though other cars are cool, I love DSMs, so I'm optimistic as to the next one when and if I can.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Major update, for those still subscribed and new ones that will jump on. An hour ago I bought back my Black 98 GSX. Its time to turn wrenches and chew bubble gum.

This DEC is my ETS from the Army, although I will be medically retiring from the military due to the nerve damage to my face and PTSD. As of late I have nothing but wrench time especially for my wife's SRT4 Neon which I've built for her to be quite an all star head turner. As you've all noticed I've been working on a 98 Auto GST as my daily driver.

I happened upon my old GSX on craigslist one night and long story short. The guy I sold it too evidently bought it with his friends cash, and his friend got tired of him abusing it, so he sold it. I grabbed the GSX up for 3800. Its almost like I left it with worse paint and in dire need of maintenance

 

[tomas123]

At first i was like Worst ending ever, i hate you.
And then.. And THEN..!! Yes, i am happy about this
This car is obviously meant to be with you, and only you.

 

[Leonthefaded]

When I saw that car hit craigslist, and after long devoted reading and watching the forums learning as much as I could. I grabbed my money, my gun (kidding) and headed straight for my car. Even if it sits for long periods of time, what I learned most is not to let it get the best of you. Its all a learning process and a building process. I am lucky I got it back.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Here they are

 

[Leonthefaded]

So on my way to the parts store for lugs I smelled coolant. The plastic top end of my rad broke. Crap right? So while at orielys I grabbed some quick steel and make a temporary fix. Then when I got home used some permatex to seal it so I could go to work till my friend can give me a proper radiator. Too bad mishimoto left a bad taste in my mouth otherwise I would be jumping to my credit card to order one.

I found a talon down the street from where I live so I bought it with a friend for 300, then stripped it. Got some nice rims and good parts. Painted them. I don't like how the wheels came out however... They are made in the USA and are forged, light as a feather and fit. Can't beat that right? More to come.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

sucks about the rad. Same shit happened to me last summer in my gf's honda.

Whats the story with mishimoto?
Last I saw you were enjoying them as a company.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Mishimoto is an amazing company and makes good products but after trying so hard with them to claim my warranty and failing. At every turn. I can only say they make good products they cannot back based on my personal experience. I wish I could go with Godspeed or another rad fan and hose combination. But I didn't again. If my fans fail prematurely which I'm sure they will. I will by then find a better alternative that will fit in the shroud and I'll post it in this journal. Which reminds me I need to take down and or edit my mishimoto parts review.

 

[Abe'sGST]

Good to hear you're back

 

[Leonthefaded]

Tonight I'm doing a lot of cutting and catching up on maintenance not done. I managed to cut out slot of rust and spray some rustoluem in places. Made some room as to not have bare metal cutting into my hoses like it did the stock intercooler hose making major boost leak.

On the way parts wise I have.
A new awd fuel pump hanger asy
STM pump to rail kit -6 an
Misimoto fanshroud
Evo oil cap
LICP
And new couplers and assorted things.

The GST has some goodies in my next post

 

[Leonthefaded]

Tonight my replacement fanshroud comes for the rad. I'm thinking about directly wiring it to the battery and having a toggle switch in the cabin to control the fans. Depending on the location of switch how clean of an install I can do and the availability of switches at my local Oriely Auto I will decide whether or not to use the factory harness or a in cabin toggle.

My fuel pump hanger assembly will be delayed by a few weeks but that gives me plenty of time to plan carefully how I will preform the installation and I'll have more than enough time to run the new fuel lines. I like that I am not rushing things.

The GST still has a lot of surprise goodies coming so get ready for DSM PORN

 

[Leonthefaded]

Tonight I wired in my replacement fanshroud I bought because mishimoto wouldn't honor their lifetime warranty. Even though I wanted to go with godspeed or another brand I have OCD have to match for the time being. Plus I have to admit most of the mishimoto line is good. I wired them in using a in cabin switch this time that way I have complete control of when both my fans are on and off that way I can ensure the short lifespan of my mishimoto fans can be extended because cool nights in Hawaii on the highway I do not really require my fans to he running. It took me a few trips and a little learning and some good advice from some gurus to get this rigged up. I hope you all can benefit from it.

For reference I used a 40 amp inline fuse between a toggle switch and the battery. The fans are grounded on the battery. The toggle switch is grounded on the chassis. The toggle switch is illuminated when power is being supplied to the fans. The passenger side fan quick splices into the driver side fan power wire. Both fans are powered by 1 power wire and it is 14 gauge. Use connectors that are comfortable for yourself I choose bullet style and female disconnects. Keep in mind that later I will be quick splicing into this same power wire for another small fan to mount on my stock SMIC.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Got my fuel tank to rail kit. Now I'm waiting on my fuel sending unit to come in here in a few weeks. This will take car of the leaky handy work from my previous mishaps. Lessons learned I suppose. I'll make damn sure to do it right and do it slow and complete. I'm considering upgrading to the T28 turbo. Although I was going to leave the stock turbo on the gsx. For my build goals.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Punishment racing front mount intercooler came in today.

 

[Leonthefaded]

A lot of work so far guys I'm pushing through

 

[Leonthefaded]

Almost done
Photos aren't working standby

 

[Leonthefaded]

All in all the installation was a success. I hit a few snags connecting the pipe at the turbo because of the length. Lucky for me punishment racing is so badass they sent the j pipe for a 14b or 16g turbo free with the kit. I simply cut some of that piping and made an extension and used the extra coupler PR also sent with the kit and made it all fit nice and snug. The BOV that comes with the kit is nice and loud. I don't know what to expect later down the road with it but I'm impressed and I will review the kit properly later on elsewhere in the forums.

I would have installed the stm fuel to rail kit but I figured this would be good enough for tonight as I'm taking it slow these days with the redsun. I'm very proud of this upgrade and install and I can't wait to update you all for the next very tasteful and awesome upgrade and surprise.

 

[BurrowZ]

I've always read bad things about PR, but that's a clean install. The fact that it lets you keep your fogs is really nice too. Car looks good man. Keep it up!

 

[Leonthefaded]

Did some cutting and sanding this is how the bumper turned out

 

[Leonthefaded]

Driving my gsx like I stole it I love it so much. I don't know why everyone says a fmic is bad for the stock turbo. I haven't noticed anything but good things. I have considered selling the gst for 4 grand to further this build.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Sold the Gst to further this build. Today I bought AEM digital wideband, boost, and oil pressure gauges from my friends shop. I'm looking into sparkplug wires and what would be best for me. Soon to come. More photo's

 

[Leonthefaded]

At over 10k views/ reads so far on this journal. Before I reorganize it for easier viewing. I wanted to thank all of you for reading.

 

[Leonthefaded]

Made a video. Hope you enjoy.

[ame="http://youtu.be/jgGU4sAhOGE"]http://youtu.be/jgGU4sAhOGE[/ame]

 

[NWHTanK]

Nice^^^^