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1997 Eclipse GSX Restore - First DSM/AWD

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I bough this car from James somewhere in Kansas about 2020-2021, I'm sure he's on here.
It was a rolling shell then so I purchased a tsi with blown motor for the drivetrain and at the point of putting accesories back on the long block and checking
everything under the car and evaluating how much suspension i want/need to replace.

Did i mention this is my first time assembling an engine (picked a good one i know LOL). i bought bore guage, micrometers etc. followed the service manual best i could.
If i got 10k miles out of it, that would make me happy but it turns over great. Just a stock rebuild.

Right now its sitting on stock rims, decided i didnt like the Enkei RP003 enough, cant go wrong with RPF1s

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Now that i have most of the front end parts, this is how it lined up.
Still missing the bolts on the side, (bumper to fender)
 

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Man this is awesome. I’m about to jump into this DSM pool for the first time and I plan to buy a gsx that needs some work. I want to completely rebuild it! It’s going to be a wild ride. Anyway, I appreciate your post.
 
Wel I haven’t been able to get much progress on the build but we finally purchased our dream home. Build should go a lot smoother and quicker with the extra space ;). And yes there is a shop in my future. Couldn’t help but share.
Motor is ready to drop in just need the bottoms timing covers and clutch. Would really like to get this thing moving on its own power before the snow comes in.
 

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Wel I haven’t been able to get much progress on the build but we finally purchased our dream home. Build should go a lot smoother and quicker with the extra space ;). And yes there is a shop in my future. Couldn’t help but share.
Motor is ready to drop in just need the bottoms timing covers and clutch. Would really like to get this thing moving on its own power before the snow comes in.
Beautiful car man congrats on the house as well keep up the good work BTW I'm rebuilding my 90 TSI AWD with 500 awdhp but I'm keeping my oem wheels I just notices I got the same spark plugs cover you have I also have a tuned By tomei one as well
 
SHE LIVES!!
 
As I mentioned before, this is my first ever disassembly/reassembly of an engine from bare block.
I'm just stocked it starts right up and so far, no CEL's but only has a few minutes of idle time.

I did have some head noise at first, lifter tick i believe but it was no longer present after draining the idle oil from first start up and putting some break in additive with the new oil.
Now i just need to make some hard lines for the brakes and put the clutch line on to see if she goes into gear. :pray:

I didn't have a tool or help to install the flywheel/clutch/crank so i figured out one of the radiator brackets can be bolted to the flywheel and block on the top left to hold it in place.:p

I'll let you guys know how the break in run goes. Will be following the controversial motoman method.

Lots of work to be done to suspension exhaust and intercooler before being truly road worthy.
I do however plan on pulling the motor back out to paint the bay, weld the holes by the strut towers and get some more goodies for the longblock.
Just really didn't want to get too deep into my backyard rebuild until i knew i could do it.
I'm not a mechanic nor do i have name brand tools, but i love to do things myself whether right or wrong and learn along the way.

Heres how she's sitting at the moment.

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Made 3 of the 4 brake lines needed after abs delete.

Used premade steel lines.
2- 40 inch lines from master to proportioning valve.
51 inch from valve to d/s brake
And just waiting on the
20inch line for the passenger brake to valve.
First time bending lines of any sort.

So ready to break this thing in!!

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Looking like a car again
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I've been unable to fully break in due to hitting fuel cut on the 16g
Total of 5 miles and a couple hard pulls.
TPS and base timing set and it seems to idling great from cold start to operating temp.

Waiting on another wastegate to turn down the boost to 10psi until i can get my hands on dsm link and injectors.
I'm very happy with it so far.
 
New wastegate did not solve my boost creep, I was really trying to avoid porting the exhaust housing.
While i wait on my Dremel and carbide bits I decide to add some horsepower.

I believe it was +5hp per sticker/gauge the last time i checked. ;)

The gauge holder is just a 1/4pc square of pvc board i cut to fit snug in the radio bezel.

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New wastegate did not solve my boost creep, I was really trying to avoid porting the exhaust housing.
While i wait on my Dremel and carbide bits I decide to add some horsepower.

I believe it was +5hp per sticker/gauge the last time i checked. ;)

The gauge holder is just a 1/4pc square of pvc board i cut to fit snug in the radio bezel.

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New wastegate? Or wastegate actuator? The actual gate (if internal) is in the turbine housing. That is the source of boost creep.
 
New wastegate? Or wastegate actuator? The actual gate (if internal) is in the turbine housing. That is the source of boost creep.
New actuator. It opens a little more at a lower psi and it just helped delay the creep.
Still climbing with rpm to 20psi+
I will have to port the housing next.
 
Yup. Actuator has nothing to do with creep.
I'm still learning. I did think about sending you a message but i found multiple threads on here about it.
Thanks for telling me about the forum btw.
 
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Officially road legal now.
Took a 50 mile cruise with no issues yet,
Fingers crossed I put this thing together correctly 😅.
Ported the turbo housing but not much since I was concerned about holding higher boost later on. Still creeps but no where near as bad.

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Used an extra housing I had from a blown turbo with bigger flapper.
 
I have not mess with the car much the last couple months but i did completely fix my boost creep in the most shameful way LOL

Exhaust silencer! all i had was this straight pipe exhaust when i put the car together and apparently its to big for stock setup.
yeah i know, but its temporary since i will eventually get another exhaust and probably turbo setup when i gather funds for DSM LINK.

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Got myself some coil overs and drilled rotors and pads for Christmas, while i was at it, put my evo wheels on and put new wheel bearing assembly in the front, FML it was a pain to pull the old hubs. Also re-mounted the gauges with a radio pod holder.
It looks and feels like a different car.

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