1999 GS-T Restoration Build

[Mahreeoh17]

Mahreeoh17 submitted a new DSM Profile :

GSX daily/street


Read more about this vehicle here...

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Car has been thru a lot over the last few months. Timing belt maintenance was done as well as everything else according to DSMTuners, along with a new alternator from the local auto store. Then the transmission decide to vacate the premises *ouch*.

Recent upgrades have been South Bend Kevlar clutch matched with Competition Clutch Flywheel, and a new Mishimoto Performance Radiator I got for a steal of 80 dollars. ;D

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So unfortunately the GSX gave me tons of issues, two transmissions going out nearly broke me. So I sold it.

Picked up a 99 GS-T, completely stock. Looking to slowly modify that the way I wanted. Hope this one works out.

 

[chrisman287]

You’re going to spin a lot more once you start making some power but the trans should hold up. It’ll be a lot of fun.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So the story on the '99 GS-T is, previous owner ran it without oil and it started smoking while he was at a gas station. Drove it home and parked it in 2007.

Fast forward to August 2023 when I took possession. Started with a deep deep clean to remove the rat feces and cat urine from the interior and engine bay, replaced trunk struts, a few rusted out parts (it was near the coast) and took out the rotting sunroof frame. Car is presentable now.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So after cleaning the engine bay I had room to work and not feel like I was getting hepatitis, got a new negative battery cable installed, fixed the door handles because they weren't functioning correctly, and sprayed some starter fluid in the intake.

Car starts but knocks really really badly then dies. So that was a no go.

I was lucky enough to find a 6 bolt on FB marketplace for 700$. The plan is to swap the 6 bolt in to get it started and then build it up from there. Already have a refurbished intake manifold coming from eBay, a 6 bolt timing cover I paid an arm for, and a throttle body and MDP sensor from a generous member here on the forums. Wish me luck guys!

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Also, this is the car of my youth. My best friend's brother had a silver '97 GS-T in high school and I've loved this car ever since. I'm restoring this one with and for my son Julian, so we can have something to tinker with as he gets older. Gotta leave the kids something right?

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So a few updates. Been hoarding and picking up parts for the car while collecting my thoughts on the build. Went to start on the timing side to refresh parts and came across some corrosion from the 6 bolt sitting so long. Looks like it's a full rebuild for me after all. Kinda bummed, but at least I know it won't blow a head gasket 200 miles after I drop it in.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

When I originally purchased the car it had a huge chunk of the hatch rusted out from sitting in the sun for 15 years. Had the chance to pick up a carbon hatch from Carbonetics so I pulled the trigger to avoid a long delivery wait. Fit isn't perfect however once I drop it off for paint I'll have them adjust it. Pulled the windshield myself and threw it all together. Drilled the holes for the whale tail and made it work.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Forgot I haven't posted my small updates on this thread. Installed a B&M short shifter, installed an Evo steering wheel with adapter from Da Dude, and threw in the Carbon airbag delete from Carbonetics. Installed an eBay front lip, new angel eye headlights.It's coming along slowly but surely. I feel like I can see the cars potential now.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Finished pulling the 2g head with the help of my brother, getting the 6 bolt block ready to drop off at the machine shop with eagle rods and weisco pistons for the rebuild. Spent today setting preload on some Megan coilovers and pulling the harness and such from the engine bay, going to pull the old motor on Saturday with the help of a buddy.

 

[chrisman287]

Cars coming along nicely! I like the upgrades

 

[prubingst]

Nice work! Looks like it'll be a fun project. Love that color combo, and the CF hatch

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Little bit Big update.

Had a buddy with an engine hoist come by and pull the old 7 bolt motor out, he made it look easy. Also installed Megan EZII Coilovers while we were in there. Washed the car up, placed some decals, and installed FIBA Motorsports drip rails to replace the old faded factory ones.

I'm getting super excited for this build now!

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Had some time today so washed off 15+ years of crud and rat droppings that the transmission had. Primed it and sprayed with some sparkly enamel. Hopefully it holds up once it's installed.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So in a recent turn of events, I was searching for pictures of a carbon fiber hood on a 2g and stumbled across an Offer Up post for a Seibon Hood for 400$! Some clear coat damage, hence the price, but upon examining it it was only gel coat damaged and not into the weave, so I took a chance.

Got it and cleaned knocked the cracked off with a razor. Taped it off, sanded with 120 then 220 and layed some table top epoxy resin. Letting it dry and cure now but the results are promising!

Going to even it out and re clear it with 2k clear. The previous owner had a clear coat on it, but it wasn't a very good job, although I think that's what saved it from damaging the weave.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So, I put way too much resin and had to spend a lot of my time sanding and blocking it out. Lesson going forward, only fill what needs to be filled. I slathered it on like mayo.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

After blocking it all down with 220, I went with 280, then 320, then 400 all over to prepare for the new clear coat when it warms up (expecting rain this week. Water test mimicks clear and even tho you can see the old cracks, it's smooth to the touch and glossy. Proud of myself for pulling this off.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Slightly warmer day so took the chance and sprayed the hood with clear. 3 coats of 2k clear with 15 min flash times in between. Looks solid but I'm gonna wait for it to dry and go from there.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Got the hood installed today. Sanded from 400-2500 and had some guy come out to polish it. Came out great enough for what I have in it. Car's coming along.

 

[chrisman287]

Don’t forget to put some hood pins!! Looks great btw

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Don’t forget to put some hood pins!! Looks great btw

Hood pins coming. The car isn't gonna be mobile anytime soon tho

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Had some downtime today so took a whack at updating the interior slightly. The seats were bleached from the sun from years of sitting, so I took some Rust-Oleum fabric spray to them. You can see how light they had become from the half and half photos, it looks slightly better now.

Not perfect but it's 25+ years old, and it's not a BMW.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Little preview to tease myself for the coming build. Got this valve cover from a member here a while back, really nice peice. Should be getting the block done soon.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

So, back to fun things now that the weather is warming up a bit and I've got the time for it.

Spent 3 hours wondering why I wasn't getting any sound out of the new stereo head unit after wiring it six different ways from Sunday. Came back to it the next day and looked under the passenger seat, AMP wasn't connected. *Facepalm*

We got tunes now!