1G Success Stories???

[Merciless]

Is anybody NOT having problems with their 1G DSM???

I know there are a lot of problems with these things, but there must be at least a few cars out there running properly with no issues.

Anyone have problems in the past and not anymore? What's your secret?

 

[Quasimondo]

Secrets to a happy DSM:

1. Find yourself an unabused DSM. It's hard to find an unabused 1G. I should know, it took me four months to find one, and you can't base it on mileage alone. My first 1G, a 92 had 104K miles, but lived a rough life under three owners. I sold it at 105K miles. My second 1G had 136K when I bought it. So far, the only thing I've had to replace was the radiator, belts, and a cracked exhaust manifold.

2. Don't abuse the DSM. Follow scheduled maintenance religously. Oil changes, belt changes, tuneups, etc. Follow the schedule and your DSM will be a happy DSM.

3. Easy on the shifter. No need to slap shift or slam through the gates.

4. If it's semi-stock (stock internals, stock head, stock turbo) your torqe and hp curve more than likely won't be radically altered beyond what is stock. Yeah, you'll make more power from bolt-ons and tuning, but for the most part, your torque's still gong to come on at 3K and your hp is going to max at 6K. To me, that means that there's no reason to take it past 6K. I know these motors can sing up to 7000 or even 7500, but if you're not making more power at that range, I don't see the reason to run it that high.


Most folks will probably disagree with #4, but I frequently drive in a spirited manner and haven't had a problem with my motor yet. Those are my secrets.

 

[Merciless]

I just bought my car already well-modded (ported head, FP Red, 660's, Shepracing tranny, etc...) and it shit itself about 30 miles from where I bought it (I live 200 miles from there).
All the really major stuff that might break has been broken and replaced, so I'm hoping that all the other stuff I might have to fix will be small stuff.

I'll keep up the maintenance and hope for the best.
Thanks.

 

[sonicnofadz]

Drove mine off the parking lot and noticed a big puff of white smoke trailing behind it. Got home and found out it had a blown head gasket. Been fixing it ever since (has been a year and a half and everything still isnt quite right ). Though I have lots of friends who have 1gs and they never have any problems at all...guess its my luck =/

 

[boostaddictgsx]

Well, I will have had my car for 3 and a half months now, and I haven't had any problems with it other than the things that were wrong(minor) when I bought the car at 102k miles. I don't plan to mod it yet, just cruise around in the nicest old school DSM in the general area. It's worth it when people actually know what you're driving
The only problems i need to(should fix) is to replace the tensioner, and get front tires, but other than that its been a good run so far. At the end of the day, I'm proud to stand next to my car.

 

[rivet0r]

I don't think my car has had any major problems since I bought it over a year ago, and driven close to 20,000 miles. It's the way people treat their car that is unbelievable to me. People expect to abuse a 14 year old car and not have any problems.

If the car is properly taken care of, I gaurantee the car will last twice as long, if not longer. Of course everyone gets on it once in awhile, and I do it quite often.. but it's the way you drive the car that people don't understand. When you hear/feel that clunk, think about what is really going on. You can't expect to slam the gears and the transmission be okay with it.

Changing the oil religiously every 2500 miles is the way to go. I have never had any problems with my car, whether it was in it's stock form or not.

Letting the car warm up for at least a minute or two before you get going will get you brownie points as well. Let the oil actually get to where it is supposed to be. I don't get into boost or go above 3k rpm until the car is at it's normal operating temp.

It's the little things that count, remember that

 

[9d2TSi]

Iv'e had mine since June 14th of last year, I have only had to replace an alternator and a battery.

1) Regular maintenance is a MUST!!!! Oil changes, tune ups, timing belts, etc.
2) You don't have to put it to the floor to get it to go. Always have trouble with #2....

Basically, just don't beat the shit out of it and you should be ok. I kinda get tired of people saying our cars aren't reliable, coming to find out that the owner thinks it's an F1 car and treats it like one.

 

[-GSX-Falcon]

I have had my 92 for just over a year now. Did my 120,000 mi maintenance on time and oil changes every 3000mi. I push it, but I also take care of it. It pisses me off when people start the car and then 3 secs later take off. I always let my car warm up a little before I take off and then cool down if I have been hard on it. I say, treat it well and it will treat you well.