'95 Eclipse GSX - couldn't pass it up.. maint & upgrades are next! :)

[-silencer-]

Well.. after loving my '96 Eclipse RS for 9 great years, I've finally decided to expand. I purchased a '95 Eclipse GSX today and LOVE it. I was a bit wary of the 146k miles, but a clean CarFAX with 1 owner appearantly did a bunch of long distance driving. I performed the compression test before my 2nd test drive and it came up 168-166-169-168.. I thought that couldn't be right and retested with no change. The engine was rock solid and tranny didn't appear to have any problems. Aside from a couple very minor surface details to fix (needs a factory radio wiring harness - it was cut, weather stripping above the doors is worn away in places, and a crack in each of the door armrests where the power window switches are. The caliper test for crankwalk showed that shouldn't be an issue.. .0002" and the stock T-25 turbo had minimal shaft play.

The shop selling the car obviously had no idea what the cars tend to go for and they were following blue book minus some change for having a couple aftermarket mods (hks intake & turbo back exhaust, a/f gauge, turbo timer) and no radio.

First.. I'm going for all maintenance.. oil/water pump, plugs/wires, hoses/belts, gaskets & arp studs.

A boost gauge is already in the mail, and I'll probably go with a Dejon intake pipe, Greddy intercooler pipes & type RS BOV, a Slowboy MBC, and RMdSM Swaybars for my first mods.

Next, I'm lookin at the Tokico Illuminas/Eibach Pro Kit set. I've read conflicting reports in the search about this combo.. some say you need a camber adjustment kit and some don't - care to enlighten me wise ones with that setup?

Since this is the beginning, and I want to know how I'm running at all times, DSM Link, AEM Wideband O2, and EGT are next. Walbro fuel pump & AFPR. Fuel Press gauge. I've already got a full PC ready to be built into the car for tuning & mp3/video storage.

I'd like to continue to protect the engine, so cooling upgrades will come before major performance upgrades. Fluidyne radiator & SPAL fans along with Water Temp & Oil Press gauges.

I figure the tires on the car would be due for some tread at this point, and I plan on going with some Mille Miglia F20 18x8" wheels wrapped in 225/40/18 Kumho Ecstas.

Finally I'll save a couple months and knock the rest of the bolt-ons in one blow. GM MAF & MAFT, Garret BB Turbo & Injectors, exhaust manifold & external wastegate, SBR Intercooler, and pipes to channel the new turbo, intercooler, & MAF.

Where to go from here?
Built 6 bolt. Stroked with low compression pistons. Sheet metal intake & larger throttle body.

I'm curious as to how far I could go if I never plan to get above 93/94 octane pump gas..

The fact that I'm going to keep my RS as my daily driver is a huge bonus.. no driving downtime if I choose to spend time working on a car, and I'll be paying $125/mo for comprehensive $500 deduc. for my twin 2g's combined.

 

[HighPsi92GST]

congrats on the purchase.

 

[sikhlikewhoa]

That's an awesome deal, especially awesome that you've got extra cash to lock up the engine quick.

 

[-silencer-]

Of course the car checks out fine through 2 30+ minute test drives.. and a day after bringing it home I'm thinking I'm in for a new clutch. Gotta love somewhat frequent grinds getting into 1st from N at a stoplight. Funny the way it never did that before I bought it. If it's the tranny, looks like I'm going in deep with TRE. Hopefully the only boost leak is where the idiot before me cut the boost gauge tap without closing it completely. Which of course is causing some funky idle. Joy.

Looks like at least I'll have the ACT 2600lb clutch upgrade out of the way.

Thank god I'm keeping my '96 RS.. wouldn't want to worry about reliability when I've got to get to work every day.

 

[Nanan]

Next, I'm lookin at the Tokico Illuminas/Eibach Pro Kit set. I've read conflicting reports in the search about this combo.. some say you need a camber adjustment kit and some don't - care to enlighten me wise ones with that setup?

Yep your gona need front and rear camber kits unless you like running -4* in front and -3* in the rear. While your at it I would seriously suggest getting new bushings as our 95's are 10(11) years old, my bushings were SHOT.

As for the 1st gear grind, thats typical of the clutch either dying or not being adjusted correctly. Your syncros could also be going out due to the clutch but eh Id hold off on the trans rebuild untill you need it. TRE is the shop to get your tranny done if you do decide to, I drove to their shop in person to deliver and pickup my trans. I talked to Jon and Ming for nearly 2 hours, those guys know what they are doing.

 

[-silencer-]

Yep your gona need front and rear camber kits unless you like running -4* in front and -3* in the rear. While your at it I would seriously suggest getting new bushings as our 95's are 10(11) years old, my bushings were SHOT.

As for the 1st gear grind, thats typical of the clutch either dying or not being adjusted correctly. Your syncros could also be going out due to the clutch but eh Id hold off on the trans rebuild untill you need it. TRE is the shop to get your tranny done if you do decide to, I drove to their shop in person to deliver and pickup my trans. I talked to Jon and Ming for nearly 2 hours, those guys know what they are doing.

Thanks for the advice - I'll definitely check everything with the clutch before buying a new one or new tranny. There was also a new welded-on clutch pedal that looked like a 3" cube of steel welded onto the clutch pedal arm. This has GOT to go.. it's too thick. I'm thinking either someone was under 5'0" or was trying to find a new way to adjust the clutch height. I wasn't planning on a tranny rebuild anytime soon, but TRE's options of the taller 1st/2nd/5th gears, double synchros, spider diff, and steel forks/rails have my attention.

This car will never be my daily driver and probably won't get much driving time until I get all this ironed out so I'm not too worried about the suspension/bushings right now. I just want to get the clutch/tranny issue solved first. I'm pretty sure the clutch isn't fully disengaging - sometimes very low rev's at idle or in neutral.

 

[hiimt0ny]

nice buy man good luck

 

[Wevus]

Yesterday I picked up a 92 Eclipse GSturbo 5 Spd. Bone stock 96k original miles the clutch, battery, starter and radiator replaced within 2k miles. Interior is excellent moonroof doesn't leak. The cat back exhaust was off, but he had the OEM in the trunk just in case I wanted to keep it. I feel like I got an excellent deal at $1100.

Besides maintenance, what boltons should I do first. I have a 95 talon TSi that I upgrade way back in 97.

I realize that technology has changed a lot from 18 years ago.
Should I go with straight 3 inch downpipe out the turbo, test pipe followed by a high flowing Muffler or just let it dump out the test pipe? Emissions are not an issue.

Then add a manual boost controller and boost gauge, of course with a performance cold air intake.

Will the stock fuel system handle it?


Any suggestion will be gratefully appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

[spin1r6]

You bumped a 9yr old thread for a non related question?

 

[Wevus]

My apologies for my ignorance.

Maybe you can PM me and point me in the right direction?

 

[Seamus]

Nevrmind