97 GST Spyder (AWD Swapped)

[spyderdrifter]

Here's more pics...

 

[spyderdrifter]

So the night I made the last post, my car's ignition decided to crap out yet again. Got the transistor replaced and did some other crap. Nothing worked. Rechecked spark and fuel. Fuel was good, but only one plug was firing. I ended up replacing the negative battery cable that links the battery and firewall, and she started right up, no problem. Sucks how such a simple thing that I put off and always forgot about caused so many issues.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I'm done, I quit.... I'm selling it....

 

[NWHTanK]

What the hey. Dont give up!

 

[spyderdrifter]

I don't know what more to do. I've driven it since Saturday with no problems, and the damn ignition shit happened again. I've tested everything, multiple times. I'm tired of replacing parts that don't need it just to remove them from being the problem. This is my only car and have no reliable friends here for rides. I need something that's not gonna break down everytime I try to start it.

 

[spyderdrifter]

OK, I didn't sell her, even though I did post an ad for a day. Just for the hell of it, I searched 2 salvage yards for a new CAS and only found 1, and its case was busted on both adjustment loops. I took it anyway and my car hasn't had a problem since..... YET... Bought another one that's not broken and known to be good from another member on here yesterday. Should get it soon. Also ordered a new harmonic balancer since I noticed a slight wobble at low RPMs. That'll be here next week.

Before it last crapped out, I went on a drive up through the mountains and shot some pics. Today I decided to finally paint my sanded intake manifold to match my shaved VC. Will probably be installing them on Friday so they're ready for the DSM meet on Saturday. More pics later.

 

[spyderdrifter]

More pics

 

[itbeatown]

super sweet build!

 

[spyderdrifter]

I finally got my brand new harmonic balancer today and the new CAS a couple days ago. Just got the balancer and new belts on tonight since I couldn't sleep. Now I got power steering back as well. Also found out I had an oil leak. Wasn't big, but still annoying since I like my engine being really clean. It looked to be the oil dipstick tube o-ring, so I replaced it too tonight since I needed an oil change anyway. I didn't put the A/C belt on since I'm quite sure I'll end up burning out the compressor if I did. The A/C system isn't completely reinstalled yet so there's no refrigerant or lube oil in there, so yeah...

 

[kasumax]

Jesus, i just read this whole build. You went through some hell bro. All of your cars' issues trump all of mine in every way. The way you have hung in there has inspired me to hang in there too. Very good build and insight into another spyder.

Keep Going!!

 

[Awdspyderman]

Good to see you didn't quit, Keep going man. One piece of advice, LOWER that thing alittle =) it looks like a 4x4 I also hope to be running this summer, maybe we can meet up in castle rock

 

[spyderdrifter]

Jesus, i just read this whole build. You went through some hell bro. All of your cars' issues trump all of mine in every way. The way you have hung in there has inspired me to hang in there too. Very good build and insight into another spyder.

Keep Going!!

Thanks, but I had my weak moments. I almost did sell it, but one of my friends talked me out of it. Now she runs pretty good, so I'm glad I didn't get rid of it.

LOWER that thing alittle =) it looks like a 4x4

It'll get lowered once I gather all my AWD parts. Don't want to buy suspension parts twice

 

[spyderdrifter]

Just bought an exhaust from Albanator yesterday along with a few other little things. Got it on today and swapped back to the Eclipse bumpers. She looks and sounds great again and is now one solid color, except for the bits of satin black I've done.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Well today I decided to run a compression test just to see where the #'s were at. I'm sitting at 130psi across all cylinders except #2 which is at 125psi. Luckly it's a 6-bolt and I got til 121psi before it all goes to shit. However I did a wet test and looks like the piston rings are going out. Compression jumped to 140psi on all cylinders. So now I have too many new parts to buy since I'll be pulling it all apart again. Looking at new rod bearings, rings, head gasket, timing belt & tensioner, head bolts, manifold gaskets, and the list I'm sure will grow. Some of these I probably don't necessarily need to replace, but will happen anyway since its gonna come apart. The plan though is to pull the head and oil pan and replace the rings with the block and transmission still in the car. But I know I'll need to hone the cylinders for the new rings and I've never done that before, so I need to learn real quick. Looking to do this at the end of the month. Hopefully my spyder will keep running til then since its been running fine anyway.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Got my parts ordered yesterday for swapping my piston rings. Will be replacing them soon and get my car's power back. My computer's been down for a while so here's some pics I've taken since it broke that I haven't been able to post with my phone.

 

[Sepison]

I kinda favor the mitsubishi look a little better

 

[spyderdrifter]

So I decided to go by the salvage yard today to look for a part for school. Found a 2GB high rise wing, the AWD trunk floor panels, and an ECU that has "DSMLink V2" written on it. And it does indeed have the right DSMLink guts in it. $100 for everything... SCORE...

 

[gsexxx]

Awesome build man, love the spyder and I am glad you stuck with it. So are you staying with the eclipse body or are you just waiting until you can paint the talon bumper to match the car? And damn, all that for only $100 is a steal. Not sure how the the high rise will look on a spyder, definitely post up some pics after you put it on. Keep up the good work and I am looking forward to updates. Subscribed!

 

[chinexican]

I'm glad you're starting to have a little better luck. We need to arrange another meet, now that I have my Talon here, even if it's just to cruise the hills and take some pictures. Good luck with the build and let me know if you ever need an extra hand.

Also, I'm slightly saddened that you didn't post any pics of the crappy little Monster.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I'm gonna be buying a 2GA Talon from a good friend and will use the bumpers for it. Will be leaving the Eclipse parts on the Spyder. I've seen the high rise wing on Spyders before and I'm not a fan of how it looks. Won't be putting it on. I bought it for the hell of it. May use it one day if I get a GSX.

I'm glad you're starting to have a little better luck. We need to arrange another meet, now that I have my Talon here, even if it's just to cruise the hills and take some pictures. Good luck with the build and let me know if you ever need an extra hand.

Also, I'm slightly saddened that you didn't post any pics of the crappy little Monster.

I'm down for another meet, after I replace my piston rings. Gonna be ordering them today or tomorrow. My compression is floating right at service limit whch has zapped its power. Still drives fine, just a little slower. I say next meet though, we all drive up to Divide. Its a good drive, and good scenery for pics.

Monster??

 

[gsexxx]

Sounds like a good plan. Glad you aren't putting the high rise on, I personally think it would look goofy on a spyder. I have a gsx for sale if you're interested . Regardless you got a great deal, and could easily sell the high rise for $100 if that's what you decided to do.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Shipping from there to here would suck, but I'm already saving up for my buddies Talon, so will have to wait for a GSX. But may not get one other than a parts donor for my Spyder.

 

[NWHTanK]

Awd spyder swapers. Great score on the pars.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Hell yeah. Thanks Gonna have the ECU upgraded to V3 and then install it.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I decided to replace my FIAV seal and BISS over night. Plugged in my scanner and got my idle speed dialed in and ranging from 750-800 rpms. Now I just gotta wait for my new rings to come in and then I can get her running nice and smooth again. Also talked to ECMLink about the ECU I got the other day. Got a great offer from them for the V3 upgrade, so I'll be shipping it out to them next month. Can't wait.

Also cleaned up my engine a bit more because I was bored, not that it was needed, but oh well, OCD dictated it.