97 gsx or no?

[williambogner]

Hey guys, im completely new to the eclipses and had a few questions for you guys. Im looking at a 97 gsx with a 4g63 DOHC engine. Its a real sharp looking car and has a good shell. Im looking for a project car for the meantime so this caught me eye. Its been sitting outside for a few months, very cold where I live. Went to look at the car the other day and it started up and smoked a lot. Seemed like it was coming from either the turbo, or exhaust manifold and of course the tailpipe. It was white smoke so it could be a number of things...? The guy wants 800 bucks for the car and i felt that it was a good deal. Can someone tell me a little more about the cars and the problems they uphold. I have mechanics telling me to buy it and mechanics telling me to stay away from the cars. Also what is the difference between the 7 bolt and 6 bolt engine?

 

[BIGBLAZE79]

Be prepared to spend a lot of money to fix it up. These cars are money pits when you start modifying them. It's totally worth it in my opinion, it has to be your hobby or you will curse this car till the day you die! I don't regret getting mine one bit and I will never sell it either. It's way too much fun when it runs I also would recommend a separate daily driver as well.

6Bolt has 6 bolt holes on the end of the crankshaft, you can figure out what 7Bolt means. 6Bolts are favored for there stronger blocks and hold more power reliably. The older models came with a 6Bolt. 97 would have a 7Bolt.

 

[GsXtC21]

First off, pictures and more details on the car would help meaning is it heavily modded or is it relatively stock... ?

White smoke can be a number of things, to an oil leak, blown headgasket, blown turbo, etc...
Best thing to do is check the dipstick for signs of coolant (milky substance), pull the intake off the turbo and check it out, and does the white smoke have a sweet smell to it...?

All in all, $800 for a 2gb gsx is a pretty darn good deal even if the motor is blown but i would still try and get it for lower and just be prepared to dump some serious cash in getting back up to par....

 

[Hitmachine101]

I agree with all the info they gave you above,

if you can take off the Inter cooler pipe running from the turbo to the intercooler itself,, this will help in diagnosing what the cars issues are

if the Inter cooler pipe is clean and there is no oil/coolent/ fluid in the Intercooler pipe or the Intercooler itsself then the turbo is probably fine

if you know how to check for shaft play in the turbo itself, do that as well

check the oil for the milky residue and check the oil cap as well

all in all 800 isnt bad but id walk him down to 650 if the project calls for a rebuild of that motor

good luck and have fun with it

 

[jestoy7]

How long was the car running? It could be smoking beacuase of cliamte conditions. If you take it out ofr a drive and then let it idle the smoke would stop after a while.

$800 for a clean 2g awd is a real good deal.

 

[nyTalonTsi]

What these guys said.

But truly be prepared to spend some money on this car. 9/10 if you buy a dsm for that low, especially a 97-99 GSX well there has to be problems. Or you might get lucky and its something minor and the seller gave up. Its not gonna be a car you buy and next day its on the road. Maintainence.

But anyway's good luck, do alot of research before you buy it.

 

[dangler]

Yeah for 800 bucks and if the car is as clean as you say it is, I would definitely buy it. Sure your gonna have problems but if its a project your looking for these cars are great for it. The performance you get out of them in the end is awesome. Plus they have a huge following so you won't ever have a lack of people to hook you up with useful info or parts on the internet. Do it

 

[cano86]

For $800 is a steal, and if you say you want it for a project that means you ain't in a rush to get it in the road, so I'll have to say go for it.
Post pictures if you can.

 

[Toyboxx]

If you have mechanic friends bring them with you to do a compression and leakdown test. That will tell you if it's the motor its self or the turbo. Even if its the motor $800 is a good price for a 2G GSX. Regardless I say go for it. Just prepare for that to become your main project car & make sure you have the extra money to fix it up.

 

[Squirrel8811]

If it were me I pull out the cash right then and there if it started. I mean think about it. Im rebuilding my engine and its gonna cost me around 400-$500. That means you can get a running GSX with a fresh engine for about $1300. STEAL! Now I would also remember that there are still gonna be other things that go wrong but still...

 

[agedog2gT]

I agree with everything that has been said. find out more though. mods? problems? how was the owner with oil changes all that good stuff. is it auto or manual? Again thats a steal, i would buy that if i came across one for that price. but i love DSMs, like most on this site. BE PREPARED TO DROP A LOT OF MONEY. i do simply cause i love the cars and its my hobby. but good luck with your decision. Hope you go for it!

 

[williambogner]

Alrite guys, Thanks a lot for all the help. I really appreciate it. Ill look into it more.

 

[infantry]

800..yes

 

[eclipse-gs-t]

hey man if you are not sure about buying this car let us know we buy it for sure, send us the link

 

[cano86]

hey man if you are not sure about buying this car let us know we buy it for sure, send us the link

+1 am here in CT so I could pick up a GSX maybe my talon could have another buddy.

Tell you what, If is a 5spd with a blown engine, buy it and I'll trade you my auto talon AWD as well, thats if the body is really in good condition cause mine is. I'm planning on doing an engine build so I wont mind the engine messed up. Let me know

 

[Beemer92]

$800 sounds like a steal. The AWDs are VERY fun when they are not broken down. Be prepared for a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and money on this car. But in all said when the turbo starts spinning, the grin on your face will be well worth it.

 

[GSTOMPN]

If it were me I pull out the cash right then and there if it started

Exactly. The car would've been at my house already under maintenance.