98 GSX Clean-Up/Resto

[1999RSfwd]

1999RSfwd submitted a new DSM Profile :

98 GSX Clean-Up/Resto


Read more about this vehicle here...

 

[1999RSfwd]

Hey everyone I just bought a 98 GSX. Super thankful to finally have one of these! The plans are to make this a nice street car, nothing crazy because I do want to drive the thing and not worry about things breaking. It does have a 6 bolt swap, and the PO said the bottom end was built by SlowBoy Racing. I'm ready to get my hands dirty! So stay tuned!

Here she is after the first wash

 

[JeffGS-T97]

Looks pretty solid. It's always nice to see people take care of these cars they are well deserving of extra special TLC.

 

[Sniffbooger]

Nice! I just got my '98 in February...mine came without a front bumper too... But it was not the all-wheel drive like yours!

 

[1999RSfwd]

Nice! I just got my '98 in February...mine came without a front bumper too... But it was not the all-wheel drive like yours!

mine came with the bumper, but it's too bad it's already been cut

 

[Sniffbooger]

Just get a front mount intercooler!

 

[1999RSfwd]

Just get a front mount intercooler!

It has one, it just has a hole in it at the moment. And I left it at the PO's house

 

[1999RSfwd]

So today I managed to get the old dry rotted tires off the GSX, and swapped out with the new set that came with the car. These will only be temporary, because I have a set of Evo wheels currently at the powder coater's.

I also got around to installing some factory fog lights I had laying around, and I also pulled the emissions and Evap stuff off the car as well. Still waiting for an egr block off from STM. And I have a FMIC on the way!

 

[1999RSfwd]

Well my new intercooler came in the mail today, so I got it installed (don't hate on my "fancy" brackets ). I also got my egr block-off plate from STM put on as well. Still waiting on some more parts from STM, and some 3" to 2.5" couplers for the new intercooler. And I still have to make a boost leak tester and test for leaks.

 

[Sniffbooger]

Looking good... I'm going to put my new FMIC on next week!

 

[1999RSfwd]

Well, I got my wideband in today and I got it installed.

 

[1999RSfwd]

Alright, this weekend I managed to get my valve cover gasket replaced. It was desperately needing it. I also painted the valve cover while I was replacing the gasket. I deleted the rear wiper, and installed the Honda grommet. I got an order in from STM, and replaced the biss screw and o-ring as well as the shifter cable bushings and shifter base bushings and I rebuilt the shifter assembly with new bushings. With all the new bushings the shifter feels Amazing. There is a night and day difference in the shifts, if you're wondering about doing this it's definitely worth it!

 

[1999RSfwd]

Small Update:
I bought a set of Evo 9 wheels (and tires) from @SasaniFab here on tuners a while back. I had them powder coated satin black, and had the tires put on. It's not much, but they look great! Now I need some good coilovers and drop it down some.

 

[1999RSfwd]

Not much of an update, but I managed to get something done on the GSX. I've had some all black door panels sitting around for a while now, so I ordered up some new clips and got the door panels installed. I ordered the clips from https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/. If you're missing any clips, or just want to replace/restock, I would recommend seeing what all they have. If you look up the Auveco part# for these clips, it says they are for Toyota, but they're basically the same as the Mitsu ones.

 

[IHeartMyHonda]

Wow this makes me miss all my white coupes! Keep it up!

Side note, if you want some black leather front seats, I have a pair collecting dust in my garage that I'd let go for a song.

 

[Yokai]

Nice dude! We're practically twins I might have to copy you on the shifter rebuild.. can you describe the difference at all? Mine feels pretty notchy and sometimes I struggle to get it in gear, mostly the top 1-3-5. Good tip on the door clips, also if you haven't already some tire cleaner (I use Adams) will remove the browning to match your wheels better, without turning to tire shine.

 

[1999RSfwd]

So, last weekend I picked up some Black Leather seats from @IHeartMyHonda for a good price (much appreciated). I got them cleaned up and installed. They compliment my black door panels nicely

 

[Craig1970]

this is awesome and is totally getting me geared up to get mine going

 

[Sniffbooger]

I just bought a nice set of OEM black leather seats for mine last month too. They look nice but make your ass all sweaty with no AC. And they get dried out and crack too. I'm going to get some 'Leather Honey' for mine. Maybe it will do the trick.

 

[IHeartMyHonda]

I was about to text you and demand pics. I'm glad they're finally being put to use. I just went through some old pics, and those seats haven't been in a car since 2012.

 

[1999RSfwd]

Do you ever get carried away working on your DSM? This weekend I was going to "JUST" replace some IC piping couplers, and some t-bolt clamps, but then BAM I found myself removing the power steering rack. The rack has leaked ever since I bought the car and put power steering fluid in it. So, I will be sending the rack off to Eaton MotorWorks for their de-powering service. I had planned on doing this even before I had a GSX, and I'd rather have a clean engine bay than power steering . Sadly I only snapped one photo. That's all I wanted to take after doing this exhausting task (especially when you leave the down pipe and t-case in).

 

[1999RSfwd]

Maaan it's been a while! And while I was waiting on my power steering rack to come back from Eaton MotorWorks, I got one thing done on the GSX. I got a new (to me) Infinity head unit and amp put in. The car came some aftermarket head unit, and I wasn't having that.

Now on to the part I've been waiting for... I got my power steering rack back from Eaton MotorWorks!! No literally I've been waiting months for this thing. I can only imagine how the people in the group buy must feel to finally get their racks. I didn't take pics of the install, but here she is finally driveable again. And I must say the engine bay looks 100x better without all the power steering mess in there.

 

[1999RSfwd]

I finally managed to get around to doing some drivetrain maintenance on the GSX. Nothing much, just changed a leaking passenger side axle seal, trans fluid, transfer case fluid, and rear diff fluid. I also cleaned up the transfer case a little while it was out. Didn't get many pictures.

 

[1999RSfwd]

Ever since I bought the car, and did my first boost leak test, I knew that my throttle body shaft seals were toast. So, I finally hit up @snowborder714, and bought one of his throttle body rebuild kits w/ a tool. (the tool is worth it BTW) I will be installing an FIAV bypass plate, but it's not here yet. I also blocked off the two vacuum ports on top of the throttle body. I had them capped off before, now it just looks cleaner I think.

Pictures of the throttle from dirty, to clean, to rebuilt:

The boost leak test also revealed that the lower seal for the injectors was leaking. So off came the fuel rail, and injectors. I cleaned up the rail and injectors, and the injectors got new seals. (I hope they don't leak now) I also took the time to clean up things like the FPR, the coils (huge before and after), and things in that area. I decided I might as well get a new fuel filter too while I'm at it, but it's still not here.

Now as I'm pulling off the coils, fuel rail, etc. I notice some fuzzy stuff behind the ignition power transistor plug. It looks as if there was a mouse living between my intake manifold and the head. Luckily it looks like the wiring wasn't damaged at all. The intake manifold was filthy, and after a good cleaning it looks almost brand new. I don't know what was on it, but it's gone now.

Lastly, I decided that since I was cleaning everything else up, I should do the wiring harness in that area. I pulled it over to the passenger fender and de-loomed everything. I don't plan "tucking" the harness anymore than just some easy stuff. At least not yet. I just want it to look better than it is right now. I'm not finished with it yet, still waiting on stuff.

 

[snowborder714]

I'd suggest peening the backs of the shaft screws to help prevent them from wanting to back out