Arkansas members

[XiKeiyaZI]

2002 Dodge Ram equipped with the Hemi?

Absolutely no issues in 4 years. Still sexier than a Ford.

 

[aajj1987]

well honestly all that is based off the stuff I have had to fix for customers. ive done my share of repairs on gm to but I think they are all ok vehicles its just if you take care of em and stay on top of general repairs that's all and factory service intervals, my favorite thing about gm to this day is parts crossing... I mean really a ls1 with ls6 heads... taking a lq4 6 liter out of an escalade and swapping intake for 400 horses? I just think gm builds stuff more consumer friendly...

 

[DSMBanditFZ6]

Meh, you know Chrysler went belly up in the 70-80's right? And GM went on a giant run building things people didn't want. I am in chevy hell all day every day and rarely have a ford to work on. They are all built to break down. Car manufacturers only make like 100-200$ off a new ride, their bread and butter are parts. Don't take this the wrong way, your basing your opinion on what you see. I base mine on numbers. I had a 73 gran Torino 351c 4bbl. I drove it until the wheels fell off, replaced those and kept driving it .

I know a guy here that replaces 5-6 transmissions a month (his 2nd job) and 95% of them are gm vehicles...

But at the end of the day it really is how people take care of them. If you bought let's say a Haynes manual when you bought a new truck. And you followed the maintenance path religiously, how long to you reckon any vehicle would really last? Probably forever. That means replacing stuff even if it isn't broken.

But I digress, just ask Luke. He had a 88 BMW 3 series inline six with over 350k miles on it. It would still spin tires in 3rd gear and it smoked my 4g eclipse several times. It really is how you take care of anything.

 

[DSML7dropkick]

Meh, you know Chrysler went belly up in the 70-80's right? And GM went on a giant run building things people didn't want. I am in chevy hell all day every day and rarely have a ford to work on. They are all built to break down. Car manufacturers only make like 100-200$ off a new ride, their bread and butter are parts. Don't take this the wrong way, your basing your opinion on what you see. I base mine on numbers. I had a 73 gran Torino 351c 4bbl. I drove it until the wheels fell off, replaced those and kept driving it .

I know a guy here that replaces 5-6 transmissions a month (his 2nd job) and 95% of them are gm vehicles...

But at the end of the day it really is how people take care of them. If you bought let's say a Haynes manual when you bought a new truck. And you followed the maintenance path religiously, how long to you reckon any vehicle would really last? Probably forever. That means replacing stuff even if it isn't broken.

But I digress, just ask Luke. He had a 88 BMW 3 series inline six with over 350k miles on it. It would still spin tires in 3rd gear and it smoked my 4g eclipse several times. It really is how you take care of anything.

Don't remind me of Mo.... . I loved that car. I was hard on that beemer. I should have never sold it. It was the best car I have ever owned. It was quick and would still hit 150 mph easily. Fun to get sideways in it with a short wheel base but if you wasn't carefull it would swap ends with you. i agree with all parties on the american made vehicles. All vehicles have thier design faults. It really does depend how well you service and maintain your vehicle.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Yup, all depends on upkeep. All vehicles have their trademarks - Like a Chevy Knock.

Nothing is made to last forever. Just look at Tesla's more efficiently design lightbulb that would have burn ridiculously longer than what we currently have. No money would be made off of them and thus we are stuck with the work of someone else while a great man and his ideas are swept under the rug.

All I know is that I do what I can to maintain the vehicles I have. Hell, my biggest downfall is picking up these abused and neglected vehicles which hardly run and putting them right back in great condition. I find a 2G GST that has a shot 1st-2nd. Replace the trans. Do upkeep - trade it off for something else that needs work.

I recently picked up a lifted 95' Tahoe that needs a new rotor cap/button, wires, and inner door handles. Thing runs awesomely. I likely won't have it longer than a month...Although with these mud-friendly tires I might just take her down a field road and try to make myself keep it.

 

[NewTurboTuner]

Honest opinion about the 2.3L is that its great! ...But i'll prob go back to a simple 2L for my next build, or if I get fancy and 2.1L. I think i'd rather have the high-revs

 

[DSMBanditFZ6]

Sigh, I miss my bike 14k rev limit. Sound like a Star Wars blaster when you bounce it off. Pew pew right to the moon

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

Sigh, I miss my bike 14k rev limit. Sound like a Star Wars blaster when you bounce it off. Pew pew right to the moon

2.1L destroked with long alum con rods, stroker pistons with pin moved 6mm up to get even longer rods-9.5:1CR, Magnus crank butchered, billet aluminum flywheel, stock evo8 cams, AMS built & ported head, bse delete, ATI harmonic balancer, aluminium ps and alt pulleys, AEM tru-time gears, PE SK-II T-belt. Did i miss anything? Lol you all that = dsm with 12.5k rev limit

 

[zachakagoat]

So here is a video of the coolant after the car gets up to temp, what do you think. I'm leaning towards head gasket for sure but only a small leak as it isn't pushing a lot. Guess it is time to replace, since I'm at it I guess I might as well do some upgrades as well....that's what the wife loves to hear...

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[XiKeiyaZI]

I see no video, man.

 

[zachakagoat]

Let me try a direct link. http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c...3-A996-8AFE3F0A4002-5890-00000683EFB1E841.mp4

 

[cabot2g]

Your wife is going to be excited to hear about the car needing a head gasket.

 

[DSML7dropkick]

Your wife is going to be excited to hear about the car needing a head gasket.

Probably as excited as mine was when I told her i was spending 2k on an engine... I just put a nice spin on it explaining the benefits of having a paid for car vs a note. She then tried to tell me that 2k was alot of money to dump into a car but i quickly responded well whats 2k vs 20k. Hell if you do the work yourself zack it won't cost more than 500 including having the head decked and checked. I would advise replacing the valve guides while you have it at the machine shop if you do take it. i think I spent a little over 100 bucks on Ferrea guides. I got stock bronze intakes that were about 40 for the set and went to copper exhaust for about 70. When I was talking to the guy at map he told me copper exhaust guides were better than the bronze stockers. Hold better to the heat.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Let me try a direct link. http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c...3-A996-8AFE3F0A4002-5890-00000683EFB1E841.mp4

Yeppers. Certainly pushing a little. Hate it for ya', truly.

Probably as excited as mine was when I told her i was spending 2k on an engine... I just put a nice spin on it explaining the benefits of having a paid for car vs a note. She then tried to tell me that 2k was alot of money to dump into a car but i quickly responded well whats 2k vs 20k. Hell if you do the work yourself zack it won't cost more than 500 including having the head decked and checked. I would advise replacing the valve guides while you have it at the machine shop if you do take it. i think I spent a little over 100 bucks on Ferrea guides. I got stock bronze intakes that were about 40 for the set and went to copper exhaust for about 70. When I was talking to the guy at map he told me copper exhaust guides were better than the bronze stockers. Hold better to the heat.

Very sound advice. Heck, while you have it all apart, might as well do what you've been wanting to the head. You know - Port work. More aggressive valves. Perhaps some more exciting springs. You know~ Little stuff.

 

[zachakagoat]

Yeppers. Certainly pushing a little. Hate it for ya', truly.



Very sound advice. Heck, while you have it all apart, might as well do what you've been wanting to the head. You know - Port work. More aggressive valves. Perhaps some more exciting springs. You know~ Little stuff.

Yea if I'm pulling it apart I plan on doing some upgrades, some porting, and seal maintenance.

I've done the head gasket 3-4 times so the job isn't bad just time consuming and I always get distracted with additional upgrades. Guess this is the best time to tear it down since its winter upgrade time.

Any recommended local shops for the head work or should I try a vendor instead?

Just an FYI for everyone, I tried that sellyourcatdirect website posted earlier in the thread and while it looks like it is a good site, they wouldn't buy my converter. Apparently since it is an aftermarket unit it is only worth 5$....I guess a trip to the salvage yard or scrap heap is in order .

 

[cabot2g]

Just an FYI for everyone, I tried that sellyourcatdirect website posted earlier in the thread and while it looks like it is a good site, they wouldn't buy my converter. Apparently since it is an aftermarket unit it is only worth 5$....I guess a trip to the salvage yard or scrap heap is in order .

I sent a text last night and got a reply this morning with a quote for $85.

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[zachakagoat]

That's a good deal, it's odd that aftermarket cats aren't worth much but oh well.

Anyone use the harbor freight electric die grinder? I'm thinking about picking one up as my air compressor will not like me otherwise. I got some port matching to do on my upcoming year down.....

 

[cabot2g]

That's a good deal, it's odd that aftermarket cats aren't worth much but oh well.

Anyone use the harbor freight electric die grinder? I'm thinking about picking one up as my air compressor will not like me otherwise. I got some port matching to do on my upcoming year down.....

Not yet but its on my list of new tools to grab. I plan to grab one to do port work on the head, manifold, and O2 housing.

I just bought the 2.5 ton low profile floor jack from HF and I love it!

 

[DSMBanditFZ6]

That's a good deal, it's odd that aftermarket cats aren't worth much but oh well.

Anyone use the harbor freight electric die grinder? I'm thinking about picking one up as my air compressor will not like me otherwise. I got some port matching to do on my upcoming year down.....

Yep, the have me like 10$ for my magnaflow cat.

 

[greanbeans]

As fst ad aftermarket stuff yoyr better off sellin on ebay or craiglist or here

 

[cabot2g]

Give your thoughts. My intentions for this car is a weekend street and track car. I have been kicking around the idea of completely removing the convertible top. I don't expect to have it out in bad weather.

This is the look I'm thinking about.

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[greanbeans]

I sent a text last night and got a reply this morning with a quote for $85.

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I got a gutted one like that one

That's a dam good looking vert

Only thing I recommend is a cage or some kind of chassis stiffening on a vert

 

[zachakagoat]

Give your thoughts. My intentions for this car is a weekend street and track car. I have been kicking around the idea of completely removing the convertible top. I don't expect to have it out in bad weather.

This is the look I'm thinking about.

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I like it, gut it and turn it into a truck style . One of the famous early drift teams did this with a blue and orange 240 and it looked great. Also you can haul spare tires to the track. What are your plan for the cage?

 

[cabot2g]

There is a shop near by that build cages. I have already talked to them some about either a roll bar or some kind of cage.

I like the idea of a welded roll bar with the windscreen right behind the seats, like the S2K cars.
I can cut some weight by removing the top, pump, hydraulic lines, and cylinder. I figure I can get a good penny for this and put back towards the build.

Just in selling parts I have almost broke even on the build now. That won’t last long

Another car with the top removed.

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[zachakagoat]

I think a full race cage would look SICK on a convertible....

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