Celica to DSM

[prompt]

Hey guys , Looking to go from my now 95 ST HB Celica to a 95 Talon TSi AWD. The Link is right here:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...&advanced=n&start_year=1995&color=&cardist=50

The only thing that I need to do first is learn how to drive a standerd and learn how to drive a turbo car. This is going to end up being a better deal for me instead of purchasing a import engine from Japan for my celi(6.5k). Which is the gt-4.

Anyways I am hoping you guys\girls could help me out with what I should look out for in DSM cars. I have heard rumors the timing belt goes pretty fast on DSM's(every 50k). Plus if its a big deal to get to by myself. Celica is a pain. Oh ya the AWD is a bonus for me since I live in Maine.


Another thing is I'll probably end up trading my celi into that dealership even tho I still owe $3100 on it.

 

[sonicnofadz]

You might want to get someone to teach you how to drive before you decide to start driving the DSM. I would hate to see someone wreck such a beautiful machine.

 

[Diplomat]

"Hey guys , Looking to go from my now 95 ST HB Celica to a 95 Talon TSi AWD." - prompt

Well you came to the right place, man. Welcome. Assuming the test drive goes well and everything looks good under the hood, then six grand for a '95 TSI sounds about right to me. Be sure to check for the usual warning signs; funky colored coolant, smoke, "DSMtuners" sticker in window... etc. Of course, if I owned a Second Generation (2G) AWD that was in good working order, you'd have to shoot to get me to sell. Or there would have to be something REALLY wrong with it like crankwalk. So just make sure that it's in good shape. I'm not the expert on the subject, but hopefully someone will reply with the procedure to check for it. I know it involves high speed turns which always makes for a fun test drive with the dealer in the car.

As far as the timing belt myth, I wouldn't put much stock in it. Perhaps if you drove your DSM at 9k RPM from home to work every day, it would become an issue. With an interference engine, you really should replace your timing belt at the manufacturer's recommended interval. Especially on a modded car, DSM or otherwise. A lot of guys don't do this because it's a PITA to do on your own and it's a little expensive to have it replaced buy a mechanic. These are where most of your "don't buy this car 'cause it's a lemon" horror stories stem from. Use the OE belt and you'll be fine. Or you can purchase one of those 200 dollar heavy duty belts if you wish. However, if you buy your belts from a discount auto parts place, then expect discount quality and longevity.

The 4G63 is a damn fine mass production motor and built well to handle turbo duty. As far as what to "look out" for... transmission. Assuming that you never modify the car, then you'll not likely ever have much trouble with it. But if you decide to step up to a larger turbo and your engine is capable of making power all the way to redline, you'll probably want to buy a performance tranny or have your stock one modified. Many DSM owners experience trouble shifting at high RPM. There are a couple inexpensive things you can do that will significantly improve the behavior of the stock gearbox. Don't fret though, with early stage modifications most all of your power is in the mid range of the RPM band.

 

[Generation1JeY]

alright i can honestly admit that i dont know much about 2g dsms, but my friend just bout a 2g talon tsi awd (not sure what year) and he only has about 70k on the clock and his is crankwalking HARD.

Already when u turn left the clutch sticks in and is just like the scariest thing ever. I would hate to have that car its such a pain in the ass, it makes me love my 1g. I thought that 2g werent realy supposed to walk until after like 100k miles, i guess it depends on what u do to it, i bet a new clutch in his awd would fix a couple things, but right now its terrible and i seriously DOUBT it will make it past 100K.

 

[Denji]

please dont post anymore about the crankwalk. I have 121,000 miles with the crank completely in spec. If he has crankwalk, a newer clutch will ruin his car faster, because this will add more stress to the thrust bearing. If he has crankwalk his car will not last NEARLY to 100,000. In fact, most people who think they have crankwalk find out that its actually something else.. Cars that crankwalk usually walk before 100,000. The sweet spot is usually around 70-80,000. Now lets leave the CW thing alone okay? Too many people are posting about it with too limited of knowledge.

 

[Generation1JeY]

whatever about limited knowledge, i mean i understand what ur saying cause so many ppl pin CW on all their 2g engine problems, but my friend honestly DOES have crankwalk, when u turn the car to the left the clutch stays in, and not just that everything gets thrown off and it feels like ur riding the brakes.

Tell me what that could be besides CW, that is the easiest symptom of crankwalk.

 

[Diplomat]

"Now lets leave the CW thing alone okay? Too many people are posting about it with too limited of knowledge." - Denji

Agreed. What's the proper procedure to check for it while test driving? We all know it's rare and often misdiagnosed. However, I'm sure the poor guy doesn't wish to buy a DSM that some kid dumped at a used car lot after his mechanic used the dreaded "C" word. AWD DSM's are in high demand. Whenever I see one sitting on "Fast Eddies" car lot for a seemingly reasonable price, it raises questions. Used car dealers are not all evil, but there are enough of them out there to warrant caution. Buyer beware.

 

[Generation1JeY]

just turn left with the clutch in and try and slip it a little, if it gets stuck or just acts really weird, then crankwalk is in. If not then it still good, simple as that.

 

[Denji]

early stages of crankwalk cause a tick under the timing belt, also for the rpms to drop significantly when the clutch is depressed, could be hastened by low oil pressure and definitely would get up under the car and check the thrust bearing for wear.

I apologize, i didnt mean to down anyone, i suppose i was just venting about the CW thing.

 

[allturbo]

I apologize, i didnt mean to down anyone, i suppose i was just venting about the CW thing.

Don't worry, I'm actually kinda sick of hearing about cw too, especially from Honda guys. Seriously, what percentage of the cars out there actually get cw? It's probably small, but internet talk scares people into thinking it's much higher. I don't know anyone personally that had it. It happens, but the car in question has 90k already. My 97 is at 110k and my cousins 95 is at 160k, as long as the car is in good working order, I would get it.

 

[prompt]

Alright thank you very much for the tips. Hoping there is no CW on the car. I'll just use Generation1JeY's tip. Wed. is the big day though.