Chicago DSM - New to everything car related ( help needed-long read)

[JiggyMiggy]

Hello my name is Miguel! I've always admired the looks of the 2G eclipse's so i stumbled upon this website while looking for information. I noticed the camaraderie between the members which further motivated me to buy an eclipse because I'd have a place to come to for help and learn from.

Here's a little about myself:
I'm a 19 year old United States Marine Corps Reservist. I just finished Infantry training in March. I live in Chicago, Illinois near Midway. I am completely new to everything car related or even DSM related.

On to the bad that will make you guys facepalm:
I purchased this 99 GST off of craigslist for 4g's. It has 110k miles and no rust. It's pretty clean in the inside. The outside has a couple of chips everywhere but thats not a big deal for me. I went to look at it with a friend and kinda rushed into the purchase so i dont even know kind of mods it has. All I know is that theres a BOV (not sure what brand), DNA motoring inc radiator, and a bullet exhaust. Not sure if these brands are any good but whatever i'm here to learn how to upgrade to better parts but thats besides the point.

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This is where it get's sad . I've never driven a manual car in my life EVER. I understood the concept of it from watching a couple of videos on youtube . So anyways i'm driving it home stalling a shit load. I finally get the hang of it somewhat but didn't want to risk stalling again so i drove it slow in 2nd gear the whole way. I'm almost home and try to shift into 3rd gear and boom it stalls again. No big deal I think so i try to turn it on. It makes a whining sound and wont start!! End up pushing it a couple of blocks to my house and had my sister's friend take a look at it. He tells me the timing belt ripped a little so i should get that replaced. I did some research and found out that the timing belt can take out some valves with it too .

I'm planning to get the timing belt changed and the engine checked out by my sisters friend's mechanic for free but if he doesn't come through I'm just gonna get it towed to a mechanic and pay a hefty price . Unless one of you Chicago DSMers that's near me can help me out and kinda take me under your wing to teach me how to be a gearhead that would be nice. I am very willing to learn and anxious to get my GST back on the road.

That's it. Thanks for reading! Any tips or information to get me started would be helpful. I already have been looking at vfaq.com

Also this probably wasn't the easiest car to learn stick in or how to modify for a beginner. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[JCL84]

If I were you I would start by picking up a hanes manual, Everything you need to know is in there. If you are mechanically inclined at all start with basic stuff like tune ups and brake jobs. When the timing belt job gets done be there and help out. You will learn alot.

 

[KevinRR]

First thing I would do is change the timing belt, timing belt components, use OEM tensioner, all fluids and recirculate the blow off valve. Venting the blow off valve will cause you to stall.