Doing timing belt, what else should I do while in there?

[bolverkchaos]

I just ordered the timing belt kit from PartsDinosaur (4G63T Timing Kit Package 3Turbo Engines 1995 thru 1999)

TB167 S A Gear Timing Belt
TB168 S A Gear Balance Shaft Belt
T60091 PCI Timing Belt Tensioner Bearing
T65274 PCI Timing Belt Idler Bearing
T60105 PCI Balance Shaft Tensioner Bearing
T60387 PCI Hydraulic Tensioner Adjuster (casting #587)
28-7148 ITM New Water Pump


I'm also replacing my Clutch slave with SS lines, Prothane mounts, GSX brake kit, Drilled slotted rotors with SS brake lines. Got a new WHITE shaved valve cover on the way too.

What else would be good maintenance/upgrades/things to check while I'm in there?

 

[housegsx]

BSE kit. Make sure it's oem, all Mitsu parts.

 

[Winglessflight]

Do a balance shaft eliminator on it. You can buy a kit, and they're pretty cheap. Try SBR

 

[jjgrizz73]

wow a bse kit? honestly thats not needed. Its his DD and according to your profile around a 300hp car. Why make more work? everything you have listed is enough for a normal timing belt job.

 

[housegsx]

wow a bse kit? honestly thats not needed.

Seems like good maintenance/upgrade to me.

 

[JusMX141]

Eliminating the balance shafts is alot of work while the engine is still in the car.

Honestly I'd just replace the balance shaft belt for now and go from there.

 

[jjgrizz73]

Eliminating the balance shafts is alot of work while the engine is still in the car.

Honestly I'd just replace the balance shaft belt for now and go from there.

Agreed.

 

[housegsx]

Eliminating the balance shafts is alot of work while the engine is still in the car.

Yeah, it's a bit of work, but so is a timing belt job. If he leaves the front shaft in it's not too bad. Especially on a fwd.

Just making a suggestion. I really don't know another mod/maintenance that is best done at the same time as a timing belt.

 

[Polyol]

+1 onr BSE, one less thing to fail.

 

[JusMX141]

If he leaves the front shaft in it's not too bad.

The belt was broken on my buddy's '95 TSi for an unknown amount of time, and he drove it that way for quite a while. The car ran mid-12's consistently at the track this way as well.

The shaft was in place, but it wasn't turning. One thing we noticed while this was going on was the car would lose oil pressure and the light would come on under a hard launch. We figured it was because of the 130k+ miles on the stock 7-bolt, but the real reason was the shaft was rotating just enough under a launch that the oil holes in the shaft would line up with the oil holes in the bearings, and oil would blow right through. We replaced the belt and it's been fine ever since.

If you're going to eliminate the shafts, that's fine....but I don't think it's a good idea to half-ass it and leave the front shaft in.

 

[mobythevan]

While you are in there check the cast arm that the tensioner piston touches. On my car that arm had to be replaced because it had a large worn spot.

 

[joyfil2001]

The belt was broken on my buddy's '95 TSi for an unknown amount of time, and he drove it that way for quite a while. The car ran mid-12's consistently at the track this way as well.

The shaft was in place, but it wasn't turning. One thing we noticed while this was going on was the car would lose oil pressure and the light would come on under a hard launch. We figured it was because of the 130k+ miles on the stock 7-bolt, but the real reason was the shaft was rotating just enough under a launch that the oil holes in the shaft would line up with the oil holes in the bearings, and oil would blow right through. We replaced the belt and it's been fine ever since.

If you're going to eliminate the shafts, that's fine....but I don't think it's a good idea to half-ass it and leave the front shaft in.

My 95 TSi's balance belt snapped last week while driving. I had it replaced with the Gates Racing belt.

 

[housegsx]

The real reason was the shaft was rotating just enough under a launch that the oil holes in the shaft would line up with the oil holes in the bearings, and oil would blow right through. We replaced the belt and it's been fine ever since.

Not so much a hole as it is a groove for the bearing, correct? I don't know because I haven't looked at one for a couple years.

 

[bolverkchaos]

Yeah, I'd like to do that. But I don't know if my and I friend are up to it.
The car has 140k on it now. I've done the fuel filter and the bank1 o2 the other day.

 

[romeen]

Consider replacing the front crank seal, oil pump shaft seal, front balance shaft seal while you are there. Check the cam seals as well.

 

[e85_4g63]

Oil change, coolant flush and fill, bleed the brakes, change out the clutch fluid, change plugs, fuel filter.. (just throwing idea's out)...

 

[JusMX141]

With 140k, the cam seals will definitely be hard as bricks. It's a good idea to change them now while you have the belt off and can easily remove the timing gears.

 

[bolverkchaos]

Oil change, coolant flush and fill, bleed the brakes, change out the clutch fluid, change plugs, fuel filter.. (just throwing idea's out)...

For sure. Getting new oil, I'll probably change the plugs even though they're not old. Just did the fuel filter the other day. I've got a new radiator so the coolant is good.
Will take care of the brakes when I change them out. Hawk Pads, GSX calipers and SS lines.

Pretty excited to finally getting around to this stuff. Still need a few things but I'm gettin' there.

 

[Axtorus]

I'd do BSE just for the simple fact I've had bad luck with the bs belts lately.

 

[bolverkchaos]

Well, hell. What's the correct way to do the BSE? And just how much of a pain is it? Tools needed, etc..

 

[DougR]

VFAQ BSE instructions. GL and Enjoy

 

[bolverkchaos]

Yeeeahhh. As much as I really like the idea. I don't think he and I are going to be able to pull that off.
Would love to have the engine rev a little better. And extra power. And I don't care about a rough ride. I'm nineteen.
But alas.

 

[gbradley]

Don't forget the hydraulic tensioner.

 

[Dsmj89]

Since you're gonna be working on that side of the motor i would replace the oil filter housing along with the new gasket.

 

[Tison28s]

if i was rich id be doing all of the above...