First DSM build! Car arrived today

[TNboost]

I have wanted one of these for 20+ years, I’m going to take my time and go from the frame up! Any advice is appreciated!

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[Dusty Landrum]

Start by creating a build under your profile and updating from then on within that. Welcome to the community and congrats on the new DSM! I actually happen to do full frame nut and bolt restorations so take a look through my current build and let me know if you have any questions at all. There is soooooo much information contained in this site and be sure to use the search function. Most every question and thing you will have concerns about will already be here. Again, welcome and good luck!

 

[voodoogsx]

That is the strangest exhaust setup I think I've seen for these cars...

 

[luv2rallye]

Ha, ha. You can start by replacing that worthless plastic 2g BOV with a metal 1g one (or better if desired). I noticed the JB Weld on the nipple immediately as that's what I had done over and over (and even bought a new 2g one which still broke). It will just keep breaking the nipple off every time you lean on something in the engine bay not to mention the terrible leaks the plastic 2g ones have. I finally couldn't take it anymore and bought a used 1g one on here with the adapter to make it fit the stock 2g setup.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Congrats! 20 years is a long time to wait, I hope it eventually becomes everything you hoped it would be. Whats the story with this car? Does it run? How is the interior?

1. Buy or build a boost leak tester... its gonna be your best friend. So learn how to do it.
2. What @luv2rallye said about replacing that 2g bov.
3. Aftermarket boost gauge if it doesnt have one already.

 

[PLDSM]

Start an excel tracking sheet and set a budget.. very useful tool so you know what your getting into and level sets the build. I tell this to everyone..most of the times no one wants the see how much money they dumped into a car but your build sheet is completed at the same time.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Maintenance FIRST! If the timing belt has not been looked at in a while, CHANGE it and save yourself 16 valves and a head job. While there, change the water pump and balance shaft belt also (if the little balance shaft belt breaks, it WILL take out your timing belt with it. My .02¢)
Congrats on the car!!!

 

[luv2rallye]

My homemade boost leak tester: https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/b...ith-boostpro-net-tester.169435/post-152554139.
{See posts 1-2 for how to use.}

 

[97egl]

Looks like you found a really good car to start with for a restoration. Strut towers look to be solid and overall the car seems to be mostly stock.... except the exhaust... that is a pretty interesting setup. Maybe they didn't think the spoiler provided enough downforce!

+1 on what @1990TSIAWDTALON said. Timing belt before anything else unless you are sure it was recently replaced. Even if it doesn't have many miles on it they can rot from sitting as well

 

[TNboost]

Congrats! 20 years is a long time to wait, I hope it eventually becomes everything you hoped it would be. Whats the story with this car? Does it run? How is the interior?

1. Buy or build a boost leak tester... its gonna be your best friend. So learn how to do it.
2. What @luv2rallye said about replacing that 2g bov.
3. Aftermarket boost gauge if it doesnt have one already.

Yes the car runs and drives, but I’m planning on a full rebuild, it has a six bolt swap but I’m not sure from which year, the interior isn’t terrible but it’s all coming out, and it will be replaced , the first thing is going to be gutting everything and getting the car painted,

Maintenance FIRST! If the timing belt has not been looked at in a while, CHANGE it and save yourself 16 valves and a head job. While there, change the water pump and balance shaft belt also (if the little balance shaft belt breaks, it WILL take out your timing belt with it. My .02¢)
Congrats on the car!!!

Absolutely, the engine and transmission are out of the car and I’m going to build the engine and replace everything, the block and head are currently at a machine shop,

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Engine Build Cost Analysis worksheets.

 

[TNboost]

Thank you sir!

 

[TNboost]

Congrats! 20 years is a long time to wait, I hope it eventually becomes everything you hoped it would be. Whats the story with this car? Does it run? How is the interior?

1. Buy or build a boost leak tester... its gonna be your best friend. So learn how to do it.
2. What @luv2rallye said about replacing that 2g bov.
3. Aftermarket boost gauge if it doesnt have one already.

The car runs and drives, I drove it for a couple of weeks and began to take it apart, it has a 6 bolt engine, but it has problems, I took it out with the intention on rebuilding it but found a 7 bolt that was already built and bought it I have been slowly buying things I needed for the 7 bolt and have been putting it together