First DSM, need opinion.

[twinsnails]

Hey guys real quick here, looking to purchase a 1g dsm gsx. I need to know what an experienced person thinks about this car based on the photos for 2500 bones. Thats the offer. I plan to replace the turbo he claims it is a 16 if someone could confirm that, that too would be great, basically want to know if I am wasting my time. 6 bolt claims there is a head rebuild and he has receipts for recent timing belt water pump and pulleys. I am not new to the car world but as the title states this would be my first dsm.

 

[joshs1074]

how many miles? if everything checks out and low miles, it doesnt sound like a bad deal.
why are you planning on replacing the turbo?

 

[PIMking]

How many miles?

does it smoke?

whats broken on the car?

what else has been done to the car?

I assume you guys have emissions up there so check to see if he has a cat.

 

[joshs1074]

what are the numbers on the side of the turbo

 

[PIMking]

I dont like the soot thats on the turbo. He obviously has the stock downpipe.

 

[twinsnails]

I am not to sure what is done to the car besides the fmic, the 16g, he said no injectors didnt comment on the fuel pump guessing no, it has a act2100 clutch, I have to go and see it later this week and make a decision. He says it runs great and no problems he just wants out of the dsm scene and is looking to buy a truck, I can get away from emissions because in NH any car older than 10 years I think doesn't get checked for that.

 

[twinsnails]

115,000 miles

 

[PIMking]

whats up with the hood?

Looks like CF on top, then red with what looks like oil on the bottom side.

Doesn't look too bad.

Wish someone would buy mine.

 

[joshs1074]

i would check to see if the trans grinds at all. bad synchros are common (especially second gear)and can be expensive to fix

 

[MichaelSuch]

No injectors + 16g isn't the best choice. How much boost is he running? He could probably only get away with maybe up to 14psi with a 16g before he starts knocking on stock fuel delivery (that's how it was in my case atleast) He also has a GM Maf, what is he tuning with? Has he been running a data logger atleast? It sounds to me like it has problems, and you're going to be forking out some money to get it running properly.

 

[twinsnails]

The hood is CF (not really a fan but whatever) not sure what your seeing but it just looks black underneath ###### cheaper CF, the red your seeing is reflection i think. Yah well I guess I will be going for a test drive later this week. That BOV looks like a rip off piece of shit to me though. thanks for the quick responses really appreciated. And you said that is the stock down pipe?

 

[joshs1074]

good luck let us know how it turns out

 

[PIMking]

The hood is CF (not really a fan but whatever) not sure what your seeing but it just looks black underneath ###### cheaper CF, the red your seeing is reflection i think. Yah well I guess I will be going for a test drive later this week. That BOV looks like a rip off piece of shit to me though. thanks for the quick responses really appreciated. And you said that is the stock down pipe?

After I looked at it again its the reflection.

Knock of BOVs are not all bad. I have ran one for awhile with no issues what so ever.

 

[lacroixdp]

That engine bay is a pig sty. He's also missing one of the radiator fans, in addition to his lower heat shield missing. It looks like his fresh air hose going to the valve cover may just be dangling there too, I can't tell. I think that may be the original radiator too. All in all, the condition of his engine bay gives me a strong impression that he just doesn't care about his car, which makes me worry about it's mechanical condition. I wouldn't pay a penny over $1800 for that mess.

 

[twinsnails]

No injectors + 16g isn't the best choice. How much boost is he running? He could probably only get away with maybe up to 14psi with a 16g before he starts knocking on stock fuel delivery (that's how it was in my case atleast) He also has a GM Maf, what is he tuning with? Has he been running a data logger atleast? It sounds to me like it has problems, and you're going to be forking out some money to get it running properly.

Yah I think that this guy does not know what he is really doing, I myself have been into 3sx's for while I want this for a lighter car and I am really enticed by DSMlink. He told me that he has just been using a pocket logger and he is confused by it so it is no connected right now. I plan to pick up dsmlink quick and do some wire management right off the bat, this is not my first time around the block just with a dsm.

 

[FLASH1970]

I'd check the turbo for shaft play.
Check in intercooler piping for oil in there.
Check the ball joints, tie rods...
Compression test it. Leakdown test it as well if you can.
See if it burns oil or coolant.
Check the coolant overflow for oil.

Based on how the front mount was installed and the bumper being cracked, the rats nest under the hood he really didn't take good care of the car. Get us a complete mods list. If it's just a 16g, 2100 clutch, and GM MAF, I'd say it's not worth the 2500.

 

[Project90Talon]

It looks ok, a lot better than my first one, perform the usual maintenance on it and check EVERYTHING before doing any mods, though one of the first things I would do is get the supporting mods for the 16g...well after the maintenance....

 

[DSMified92]

ok guys maybe its just me but i dont see a gm mas air and it looks like hes still running the 1g mas and it looks pretty good actually because i dont see any oil underneath the car like its been blowing bak its looks dry and clean...of oil that is...and that looks like a normal 14b to me because of the carbon build up on it like its never been taken off clean rebuild so on.....and that looks like a cyclone intake if so ask if the actuactor is hooked up and working properly on it and the exhaust looks completly stock on it.....actually it looks like a completely stoke car minuse little stuff....intercooler hard piping bov and so on but drive it see it it runs smooth and shifts smooth and git on it atleast once and see how it goes into 2nd....like stated above there nutorious for grinding

 

[DSMified92]

oh yea and thats just he ac fan gone not the actual cooling fan if im not mistaken and that looks like a newish rad to me

 

[Levesque]

i dont know , But me personally i bought my first dsm with 0 mods for 1.4k CAN , i knew there was work to be done. The body was great everywhere but the Strut towers which have been cut and remade. 2400$ you will have work to do you must understand that. For whats on it if the body and the motor is good its worth it imo. But like i said there will be work to be done. I dont know if 2.4k is alot for you or what.

Check compression 135 is a good engine , 155 is ideal. Thats what I was told.

I recenty Purchased a 1990 TSI awd for donor car, for the 6 bolt engine. It also had a bunch off parts evo3 16g , fmic , nismo steering wheel , walbro 255HP. Ran like shit honestly cause the guy had zero tuning and stock injectors. Compression of the engine was good and thats all i really wanted it for.


So if your looking for a car that you DONT want to put money into and just drive. Then this is prob not the option for you. But if you looking for a good start for a project car. This will do the job knowing there will be stuff to change and tunning needed.

 

[twinsnails]

Well thanks for all the ideas guys, ill let you know how it goes and if I decide to pick it up.