Help!!! What are my options

[Shawn42]

I finally got around to doing a compression test and found that all 4 cylinders were horrible. I mean 100, 120, 130, 120. I was wondering what my opions at this point are. My dad told me i need to get the engine rebuit or new pistons at the least. Well i figure if i have to pull the engine then i might as well put a 6 bolt back in. My dad says i should just sell the car and buy a GSX. I have about 1500 to do the swap with so my question is would it be cheeper to just sell the car and put that plus my 1500 twords a GSX or just keep my GST and put a six bolt in.

 

[eXploitedGST]

It could something other than pistons, it could be a headgasket too. In any case id rather fix the problem instead of getting another car because if you get another dsm it might have the same problems from being old. Try replacing the timing belt, piston rings, and headgasket. those would be the most likely place of a compression loss. check to see if valves arent seating correctly too.

 

[TSIfreek]

I agree. All DSMs will have the same problem. With those low numbers you may as well get a full 6 bolt long block. The head guides and seals along with the valves are also starting to leak for sure.
I am in the process of rebuilding my 6 bolt head and block and will be spending over 2800 doing so but it will be bullet proof for another 100k.
I would save your money up and do it right. Selling that car and getting another doesnt mean you wont run into the same problems like the other guy said. More than likely you will unless you get a gsx with 30k on it, but it still as that 7 bolt.
BTW I bought my AWD 6 months ago for 3200 all stock. It still pulled hard. bottom end was in great shape but was loosing oil thew the valve guides and seals.
Good luck with what you deside on doing.

 

[tsi_punk]

try this it will show you where you are losing compression.
leak down test

 

[Zacksdsm]

It still pulled hard. bottom end was in great shape but was loosing oil thew the valve guides and seals.
Good luck with what you deside on doing.

I heard you can replace those valve seals and guides without taking the head off by using an air compressor. Is this true?

 

[sweet97]

I would listen to your dad as he gave you sound advice. I'll add that when you get into tearing anything apart you can almost without exception plan to spend more than the original estimate. Sell the car, add the $1500. you have and perhaps save a bit more as you look for the car you REALLY want. Take your time as hard as that may be. I'm probably around your dad's age and I have a '93 AWD Talon. Wasn't really looking for this car but had seen a Spyder and liked it a lot. Problem was it had the 1.8 NA. Well AWD intriged me and I became the 3rd owner of a car that has amazing original paint and a spotless interior. I had put around 500 miles on it when the tranny case cracked. Since the car was so nice I bought a brand new TRE trany. EVO III exhaust, 02 sensor housing(EVO) and EVO Big 16g turbo, all ported. 2.5" mandrel bent ss exhaust and the GM MAF-Translator with 550cc injectors and it has decent power.
By the way ALL options work! PS, PB, PW, P Mirrors, AC, Cruise and tape/CD option. I added some 17"x7.5" American Estrella's with 225/45 kunho's and I have a car I enjoy.
Man having your dad on your side is a big plus! You might find he may help with a few bucks for the right car and workng with your dad on the car is a great bonding process. Your dad loves you beyond what you can comprehend right now but God willing you will know with time. Get the car you really want because you will have more invested in it than you will be able to recoup so you may as well have one you want! Mark

 

[67goatpimp]

have you tried a wet compression test? your rings could be goin. i have 35 compression on #3 right now

 

[1fast97gsx]

Wasn't really looking for this car but had seen a Spyder and liked it a lot. Problem was it had the 1.8 NA.

They made 1g spyders???? 2g NA spyders had 2.4L in them ... turbo models had the 4g63.

Just do the leakdown test and find out where you are losing compression. Chances are fixing your motor won't be too expensive. Rings are like $150 if that's what it is .. if the bottom end is fine then just pulling the head and fixing that up is no biggie at all. I doubt its headgasket because the numbers are low, yet consistant.

 

[sweet97]

My mistake the car must have had a 2.4 and it was a '97. Did Spyders have the turbo 2.0 as an option? That would be what I would want as long as it had AWD also! Again, my apologies if I confused anyone as to powertrains available! Mark

 

[67goatpimp]

i know there is a a turbo spyder and guys, correct me if i'm wrong but there are no awd spyders to my knowdledge...at least not from the factory