Just bought GSX, first DSM

[thach]

I recently just purchased a 1997 GSX to be my summer car. It's nice so far, although I've only driven it a mile from my house to my super secret storage facility (got there without a problem!). Plans are to fix it up a bit over the winter before the snow melts, then get it on the road and go from there.

There are currently a few issues such as:
-has ebay turbo
-some oil line to turbo leaks
-idles a littler on the lean side (15.0-15.5)
-belts squeal upon start up
-exhaust blows white smoke at idle (not completely sure on this one...my guess is it's burning oil?)

I will essentially return the mechanical aspects back to stock, i.e. T25, stock injectors, etc. for reliablity's sake. Also, I'll upgrade in the future and I'd like some reference point to compare to...stock would be ideal.

All in all, this is my first DSM, I've only own Hondas and Nissans. Just checking in and hoping to get a few pointers here and there. I'm also stoked to be a part of the forum now that I finally got the car! I was lurking for a few weeks.

Any input on the white smoke would be cool. It's a white-gray color, doesn't smell sweet or anything.

Any other issues I should look for? I've taken note of quite a few, mostly small ones.

And here are some pics of the car...albeit shitty, but pictures nonetheless!

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[staztrx250]

Is the white smoke worst in-between gears? either way lose that ebay turbo. it most likely is the cause of your white smoke. The seals on most* ebay turbos are really weak. Just pick up a small 16g or a stock t25 and put it on there. Also do a boost leak test change all the fluids and inspect the timing belt for wear and tear. Good luck with the squeaky belts. People including myself have been struggling with that forever. The only thing that worked for me was changing the crank pulley.


Good luck remember its a dsm be prepared to throw money at it


edit just looked at the pics again. that bov looks ebay to so defiantly do a boost leak test it probably leaks which is what could be messing with your afr.

do you have a wide band gauge that you are judging your afrs off of? narrow bands arn't that accurate

 

[STORTZ77]

i was once blowing white smoke, like one said earlier, at higher boost levels i had a head gasket leak due to old age pretty much, replace that gasket and you should be all good, but for sure get rid of the ebay turbo,
im currently runnin a 16g and love it so far

 

[thach]

I've only driven it once and my gf was behind me so I wouldn't know if it does or not. I will do a boost leak test along with a compression test this weekend/next week. It is a Cobalt wide band.

EDIT: just a note to everyone, it blows white smoke at idle. I'm not sure about when it's running (I edited the first post).

 

[JStrateger]

thats what sem vinyl dye is for. made my all grey interior look like this:

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Any more pictures of this? I hate my interior. Not meaning to thread jack, you should make a new thread.

 

[Tyeler18]

Are you positive it's white smoke and not just condensation from being cold? My car blows "white" smoke when it's cold (idle/cruising) but it's only because it's cold, it's not burning anything.

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Looks like a clean GSX. How much did you pay for it? Definitely get rid of those hideous red gauges.

 

[98mitsubishigst]

You sure the smoke is white?

Your up in New York and im pretty sure your weather is JUST as crappy as mine down in Pittsburgh.. The other day i took it out in 20degree weather and the smoke never stopped... (because of how cold it was) .. then it warmed up to 50 degree weather for a day and it went a way.. so i don't think you have anything to worry about..

As for that turbo. GET RID OF IT. i say if your going to spend money on buying a 14b.. you might as well buy a 16g off someone off here!

Very Sexy Color though.. My fav!

 

[thach]

Positive the smoke is white. Absolutely no sweet smell at all and I'm not losing coolant. It is most likely that it's cold; we got hit with a few good storms and it's gotten down to the teens lately...(I love it btw! great for snow drifto!)

I already purchased a t25...might get rid of it and get myself a 14b as everyone is recommending it. Bigger better turbo for the same price - what's to lose right?

And thanks! I like the color too

 

[dalesmitsu]

Great find how much you pay for your beast and how many miles. I recommend a full tune up, and also a fuel pump wire kit. Wow, clean rust free strut towers how bad is the Radiator support where crossmember bolted to. Dsm's are known to have rotted support besides strut tower.

Nice color looks aggressive but I would change the wheels.

 

[thach]

Nah car's rust free. And I love them wheels! they're hot and have good tires

 

[thach]

Just a quick update:

I let the car idle for about 15-20 minutes today, checking out the smoke and watching the gauges, and checking oil and coolant levels. Once the car warms up a bit, the amount of smoke that comes out is lessened but it's still continuously smoking. The smoke is white. I believe this is just due to the cold.

AFR was still between 15.0 and 15.4-5. Oil pressure was around 30psi when the car is warmed up. Oil level is normal (despite the leak from the oil line at the turbo) and coolant level is perfect.

Oh and i also noticed that the BOV is a Greddy and the wastegate is a Tial! Chyeah boi

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Good buy dude, I recommend doing all maintenance and getting rid of that cheap ebay turbo. Also give it a good once over for broken/missing/ghetto stuff and get that all taken care of before you start modding.

 

[thach]

I gave it that once over like three times haha. I have an extensive list of maintenance lined up for the next week!

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Haha, good.

 

[zero_wheeler]

yeap, my 98 gsx smokes a bit on these chilly indiana days, same with the belts sqeaking, and those guages are kinda.. blinding.. but youll love it :] bought mine a few months ago, no regrets!.. so far..

 

[thach]

Sup peeps. Just an update here.

Did a compression test today, with results 178, 173, 174, 183. I thought it was decent. What do you think?

 

[TSi Kid]

Dont go to a t25!
At least go with a 14b or maybe a 16g

That's not bad at all for compression.
They're all pretty close.

 

[thach]

haha I've already gotten the t25...sitting in my garage as we speak! Lol it's all good though, I'll upgrade down the line.

EDIT: looking through my Haynes manual, I found the compression values. Ideally, it is 178 with a maximum deviation of 14psi between cylinders, and a minimum compression of 133psi. I think I'm good.

 

[whyadsm]

Nice car and color. My gsx is my first dsm. I used to owned honda/nissan also. haha
When I had white smoke it was coming from my tail pipe, it was due to a bad turbo. I would take gray interior than tan. haha