My 3G Moneypit

[3gmoneypit]

This is the Build Thread for My 3G Moneypit. Reply below.

 

[3gmoneypit]

Ok, here we go, from the beginning, this is how the Spyder came into my hands.

As stated in my profile, my little brother died unexpectedly, I began looking for him when he did not show up for my mom’s burial (another story). A few days later I got a call from my dad at 5 in the morning telling me that he had been found dead in his apartment, and had been there that way for some time. We wound up having to do an emergency “snatch and grab” of his belongings since I was notified that an eviction/clean-out of the premises was going to happen in just two days…anything not removed would be loaded into a dumpster and hauled off.

I will spare you the grisly details, but know that his project car was one item recovered. Not having really anywhere else to go with his stuff, we brought everything we could over to my dad’s place. We got through most of his things, but his car sat outside under a tarp for about 7 or 8 months. During a family get-together, my dad brought up the car asking if either myself or my older brother wanted it. Otherwise he had decided it would be best to have it hauled off to the wrecking yard for scrap. I could not let it go, my younger brother and I were really close and I knew how much that car meant to him. Despite my wife’s protests, I told my dad I would take the car. Within a week or so, I managed to get a car hauler and transport the hulk out to my place in the country.

Here is a photo of how it arrived:

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I owned a 2001, Black Hardtop before I found 1g's with "turbos" on them. A drunk driver forced me off the road and the car flipped when it hit an embankment then rolled with my youngest son and I. Your car reminds me of mine. It was a 4 cylinder and an auto car. Not fast but drove nice. Good luck on the restore!
Marty

 

[Martillo]

This is the Build Thread for My 3G Moneypit. Reply below.

This isn't a DSM

 

[RamenPride]

This isn't a DSM

Hence the reason for it being in the "Non-DSM Build Journals" section.....

 

[Martillo]

Hence the reason for it being in the "Non-DSM Build Journals" section.....

I apologise I didn't see that. I just hate seeing anything that's not 1G or 2G. Now if Mitsubishi had left the AWD on the Eclipse we would probably have adopted the 3G and 4G as DSMs because technically speaking 2Gs aren't DSM. DSM broke up in 1993.

As I was saying though the AWD made the Eclipse special. I mean I wouldn't have even bought a 97' GSX if the 3rd and 4th gen offered AWD because that's what makes a GSX a GSX. That's why I bought mine. It just turns the car into a whole other monster imagine an AWD 4th Gen Eclipse with a similar 4WD system to the Evo 10 named S-AWC? I just feel robbed of 13 years they continued this car, we all fell in love with it and then Mitsubishi slowly killed our childhood dream car. First by removing the AWD then by taking away the 4G63T and lastly using the name to slap on a crossover.

Like just let the car die already, they're over here pulling a Weekend at Bernies with the Eclipses dead body. So yes I am probably going to freak out every time I see a 3G or 4G. Lol But I just won't complain on here. I'll leave these guys alone.

 

[Martillo]

This is the Build Thread for My 3G Moneypit. Reply below.

Sorry for your loss. I hadn't read the whole thread but if the car holds sentimental value and you plan on fixing it. Let's us know how we can help. I can always help you find parts in my area at the very least. 3Gs aren't all that bad, I just wish they had left the GSX option and the 4G63T on it.

 

[3gmoneypit]

Martillo,
I appreciate the sentiment. My brother fell in love with these cars like you did. Back when Mitsubishi had some stones and cared enough to compete, they were a force to be reckoned with.
Cheers,

 

[3gmoneypit]

Here is another update…
I stripped off the shredded front bumper cover, and the rear bumper cover. Both were so badly damaged as to not be worth salvaging. The stock side skirts were banged up but useable. After combing the yards for a month or two, I gave up on finding any good donors. I did find a rear plastic crash bar which was missing on mine. More on that later. After looking around for what anyone was selling, I determined my best option was to buy a body kit. Anyone that has ever looked seriously at these knows you have a choice between rice and extra fluffy rice. The offerings are even further limited since these older cars are not in as much demand as they once were. Anyhow, I settled on what I considered the least ricey of what was available, and placed the order. I chose the Duraflex I-spec from Driven by Style. I had read the reviews and was prepared for the major fit-up and resmoothing operation ahead of me. I have spent some time in a body shop, as well as having had extensive fiberglass/epoxy experience from my boating hobby, so I figured I could make something of it. Sure enough, there was and still remains plenty of “fun times” getting this kit ready for paint. I have managed to get the front fitted up and mostly de-rippled. I have had to chase down plenty of bubbles in the lay-up, add/extend mounting flanges, and generally customize the fit. Since the PPO had had at least one other body kit on the car, all of the stock bracing points were gone. I will have to add new ones as necessary to support the lower front area as well as keeping the area in front of the front tires aligned and stable. I did also get some LED front turn signals from an Infinify G-35 molded in, and I consider them an improvement over the hug stock directionals. The side skirts went on pretty nicely and look pretty sharp too! Much fitting and cutting required, but not too shabby! I have a few more passes over them before primer. The rear has been proving the most challenging. I had to blend out one of the exhaust cutouts, since I am not a fan of “fake” duals. Fitting around the trunk lid and tail lights was frankly an SOB. I still have to solve the quarter panel rear wheel well connection. As with the front, all new support braces will have to be fabbed and connected. The rest of the body is remarkably straight, just a few minor dings here and there. One bad thing, the PPO did a rattle can paint job, presumably to cover the clear coat “cancer” these cars are known for. Little or no surface prep was done and significant orange peel and crazing show up everywhere. I have yet to determine if I can sand it out, or if I will have to strip large portions of the car and start over. Well, summer came to an end and so did having a nice warm shop. Bodywork would have to go on “hold” for the time being. Here are some various pictures of the progress so far.
Cheers!,