My 411whp, pump gas '97 Eclipse GSX has been sealed in a time capsule since 2004...and it might be time to open it.

[Intrusive97gsx]

Just as the title says, my 411whp, pump gas ’97 Eclipse GSX was sealed away in a time capsule back in 2004, and I haven’t seen it since. The “time capsule” is actually just a storage container but that's close enough. I stored the car after North Carolina changed its emissions laws for OBDII vehicles, which made registration a problem.

I never planned to let it sit this long, but life got busy. Fast forward to 2022 and the car was finally exempt from emissions, but the container had gone missing. I assumed it was gone for good, until a call this past Friday. Turns out, it might’ve just been moved. I’m going to check it out this week. Fingers crossed. If all goes well, 2026 could be an interesting year

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Your story is so vague... and i have so many questions... but I think Id rather wait to see if you actually catch up with the car...so I can hear the epic adventure around it in its entirety. Keep us posted.

 

[Shimmer]

Interested in hearing more about this one as well.

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

Still haven’t confirmed the exact status of the time capsule and my ‘97 GSX chassis, but I’m aiming to get eyes on it early next week. That said, I’m hopeful enough that I started pulling parts out of storage. While I've kept most parts either in stretch wrap or contractor bags, I'm a little concerned about dust and debris after sitting for 22 years. Anyway, I’m super excited about the possibility of breathing life back into this thing!

And speaking of “breathing life”, my OG GSX video drops tonight @ 8pm. The video was made in 2003 and features Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life.”

https://www.youtube.com/@TheJohnnyFictionShow

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[Ludachris]

Should I make this the official build thread for the car? I noticed your vehicle profile doesn't have one attached. I can manually fix that.

 

[jw4free]

Salt on winter roads without spring washings is the worst. Salt at 10 blocks away from the ocean is the 2nd worst. Condensation in humid climates is also bad.

Wishing all the best in the rediscovery.

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

Should I make this the official build thread for the car? I noticed your vehicle profile doesn't have one attached. I can manually fix that.

Turning this into a build thread would be awesome! Again, fingers crossed I get eyes on the chassis next week!

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

Salt on winter roads without spring washings is the worst. Salt at 10 blocks away from the ocean is the 2nd worst. Condensation in humid climates is also bad.

Wishing all the best in the rediscovery.

Yeah, I'm concerned about mildew and condensation after 22 years of hot, humid summers with the chassis sealed in a box.

 

[jesse12345]

I can't wait to see this thing! Are you going to keep it exactly how you left it back then? Either way I'll definitely be following along.

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

I can't wait to see this thing! Are you going to keep it exactly how you left it back then? Either way I'll definitely be following along.

I’m trying to keep it mostly the same, but it’s complicated.

Right now, I’m working on a complete timeline of the car’s history and a list of everything it needs. I’ll go into more detail once I have it all organized, but here’s the short version: Beyond the emissions hassle that originally sent the car into storage, the transmission grenaded in November 2003. In 2004, some major changes were made to the long block, and I’ll need to continue building around those changes. That said, I plan to stay as close to the original setup as possible.

Here’s a quick list of what the car needs:

Transmission
Fuel Pump
Injectors
Cams
Coil on Plug
Engine Management System

The 2004 changes also planned for direct port nitrous system with a 100-shot, and a custom intake manifold tailored to the new cylinder head. For now, I’m sticking with the BJ sheetmetal intake and skipping the NO2. As for needing a new EMS, technically the original AEM could still work, but it seems sketchy running a 22-year-old, unsupported standalone that requires a serial port and Windows XP.

On a side note, I turn 44 tomorrow… which is exactly twice the age I was the last time I drove the car.

 

[Ludachris]

On a side note, I turn 44 tomorrow… which is exactly twice the age I was the last time I drove the car.

 

[Capt Obvious]

Excited to follow this. Hopefully the car is well preserved and there are no surprises!

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

Excited to follow this. Hopefully the car is well preserved and there are no surprises!

Called the place again today where the car is located and left a message. Again, circumstances are unusual so I have to go through the owner of the company who is extremely busy. Just need to get eyes on the car and go from there.

Today being my birthday, I decided I'd unwrap the short block and take a peak. Also looked at my spare head (left the build version wrapped). Speaking of surprises, I can't remember what compression pistons we used on the 2004 build.

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[Intrusive97gsx]

2.3L Stroker (knife edge crank)
JE Pistons (x:x)
Crower Rods

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[Intrusive97gsx]

Pretty sure this is Crane valvetrain with 1mm over intake and 2mm over exhaust valves.

Spare head....

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[MyBoostedGST]

I’m so in for the full story once you get it back

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

Yesterday, I saw my car for the first time in 21 years! I couldn’t get closer than 15 feet, but it’s real, and it’s still in the there. I’ve scheduled the time capsule to be opened next Friday, and I plan to film the reveal.

Now that I’ve confirmed the location and have verified that everything’s still inside, I can share something I’ve kept quiet about until now… It's not just my '97 GSX in storage, I have two other cars in there! I’ll post pictures next weekend. Should be a fun surprise.

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

First day at the dyno on June 5, 2003. Put down 406whp at 21psi and 337whp @13psi (wastegate spring pressure) on 93 octane.

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[Intrusive97gsx]

After 21 years, I’m struggling to wait these last two days!

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[LaserRS92]

We really need a detailed story of what happened all of these years or why you couldn't be within 15 feet last week when you were allowed to view the car. So confused but insanely curious.

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

We really need a detailed story of what happened all of these years or why you couldn't be within 15 feet last week when you were allowed to view the car. So confused but insanely curious.

Will do, soon.

I’m still in disbelief and extremely anxious to get the cars to my house. It feels unreal, and I probably won’t shake that feeling until the cars are home for a week or so. I’ve been collecting and organizing files to map out a timeline. Also I’m preparing to document the unveiling and future restoration of my car(s). Should be getting started around 10am tomorrow, and I’ll share pictures in the evening!

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Will do, soon.

I’m still in disbelief and extremely anxious to get the cars to my house. It feels unreal, and I probably won’t shake that feeling until the cars are home for a week or so. I’ve been collecting and organizing files to map out a timeline. Also I’m preparing to document the unveiling and future restoration of my car(s). Should be getting started around 10am tomorrow, and I’ll share pictures in the evening!

All we ask is be honest and don't try to hide/fake if its good OR bad . In a world full of fake and touched up, it's nice to get real life experience now. Still have questions about a lot of this but waiting to see the condition of the car first haha. Good luck tomorrow man.

 

[Intrusive97gsx]

My cars are finally at the house! And the answer to why I could only get within 15ft of my '97GSX is because the door to the trailer wouldn't open, and a Galant VR-4 is about fifteen feet long.

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[Intrusive97gsx]

The trailer door was stuck, and unfortunately my tools were about 45 minutes away so I went to Harbor Freight and bought a cheap sawzall. I spent about an hour cutting the trailer door apart. Took my time because I didn't want anything to fall and hit my Galant.

Note: I didn't pick out the chrome wheels. It's just what the Galant had on it when I bought the car. I'd gotten a set of original white Galant VR-4 wheels from a buddy but someone stole them. This is 640/2000 and 129, 502 miles.

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[Intrusive97gsx]

Next up, my baby. My 1997 Eclipse GSX. Unfortunately, the mice went to town on the interior. I sold the in-tank fuel pump in 2004 and I'm pretty sure I left the metal cover off. Guessing that made it a "field" day for the mice. Also the 4"x4" wedges that secured the cars broke loose because the trailer floor rotted, and the cars shifted when the trailer was moved in 2022. My '97 took a hit in the rear bumper when they shifted. Not to worried about the mice and the rear bumper. Anyway, currently sitting at 63,341 miles. ;-)

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