My 90 GST Find

[AjWit]

So i found this 90 GST on the local craigslist. Says that it has all these great things but he cant get it to turn over. Wants 1000 or best offer. Well today, i sent my brother out there with a tow truck, and now i have an eclipse. I got it for 600, payed my tow truck buddy 80 for the 20 mile haul on a flat bed(car is FWD, i know it didnt need to).

He claims it has .30 over JE pistons and scat rods(we'll see when i open it up). It does has an evo FMIC with raptor piping, turbo xs BOV, tial external wastegate re-routed, 550cc RC inj, 3" turbo back apexi, hks elbow, hks turbo timer, apexi safc 2, blitz egt, Gauges: boost, water temp, oil pressure, volts, and a narrow air/fuel. It has been dynomatted and is sitting on kyb gr2's and eibachs.
EDIT: Small 16G Turbo, front and rear strut tower bars.

It cranks, but no start. I havent had a chance to play with it yet and may not for another month or two. But i picked up a 6-bolt with oem pistons and rods, brand new bearings, brand new rings, new belts, and new gaskets. I also got a 16g, 2g maf with wiring, tubular mani and other randoms with the 6-bolt pick up, all for $250 last week. So if the engine i have in the car has no compression(rings), then looks like im swapping the one from the car with the one on the engine stand. Wish me luck, i should be at the shootout with this car in august,...if nothing makor happens before then. <you know it always does though.

EDIT: New problem in post #14

Take a peek at it if you're bored.
90 gst 5 speed tons of parts

 

[AjWit]

I'd probably take the starter to get tested also make sure it is good. Testing stuff at Adv Auto is free before you have start throwing money at the problem.

This was actually my plan. Take out the battery, alternator, and starter to get them checked. If all are good, do a check of the wiring between all of them and there grounds.

Because of the cold temps here, and adding the slow cranking, im hoping that the compression numbers are off for those reasons. But i dont think it would it affect it this much. Going left to right, 4 to 1 i know. 60-60-30-30

Those are too low even for the temps and slow cranking. Im thinking leak down...

I just got the battery, alternator, and not yet but almost the starter out to be checked at the parts store. But again, with those low compression numbers(60-60-30-30) i dont think it'll ever fire up. Is it possible the kid blew the rings in all 4 cylinders?

 

[1bad95tsi]

I looked at that car - i passed on it goodluck

 

[My1GLaser]

Are you positive the timing marks lines up perfectly? Did you check to see where the crank timing mark was when the cam gears lined up?

 

[AjWit]

No, i have not removed the wheel and truly checked the timing yet. I just ensured the cam gears line up, which they do. I think im just going to start tearing her down and preparing for a rebuild. Like ive been saying, i have a 6-bolt on an engine stand in my basement. I think ill introduce the car and spare engine to each other come march.

I looked at that car - i passed on it goodluck

Thank you 1bad95tsi, if you would of taken it i would of never gotten a nicely modded dsm that just needs rings.

 

[1bad95tsi]

You might be able to get away with rings but after talking to the guy and checking it out i walked away - why would a fresh motor need rings?- especially if it was put togrther by a shop -doesnt make sense huh. take the motor back out take it back to the shop and have them fix it if they didnt put it together right, why just sell it off super cheap?- ive been buying selling trading and working on cars for years and dsms for about 12-13 years or more , seemed kinda fishy to me but hey goodluck i hope you end up making something good of it buddy

 

[Never Satisfied]

Can't really run a compression test with the engine not turning over like it should.

From the sound of it (as per post 14) you either have an electrical issue (starter related) or you have excess friction keeping things from spinning.

I would say, before trying to start it anymore, do your leakdown test and give it a listen at the dip stick tube. If you've got air noise there, plan to pull it apart.

 

[96eclipzGsT]

If your compression numbers are that low in every cylinder you have some major problems. Either the timing belt broke and bent all the valves. Usually you only see two cylinders with low compression when this happens. They could have also put the motor together too tight, meaning not enough piston to cylinder clearance and it burnt up the rings. Also I had a buddy that ran his so hot that it stopped running and burnt up the rings that way. It would still run though and you had to put oil in the cylinders to crank it when it was cold.

 

[AjWit]

1bad95tsi - i agree with you on the "sounds fishy" part, its just that ive been informing everyone in this thread that i have a spare, already machined, 6-bolt block and head that im installing in this car. thank you for your words too, i may need that good luck, this is my first true engine swap/build.

Never satisfied and 96eclipzGST - i was kinda thinking the same thing, not being able to really get that thing cranking could be playing a big part in those numbers, but at this part id rather just do a build drop it in there. that way i know whats in there.

thanks guys! wish me more luck, i have big dreams for this one. haha.

 

[1bad95tsi]

Thats cool you have a motor ready to go - well keep us updated

 

[AjWit]

I'll keep everyone updated, im thinking about just opening a build thread, or blog. Im doing the whole swap thing until late march though. So i have a little time to gather parts and figure out which route i'd like to go.