My build is about to begin... what do you think?

[frostyzx]

Hello all, I have owned my 95 GST now for 9 years. It is bone stock with an aftermarket radiator (unsure of brand). I have dreamt of building this car the day I bought it - senior year of high school. I have taken great care of this car and all maintenance is up-to-date and complete. I am still very much a newb to DSMs but have now finally been able to save up and spend money on my car. It has 130k miles on it.

I want this car to be a summer-weekend warrior that may see the track. My goal is set right now to reach around 350whp and maybe trying to push the 16g to its max.

Here is the odd part. I work in NYC and the car is garaged in Colorado. For the past six months or so, I have been purchasing parts and sending them to be stored next to the car till I return to build.

Here's my part list as of today:

EvoIII 16g - ported
EvoIII O2 housing - ported
PR FMIC

1g Throttle Body
FP Race Manifold
FP Intake w/ recirculated flange
Greddy Type RZ BOV (it was a good deal and looks cooler than the 1g BOV, )
K&N Cone Filter

RRE Short DP
RRE High-flow Cat
APEXi N1 Exhaust

1250cc Injectors (planning on running E85)
Walpro 255 HP
STM Fuel Lab AFPR Kit
STM tank to rail Kit w/ Stainless Steel Filter

DSMLink V3
AEM Wideband
Autometer Boost Gauge

B&M Short shifter
Urethane Shifter bushings
Shifter Cable end bushings

Prothane Motor Mounts


Here is where I need help. I am somewhat mechanically competent and will have friends helping with the build. I will be coming home to Colorado for about 9 days at the end of April. How much of this build do you believe I can finish and put on the car in those 9 days (take note that it is also a trip to visit family/friends)? Lets call total build availability = 4.5 days w/ minimal sleep + eat time.

If you were me, what would your build order be? Which parts first? Which ones last? The car doesn't necessarily have to be drivable by the time I leave, but it would be preferred.



P.S. - Here's a list of things I know I still need and want:

Aftermarket clutch (Thinking ACT 2600)
Resurface Flywheel
Koni Yellows w/ GC kit (thinking 450 front/ 250 rear)
Big Brake Kit
Wheels + Tires
Transmission Rebuild w/ Quaife LSD (going Jacks in CO Springs)
Engine Rebuild (maybe Jacks too)


Thanks in advanced for all your replies. All suggestions will be appreciated on both the build and current/future parts. This list really was made up from all the research and support given here on DSM Tuners.

Thank you all so much!

 

[Sc00ter]

I figured I should chime in here as well since I will be helping with the build and storing the OP's car in my garage.

I come from the Subaru world and don't have extensive experience with full builds. However, I do have experience with installing/replacing full suspension, turbos & intercoolers, brake calipers/pads, and intake/exhaust components.

 

[brandonwh64]

That is a beautiful car!

I have noticed that alot of DSMs that i have seen (atleast around were i live) have been ridden hard and put up wet but your car sir is a very nice machine!

 

['97boostinGST]

Damn 9 years of ownership, and your in high school??
I got my car AFTER my high school graduation

Anyways, you have a mighty list going.
If anything I wouldn't waste my money on big brakes. Just get yourself the AWD 2 pot calipers some OE blank rotors and some kickass pads like Hawk pads.

Looks like an awesome build tho, who's gonna be tunning the car?

 

[96WhiteTSi]

Maybe you misunderstood him... He has had it for 9 years, SINCE his senior year in HS...


I personally think you can get it done in the time you have allotted yourself.

 

[Sik95TSI]

Well I don't think anyone can exactly tell you how long it will take to install the build. You have to think about if something goes wrong or breaks. I would just take your time and install everything correctly! Looks like you have alot of work ahead of you, great build!! Good Luck! - Ryann

 

[TSiAWD666]

All that is pretty easy to accomplish assuming you don't run into any fitment issues and missing parts.
Your timeframe is more than enough to accomplish all that.

You're definitely going to want a better than stock clutch with these upgrades. You'll be spinning the stock one very soon.

I don't see a boost controller listed.

Make sure to put some penetrant all over the turbo, exhaust, and exhaust manifold bolts/nuts/studs the night before, and have a blowtorch on hand for heat and breaker bars. You're probably going to need them. I'd have replacement hardware for all these connections just in case as a car this old will probably leave you with some broken bolts/studs.

Have some a helicoil or similar repair kit on hand for the exhaust manifold studs. 8x1.25 I believe.

 

[Sik95TSI]

^^+1 on the Boost Controller!!!

 

[motozachl]

You got the RRE pipe to mate to the EvoIII O2 correct? Why keeping the cat? Make sure to rewire that fuel pump.

Skip these and only do the bearing mod for cable ends.
B&M Short shifter
Urethane Shifter bushings
Shifter Cable end bushings

Where's the boost controller?!!?

I do not see any hard piping or fmic setup, is this for the future?

What wrong with your current engine to get it rebuilt? Just put some arp studs in it if you want to raise the boost.

I suggest another vendor for the transmission as a local friend just got screwed over by Jacks on a transmission.


this.

....I wouldn't waste my money on big brakes. Just get yourself the AWD 2 pot calipers some OE blank rotors and some kickass pads like Hawk pads.
.....

It should't take more than a day

 

[FLASH1970]

It looks like a good list. I'd check the engine compression to make sure it's healthy and maybe just throw some ARP head studs on it and go with that. You should be able to knock all that out in the time you have. Good luck!

 

[frostyzx]

I thought I could control boost w/ Link V3 and stock BCS. Am I mistaken?

ARP studs, compression test, brakes - all noted!

I have to keep Cat because of CO emissions. The DP has the Evo flange.

The Short shifter is definitely still a maybe, leaning to a no. I will look more into the bearing cable upgrade because I have not bought the brushing kit yet.

Edit: I got the Punishment Racing full FMIC kit that came with the hard piping.

--
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk.

 

[motozachl]

True you can control boost with v3, although its over my head at the moment.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...nline-skate-wheel-bearings-merged-12-6-a.html

 

['97boostinGST]

Maybe you misunderstood him... He has had it for 9 years, SINCE his senior year in HS...


I personally think you can get it done in the time you have allotted yourself.

RE-read.

 

[Jonbobalingdang]

I always say take your time with your car! There should be no reason to really rush things if you dont daily drive it. When you rush things thats when mistakes happen. Looks like your on the rite game plan just take your time do it rite the first time. Your car and wallet will thank you!!

 

[Sc00ter]

I like the idea of getting a compression test done. There is a reputable shop right near my place that will do it for fairly cheap. We may want to plan on getting the car there to get checked out before starting the build.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I like the idea of getting a compression test done. There is a reputable shop right near my place that will do it for fairly cheap. We may want to plan on getting the car there to get checked out before starting the build.

Would be beneficial to you, both in knowledge and monetarily, to just buy the compression tester and do the test yourself.

 

[slow gst]

I like the idea of getting a compression test done. There is a reputable shop right near my place that will do it for fairly cheap. We may want to plan on getting the car there to get checked out before starting the build.

It takes five minutes, the money you're going to spend on getting it done you can just buy a compression tester.

 

[Sc00ter]

Good idea. I'd actually like to do this on my car as well. Rusty, I'd be willing to throw in some $$$ on one to test both engines.

 

[iBoostDSM]

Or for a compression tester you can go to Autozone, or similar, and rent one.

 

[frostyzx]

That is a beautiful car!

I have noticed that alot of DSMs that i have seen (atleast around were i live) have been ridden hard and put up wet but your car sir is a very nice machine!

Thank you very much! I truly prided myself in keeping the car clean, neat and accident free. I even came across a couple of GSXs, but couldn't part with my car. I know how rare clean DSMs are and I babied the hell out of my car. I just couldn't do it. It also helps that hasn't been a DD for nearly 5 years now.

Would be beneficial to you, both in knowledge and monetarily, to just buy the compression tester and do the test yourself.

Yes, I will for sure be buying a compression tester. Seems super easy/cheap and will be great for maintenance & diagnostics further down the road. I agree that there is no sense in paying someone to do what any car owner should know themselves. I will also be purchasing/building a boost leak tester as well.

Thanks for all the responses. I now feel even more confident that I may be able to drive the car before I leave CO.

I do however still need to do some networking for the tuning. I am great with electronics, computers and math/numbers. I know the DSMLink forum will be a golden key and that my build is probably very similar to many others out there. From what I've researched and read, I believe I can manage on my own and make it a great learning experience as well. It is just a question of Dyno-time and price.

 

[Sphinx]

in respect to the time aloted to collect your assortment of parts, in a ball park figure what would be the doller figure of total investment so far ( parts alone) only because i intend to do more or less a similar overhaul to my 95 esi, only im tempted to go one step further and make it awd

 

[oldmanfrost]

Awd esi?

 

[Sphinx]

game plan: 2g esi shell (fwd) body amazing condition replacing fwd trans with tsi (awd) trans and continue with tsi/awd drive train via donor car, essentually 2g tsi awd with esi badge's

 

[talonted 1g]

Have fun with that esi awd build. Goin to take alot of time.

 

[Dhan]

Looks like a good list OP. At the bottom of your first post you make mention of wanting to get the tranny and engine rebuilt by Jacks as well as the clutch. I think I would plan on doing this before anything else.

But judging from your time frame, it doesn't look like your in a good position to making a trip to Colo Spgs.