my first 5 speed gsx

[etay89]

hey guys. so by no stretch of imagination am i new to this site. i've been on it for more than a year and easily, this is probably one of the best sites out there. i've learned alot about building up engines, performance mods, tuning, etc. but later on today, i'm gonna take on a whole different beast.

i'm gonna be purchasing a 99 5 spd gsx. the car has about 123k on it. everything on it is bone stock.

so the previous dsm's ive had have been 97 GST's (first was a spyder which someone cut the maf sensor wire which caused me to run rich all the time..thus trashing my engine...the 2nd i still have) but they have both been automatics

now my plan was to build up my gst into a track car so i got a 5spd sunfire as my winter beater. yeah. it didnt work out too well. the slave cylinder on it went in a matter of weeks. i dont want the same thing to happen here considering this will be my daily for a little while.

so i know I'm gonna do the timing belt, pullies, etc. changes and all the typical dsm maintenance for a high mileage car, but is there anything else i should do or look out for? i'm just concerned that since it's a 5 spd and i got 2 extra spinning wheels, is there anything else i should look out for.

 

[smprende10]

check the lower ball joints they are known to fail and fail without warning dont wanna fold a tire up on the highway

 

[oldman420]

When I got mine, I did things all wrong. If I could do it a second time I would have done it this way....

First I would have paid a reputable mechanic to do a full safety inspection. Not saying you don't know how to turn a wrench. Just knowing so many mechanics as roomates, and in my line of work, you quickly realize just how good of an eye these guys have doing this day in day out. I would request a compression test, as well as getting him to drive it to feel the clutch to make sure if everything feels like its supposed. Obviously the fluids should be checked and replaced if dirty. Belts should be checked for cracks and weathering. Check the front end for play. Brakes for excessive wear or glazing. Being from Canada I would load test the battery, check coolant strength and cleanliness.

Just get it running in best running maintained condition. Then once you figure your weak spots out make your build plan around that, eg; Lots of boost leaks, I would update intake and intercooler. Turbo shaft play, new turbo setup. Low clutch, new clutch and components (shift fork, slave cylinder, master cylinder). Low compression, engine over haul.

If I could do it all again, thats how I would do it. Just make sure you have a final product in mind while you're upgrading. Ask yourself, do I want a daily driver? Weekend warrior? Track beast? Then build accordingly.

Happy dsming

 

[Jafro]

check the lower ball joints they are known to fail and fail without warning dont wanna fold a tire up on the highway

+1

Listen for thumping from the rear end under acceleration or braking. Could indicate a failing carrier bearing or a problem with the rear or axles. If you hear it on the road, get it up on a lift and run it. It will be obvious.

If it idles at 750 RPMs, and when you turn the key on initially all the dash lights light up (CEL, ABS, Security, etc...) then he's not hiding anything. A stock car is a wonderful place to start and I'd jump on it.

Always assume when buying a used car that maintenance items have never been done. Sometimes you can tell, but unless you have evidence like a receipt with the car and mileage identified, add that job to your mental price of the car.

EDIT: Oh, and a 2.3L stroker kit will pretty much negate the need for a compression test. Since you're taking her apart anyway... might as well just go ahead and do that for good measure.

 

[sincitydru]

If you have a stock clutch, keep the launching to a minimum. Until you upgrade to a stronger clutch and pressure plate. your clutch will wear out fast if you launch a lot because you slip the clutch to launch an awd car. Happened to me, my daily driver was down for a while. Hope this helped you for future.

 

[etay89]

The car will be my daily for the time being...maybe a month or so...until i get another DSM that i can designate as my DD (probably gonna go for a 4g64..yeah..a gs spyder).

All very good tips. he did let me know the car had a cel (I'm in Pittsburgh, car is in West Virginia so I haven't seen it in person yet), but it was for an o2 sensor, which I'm not worried about. I was gonna bring my netbook with evoscan and my tactrix cable to verify CEL.

The person who's buying my GST is letting me keep all my mods (which the exception of my punishment fmic ) The first few mods (and only mods for that matter) that I was gonna perform almost immediately was spark plugs/wires (ngk wires, bpr7's), put my intake back on (k&n fipk), and put my boost controller back on. then during the weekend, put my boost gauge back up. I have some dot3 brake fluid laying around so if the brake fluid/clutch reservoirs are lackluster, then I got a ton to replace it with. The oil was changed not too long ago so I'll pause with that for the time being. The T-belt stuff hasnt been done, so that will be my March project more than likely.

 

[Deuce of Spades]

Change your fuel filter. its cheap insurance. Flush your cooling system. I would also suggest checking or changing the diff, transfer case, and tranny fluids with quality Redline products.

 

[KevinMCMXXCIX]

Good luck with it! And make sure to make some pictures!

 

[jed344]

99 gsx nice last year and a stock car is always a great start. Just do all the maintenance i got my 97 gsx bone stock manifold bolts had never even been taken off. First thing i did was change timing belt, coolant, oil, tranny, diff fluid, checked all suspension parts. Check your strut mounts i had one that was so rusted it went threw it didnt even notice till i pulled the strut rest of car had no rust so i didnt belive it did. But hope it goes well for you like they have said stock car is way to start with.

 

[etay89]

bam..heres some pics

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when i first got it

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now the ugly

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that wud be the driver side strut

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driver side rocker panel

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rad support

 

[Tyeler18]

She's pretty rusty underneath...

 

[KevinMCMXXCIX]

She's pretty rusty underneath...

x2 better fix that up and check for more rust.
And make sure the body is clean before tuning up

 

[TallestHERETIC]

x2 better fix that up and check for more rust.
And make sure the body is clean before tuning up

x3 do it right away too, you dont want that suspension to crap out on you all of sudden in the highway.

juding from the rust, it was sitting with quite alot of moisture for awhile or didnt get it's underside washed that often.

 

[ceth17]

Your car looks nice. But that rust is a killer. That's your first task

 

[etay89]

Oh come on guys. of course I'm gonna fix the rust first. that's top priority, then ill start the maintenance such as timing belt, Walter pump, alternator, all that good stuff.. then the next thing ima do is probably is the tranny, then rebuild the head, then my bolt ons

 

[darthvadar tsi]

get that engine bay cleaned up!

 

[etay89]

get that engine bay cleaned up!

trust me..i wanna take a can of gunk and clean it up..but easier said than done..especially when you have no garage and have to brave the elements..including to but not limited to: freezing rain, snow, temperatures below 10 degrees...need i go on?