Need help getting started

[jamie8dc]

Hey, I'm new to the forums and don't actually have a DSM at the moment. I'm only 17 and own an '02 v6 Camaro, but want to sell it in order to get a TSI awd turbo (lookin at 96-98) and put the leftover money towards mods. I'm thinking I could get about $12500 for my Camaro, and could find a decent TSI for around 5,500.

Problem is, I don't know a damn thing about working on cars.

If anyone could give me tips on the easiest way to learn about cars, please let me know. I'm willing to put forth time and effort to gain experience in this "field", so if anyone has any suggestions please share them with me. I'm currently looking for a job at an auto garage or something of that nature.

I know this is pretty vague, but I'm sure many of you were in my shoes at one point, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

-TSI Driver Wannabe

I realize the oddity in replying to my own thread, but I was also wondering if there are any common problems with 96-98 TSIs? One person I've talked to said there is a "widely known" valve problem that almost all Eclipse/Talons have, and I was wondering if there was any truth to this. I just would like to know what kind of money I should expect to put aside for maintanence on a TSI awd turbo between those years, so I don't go out and spend all my money on mods then have the damn thing break down on me or something.

Thanks

 

[NOSNUSE]

Well to answer your question to the best of my abilities; you should do the normal checklist things like you would do with any car, first look for a maintence record see if the timing belt, oil, and other assorted fluids were changed on a regular basis, secondly look at the car see if there is anything not right about it(i.e. wide gaps in between body panels, lose parts thing like that, start it up and listen for odd noises(i.e. hard knocking, there is a ticking sound associated with the lifters in these cars so that is normal and they do sell revised lifters to eliminate that problem, sounds that you know shouldn't be there, and if all else fails take a friend or two who know about cars with you and if you have any other questions let us know. Later, Keith.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Key thing for used dsms imo is maintence. If it wasn't looked after the second you mod things is when you start breaking things.

 

[boostedinaz]

The best way to learn how to work on cars is to just do it. If your car needs breaks then do them. Have a friend that knows what they are doign watch you and explain things you dont know. Once you have done a few things you will get more comfortable and will attemp other things on your own.

when buying a used car get as much info as possible. Record for oil changes, tire replacment, things like that. If they all seem to be done on a regular basis then the car will most likely be in decent shape. If they are all over the place then ask why. Search all over this board and you will find alot of threads with different ideas on what to look for and what to watch for.

Michael


PS Welcome aboard.

 

[jamie8dc]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Also... how's the gas mileage in TSI turbos? May seem like a silly question when most of you are here for performance (I want to be, too) but when your'e 17 and making 7.50/hr, it matters.

Also, does anyone know how much a whole new 4 cylinder engine would cost me? Roughly, of course. I plan on having around 6-7 grand left over to put towards the vehicle, and if I could I'd love to just put a whole new engine/transmission in it. But I don't even know what kind of ballpark I'm looking at there, so if anyone could give me recommendations or if you don't wanna waste time telling me, give me a link to where I could find out that'd be great.

Thanks in advance!

 

[boostedinaz]

I would save you money and just do basic maintenance to your existing motor. There really is no need to just swap them out, unless the original has serious problems. They will run about 1500.00 or so for a JDM motor. The tranny you are better off sending it to Shep, www.shepracing.com or TRE, www.teamrip.com to get it rebuilt. That again is if it needs it.

If you can keep you foot out of it then you should be able to get about mid 20's for gas milage on the freeway and a bit less on the street.

Michael

 

[jamie8dc]

Great man, thanks. I feel like such a nag, but do you think you could get me started with maybe some basic/initial mods that I should start off with once I do find a nice TSI awd turbo? Don't have to be too specific, just at least some general areas for me to look at, like I said I should have around 6-7 thousand to spend, but a lot of the work I won't be able to do myself... so I might have to add on labor fees and whatnot.

But I don't really know where to start for mods so any suggestions or websites with n00b-friendly walkthroughs or something would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[boostedinaz]

Check this out it will be very helpful.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/2gturbo/

Its the basic upgrade path that most people with a 2G. If you have any questions you can hiot me up on AIM.

Michael

 

[MNGSX]

Hey, I'm new to the forums and don't actually have a DSM at the moment. I'm only 17 and own an '02 v6 Camaro, but want to sell it in order to get a TSI awd turbo (lookin at 96-98) and put the leftover money towards mods. I'm thinking I could get about $12500 for my Camaro, and could find a decent TSI for around 5,500.

Problem is, I don't know a damn thing about working on cars.

If anyone could give me tips on the easiest way to learn about cars, please let me know. I'm willing to put forth time and effort to gain experience in this "field", so if anyone has any suggestions please share them with me. I'm currently looking for a job at an auto garage or something of that nature.

I know this is pretty vague, but I'm sure many of you were in my shoes at one point, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

-TSI Driver Wannabe

How about a 2g GSX?

Already has a fresh 6 bolt, MAFT, FMIC, PTE, coilovers, swaybars, 3" ss catback...... Hell just look at the my mod list I should have what I took off of it deleted..

 

[jamie8dc]

Are you saying you want to sell it? Or just telling me to check out the mods for reference?

 

[sphillips91]

You know what I would do in your situation? Find a 1G in great shape for around 3k and take the leftover 9.5 grand and mod the #### out of it .

Thats just me though guess youre a 2G guy

 

[jamie8dc]

If finding a 1g in great shape for 3k was as easy as that, I'd highly consider it. It's all those out there with 150k miles on them being sold as-is that scare me. I found a '97 TSI awd turbo in seemingly great condition with 78k miles on it that went on ebay for 4,750. Wish I had already sold my car, I would have paid 5 for that. Oh wells.

BTW thanks for that great link man, that Stage1 Mod walkthrough dealy is awesome! Exactly what I was lookin for. You da man!

 

[MNGSX]

Are you saying you want to sell it? Or just telling me to check out the mods for reference?

Yes I'm selling...

PM Me and we'll talk...

I did pictures of the exhuast system install because I wrote a tech article on a catback system and never put pictures up.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1051142#post1051142

It has alot of work done to it... I'm having my brothers shop detail it a good bit before I do the sale pictures... Just mostly dusty right now. We are also going to install a stock fuel rail and smaller injectors and tune via the MAFT at my buddies shop.. I went back to the stock ECU... It has new z rated tires... Mold marks still on them.... New brakes... New suspension right down to bushings. Basically it would be ready to drive anywhere when we are done.. I drove it from MN to Ny and from NY to MN in the service but other than that mostly just a cruise mobile on weekends...

I had the car rigged to be a alcohol fueled car so I pulled the 1680cc injectors and SX -10 fuel system think pump as big as truck starter motor and garden hose fuel lines. It was'nt on very long. I kept those parts.... I never ran the engine in it at high boost or much at all... I built it as a very good temporary engine untill I got done with the stroker motor which I ended up selling... Basically I just broke in the engine and then got on it at low boost (for a 56 trim) a few times then well this happened.

Why am I selling.... Go here.....

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129211



I wont be selling for 5,500 but you wont be able to come close to matching the mods for the difference.. Just price the mod list and add labor since alot of it you wont be doing yourself since you say you are still a little wet behind the ears when it comes to wrenching. As for the price I said we'll talk and I'll be doing some pretty good HQ pics in the coming week... It does'nt have any stupid wings or extreme rice or anything.
About as clean looking as the current featured car on the main page with about the same look with the FMIC... Just RED and an GSX.... 5spd leather, ABS the works... near new stock very clean interior. Lets just say you would be saving money over moding a stock car to this level even if you bought it for less than 5,500 and did the mods yourself.

I did sell my clutch but I still have the best SFI approved aluminum flywheel and will throw it in for free if it does'nt sell before the car... not a cheap part new.. Right now it just has a OE replacement clutch on a JDM flywheel...


I'd just drive it to texas... Me and about 6 ASE Master Mechs will go over it before I sell it to anyone... Road tripping in 5th on cruise rules... I did a 1300 mile run in it twice... You can run along ways between filling and make more stops draining the main vein...

 

[sphillips91]

Well since youre in texas you would have to get this car shipped but the guy is asking 5,000 (Talked to him when I was looking but ended up getting a 1G) He has all maintenance records and it seems to be well taken care of.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ory=6214&item=2482378044&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Shipping to you would be around 700 or 800 Id imagine so thats still within your price range.

I got mine on ebay but the owner was a women, has all maintenance record and just had all the belts changed/filters/valve cover gasket, tuneup etc etc. Another plus was she owns/runs a professional detail shop and the car is immaculate. Mostly highway miles. So you CAN find great 1Gs out there just gotta look, it never hurts to look around I spent a month looking for a car before I came upon one. 2500 bucks and its inspected.

You would be surprised how well a car will run if its just taken care of. The mileage doesnt matter so much too me it depends on how the car was driven through those miles. Id take a 200k highway mile car over a 60k mile car that was raced and basically ragged out its whole life.

 

[sphillips91]

Also Id like too add the shape of the motor wouldnt of been a real issue if I had almost 10k to drop into it. That baby would be getting a rebuild with forged pistons/rods, porting and all the good stuff.

I would go as far as too find a 1g with a body in excellent shape but motor needs a rebuild for like 1-1.5k, buy an old pickup for around a grand to drive and send that ####in car to a performance shop that knows what they are doing and wait for your beast too arive

Hehe.

 

[MNGSX]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ory=6214&item=2482378044&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW


A 130,000 mile 7bolt with a ACT 2600... Now there is trouble...

He went with a 1g over it... Smart... It's got a 6 bolt like I do

jamie8dc

Look up crankwalk...
That is the widely known problem with 2gs and their 7 bolt engines.

Also look at 6bolt vs 7bolt connecting rods. Oil cooler differences, intake mani differences... etc...etc....

I'd keep this thing if I could...

Here is my 1g Head right after my machinst got done with it...

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289803127

 

[sphillips91]

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/walkingcrankshaft.htm

The horror stories

 

[midnght]

CW, huh!?!?!

 

[MNGSX]

CW, huh!?!?!

http://www.magnusmotorsports.com/crankwalktheory.htm


Normal thrust bearing.
This is your brain

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Crankwalk thrust bearing
This is your brain on drugs

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Anymore questions why 7 bolt engines suck a$$.

 

[midnght]

Yes, I have also seen those same type pictures from a 6bolt.

I know you want to sell you car, just didn't want another person being scared by the CW talk. It does happen, just not to everyone. Your car is awesome and if I had the money I know I would buy it. I have seen it on the boards many times.

Very nice car!!!


Why are you selling?

 

[MNGSX]

Yes and not everyone who has drunken condomless sex with strangers gets VD....

It's just alot less riskier to not take the chance and roll with a 6 bolt.


Lets put it this way.

Listen I did't swap out the 7-bolt engine because it stayed in one piece....

A stock 2g rod went crack on the stock T-25 with just free mods on the car....

Crankwalk is just the begining of the 7-bolts shortcomings. Tooth pick connecting rods, skinnier main bearings.... I can keep going...

I built the car to own and drive.... Not to sell.... I just have to sell.. and it sucks..

If I was'nt selling I'd tell him to buy a 2g with a 1g in a 2g swap or a 1g to avoid potential headaches...

Why I'm selling

 

[boostedinaz]

i dont want to be a dick or ruin anyones day, but that car seems a bit much for someone that openly says he is just starting the whole car hobby. Not only mods wise, but also tunning and just basic maintence. IMO I would buy a car that is close to stock and go from there. I can already see the DSM "broken/unreliable" theory comming up in the future with this.

Michael

 

[MNGSX]

The basic maintenance thing is the same...

A turbo engine needs more frequent oil changes. T25- 16g does'nt matter....

It will just have a upgraded injectors compensated for by a MAFT for good old regular pump gas when ready to sell...

EVERYTHING that wears out or can break HAS BEEN REPLACED, brakes, tires, shocks, springs, swaybars, polybushings, clutch.... EVERY FLIPPING thing... heads ported and shaved, block decked etc.... Now whats better that with a new PTE 56 trim or a worn out 7 bolt with just bolt ons and a used 16g?.

Like I said it is'nt some car that was driven into the ground and just tinkered with to get rid of it...

 

[midnght]

Yes and not everyone who has drunken condomless sex with strangers gets VD....

It's just alot less riskier to not take the chance and roll with a 6 bolt.


Lets put it this way.

Listen I did't swap out the 7-bolt engine because it stayed in one piece....

A stock 2g rod went crack on the stock T-25 with just free mods on the car....

Crankwalk is just the begining of the 7-bolts shortcomings. Tooth pick connecting rods, skinnier main bearings.... I can keep going...

I built the car to own and drive.... Not to sell.... I just have to sell.. and it sucks..

If I was'nt selling I'd tell him to buy a 2g with a 1g in a 2g swap or a 1g to avoid potential headaches...

Why I'm selling

Yes, I have the same belief. If my 7bolt goes south, it is getting replaced with a 6bolt. I would deff. go with a 1gina2g if I had the option when i bought mine.

The 6bolt is a great engine but also has its "weaker then 7bolt" comparisions.



As for the reason behind the selling of your DSM......

I am sorry to hear that. I hope everything goes well for you and your family.

 

[jamie8dc]

I am so lost.

Someone please summarize what was just said in those dozen posts.

All this car expert mumbo jumbo lingo is making my head hurt. So far what I've assumed and gathered from listneing to you guys is that 1g = 1st generation, 2g = 2nd generation... the list stops there. Someone please explain to me what bolts have to do with engines, and what a 6bolt vs a 7bolt engine means. And I think the general opinion is that 6bolts are better? Are those standard in 1g or 2g?

Please, take it easy, explain this stuff like you would to a 12 year old!