new guy here, need advice

[DSMdude2011]

after riding in a friends GSX im hooked! now I'm looking on advice of which direction to take.
I've been lurking on here reading through threads and searching craigslist am thinking of going one of these ways, by the way i'd like to think im fairly handy around vehicles and would like a mild project:
1. finding a relatively inexpensive non-running DSM and rebuilding it and going over everything replacing broken/worn parts.
2. finding a relatively inexpensive running DSM that needs work
3. finding a non-turbo thats in fair shape and rebuilding and turbo swapping. I've looked into the the needs for forged internals, and all the bolt ons. i was thinking Evo 8 or 9 pistons and "big" rods from DSMgraveyard and stock crank for a bottom end? and DSMlink v3lite?

i've read that they come from the factory making roughly 200hp, if i could kiss 300hp i'd be happy any advice would be appreciated. thank you

 

[SpawnedX]

If you are basing your decision on a ride in an AWD DSM, you will be sorely disappointed if you go with a FWD turbo or not.

 

[DSMdude2011]

i will? are they that different?

 

[SpawnedX]

Yes.

 

[DSMdude2011]

Would it at least be a good start to get behind the wheel of a DSM? to have a good motor if i found an AWD later? because around here there isn't really any decent ones unless i'd want to pay $4000 for a 2G.

 

[Sik95TSI]

If you have the money buy a GSX don't even bother with the whole building from ground up. I'm sure there is DSM's that are stock or have little to no mods done to them in your area. and like the other guy said if you loved the AWD just buy a TSI AWD or GSX. - Ryann

 

[DSMdude2011]

i read somewhere that fwd vs awd (traction wise at least) doesn't really become a factor until around or above 400hp?

 

[Dhan]

Six posts and no welcome to the forums?!

Were you leaning towards the 1G, years 90-94 or the 2G 95-99? Both had the Mitsubishi 4G63 engine and came in either FWD or AWD. The non-turbos are kind of gutless and really only good for cruising around town or daily driving.

What exactly would be your goal with this car? Any kind of racing? AutoX, rallyX, road course? Or just a quick street car?

 

[SpawnedX]

i read somewhere that fwd vs awd (traction wise at least) doesn't really become a factor until around or above 400hp?

Sounds like the type of post a GST owner would post to make themselves feel better.

GST owners are going to come in here and defend FWD. I as a 98 GST owner and 99 GSX owner am going to come right out and say they are lying and dellusional. From the get go the AWD traction is a noticeable plus over the GST,

 

[DSMTyson]

If you fell in love with an AWD DSM, buy an AWD DSM. FWD is not that fun, more of a challenge really(traction ).

Look for a 1G or 2G AWD in your area that is stock or close to stock. Take a look at the mods that are on the car if any. If there is just a boost gauge, exhaust, boost controller, and no way to tune and no fuel system mods. I would stay away from it, because it has probably been beat on pretty hard. Check compression, look at the plugs, check for rust, etc.

A stock engine with good compression can handle 300whp all day everyday and last a very long time. So if thats all you want, save yourself some money and stay with a stock bottom end.

There is no need for Evo 8 pistons and 1g rods from DSMGraveyard. If you want to rebuild the engine with beefed up/forged parts i would go with the Ross piston/eagle rod combo. You can get that combo for ~$765, and they can handle as much power as you can throw at them. Only use stock reconditioned/balanced cranks.

www.vfaq.com is your new bestest friend

 

[DSMdude2011]

i was looking more towards 1Gs i think the 92-94s look so gorgeous haha. and i just want a quick street car that i can take to the track sometimes. like i said, i dont have any near future plans for an insane build

 

[hurricanecris24]

which model or make are you interested in? DSM Make & Model Guide - DSMtuners

 

[Sik95TSI]

GSX and TSI AWD hands down will always have better traction off the line I agree with that! But highway runs are different! - Ryann

 

[DSMdude2011]

Sounds like the type of post a GST owner would post to make themselves feel better.

GST owners are going to come in here and defend FWD. I as a 98 GST owner and 99 GSX owner am going to come right out and say they are lying and dellusional. From the get go the AWD traction is a noticeable plus over the GST,

trust me im not a gst owner , judging from the 3 or so comments on here I believe an awd is in my future

 

[DSMTyson]

i was looking more towards 1Gs i think the 92-94s look so gorgeous haha. and i just want a quick street car that i can take to the track sometimes. like i said, i dont have any near future plans for an insane build

Then just find a clean car that hasn't been abused....a lot , check the compression, and as long as each cylinder is over 150psi and within 10psi(at the most) of each other. It will be fine to mod.

The first part may be hard to do haha.

 

[SpawnedX]

Highway runs are not different, yet another GST owner myth.

With stock gearing on my 18 x 8 wheels, I can theoretically hit 184 MPH on my GSX. Find me a place where I am going to have enough road to hit that speed and still have enough room for the GST to supposedly go faster.

 

[DSMdude2011]

thanks for that link DSMtyson! The models I like are any of the 1Gs (probably AWD of course).

 

[Sik95TSI]

Highway runs are not different, yet another GST owner myth.

With stock gearing on my 18 x 8 wheels, I can theoretically hit 184 MPH on my GSX. Find me a place where I am going to have enough road to hit that speed and still have enough room for the GST to supposedly go faster.

I'm not talking about going 184MPH I'm just talking in general like racing from a 40MPH not from a dig or going 184MPH....

 

[DSMTyson]

Highway runs are not different, yet another GST owner myth.

With stock gearing on my 18 x 8 wheels, I can theoretically hit 184 MPH on my GSX. Find me a place where I am going to have enough road to hit that speed and still have enough room for the GST to supposedly go faster.

Yup SpawnedX is right(as usual haha), it all just comes down to how much power is put to the ground.

Is a stock GST faster from a roll than a stock GSX? Yes, because the engines have the same amount of BHP but the GSX has more rotating mass. Thus making less power at the wheels.

If you have a GSX and GST both with the same amount of WHP It will just come down to the driver.

 

[SpawnedX]

Won't matter one bit.

 

[crusada]

built 92 laser rs awd turbo

That might be worth taking a look at?


91 eclipse gsx awd turbo


this also may be something worth looking at

just some options they seemd close to you from what i could tell. I dont know what your price range is though

 

[Sik95TSI]

Yup SpawnedX is right(as usual haha), it all just comes down to how much power is put to the ground.

Is a stock GST faster from a roll than a stock GSX? Yes, because the engines have the same amount of BHP but the GSX has more rotating mass. Thus making less power at the wheels.

If you have a GSX and GST both with the same amount of WHP It will just come down to the driver.

That's what I was referring to! And driver does matter!

 

[DSMdude2011]

built 92 laser rs awd turbo

That might be worth taking a look at?


91 eclipse gsx awd turbo


this also may be something worth looking at

just some options they seemd close to you from what i could tell. I dont know what your price range is though

that 91 doesn't look too bad i'd like around 2500 for an running one or less for one that needs some attention.
and SpawnedX sounds like he knows his stuff

 

[DSMTyson]

built 92 laser rs awd turbo

That might be worth taking a look at?


91 eclipse gsx awd turbo


this also may be something worth looking at

just some options they seemd close to you from what i could tell. I dont know what your price range is though

I would stay away from the 92, unless you like spoilers and body kits . But the 91 looks like a very promising car.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

i made the mistake of getting a GST then rode in a gsx--- i now have a gsx