New here and lots of questions

[lngbrdr]

Just want to introduce myself and ask several questions. I recently purchased my first car it's a 95 gst. The thing I got pretty cheap, atleast that is what I think, it was $3995 or $4300 after tax and title. The interior and body is in great shape for being 10 years old. The thing is I doubt the car was taken care of very well. When we bought the car the dealer replaced one of the rear struts, starter, and the air conditioning compressor. When it was inspected by my dad's mechanic he was a little concerned by the rust on the bottom, because I am in florida rust from salt used during the snow isn't very common and the had been in New York for several years, but my dad being from Michigan noted that the rust on there looked like what you would expect. So we decided to get it with the idea of in the summer of taking care of the rust and painting the bottom. The inspecter did a compression and leak down test and aparently didn't find anything of interest. One more thing the car has about 108,000 miles on it. Now here are my questions:

1. I've heard that timing belts if the break are disasterous in DSM's, so I assume I should replace it because I cannot find any maintenence records. How involved of a job is it? Is it worth it to do it yourself? And if not how much does a timing belt job run?
2. I am a college student so I figure I should take it easy on the car now and do a major tune up on the car during spring break in march. What kind of things do you reccomend me check or do to the car?
3. What do you think of the buy? Do you think I over paid? Got a good deal, any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks, I really appreciate any responses! I probably have more questions but they aren't coming to me.

 

[soul]

I paid $6,000 for my 95 3 years ago with 80,000 miles. As far as the rust goes I can't give you much info. I would do a timing belt job for sure. I myself would let someone else do the tb job. I'm not comfortable with those kinda repairs yet. just my $.02

 

[lngbrdr]

I myself would let someone else do the tb job. I'm not comfortable with those kinda repairs yet. just my $.02

Yeah this is what I'm leaning more towards, I looked in the repair manual I have and it seems a little involved. But of course if it saves a considerable amount of cash I wouldn't mind taking the time.

 

[vtracer20]

i'm pretty much in the same boat as u...i got my 93 tsi like 2 months ago and here is what i've done so far:
oil change (first day having the car)
new gas tank (rusted though)
plugs
wires
simple mods
i still need to change my tranny oil and fuel filter...i think my o2 sensor is bad cause of bad fuel eco. I've already replaced my belts.

First think u wana check is ur belt. inspect them cause if they break escpecially ur timing belt u will be in a word of pain. check for cracking w/e...u think it looks nasty change it...rather spend 100-200 on the timing belt or w/e it cost rather than a new head. Then from there go and change all ur fluids. i didn't catch if ur's is awd or not...oil, tranny differentials (awd). chenk ur fuel filter...mines looks like it never has been changed so i gotta do that. any other ?'s feel free to ask but i dont have the same car as u but for general ?'s i should be able to answer them

 

[doug]

Check out the Tuning Guide for a list of maintenance things to do before you start modding:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/2gturbo/

 

[Eliteracingghmi]

Hey man, welcome to DSMtuners! When I bought my 90 Laser RS Turbo, I bought it for $2,000 and that was a few years ago, but when I got mine, it was a mess. No clutch, rats nest rewiring job, and backfiring like a riding lawnmower. It sounds like your miles ahead of where I started from, but you definately want to change that timing belt and take care of your other tune up items soon. Also, you're going to want to read up on the real killer of second generation DSMs, crankwalk (as I shudder!). Also, you may want to save yourself some money in the long run and upgrade your cam gears and underdrive pulleys while you or whoever has your motor torn apart. Again, welcome and get ready, having a DSM can be like having a 2 year old child or a woman with PMS at times. Just keep in mind what it's all about, turning a good car into YOUR great car! -Justin

 

[lngbrdr]

The only way to avoid crankwalk on a 2g is a 6-bolt conversion right? How much does that run?

 

[doug]

Crankwalk is not inevitable. Your chances of NOT getting it are actually greater than getting it.

 

[lngbrdr]

First think u wana check is ur belt. inspect them cause if they break escpecially ur timing belt u will be in a word of pain. check for cracking w/e...u think it looks nasty change it...rather spend 100-200 on the timing belt or w/e it cost rather than a new head.

Haha I got lucky just checked my belts, all of them look brand new! yipee!!
I see on the tuning pages that you can clean out your intercooler to get a little more power but the link isn't working, how do you clean the intercooler?

 

[doug]

Remove intercooler, pour a little gas into it, cover ends with your hands and shake it really well. Pour out black gunk, repeat a couple times. Let dry thoroughly.

 

[theSicKness]

well i bought my 96 tsi for 1000
after putting another 2000 in parts tranny, alternator, tires ect
and she has about 164,000 but it runs great!
so good buy
as for timing belt u said ur belt is good but if it ever did break ur gonna have about 16 broken valves laying around in ur engine

as for first parts turbo timer! so ur car can cool after running these u can find every where i got mine off ebay
next intake exhuast ect ther is a section in tunning guid that will help u it will give u mostly what ull need if ur going to upgrade parts ect

 

[lngbrdr]

well i bought my 96 tsi for 1000
after putting another 2000 in parts tranny, alternator, tires ect
and she has about 164,000 but it runs great!
so good buy
as for timing belt u said ur belt is good but if it ever did break ur gonna have about 16 broken valves laying around in ur engine

as for first parts turbo timer! so ur car can cool after running these u can find every where i got mine off ebay
next intake exhuast ect ther is a section in tunning guid that will help u it will give u mostly what ull need if ur going to upgrade parts ect

I probably will change the timing belt in the future just not right at this moment. Although how much does it cost on average to get one installed?

turbo timer i have heard conflicting opinions on that, so does anyone else think I should get one?

 

[theSicKness]

turbo timer is not a requirment unless u like to sit in ur car and wait for it to cool i like it, it can give u alot of info such as volts ur car is putting out anti theft so if someone trys to jump in while its kooling if u set it up w/ ur e brake when they drop the ebrake it shuts off

but its not easy to change the timing belt and it can be costly, ps if u work on a dsm where gloves ! and keep ur nuts and bolts away my car cuts scrapes and eats nuts and bolts just a lil info

 

[sjgYFZ200]

Crankwalk is the last of his worries right now. If I were you, I wouldnt worry about it at all. Do your maintenece, keep it up, and your golden.