New Owner: Anything I should know? What should I mod first? [merged]

[airboss]

Hello to everbody in this forum. I'm new to all of this so from time to time I may ask a foolish question or two so bear with me. I just recently purchased a 1991 Talon TSi Turbo FWD for $7,600.00 Canadian and the Car was in MINT condition, never winter driven, always stored indoors, 100,000 kms., one owner (A Doctor) who always did the regular maintenance and anything else that needed to be done, and always a couple of good coats of Mother's Wax on her. She is in Pristine condition on the inside as well as under the hood, Pictures will follow soon so you can see for youself. What do you think? Also, I plan on doing some modifications, nothing outrageous but enough to put her around 250 HP. I'm thinking a mechanical boost gauge mounted on a single A Pillar Pod, a K & N High FLow Air Filter System to replace the whole stock can filter that is there now, and a new blow-off valve...Does this sound reasonable? That would do it for mods under the hood for now. The rest would be looks items like 17" Sniper Rims, and a neon purple ground effect kit.

Let's here those comments...I'm new to this stuff so all advise and help would be appreciated.

 

[turbosax2]

Welcome!

This is a good read:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238710&highlight=dsm+buyer's+guide

A 350hp car can be plenty reliable if taken care of, just like any other car. You sound like you have some common sense and know how to treat your cars.

Don't lose sleep over crankwalk, it's overrated. The percentage of cars that get crankwalk is tiny.

Happy hunting!

 

[STiModder]

Cool deal thank you.
I just hear so much like "DSM's are junk!" but I think most those people are just bad car owners and should stick to their Camrys. Any modded car you should be checking oil every time you get gas and double check all your work about every other month (more when it's someone else's work).

 

[matthewdesigns]

+1 on the link above.

$8-10K if it is CHERRY, low miles, and AWD. $4-6K is reasonable for a daily-driven, low 100K's mileage AWD car. I'd say knock off $1-1.5K for FWD's.

I would avoid any modified cars, unless it's a filter/intake or some rims. If it's got even as much as an mbc on it the previous owner probably drove the hell out of it. If you find a higher mileage one (140K-ish) I wouldn't be scared, espcially if it's stock and has had all the regular maintainance performed. Mine has 111K on it, and it's a very reliable 13-second daily driver.

Crankwalk is overrated. I think the number is like <5% of 2g's get it.

Sounds like you are pretty knowledgable regarding cars/mods, so I'd say trust your common sense as well. If it's modded and it looks rigged, then walk away. If it's straight, and lightly modded, then you're probably good. I'd also look in your regional forum and see if there's a proven member there who's willing to take a look at any car with you, as their experience might be a good thing in person.

 

[silverbullett]

^^^He's not kidding. When I bought mine, everyone said " don't they ALL have crankwalk?". Almost 2 years into it and about 45k miles with no crankwalk. Mine cost me $7100 for an unmolested 98 gst with 70k miles on the clock. I still think it was a good deal. Happy hunting.

 

[tlikethedrink]

You can find a 2g GST for around 7. GSX 8ish+ .For that much it should definatley be in good condition too.

Right off the bat, i would knock out a timing belt/water pump/BS removal job. get that out of the way and out of mind- then start all the fun stuff- FMIC & BOV, Intake, 2.5-3in Exhaust...

Good luck with everything.

 

[STiModder]

Wow, that was a great link. I am seeing more and more these cars are nothing too complicated compared to what I know and love (obviously Subarus) but I have always liked these cars since I found out what they were capable of. Plus it helps my girlfriend has always loved Eclipses and wanted one since she was 16, and now she's getting pretty damn knowledgeable about cars and is interested in working on them and modifiying them. So I think this would be a good choice! We are looking for the GSX.

I plan on doing all the 60k service on it, plus all the vacuum lines, and whatever else a 10 year old turbo car is going to need as soon as we pick it up.

Does anyone know if the ones I've seen in dark grey are factory 2g's? My gf really likes that color, but I think she'd be cool with white or maybe the dark red.

 

[rhino4]

yeah dark grey is factory but there arent alot of them for some reason personally i love them. And just let me say that u are incredibly lucky to have a girl that loves cars.

 

[turbosax2]

Color chart for 1998 Eclipse
http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research...year=1998&myid=4190&acode=&mode=&aff=national

The gray is "Magenta Gray Pearl"

 

[STiModder]

Thanks for the help guys.
I think DSM is the correct choice for my gf. I have almost always based the quality of a vehicle by the number of enthusiasts and there are def. a lot of DSM enthusiasts.

 

[LambdaJoker]

subaru
u r a bus
i just thought it was funny

 

[STiModder]

subaru
u r a bus
i just thought it was funny

..Clever. Hahaha.
My girlfriend is getting pretty excited about this idea, now it is just time to get some more $$$ and this dream will become a reality. Should be a good project.

 

[rhino4]

Hey i dont have a subaru personally if i could afford a brand new sti i would have on asap

 

[STiModder]

I found a Talon TSi 2g for 5,200 and it looks pretty clean with 93k and 6k on bottom end and a newer clutch. Pretty light mods. Only complaint is the cloth interior but that can be upgraded.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/465524240.html

 

[Tarascan79]

Ask him to keep the stereo and rims and lower the price 1500. Make sure to do a compresion test.Sounds good

 

[tlikethedrink]

it looks sweet with the rims. if you can pick it up as is- go for it IMO. its hard to go back to a weaker stereo after you get subs n stuff... takes some getting used to. its almost like putting rims on a vehicle then getting another vehicle without rims- just not the same...

+ if you plan on hitting 350hp a few extra lbs in the trunk aint nothin !- unless your trying to race all the time...

 

[Locke]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dynosheets.php
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/timeslips.php



DSMer's are a cheap sort. We are good at getting maximum performance per the dollar. You will find it relatively inexpensive to hit 400hp, compared to many other vehicles.

Stick around, and good luck.

 

[motox-010]

Dont forget about 6 bolt 1Gs. They are awesome motors to build beefy. But some dont like the "boxy" look. IMO it almost looks better than the 2Gs

 

[thewraith]

Be ready to be blown away by your girlfriends car. BTW I got my 2g Talon TSI AWD for $2k- it was unmodded and needed a radiator flush. Car had 123k on it.

 

[xxShaneOmac]

Number one things to do with a DSM and prob all cars.
Set your Goals, And if you want the option to go above your goals at a later date set that as a goal to. Ie. 350whp now but maybe 400 later.

And you are 100% correct. DSM's are not bad cars, they have there problems known to certin years and types, 1g's have shitty wireing 7 bolts walk etc. But its mainly in the way you take care of your car.

When I was buying my 2g I spend ALOT of money on a mild moded car but I knew the owner had tooken serious care of his car. Was hes 3rd car strickly weekend. Had every single receit ever put on the car 7 grand worth. Only 4 grand was mods the other 3 was constant maintaing.

Find a car that fits your goals and needs and start by the 60k service plan like you stated. Getting a solid base will benifit so much, and keeping that solid thoughout your build and after is key.

We have upgrade paths here on DSMTuners that are really helpfull.
350whp is a completly doable goal and will not drain your pockets.

Have fun looking forward to hearing what happens.
Im in Everett I'll key my eye out for any clean 2g's.

 

[thewraith]

Don't key your eye out bro, but keep it out

 

[STiModder]

So I talked to my girlfriend tonight and I'm thinking about going ahead and buying a car here pretty soon and having her pay me back for it. I really hate her driving my 4runner with no running lights in the rear, so unsafe! Plus she hates the looks she gets in an olive drab 4runner since she is trying to look professional and the car is all wrong for that image. A DSM can pull it off better, if she doesn't mind smelling like gas a little bit. (I've owned catless cars, haha)

 

[thewraith]

She won't look professional in a DSM..not even a little bit. The forerunner is better for that role.

 

[matthewdesigns]

Haha ^^^ The guy I got mine from had just bought an Audi because his wife gave him so much grief...he's a doctor, and she wouldn't even ride in the Talon with him

So did you pick up that Craigslist car? The link/listing is no good anymore...

 

[STiModder]

We did not pick up the Talon.

My 4runner is painted flat olive drab with mud terrains and a bunch of dents and scrapes from trees when I go offroad. An Eclipse would be a much better car, plus her main thing is she wants a car that can go fast. Also the Eclipse was the car she wanted when she was 16, but I think she was thinking a non-turbo fwd.

 

[SOADweskey]

So the real question is whether or not you can handle it when your girls car smokes your STI .

But seriously good luck finding a good one that has been reasonably taken care of. For what it is worth when I bought my car 2 years ago with 50,000 miles on it I had the crank play measured and it was out of spec. and the shop was telling me it would need a new engine soon because it was crank walking. Well 25,000 miles and 18-20psi daily and it is still going strong with regular maintenance.

And seriously for reliable 350 hp I recommend tuning with DSM link or better. Just skip over the AFC and it's limits on injector size and lack of features.