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.

 

[BigRedMonster]

When did crankwalk start happening? On the 2gb's?

 

[Splitpi]

Learn to like working on your car!

 

[h8r]

When did crankwalk start happening? On the 2gb's?

Crankwalk occurs mostly on early 7 bolts. The later 2GB blocks have had MUCH LESS of an occurance.


IMO C-Walking is not the big concern (unless it has alread happend)...

I would first address to TBelt and BShaft, then move on to things to bring it back to life!

 

[Jordanbutter]

They are fun cars to modify, fun to play with, and they go plenty fast (on the TRACK). But maintinence first, that said from a DSMer who learned the hard way. Try and get maintinence records to find what has been fixed/replaced already and then do everything else. Also if you want to really be a girl in a man's world, hit the track. Drag, Road Race, Autocross, they are all fun and enjoyable and really helps you learn your car's limits. I autocross and its really made me a better and safer driver on the streets. Anyway good luck, Welcome to tuners.

 

[Hohenheim]

Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to the forum thing, and the DSM. I recently bought a 1995 Eclipse GSX. I live in NorCal and I'm eager to learn more about this car. I am looking for a tuning/body shop for this car since there is a bunch of stuff that looks like crud on it. By the way, i was buying synthetic oil for this car at Smothers Brothers in NorCal and went to Kragen and they told me that switching to synthetic in my car would mess it up. I got 132k miles on it, and If this is the case, then I was thinking about reboring or just dropping a new 4g63 under 70k miles in it. What do you guys think? Thanks

 

[ApexVIII]

Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to the forum thing, and the DSM. I recently bought a 1995 Eclipse GSX. I live in NorCal and I'm eager to learn more about this car. I am looking for a tuning/body shop for this car since there is a bunch of stuff that looks like crud on it. By the way, i was buying synthetic oil for this car at Smothers Brothers in NorCal and went to Kragen and they told me that switching to synthetic in my car would mess it up. I got 132k miles on it, and If this is the case, then I was thinking about reboring or just dropping a new 4g63 under 70k miles in it. What do you guys think? Thanks

switching to synthetic is fine, it might cause oil leaks though. but once you use synthetic you are not suppose to ever go back to regular oil,

good luck!

 

[119Kurt]

this coming from someone who is looking at buying their first dsm and obviously has no idea what he is talking about.

OP good luck with your dsm. They are a love hate relationship. I really hope you don't mind getting your hands dirty as they do require alot of maint. Just remember there is no need of putting money into go fast parts unless everything else is healthy about the car. There is so many resources about these cars online that you can find out just about anything you want on these cars.

And your first purchase should be the FSM.

Everyone knows that, obviously you have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[eclipsemustang]

crankwalk usually happens between 60,000 and 80,000 miles on the 7 bolts

 

[Drift_SM]

Everyone knows that, obviously you have no idea what you're talking about.

Actually every thing droppinbottom said is correct. He knows a lot about what he is talking about. Most of the tuners that have been around 2 -3 years usually do. It comes with time.

By your overly sensitive response to droppinbottom...I'm guessing your still in your teens.
The longer you hang around here with that attitude...the quicker you loose our respect.
First impressions are important.
Please refrain from making insults or *cheeky comments to other members. Even if they may have said somthing insulting to you. Be the more mature person and ignore.

Your question is well justified. Find out what is common problem with these cars and listen to the people who have been in your position 300 times over.
You will learn more then you ever thought.

Like stated above, Do all of you PM work first (preventive maintenance)
This way you will have a solid platform to build your mods upon.

 

[GSXCait315]

haha...oh you guys underestimate me. I've been working on OTHER people's cars for years. My good friend has a TSI, my boyfriend has an EVO IX, so I've had the chance to learn A LOT. But thanks to everyone for all your help, it's great to learn from people who have been in the same position.
*By the way---I picked the car up today and I've all ready fallen head over heels in love with it. I'm bleeding the clutch tomorrow, I think there's air in the lines or something because it sticks but...idk, I have to take a closer look at it tomorrow after it gets registered.
thanks sooo much to everyone

 

[eclipseGSTud]

Welcome to DSMtuners! Like stated before work on maintenance first and do a compression test. Your car is 13 years old, so set aside some money for replacement parts. An example of one part I wasn't expecting to malfunction was the power antenna. Post some photos when you get a chance!

 

[GSXCait315]

I'll try my best to have pictures up tomorrow afternoon sometime, if not...tomorrow evening. and don't worry...I don't plan on doing any mods right away...I just got out of a crash last weekend and need some recovery time before I get started on such a project--so maintenance will be my thing for a while
but any additional information, tips, ideas are very much appreciated!

 

[No_Skillz]

Do the maintainence - how many miles and what mods already exist? Get a rough idea of the motor's health with a compression test. Lots of things exist like timing belt, pullies, water pump, oil, gearbox juice, suspension, boost leak test, even tire wear (esp awd), plugs, wires, I could go on but I'm tired of typing.













<--- 1111!!!!!

 

[bitter friction]

Another thing is to make sure that the car ISN'T venting into the atmosphere.
I almost bought one that was venting into the atmosphere and it looked like it caused a leaking headgasket, terrible idle, and seemed there was alot less power than my N/T.

But goodluck with the GSX. DSMs are sure fun.
And when anything goes wrong, there are many knowledgable members here who are willing to help (me=not very knowledgable of DSMs). =]]

 

[mochilli]

MAINTENANCE QUESTION
My car was taken care of like a baby before i got it (Sept.07) and i want to keep it that way. Im in the process of getting my maintenance done before i started modding my car. My car has 113,000 km (70,000 miles) [i got the car with 99,000km only]. Im about to get timing belt done, with balance shaft eliminator, new pullies and new water pump. Im going to get new spark plugs and wires. I only use 93 octane and fully synthetic oil (castrol 5w-30) every 3,000 km.

[1] Now, i just got some Differential fluid but i'm wondering if i need anything else to go in with it (another additive). I got a 96 tsi awd, does it comes with a LSD? iv been wondering for weeks now, bc if i do, ill need another additive apparently....

[2]Is there any gaskets i should be replacing? (head, valve cover, etc)

[3] Fluids? when should i flush my rad fluid, change tranny fluid?

[4] Any other maintenance im not thinking about?

 

[BUCK]

Nice find, first change all fluids, and belts, spark plugs wires and fuel pump, and fuel filter. thats a hella nice find, wish I could find one with that low of miles.

& EVERY HOSE~! - Might as well change Thermostat while you are in there - From what you are saying you need to try & determine age of Timing Belt also - & ALL the above are a MUCH higher Priority than Plugs & Wires IMO - NICE FIND~! - Don't screw it up.

 

[1genDsmtalon]

Hey i am going to be purchasing a used 91 or 92 talon and i am just looking for some tips from fellow DSM'ers on purchasing, driving and working on talons. Also i am looking for tips on driving like "is it true you have to let the car sit for a couple of minutes while stopping for the day" and so on...

 

[98GSXtreme07]

You only have to let it sit, to cool down, if your constantly on it. Like if you went to the track for the day or went for a "spirited" drive.

 

[fwdmaster]

Tips, check the compression of the engine,tranny for any grinds, leaks and if you have time take out the intake and check the turbo for shaft-play, that's what I would do

 

[RadDsm]

Make sure you check the turbo for shaftplay.

Edit: beat me to it

 

[webconnect]

Although don't get upset if it has some shaft play. It isn't like the car is brand new. If it does have shaft play try and get some discounts, other wise bite the bullet and upgrade

 

[1genDsmtalon]

whats shaft play?

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

It's what you do when your on the computer late at night and no one is around.

J/K... if you pull the intake pipe off and look into the turbo (with the car off) you'll see the shaft that the compresser fins are mounted to. Grab the shaft and try to wiggle it around. It shouldn't have any "in and out" play in it at all. Up and down or side to side is okay, but the more it moves in and out, the closer that turbo is to hitting the shitter.

 

[nkosi]

yeah cool down time depends on how u was driving before u stop...the harder the driving the longer the cool down time ...and definetly check the trnny for grinding and leaks on all parts of the engine but dont expect a perfect car ...some repair work will be nessary.

 

[Twistaye]

Remember to do all maintenance if the previous owner doesn't have any paperwork. If he doesn't have any paperwork then you don't know when anything was done and you don't want a timing belt or the BS belt making you have a bad day. Don't be afraid of 'lifter tick'. A turbo timer is a nice way to freak people out and keep your turbo lasting a long time. Make sure to use good synthetic oil and a good oil filter (I use Royal Purple ). Don't neglect your talon or it will give you really bad days!