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.

 

[Slappster]

The first and best thing to do to your dsm. Is not even touch it, leave it stock and your life will be much better off.

 

[Bohrn]

do all the maintainance. Pretend like you will be killed by Nazis if you neglect your car in any way. Pretend that they will treat you well and give you treats and freedom if you really take care of your car

Oh, and don't worry about the suspension, it is not a POS, but you will most likely need shocks if they haven't been changed for a while.

Put in some good ones, and when you can afford it you can do more.

Stock TSi/GST cars out handle almost all regular cars on the road.

 

[Lucky13]

Buy a good set of tools and AAA....

 

[9DTSiAWD]

Originally posted by Lucky13
Buy a good set of tools and AAA....

thats what you need tools and more of them.

 

[Dieselboy]

Originally posted by InfamousEclipse
For the suspension do you suggest springs or coilovers? and what brand?

Coilovers. Go with a nice coilover/shock combo like Skunk2 coilovers/Tokico Illuminas, or Ground Control/KYB's. Something like that of the sort

 

[c5chris]

Intakes. I always change my intakes first in every car that I had bought. The stock intake is very restrictive so an open element filter will give you 10-15 hp - one of the best bangs for the buck. Plus, you dont have to buy a new one every time, saves you $$ by just ceaning it.

 

[cucumber]

Maintenance over mods...maintenance over mods...

 

[Bohrn]

what Cucumber said.

 

[XeUz]

I currently own a 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, but wrecked it on saturday...

Before Wreck
After Wreck

It may be totalled.

Anyways, I have the oppurtunity to buy a 96 GS spyder for about 5,000 or so.

This would leave me with about 10,000 dollars to mod the car, but only want to spend about 4,000 on the motor.

According to my friend(jestoy), i could upgrade all the internals, swap the head with a 4g63, add a large 16g with FMIC, 550 cc injectors and a few other goodies and could be pushing some major power.... How much do you think all this would cost? estimated power.

I would also like to use the rest of the money for exterior mods..I.E. Body kit, fenders, rims, and a paint job.

Also i would like to enclose the backseat and make a custom toneau type deal...this also would double as my a speaker enclosures..

If you were in my shoes...what would you do for both show and go?

Any info would be great

Thanks,

Joe.

P.S. I run another forum called www.thevboard.com , come check it out sometime...

 

[TalonRacer18]

Dont get a spyder, there isnt much yuo can buy for those engines. It is completely different from the n/t eclipse hardtops. The engine is a spyder is a 2.4 liter sohc engine. I would say to get a gsx or gst 2g and work on that, it is a better starting block than the spyder, it may cost more, but it will be better in the end.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

first of all.. YOU HAD ONE FUGKIN CLEAN NICE SENTRA SE-R Spec V..
im very sorry to see u lose it to such very bad way.. did insurance cover for you for all of that? becaues i notice ur only willing to spend so much on a car and opting with a gs? if you look hard.. you can find a 95 gst or gsx (gst spyder even) for 10~k ish.. and ull already have the proven 4G63T motor.. and with that extra money u spent on getting a turbo motor in the first place.. u dont have to deal and hassle with trying to turbo one that comes n/t.. good luck and i hope ur dsm will show the same clean style like ur SE-R had..

p.s. ur se-r wouldve been pimp with black rims..

 

[Defiant]

You might want to start with a GS-T spyder and save some work. Not likely to find one for five grand, though.
Sorry about your wreck, I hope the dreams have stopped.

 

[XeUz]

Yea..my car was pretty nice..i had a lot of money in her...unfortunelty(sp) my insurance is not going to cover most of it.

Getting a 96 convertable for 5,000 is a great deal because it leaves me with lots of money to mod.

I guess i could always get a 2G gsx or gst, but it would cost more money upfront, and that would take away from my modding funds.

I have looked at a few 1g's, but i don't like the body style as well....

Fixing her car up can't be too bad..hell new pistons, rods, 4g63 head, with a big 16G turbo would do wonders for power(i know it requires more componets).

It does make sense though, if i start with a turbo car..then i have a better base than a N/T car...

Joe

 

[MrPikolo]

I was going to say get a 1g turbo, but you dont' like the style .

You can find a good 95 gst for under 10 grand probably. Just look around, and take time to make sure you really want the car. Who knows, a dsm may not be for you...

 

[CowPimp]

My 96 TSi AWD Talon was only 6K, and it had some good starting mods (Sub, Amp, Tints, Tokico shocks, Eibach springs, Front strut, 2.5" Catback, 2.5" Hi-flow cat, Conical Filter, Boost controller). It had 89K on it when I bought it a few months ago.

You should definitely be able to get a turbo 2G for significantly under 10K. The non-AWD version is easier to find and cheaper. It is also faster from a roll. However, I definitely suggest AWD. I REALLY love the way it handles. It's totally different from FWD or RWD; it just straightens out. It allows more exploration of your limits without as much danger.

 

[red91tsiawd]

well the combo i have on my 91 tsi awd is the basic kyb's and ground control coilovers and the ride is nice and soft but still have plenty amount of grip around a turn at lets say 50mph at 12psi!!! we will just say its a good/cheap combo

mike

 

[diamondstar36]

Unfortunately Tokico doesn't make struts for the 1Gs. You're pretty much limited to KYBs. Either GR-2s (which are a factory replacement, only slightly stiffer than stock) or AGXs (adjustable gas shocks). I'd personally go with the AGXs for adjustability. If you plan on lowering your car, GR-2s won't be able to handle it. A brand new set of AGXs runs right a 400. There's always Koni Yellows, but those are even more expensive.

BTW, all the parts I mentioned are listed in the parts guide found on this page.

 

[EHeye]

I run Koni Adjustables up front and KYB AGX's in the back. Eibach Sportline for springs and I am EXTREMELY HAPPY!!

AGX's are great shocks and I recommend them. With my setup the camber in my rear looks a little like this...


-/_/-----\_\-

totally looks tough from the rear, all my tires are right on the edge of getting tucked up in the well, but not to close.

 

[EHeye]

Oh yah my AGX's were $250 CDN for my rear 2.

 

[Gen1EclipseGurl]

thank you for your guys' help. it has helped me in my decision. for my car i will purchase KYB AGX struts and eibach sportline springs. the drop should be anywhere from 1.5-2.0 inches. then who knows what i'll do next... thank you for all your help, im guaranteed to need it again.

G

 

[turbo1g]

Where is clifton spring NY? I would go with what you thinking or a full coilover setup.

 

[Oreopride18]

I'm so happy right now and yet so depressed.

Got a 1g AWD? Got $30?

http://www.dsmparts.com/shifter_kits__dsm.htm

I've spent the better part of a year wrestling with my 1st and 2nd gear day in and day out. The car was a blast to drive until I shifted it.

Then a friend accidentaly ordered the wrong kit (he wanted the ultra trans bushings) and sold me this for about what he paid for it.

"$30? Probably won't do anything but I guess it's worth a try."

Was I wrong. The car is now a *blast* to drive and shifts just like my MX-3. The gears are 10x more predictable and the only reason 2nd will grind is because I have 122k mile synchros. 2 out of the 4 rubber boots were torn on my car but I think the results will be near the same for everyone else.

Buy it. Now.

 

[Joe's_GSX]

What are these made from? I think MachV makes the same kit? Do these replace the ones under the hood or under the shifter? OR did you do both?

 

[2FastTSiAWD]

Totally Agree! First mod I got for my car, and it made a world of difference! They re metal bushings that replace the rubber ones that go iun between the shifter assembly and the floor, they take maybe a half hour to install. I got mine from mach v for like 40 bucks.

 

[RipperXX]

hmm my car's a pain to shift from 1-2 (like the rest though) but god i dread launching becouse of the shifting from 1-2nd.... i gota get these soon as i can scrape up the cash... BTW do they have ones for the linkage udner the hood?

and the one's your friend wanted.. are they better?