Newbie w/ a 97 GST

[alex408]

Hello all,

I am a complete newbie to cars. But I wanted something with an import look. Sure enough, I sealed a deal to buy a 97 GST with 119 with a K&N Air Filter.

He also "changed the Amsoil transmission fluid, engine oil and new spark plugs and wires."

The car is in GREAT condition (interior and exterior).


But is there anything I should really know about the car? Like this "crankwalk" I've heard so much about. I just can't walk out of the deal all the sudden since I'm kinda tied down for $3,000.

Also, would it be possible to just drop in a BOV?


Thanks,

-A

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[clipto]

There's a lot of tech guide articles. If you don't know when maintenance was last done like your timing then get started on that once it's done then the fun begins. I would save you can get a front mount intercooler kit for $300 and a 1g bov.

 

[alex408]

There's a lot tech guide articles. If you don't know when maintenance was last done lime your timing then ge started on that once it's done the the fun begins.

Thanks.

Well the owner said most of the maintenance was done was completed by the previous owner. And has a clean car history. No major work done.


Ah ok. Gotcha. Yea, after I buy it, I'm gonna take it to my mechanic and hopefully give me a green light so I can start driving it without any worries.

 

[clipto]

Sence these are interference engines such as if the timing belt snaps it can take out the whole motor, just make sure you know Fosho when the maintenance was done or just do it to be safe. I have heard to many stories of people being like oh yea I modded my car big turbo, injectors, exhaust and wonder why it blew up. No fun having a fast car if it's broken because you neglected maintenance. http://www.dsmtuners.com/2g_dsm_turbo_upgrade_path follow this guide you will be set.

 

[LouieAWDTSi]

Maintenance maintenance maintenance!! If you are not sure if something was done, take care of it now. Better to be safe than sorry. Preventive maintenance is key. Take care of your car, dont beat on it too much. Dsm's are an endagered species now a days. Welcome to the dsm family, you made a good choice.

 

[c2ypt1c]

compression test...

 

[alex408]

Thanks a lot guys for the input and the nice welcome

So let me ask this question, is it possible to add a BOV without any additional/prerequisite mods?



Thanks

 

[c2ypt1c]

So let me ask this question, is it possible to add a BOV without any additional/prerequisite mods?

You'll need a flanged uicp to mount the bov to. Let me ask this - why do you want just a bov? The car has one already...

 

[alex408]

You'll need a flanged uicp to mount the bov to. Let me ask this - why do you want just a bov? The car has one already...

Ok, well I've done some reading about the stock bov, and something about it being and like "plastic." Also a louder bov wouldn't sound too bad either.

 

[c2ypt1c]

Ok, well I've done some reading about the stock bov, and something about it being and like "plastic." Also a louder bov wouldn't sound too bad either.

The problem with the stock 2g bov is that it leaks at around 10-15 psi. If you're not modding anything then it's no big deal. Personlly, if it were my gst, I would bypass the stock boost control solenoid and run wastegate pressure anyway (~10psi).

The bottom line is: you should do a boost leak test to see what pressure the bov leaks at. If it's leaking below your target boost pressure, get a manual boost controller and upgrade the upper intercooler pipe (uicp) and bov.

 

[clipto]

You can try find a hard upper intercooler pipe and use an after market bov just don't vent it unless you have speed density or maf to support vented bovs. I would personally wait to get a fmic before wasting your time. Stock boost with stock turbo will be fine with the stock bov, until you upgrade.

 

[c2ypt1c]

I would personally wait to get a fmic before wasting your time

If he's not going to upgrade the t25, I think a fmic would be overkill...

Stock boost with stock turbo will be fine with the stock bov

That depends on what "stock boost" is. If he's boosting 15psi and his bov is leaking at 10psi, the engine is not seeing all metered air (boost leak)...he needs to do a blt to determine what is going on. Oh yeah, OP you should get a boost gauge

 

[clipto]

T25 wont last forever most likely there will be a 14b or 16g swap. It would be pointless to change sutch small stuff when you could upgrade to a fmic. Shoot even the Ssautochrome fmic is $300. Iran fmic on my t25 with exhaust and ran 14.3 when I first got my car. Just doing money saving steps. If I could go back and redo my car it would save me a bunch of money and time.

 

[Dert]

You'll need a flanged uicp to mount the bov to. Let me ask this - why do you want just a bov? The car has one already...

Not always, bov's like the greddy type rs come with a flange that slide into same location as stock bov on stock pipes and you just reuse the stock clamp or put a new tbolt on it, no new intercooler pipe needed although it is a nice little upgrade.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I personally recommend ecmlink v3 lite or full for a first upgrade after maintanence. You can make even a fully stock car run a lot smoother, plus you get the jump on learning to tune your car, plus you are set up to make any adjustments for furure upgrades that you will need to tune for.

 

[c2ypt1c]

bov's like the greddy type rs come with a flange that slide into same location as stock bov

Perfect.

I personally recommend ecmlink v3 lite or full for a first upgrade after maintanence

+100,000,000

 

[gotmyeclipse]

I saw this Gst on craigslist. i offered 3000 but he turned it down

 

[LOLZFWD]

I wouldnt even start modding anything, unless the stock part is dysfunctional (ex. stock Bov leaks).
What i would do is have the Timing belt checked, compression test it, buy a boost leak tester and test for boost leaks (you can search for what to buy and how to perform boost leak test), buy a boost gauge, and at least hook up with someone that has a scantool to see if all your sensors are operating correctly (check engine lights, what ## o2 readings are will tell you how car is running, what temperatures everything is at, what your oil pressure is at idle/driving, everything u can look at do it.) Just to basically check everything over...and if u have any idea what u want to do with this thing look at doing solidity mods, like t-bolt clamps, upgraded couplers and hard piping (now comes the choice of how far u wanna go with fmic or stock smic?). Whatever leaks now, just fix it, otherwise you will constantly be chasing leaks until you replace it all anyways. I could keep going but that should give you enough to do for now

 

[alex408]

I saw this Gst on craigslist. i offered 3000 but he turned it down

Yep, of course he did, I bought it yesterday morning for $3,000

I'm pretty happy with it.

It drives very well, some minor work needs to be done, but nothing bad at all and it pulls hard too. Lol my mom's reaction when I got into 2nd gear and the boost kicked in!


Overall, the car runs very great. And I just need to register it, insure it, and send it over to my mechanic most likely this Saturday.

Only thing, is that my friend keeps making fun of me because it's FWD, and not RWD like his 92 240SX (SR20 Swap). But eh, my first 5speed car and I'm happy with it.


And thanks to all with the great input and advice. Like I said, I am a complete newbie to cars and tuning, so I am very looking forward to doing additional research and learning more.


Once everything checks out, I'll let you guys the results of my mechanic checking it out.

Thanks again!

 

[Smeed78]

Ok, well I've done some reading about the stock bov, and something about it being and like "plastic." Also a louder bov wouldn't sound too bad either.

I would recommend buying parts for their functionality, not to make your ride sound cooler. I have poured a lot of money into my GST and all of it is to make it produce adequate power but maintain reliability.

 

[alex408]

Thanks for the advice.

Update.

I went to my mechanic today for Smog and for his say on the mechanical condition.

Sadly, it didn't pass smog. He said he will pass it for me on Monday, because the engine was warm enough to pass it. So just drive it around for 5min or so and then go back.


Overall, he said the GST is in good mechanical condition. The shocks were recently replaced.

But...the engine is leaking oil. He said it's normal for cars after the 100k mile mark. One of the gaskets are made of rubber which is what's causing the leak. He can fix the issue for $237 or so.

Just always check the oil and make sure it's at level, if I don't want to do that.

He didn't get to check if there was any boost leaks, until the main mechanic arrives.

That's pretty much it.

 

[bryanwheat]

Thanks for the advice.

Update.

I went to my mechanic today for Smog and for his say on the mechanical condition.

Sadly, it didn't pass smog. He said he will pass it for me on Monday, because the engine was warm enough to pass it. So just drive it around for 5min or so and then go back.


Overall, he said the GST is in good mechanical condition. The shocks were recently replaced.

But...the engine is leaking oil. He said it's normal for cars after the 100k mile mark. One of the gaskets are made of rubber which is what's causing the leak. He can fix the issue for $237 or so.

Just always check the oil and make sure it's at level, if I don't want to do that.

He didn't get to check if there was any boost leaks, until the main mechanic arrives.

That's pretty much it.

237 for a gasket replacement, ouch. Which gasket is leaking?

 

[alex408]

237 for a gasket replacement, ouch. Which gasket is leaking?

I wouldn't know what to say man, I am a big newbie to car parts. -__-

We were under the car, and he pointed to the one on the driver's left.

 

[DSMBanditFZ6]

I wouldn't know what to say man, I am a big newbie to car parts. -__-

We were under the car, and he pointed to the one on the driver's left.

Don't think im putting you down, but if you are going to be modding this type of car, prepare to get your hands dirty. Pick up a chiltons manual (or haynes ) it has alot of useful info even if its toilet time reading . Upgrade your BOV if you want, but do not take your recirculation pipe off so it sounds. "Cooler" (just assuming you want a vented to the atmosphere sound).

Maintenance is key to these cars, that's why I said prepared to learn so your not loosing your ass everytime your car needs something. This is the best site for questions, just use that magical search button first, if it isn't there. Then ask

GOOD LUCK!

(Don't worry about your buddies RWD 240.. you will be eating that cars lunch in no time)

 

[my dreamt dsm]

You're in San Jose. There's plenty of dsmers up there. Go to regional/ norcal and ask for help. I'm sure someone will check it out for you.