No More Ford Focus!

[foolishfocus]

OK well technically I still have the Focus as a daily driver for my trips back and forth between Kirksville and St. Louis, MO (about 210 miles). But when I come back home, sitting in the driveway will be a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. It is completely stock with 110,000 miles. I'm going to hit up the junkyards and make sure the exterior is looking pretty before I start to unload the money into performance parts. Any suggestions on where to start? The car is coming with a K&N filter and the harness for a Turbo Timer, any idea where I could buy the acutal Turbo Timer? Anyways, I'm glad to finally be getting to experience one of these awesome cars I love reading about so much!

_Greg_

 

[SnowWhite]

There are usually some nice turbo timers in the classifieds if you look. Just gotta wait for the right one to pop up. Usually any site that carries DSM accessories will carry timers like www.dsmparts.com

 

[Defiant]

DSMs dont need turbo timers, the spools are water-cooled.

 

[clownface]

Originally posted by Defiant
DSMs dont need turbo timers, the spools are water-cooled.

Why does water cooling make it so you dont need one? That would be cool if i didnt "need" one cause im short on cash alll the frigin time.

 

[tylerdurden801]

Don't floor it and then turn it off. If you get into it with the last mile or so (2-3 min), just sit in the car for a minute. You're your own best turbo timer!

 

[TSi92]

Originally posted by Defiant
DSMs dont need turbo timers, the spools are water-cooled.

werd up! Never bought a turbo timer, my 14b was replaced at 120k miles and it was then installed on a 2G and it blew up because he was running 20 psi daily on a 120k mile old turbo. My 20G has about 20k un-turbo timed miles and there's zero play on the shaft and it turns nicely by hand.

 

[Tallen]

Originally posted by Defiant
DSMs dont need turbo timers, the spools are water-cooled.

Mine does, YAY!

 

[redturbo66]

better safe than sorry. If you're a hard driver and you don't like waiting for your engine to settle, get one!

 

[Flash]

Ya get one, better safe then sorry. Plus, it's really cool to have hot chic's come up to you and say "you left your car on". I love it!

 

[Groomz]

Originally posted by Tallen
Mine does, YAY!

Oil only freak!

( j/k )

Congrats on the car, foolishfocus. Time for a name change. Free mods are the first step of course ( and there free!!! try explaining that to a Honda driver ), a good MBC, and a 50 trim turbo. Wait a minute, there's something not right!

Call a good shop ( like AGP or FP ) and talk to them before you upgrade that turbo. Shop experience is priceless compared to internet mumbojumbo.

 

[foolishfocus]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions, I know you don't need a turbo timer if you are willing to wait an extra minute after hard driving, but I think they are pretty cool and would like to try some custom fiberglassing with it, so I feel it is worth the investment. I just want to make sure I get a good one!

 

[redturbo66]

HKS makes a nice one!

 

[szewczyd]

As far as the mods go, follow the mod map on this site, it is pretty nice. Just wondering if you don't mind sharing how much you pay for the GSX and the condition of it. Yes turbo timers are nice, but not necessary.

 

[foolishfocus]

I paid $2,000 for it, the interior is in great shape, the leather had been swapped out for cloth, he had just installed a new water pump, timing belt, thermostat, and spark plugs. It has 110,000 miles on it, completely stock. The lower window molding, one lower piece on the drivers side, and the front bumper are what I am looking at replacing with stuff from a junkyard. I didnt even realize the bumper had some blemishes until the second time I saw it. The guy was super nice and helpful, so I felt happy with the deal.

 

[midnght]

Sounds like you picked up a gem!


Treat it with respect and keep it safe. You are going to stop driving that Focus all together.

Again, nice find!!!

 

[ivanr4g63]

A turbo timer is a good feature but NOT necesarily needed...
although its great if you can use full synthetic oil all the time...

Evo's, STI's, Saab's and many other turbo cars run well and don't come factory equiped with a turbo timer, but they do tell you to run good oil and don't even think of switching to "El cheapo" not good. Evo's for instance come factory filled with Mobil 1 full synthetic, that means something.

 

[DSMeclipse4G63]

shoot I have a turbo timer so I dont have to sit in my car for a minute....I know it sounds weird but I usually show up to work right on time a nd a min off could get me in trouble. after a 45 min drive I only do 1 minute on the timer. the only other time I actually time it is at the track. The thing I like the most about it is that it tells me my battery voltage(when the car is off) and altenator output when running. Just another tool to go along with my boost/vacuum, a/f gauge and fuel preassure gauge alll great tools to have so if you can find one for cheap go for it. Oh and welcome to the community and happy boosting!!!
Andrew

 

[foolishfocus]

I am not actually getting to drive the car until next weekend (the 26) but I am planning on putting all new stuff in it. I know to change the oil, but what else do I need to change? Maybe the boost fluid? ha ha ... right
Anyways, I am going to make sure it is in tip top shape inside and out before throwing go-fast parts at it.

 

[midnght]

Go ahead and get some new plugs and wires. That will run you about $40 total if you can find a deal or about $60 if you order. It will help you out more than you think. Nothing like a shitty running DSM.

 

[foolishfocus]

You guys kick ass for all the help, Im piss ass drunk and almost got arrested earlier. I never thought I would get my rights read to me, oh well, you live you learn! Night Night Happy St. Patties Day!!!

 

[AzhigherTSI]

I agree with the Turbo Timers not being absolutely necessary, but I just love it when people say "Hey, your car's still on..." Paid for itself right there. Besides, I met my girlfriend that way =)

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by clownface
Why does water cooling make it so you dont need one? That would be cool if i didnt "need" one cause im short on cash alll the frigin time.

When you shut off, the oil circulation stops, but the water doesn't- it'll thermosiphon through the block. The hot water will migrate upward toward the cooler engine area, while pulling in cooler water from the lower part of the block and cooling system. Even when the thermostat fully closes, you have the engine's coolant that'll be moving through this phenomenon until all the coolant is the same temperature. With a pressurized cooling system, the maximum temperature will be on the order of 225°. Oil's good to about 280°. It's why you're seeing so many 14-year-old turbo'd DSMs still running around.

It only takes about a mile of driving to cool a turbo housing down, particularly if you're doing no-boost running at speeds over 30 where the air coming through the radiator will cool things right down.

Water pumps weren't put on cars until the era of the Model A. Model T engines were pure thermosiphon.