2G Picking up my First GST

[Dragnous]

Hey all, Today I am picking up my first GST. Now that being said I am coming from a GS as you all may know from my previous posts and what not.

I already have plan to change all fluids, Spark plugs, Hoses etc but is there anything special I should really be looking now that I have a Turbo. When I get it home I am planning to start cleaning up the engine bay and plan to check the turbo for any play and what not.

No mikly substances in the oil that I can tell, no leaks.

Only problem is moron that sold to me put in reg gas instead of premium so I gotta stop on way home to put in good gas.

PS. Not planning on resuming my daily driver with this till i get some of the maintenance done to ensure its stable

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Yeah no WOT while on 87. Spark plugs and fluids is a good idea. Even transmission oil when you get a chance. You could also do a boost leak test and take the timing cover off and inspect the belt. I also suggest putting the car on jack stands and inspect the front end. Make sure there is no play in the tie rods or ball joints.

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

You can just run the tank of regular. Just don't plan any WOT pulls until you refill with premium. If the PO does not know when the last timing service was, or what exactly was replaced during the service, plan to do it soon. The OP may have had the timing belt replaced, but were the tensioner and balance shaft belt/tensioner replaced as well? Oneslowwdsm also had good advice.

 

[Dragnous]

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Here is a look at the engine bay, Except some corrosion from sitting she looks in great shape I think..

edit: anyone know what you need to do in order to get a 2nd car profile to show in signature

 

[StanleyDSM]

Is the bov recirculated?

 

[Dragnous]

Is the bov recirculated?

To be 100% Honest, I am not sure

 

[StanleyDSM]

Lol I tried looking in the pic but idk either.

 

[StanleyDSM]

Good find though.

 

[Dragnous]

Good find though.

yea just got some costmetic stuff to repair but i think was good find.

Tonight when I get it home or tomorrow Ill post better pictures and a Video of it running...

I still am a noob I will admit specially to a GST so Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated .

 

[froodawg]

The underbelly of the beast is frequently overlooked, and oneslowwdsm has a good point. Get the car up on stands or on a lift so you can check for problem areas everywhere down below. Look at the exhaust for leaks, look at the rods, ball joints, knuckles, arms, wheels, struts, and brakes. Do a shake-down test on the wheels to check for play, and look for signs of excessive corrosion, torn boots, bent/cracked components, or leaking fluids. If anything looks suspicious, come back for more research or have it checked out at a shop.

 

[cmehlxl]

+1 for BOV looking un-recirculated.. check that out

needs a timing belt cover IMO

also, is that a j-pipe i see? stock turbo?

 

[gst-turbo]

Replace timing belt

 

[Dragnous]

I believe stock Turbo and Its possible .. I will get some High Res Pictures and Close Ups as well as video later so everyone can help me identify whats going on in terms of PO parts

 

[jared98gst]

Not stock turbo, breather after coolant reservoir? Get a rubber line that goes out bottoms of bay, and toss a 1g bov on and recirc, take off intake check what turbo is on there, 14b/16g most likely if that is a j pipe. If all else is stock make sure there's not a mbc hiding before wastegate

 

[2gGst98]

Looks good. I do see a J pipe from turbo area. I do also see the BOV looks recirculated. Sounds like your on the right path. I'm also with the above people with timing belt job unless papers saying it was just done and it looks new. Even then pull timing cover and inspect balance belt as stated before.

How many miles?

 

[Dragnous]

Looks good. I do see a J pipe from turbo area. I do also see the BOV looks recirculated. Sounds like your on the right path. I'm also with the above people with timing belt job unless papers saying it was just done and it looks new. Even then pull timing cover and inspect balance belt as stated before.

How many miles?

112k miles.

Sadly was unable to pick it up tonight so gonna be tomorrow afternoon, Since the huge spinner rims are awful and also one does not hold air i am taking my 16s of my gs and my neighbor is using his pickup to help me bring to car and switch the rims out so i can drive it back to my place. When and why did people really think spinners where a good thing ahahaha

 

[chrysler kid]

Even with the spinners and bodykit, the first thing you must absolutely do is regular maintenance

I would compression test that motor before paying anything more than $900 for that car. Your pictures are kind of blurry but it almost looks like rust by the corner of the fuel door and quarter panel. The blow off valve is vented, it still has factory intercooler piping, there is an air filter on the coolant resevoir, it's missing atleast the upper and middle timing cover, it probably has multiple oil leaks, the ball joints are going to need to be replaced from riding on those big rims, if one rim is cracked you know it's going to need a new tie rod and front suspension pieces, the axles are probably trashed, the clutch is probably nearly gone. The list goes on and on and with the original owner in jail you know that car is a basket case. The front suspension almost looks lifted, I wouldn't be suprised to see some autozone $20 spring spacers in there so the 20's fit under the car without rubbing

Spinners + bodykit + RFL bov = abused. If you don't already have the mentality that this car is going to take $1200 investment after purchase to run as a daily driver then you should wait to find another car.

The valve cover and engine bay scream neglect, the aftermarket turbo screams abused. Think about it, you may want to pass on this one, especially if you are going to use this as a daily driver.

 

[Dragnous]

Even with the spinners and bodykit, the first thing you must absolutely do is regular maintenance

I would compression test that motor before paying anything more than $900 for that car. Your pictures are kind of blurry but it almost looks like rust by the corner of the fuel door and quarter panel. The blow off valve is vented, it still has factory intercooler piping, there is an air filter on the coolant resevoir, it's missing atleast the upper and middle timing cover, it probably has multiple oil leaks, the ball joints are going to need to be replaced from riding on those big rims, if one rim is cracked you know it's going to need a new tie rod and front suspension pieces, the axles are probably trashed, the clutch is probably nearly gone. The list goes on and on and with the original owner in jail you know that car is a basket case. The front suspension almost looks lifted, I wouldn't be suprised to see some autozone $20 spring spacers in there so the 20's fit under the car without rubbing

Spinners + bodykit + RFL bov = abused. If you don't already have the mentality that this car is going to take $1200 investment after purchase to run as a daily driver then you should wait to find another car.

The valve cover and engine bay scream neglect, the aftermarket turbo screams abused. Think about it, you may want to pass on this one, especially if you are going to use this as a daily driver.

Thank you all for the tips and suggestions I will be taking them all in as I work on this car.

Chrysler Kid, I agree with you on a majority as I am expecting to have to pay a bit to restore the car to condition as I did only spend 1k(Actually 950). I do believe I got something over all good for what I paid. When I inspected the car I took over a half hours investigating things I knew to check before I even said yes. I even rechecked the next day before I purchased to ensure it ran the same as it did during the last check.

Rims: They did modify some things to make them fit it seems, Cut the Plastic to make space. (as luck would have it i have those).


I didn't expect a perfect car by any means out of this. As my daily driver took unexpected turn I was forced to look for something within my budget. I do believe the car is a good base besides the odd modifications I know will have to be fixed.

For the BOV, After reading using the "search" here I learned a lot and I know it will need to be recirculated in order to function properly since I doubt the car was reprogrammed to account for loss of air. I have yet to look for a good guide to explain how this is done but I am sure someone reading this post could point me in the right direction.


As for the ball joints and Tie rods I already figured and planned on replacing them. My First goal is to ensure the suspension and steering is good.


My goal in the dsm world was to obtain a GST though I would have preferred one in mint condition I have learned to not expect this anymore as those selling them for a good price (based on my budget) beat them up well a lot. However as I am still learning mechanical work this will allow me to learn more about my car and become intimidate with its components.


The body kit. Most of its is good however the front bumper they screwed up by not fitting it correctly so right now I am tossing the idea of removing the 97 OEM bumper from my GS and rolling with this till I can paint it to match the car. There are a few places around here that do bumper and touch ups for a decent price so may take use of that.


Interior is retaliative stock besides the red bezel around gauges and red insert in dash. The seats are cloth and will need quite a cleaning but this is achievable. Still has cargo cover and even the Cup Holder insert for the center console storage area.


Getting ready to go pick up the car once I get it home will post pictures (other pictures where from seller not me. I have a S3 so use that to get good pics) and even a video of the car running and a tour so I can get some more tips and pointers from everyone.


Is it possible they put in a DSMlink? Rather what is best way to check.

 

[chrysler kid]

There's no chance it has dsmlink, the intake manifold doesn't say ECM multi so it most likely is non Epsom ecu.

The RFL bov that it has is not able to be recirculated. It's probably an ebay turbo

$950 seems decent and it runs so it's a good project, but I wouldn't just hop into it and drive 300 miles across the state

 

[oneslowwdsm]

There's no chance it has dsmlink, the intake manifold doesn't say ECM multi so it most likely is non Epsom ecu.

The RFL bov that it has is not able to be recirculated. It's probably an ebay turbo

$950 seems decent and it runs so it's a good project, but I wouldn't just hop into it and drive 300 miles across the state

what does the intake manifold have to do with the ECU? Someone may have very well swapped an Eprom in there at some point. Takes 5 minutes to check.

Pretty good price. IMO find a junk yard and revert that exterior ALL back to OEM as it is hideous, no offense.

Also make a list of things to do with the car. First priorities being maintenance but wait till you actually buy the car and drive it for a bit to see what the issues are.

 

[Dragnous]

what does the intake manifold have to do with the ECU? Someone may have very well swapped an Eprom in there at some point. Takes 5 minutes to check.

Pretty good price. IMO find a junk yard and revert that exterior ALL back to OEM as it is hideous, no offense.

Also make a list of things to do with the car. First priorities being maintenance but wait till you actually buy the car and drive it for a bit to see what the issues are.

Already paid for people ...

 

[chrysler kid]

what does the intake manifold have to do with the ECU? Someone may have very well swapped an Eprom in there at some point. Takes 5 minutes to check.

Pretty good price. IMO find a junk yard and revert that exterior ALL back to OEM as it is hideous, no offense.

Also make a list of things to do with the car. First priorities being maintenance but wait till you actually buy the car and drive it for a bit to see what the issues are.

Typically if you're going to plop an Eprom ecu in there you're not going to have spinners or a vented Really F*ckn Loud bov with an air intake on the coolant resevoir. But I guess it could have GOLD in the trunk too and a fully built motor by that logic

 

[Dragnous]

Got the car home, little rough. Tune up is def in order . Speedometer not working so gotta do some checking in morning.

 

[Dragnous]

I was doing some looking around in the car and found this. What in the world is it.
Sorry for blurry pic.

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[lucagst]

hi there. That looks like some type of a wiring harness, maybe you can trace to see were it leads to it, also dos the car as a radio? I see the antenna wire just laying there