Possibly buying a Talon that's been sitting..

[widsmer]

I searched and couldn't find a similar thread. I found a guy selling a 1991 Eagle Talon fwd TSI for 1k.

The pictures look good for being a '91, easily repairable- Laser and DSM Stuff pictures by joe2085 - Photobucket

He said its been sitting for a year and the battery is junk and it won't turn over as a result. He says it has a lot of extra parts, this is what he said is also included "There is around 146k on the body. The motor was rebuilt 4 years ago and only has roughly 15k on it, the trans was rebuilt also but has more like 20k on it. It ran fine, but def could benefit from a fuel pump and injectors. I never had the boost higher than 15psi because I was still on stock pump and injectors. Some of the extras are other than the rebuilt motor and trans are: act 2100 clutch, new flywheel, stainless clutch line, full 3'' buschur stainless exhaust, ported 2g 02 housing, 16g turbing housing, and 2g manifold, Buschur uicp, boost controller, full set of prothane motor mounts, boost, air fuel, and egt gauge, although the egt is not installed, and an safc. I think thats it. The motor was rebuilt with new 2g pistons and reconditioned big 1g rods and crank. Head was completely rebuilt. Trans im not sure what all was replaced as i bought it with a parts car but it shifts good and doesnt grind."

Is there anyway I can know it's legit before I buy it, what are somethings to look out for?

 

[tunedsm99]

Leak down test, Compression test, ask him for receipts etc. I wouldnt buy the car unless u actually see it start and run to be honest. atleast idle.

 

[widsmer]

How do I do the leak test?

 

[TuRBoTaLooN]

You can get the kit at autozone or advanced auto or any of those stores. You will need an air pressure source though like an air compressor or a filled air tank. Those air compressors you use for tires wont' work, just FYI. But search around here for how to do a leakdown test and a compression test. Very basic stuff.

 

[thomcasey]

If you bring a good battery, it should start right up. I bought a 92GS that had sat for a year. Paid the guy 300, dropped the battery in and drove off. The guy was stunned to say the least. Might want to bring some premium gas too, to add with what it already has

 

[viprez586]

Leak down test, Compression test, ask him for receipts etc. I wouldnt buy the car unless u actually see it start and run to be honest. atleast idle.

Agreed, always test drive. Look for leaks, worn stuff, etc.

Do a compression test for sure. Anything below 130-140 I'd be weary.

 

[GST4g63T]

Make sure you check for rust man, if that thing has been sitting in the snow like that... You don't won't something that you can't build.

 

[iwillnotbleed]

Sounds like the owner knows what he's doing at least a little and that's always a good thing. But like everyone else is saying, check it yourself first. If you can't do a leakdown test at least check it with a compression test. Don't be afraid to rawl under it and look around. Hope it works out for you.

 

[widsmer]

Alright thanks for the advice! I'm checking it out tomorrow and bringing a good battery, and going to do a compression test on it. Good point about checking for under-body rust. My brother who's a mechanic is coming, so hopefully he will be able to tell if anything is amiss.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Car looks pretty clean even if the motor is toast! Would be a good shell!

 

[widsmer]

Car looks pretty clean even if the motor is toast! Would be a good shell!

Actually, if his talon doesn't pan out. I might go for his 1992 laser shell, looks clean as hell for the year. The only problem would be finding a good motor to drop in.

Check it out. I think it might have more potential than the talon because of the awd.
Laser and DSM Stuff pictures by joe2085 - Photobucket

 

[iwillnotbleed]

It really depends on what your goal would be for the car. I have a fwd and an awd. The fwd is a fun car, don 't get me wrong, but to me it's more of a daily driver. Throw a couple light mods on it to give it a bit more of a kick, ya know. The awd, to me, is a complete kick in the ass. Take care of it and strengthen it in the right places and it will take a lot of abuse. Again, it really depends on your goals.

 

[widsmer]

I want 300hp as a final goal, but i'd just be spinnin' out with fwd. How much do you think would be a fair offer for that laser shell. assuming it's as good as in the pictures?

 

[iwillnotbleed]

What does it come with? Just no engine or no engine, tranny, that kind of stuff.

 

[Chaosweaver]

I want 300hp as a final goal, but i'd just be spinnin' out with fwd. How much do you think would be a fair offer for that laser shell. assuming it's as good as in the pictures?

You'd be surprised, I have a FWD 2G and love it more than my AWD 1G. Personally I find them a lot more fun, don't know why. Also, spinning will be resolved by drag radials, just make sure you have a good LSD before you put them on or you may blow something.

 

[iwillnotbleed]

I also have to agree with this. If you have a good tranny with an lsd in it and good tires 300 hp is very easy to put on the ground. Honestly, I just favor my awd because you don't have to worry much about hook up. I really need to replace my tires because they have very little tread left and I still don't have any problems with grip. I also live in Colorado and, when it snows, it's hilareous to watch big 4wd trucks struggle to get through the snow when my talon has no problems. .

 

[ReYnd]

Do a leakdown test if you can. Sounds pretty good. Though if it was just a battery, and he has at least one other DSM (Laser looks like a shell), wouldn't that be a really simple fix to be able to advertise it as running? It probably has other issues, but I'm pretty sure no one wants their first mod to be a replaced head gasket, so it's good to know what you're getting yourself into. Check for rust, oil, coolant, fuel, and hydraulic leaks.

Finally, check the turbo compressor wheel for play (side to side, up and down) and to see if it spins freely.

 

[viprez586]

Honestly, I just favor my awd because you don't have to worry much about hook up.

Unless your stutterbox produces 15psi off the launch.

 

[widsmer]

Well I went and saw it. It's really clean. I asked him what he did to it, sounded like he knew what he was talking about. He didn't want me hooking up the battery I brought because he said it was the first time he did the timing, and he wasnt sure he did it right. He's including alot of extra parts with too. So I might take a chance on it. At least I could part it out and get my money back if anything.

 

[iwillnotbleed]

My cars are both stock at the moment, so no 15psi launches for me. The moding will come after I get them running real nice first.

Either way you go, they're both great cars to have. Hope you enjoy your purchase if you make one.

 

[Baron4406]

Honestly if the car is complete and is in good shape it really doesnt MATTER if it runs for 1K, even if its a FWD car. Its not 1995 anymore, finding solid DSM's is getting tougher and tougher.

 

[viprez586]

Well I went and saw it. It's really clean. I asked him what he did to it, sounded like he knew what he was talking about. He didn't want me hooking up the battery I brought because he said it was the first time he did the timing, and he was sure he did it right. He's including alot of extra parts with too. So I might take a chance on it. At least I could part it out and get my money back if anything.

Wait so did you hear/see it run?
He didn't want you to do a compression test?

RED FLAG.

 

[widsmer]

yah he didn't want me to start it because he said he wasn't sure about the timing because it was the first time he did it.

 

[#40Fan]

Wonder what happened that he needed to do the timing again after only 15K miles since it was rebuilt.

 

[Killian]

If this is your first DSM i would definitely say to wait it out and get an AWD. I remember my first 1990 Eagle talon i was thinking i was just going to love the fact that its turbocharged, when in fact the AWD was sooo much more amazing to me ( not to say the turbo isnt B.A. ) but AWD ftw and if you don't mind doing a bit 'o' work you can pick one up for cheap! Just mah 2 cents
Killian