Project 1G

[stagen]

Picked this '91 Talon TSi couple months ago. Rings were shot, dirty as hell from sitting out side. Managed to get the motor and tranny out. Busted a caliper mount off of the spindle while trying to press the axle out. Rear brakes are rusted stuck. Oh and almost all the studs are shot for the wheels.
So far Ive replaced the knuckle, tore down the motor and sent it to the machine shop, and bought and waiting for some rear calipers.
I wasnt really feeling the tan interior so I found some good deals and have proceeded to convert it to black/grey. Ive got everythign for that besides carpet, front seats and visors. I also managed to snag a rear hatch cover.
Ive decided that since its torn down that I might as well work on some paint. Better now when I cant drive than when thats all I can drive right? Im working on stripping the engine bay and front end panels so that the engine bay can be painted black.
As for exterior color Im undecided. I cant pic between Graphite Silver, Black, White, or a dark metallic red.

And though many have talked about it but most never go through with it, Im planning on changing the popups to stationary using the stock turnsignal piece. I plan on making it look as stock as possible, and welding the popup covers to the hood.

The best thing is how clean the shell actually is. If there is rust its small specks of surface, and the body isnt too bad except for dome dings and dents and the keying that somone so graciously added.
Well on to pics, and I love pics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[pj91gsx]

nice choice of paint, I painted 3 coats of 1200 degree paint on my block. 1200 is really for exhaust though. but I just want my paint to last.

 

[Project90Talon]

nice choice of paint, I painted 3 coats of 1200 degree paint on my block. 1200 is really for exhaust though. but I just want my paint to last.

It will last, I used the same on my valve cover on on my daily... hasn't even faded.

 

[architechnik]

You know, that's a really good idea with the choice of color. I went with a jet black and I can't tell for $#!^ where this oil leak is coming from.

I'll go with a light color on this next build or one with some texture; I'll probably paint the oil pan too.

What did you do to prep the block? Did you try sand blast or just cleaning it with a wire brush and thinner?

 

[stagen]

You know, that's a really good idea with the choice of color. I went with a jet black and I can't tell for $#!^ where this oil leak is coming from.

I'll go with a light color on this next build or one with some texture; I'll probably paint the oil pan too.

What did you do to prep the block? Did you try sand blast or just cleaning it with a wire brush and thinner?

I just washed the block thoroughly with dish washing soap, rinsed with running water. Then I blasted it dry with my air compressor and scuffed it up with a 3M pad. Then I washed it again with soap and cleaned all the passages with a pipe cleaner. Dry it off the compressor once more and I was ready to rock. Turned out pretty nice.

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

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

Put the front end back together, just need to bolt some brackets up in the engine bay. Gave her a good cleaning too.

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

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

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

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

Its going to need a good polish on the black. on the right you see where I did a little spot already. This grim is just caked on.

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

Finished bolting together the interior. well I still need to swap out the driver door panel. I'll worry about new front seats and carpet when this thing is running.

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

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

 

[stagen]

Finally! I got my main bolts in so I was able to start assembling the motor. So far the crank and pistons/rods are in. I need to find a way to get the block up on the work bench so I can get the rear seal bolted in. Also waiting to get a new oil pump drive sprocket, then timing components. Its been hot the last couple of days so its not making it any better.

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

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

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

 

[pj91gsx]

are you going to clean that headgasket debris off the top of the block? the pistons are pretty clean. did you go by the piston ring box on how to installed the piston rings? the top compression ring end gaps need to be 180 degrees from each other. just checking.

 

[bluegs03]

looks good man, quick questions did the crank need to be turned with the rod bearings being destroyed? did u just get a new one or did u turn it.

 

[stagen]

looks good man, quick questions did the crank need to be turned with the rod bearings being destroyed? did u just get a new one or did u turn it.

Yea it had to be turned down .25 mm.

are you going to clean that headgasket debris off the top of the block? the pistons are pretty clean. did you go by the piston ring box on how to installed the piston rings? the top compression ring end gaps need to be 180 degrees from each other. just checking.

Yea I cleaned it all off. I followed the diagram in the Haynes manual for the piston ring placement.

 

[Secksthemex]

thats super sweet man, good luck with the rest of it... keep the pictures coming

 

[sp00linbyu]

the car's coming together nicely. i'm actually gettin ready to pick up my project 90 eclipse gsx this mon. mine runs right now but there is always work to do on a dsm but u have to love them. keep the pics coming

 

[stagen]

Haven't been around much. Im frantically trying to sell stuff to make some money to finish the motor. I cut the cat off my exhaust since they're going for so much at the scrap yard now. I keep on getting a little bit done then having to wait for parts. Right now I need to get the timing components. After I get that everything should pretty much fall together. Stripped and painted the oil pan, installed the head with ARP studs and Ajusa headgasket, got the front case with the OEM BSE kit and thats about it for now.

Im also working on the valve cover I was going to shave the whole thing then just decided to shave the bumps/ lines by the lettering on the bottom. I cant decide what to do for the color. I was thinking either wrinkle red with black lettering or wrinkle black with red or silver lettering. Any suggestions? I originally planned on a satin black but now that the engine bay is black I just thought it might be too much, so Im leaning a little towards the red just to have some color.

Well enough talk, time for pics.

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

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

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

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

 

[pj91gsx]

Its looking good. My friend painted his black and the letters red. Im think Of painting my to make the color of my car. I have a red jdm one and 2 extra ones.

 

[stagen]

Starting to look like a motor finally..

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

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

I should have enough money to finally get my timing crap ordered tomarrow.

 

[stagen]

Got rid of my cat converter for $120 at the scrap yard and managed to sell the engine and tranny from a junk CRX I have for $200. So I was finally able to order my timing crap. YAY! While I wait for all that to arrive I decided to get everything tidied and buttoned up, which ment tracking down a oil pressure gauge sensor, finishing my valve cover, and port matching my 2G TB elbow that I picked up a few months ago. Its so much BIGGER! It was my first "port" work, probably not the best, but not to shabby if I say so myself. I'll take better pics whn I can use my normal camera instead of this $15 spare. No joke, $15 new. WTF
Any way, did some slight shaving on the valve cover, stripped the paint, but I found a nice crack in it. Im going to experiment with some JB Weld and see if it does the job.

Oh by the way whats the purpose of that black bracket that goes from the head to the throttle body? Its not a point to lift is it (even though I might have when we pulled the motor)? Kinda seems like dead weight and a nice thing to get in the way. Should I do with out?

 

[SonySlave]

The black bracket from the head to the throttle body is a support brace. There are 2 support braces for stock intake manifolds: one under the intake manifold that bolts to the block and the brace there at the throttle body. I would leave them both there.

I've heard stories about people that took the braces off and the intake manifold started to crack over time from just hanging there with no support. I've never seen it in person, but that's what I've read.

Looks great though! My motor is at the machine shop right now getting machined for my new JEs and Eagles. I always love seeing car/motor build threads!

 

[pj91gsx]

Wow. Your getting far on this project. nice port work. You could port match the exhaust manifold and head to help out. but I think its much better for porting with a bigger turbo then a 14b. My friend ported his, but over ported the turbo, but it gets a lot better MPGs.

 

[stagen]

The black bracket from the head to the throttle body is a support brace. There are 2 support braces for stock intake manifolds: one under the intake manifold that bolts to the block and the brace there at the throttle body. I would leave them both there.

I've heard stories about people that took the braces off and the intake manifold started to crack over time from just hanging there with no support. I've never seen it in person, but that's what I've read.

Looks great though! My motor is at the machine shop right now getting machined for my new JEs and Eagles. I always love seeing car/motor build threads!

Yeah I suppose, I could see some bad things coming from not having the bracket. The intake mani is friggin heavy

Wow. Your getting far on this project. nice port work. You could port match the exhaust manifold and head to help out. but I think its much better for porting with a bigger turbo then a 14b. My friend ported his, but over ported the turbo, but it gets a lot better MPGs.

Yea I set a goal for myself to have this thing running by August 1st. My timing crap comes in on the the 21st this month so we'll see how it all goes down. I was thinking of porting the exhaust mani and the head, but I decided I'd hold off for now. I plan on getting a 2g or evo mani so I really didnt want to dink around with this one. Just waiting for another $30 shipped 2g mani to pop up on the classifieds. I've seen a few go for that much so I'll have to keep an eye out.

I just ordered a stainless stud kit for the exhaust manifold last night, so I have the fun of removing my old ones plus the broken one down in the corner. I deffinately will be remembering to use anti-sieze on those buggers.

 

[pj91gsx]

I used easyout on broken studs for the head and it works great. for the one still in there a vice grip will get them out. It is easier to port match the head now then to do it in the car. but maybe you can do it in the car idk.

 

[imagine-02]

Yay almost done!
Then you can start on my engine

 

[stagen]

Yay almost done!
Then you can start on my engine

Hey you know I'd be happy to.

So for once I actually got parts shipped to me ahead of schedule, try 3 days early. Yeah sweet I know. Timing stuff arived yesterday. Havent really gotten to do much tho with it, been busy discovering a certain somone needs to rebuild a motor thanks to jumped timing. Oh and I got to paint my valve cover today. Decided t go wrinkle black with red lettering. Just have to wait for it to dry now. I really think I can make my goal for having it running by the 1st. But lets not jinx anything

 

[pj91gsx]

Its cool how you set a date when you want to finish it. My dad used to tell me that he was going to call 1800 you pull it. That was a threat to me but he just gave up on that idea. What is your dead line date set for, an event coming soon after that?

 

[sp00linbyu]

Glad to see everything is comming together. Everything looks great. I did get my car. I'm doing my build a little different then others though. I'm going to start with the drivetrain first then worry about the motor and such. I figure why build the motor if the drivetrain isn't going to hold up. But mine does run now and i do have another vehicle to drive everyday so i've got the time but i'm just waiting on the money. Anyways keep the pics comming and good luck.

Bill

 

[stagen]

Its cool how you set a date when you want to finish it. My dad used to tell me that he was going to call 1800 you pull it. That was a threat to me but he just gave up on that idea. What is your dead line date set for, an event coming soon after that?

Nothing particular, I just thought it would set me straight to have a goal to be done by. Although it would be cool if I could get it done and broken in by the 10th so I can drive it Chicago for a concert (Rockstar Mayhem Festival)

Glad to see everything is comming together. Everything looks great. I did get my car. I'm doing my build a little different then others though. I'm going to start with the drivetrain first then worry about the motor and such. I figure why build the motor if the drivetrain isn't going to hold up. But mine does run now and i do have another vehicle to drive everyday so i've got the time but i'm just waiting on the money. Anyways keep the pics comming and good luck.

Bill

Good luck on the car man. Its going to be scary for me once I get the motor done since I have no clue how the tranny or anything else on the car is. I'm really hoping I can get a new clutch at least but it depends on money.

I got the timing done. I made my own tensioner adjuster bolt thing-a-ma-jig. Also got my SS manifold studs. Still need to extract one broken bolt. I might have by a bigger easy out tomarrow.

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

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

And heres a better pic of my porting on the elbow. Im pleased

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

 

[sp00linbyu]

Thanks for the support. I know what you mean about the whole money thing. I should have the money after this month to get my transmission and center diff redone. The porting looks pretty good. Keep the great work up and you won't be dissapointed once you are done.

 

[97EclipseTurbo]

damn nice work, glad to see that your seeing it all the way through, cant wait to see how it turns out

oh yeah pics of the VC??