Project: 1GB Talon Restoration and more

[Smitherines]

Heya guys, I started gutting the whole car for a total restoration. I couldn't find any good bodies without ROT on them, so I came to the conclusion that I was going to make the best of what I've got, and it doesn't seem to be a bad choice, because I've got some decent surface rust as you'll see, but it can be slowed if not stopped.

Now before you guys tell me that it's just a waste of time, waste of money, etc, don't bother.

Restoration Checklist:
Minimal rust under the car
Newer suspension, coated
Energy Suspension bushings
Strip anything rusty, coat, or get new
New AN teflon fuel lines
New factory pressed brake lines
SS Braided Brake Lines
Undercoat w/ chip and salt resistance
New wheel bearings
New brakes all around
Dejon or Thermal 3" Turbo-back no cat (Anyone have any 1g awd Thermal sound clips?)
NEW paint, same OEM colors
Rear end, Driveshaft, Axels coated
New weatherstripping all around
New fuel tank, coated (So my 93 doesnt evaporate or slosh out of the tank, and I'll finally be able to get more than a 1/2 a tank)


Engine Goals:
Freshen up the exterior of the engine a bit
New turbo SS feed line, and return
New Oil pan (SBR designed)
Remove B-Shafts (Until they come out with Kevlar belts)
New knock sensor (Tired of the 24 counts of "knock" on the datalogger, sensor leaking black fluid)
New dual oil pressure sending unit

Interior Goals:
Getting the original power antenna fixed
New interior, going all black
New headliner (Tired of the headliner always brushing my hair for me)
Getting either a new clutch pedal assembly, or welding rod
New gauges, most likely ProSport (Oil temp, Oil Pressuire, Mech Boost, Voltmeter, Fuel Pressure, Shift Light, EGT)


I probably cannot think of all the things off the top of my head right now, but I only want to do most of this stuff once, so I'm going to do things while I have other things removed, catch my drift?

Well by now, you're probably like, show me pictures dammit! I agree, but they're not pretty....

Heres the list in no particular order:

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[Smitherines]

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Well that's it for now, this week I'll be ordering the POR15, and wire brush bits, and other tools that I will need.

Another reason I'm doing this is because, well, everyone treats these 1gs like they're pieces of garbage, they'll part them out, and send them to the junkyard where they will be crushed. Well the 1gs are what keep the DSM world going around if you know what I mean, the more people trash these cars, the less there are, obviously new ones aren't going to be created.

I guess that summed up means that if we keep going at the rate we're running at, there wont be alot more cars in 5 or so years. Its not like Hondas where they are all the same and there are a million of them out there, these factory turbo'd and AWD ones were only a couple thousand. Cherish what we have before it's too late.

Take that how you want really, but it's kind of unfortunate, these cars are the ultimate 4cylinder platform.

I will keep all of you updated, if you've got questions, ask away!

Regards,
John Psaras


EDIT: Sorry I didn't realize the pictures were so blurry. Im working on reducing the picture size right now, Ill update the pics tomorrow, sorry mods.

 

[staticbrainwash]

I freekin' agree man. I'd like to see people building junkyard 1g's. Save the good chunks, find good shells, find usable motors, and build junkyard specials. Make a good solid platform from there, then mod them like crazy. It'd be SOO cheap.

That might be my next project honestly.

 

[turbosax2]

Good luck with the project!

(might want to make the pictures smaller though before you get in trouble for it)

 

[1g_tsi_awd]

That looks fun, and I 100% agree... I hate when people part out a perfectly fine DSM...

 

[brute]

The problem with buying cars from junkyards (at least in my area) is the issue(s) with titling and such. I have wanted to start a strictly project car for some time now. I just need money, but don't we all.

 

[rxcarguy1212]

It's not a waste of money. If you were doing this same deal with a honda civic, then yea...it would be a waste of time and money. But I love to see guys rebuilding these trashed 1G talons and eclipses. So good luck, keep us posted.

 

[Smitherines]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments, and the one's that just prove my point altogether. I hope by restoring my car, it will bring some new players to the table, and maybe convince some people to do the same. If you go to any other car forum, people are doing the same things to their cars, but I never see that stuff going on in the DSM community. Maybe it's because alot of us don't have the money. I'm doing this on a $130 paycheck per week. Thats not that much.

We're (DSMs) just starting to make a big impression into all the motorsports, and for the supply of vehicles to diminish over the years, it's kind of disheartening, we're digging our own graves, so-to-speak. We need to keep the torch burning (pretty lame simile, huh?) and keep these cars around.

Back onto my own case, I'm going to the bank within the next couple of days to deposit, so I can make a credit card payment, then Im going to be ordering the tools and paint to start stripping the rear end down to the metal, and painting over. My projected completion time is in mid June. Of course all the interior stuff can wait. I've already got the new seats.

I've already purchased a newer rear subframe, which is in really good condition except for a tiny bit of rust on one part, so that's either going to be sandblasted or stripped down to the metal manually, and painted. I've also got a newer gas tank which I need to sand down and coat with the POR15.

So far I hit one MAJOR problem. One of the bolts holding in the front of the rear subframe was rusted pretty badly, and broke the nut's welds inside the body, so now I cannot get the bolt out, nor can I put a new one in. So I am going to have to cut a small access panel inside of the car, on the rear seat area, and grind off the head and pull the remaining piece of the bolt out through the access panel. then Im going to get a new nut, weld it in, and then coat the inside with the POR15, and then weld the access panel closed again completely, to regain the structural rigidity back.

Right now I need to finish dropping the rear suspension and rear end, and snap all the fuel lines and brake lines off, pull off the rear bumper, and sideskirts, and start working on the rust on the back of the car.

I'm going to tackle this in stages, I'm going to get that rear subframe area all painted and cleaned, then paint the newer rear subframe and mount it all up, then start moving towards the front of the car, and do the same up there.

I do have a couple questions:

1. Is there a removable front subframe on these AWD 1gs?
2. Does anyone work at a dealer and can get me prices on the factory stamped hard brake lines that run from the front of the car to the rear of the car?
3. Can I get the shoulder bolts that center the bumpers (front and rear) into the absorbers?

Thanks guys,
John Psaras

 

[absolute_DSM]

JP why didnt you tell me about POR15 when I started my 2g restoration? Ive been rocking the wire wheel with the rust converter. Doesnt sound as good as that POR15 I just looked up. http://www.por15.com/

I know exactly what you are going through with this. You can get a rusted car cheap and with a TON of work have a brand new car. But damn isnt it a lot of work?

Glad to see some others taking it on

 

[Smitherines]

Haha, sorry bro. I love my car, not only is it my first car, but it's a DSM, and the car hauls ass, it just needed a little TLC. Ill be rockin' the wire wheel and maybe a disk sander, so we're in the same boat. I'm up for the challenge, especially since I'm still in school, and working part time, and I have the tools and space available to do this too.

How did your car come out though? Any pictures on your progress? Tell me about it.

 

[gsxtacy]

That rust looks extensive....I would be hesitant about THAT particular chassis.

I can understand your point about restoration though...when all thats left are Die Hard DSMers out there in the world, there will not be enough DSM's to go around....and much like Mopars, the immaculate ones will bring a premium.

Good work so far, keep up the spirit!!

 

[Smitherines]

gsxtacy, its really not terrible, it's alot of work, but at most, in some spots there is heavy surface rust. No ROT anywhere on the car what-so-ever. Its just gonna take a longer time to hit the bare metal in those areas. I was very hesitant myself originally, but I figured I'd just gun it, and put whatever time left I have right now into it.

Another thing is, well the way it is, it could last another 5 years, so even by doing what I'm doing, it lasts another 10, it's SO worth it. But everyone (Hot Rod Mags, speed mags) swears by this stuff (POR15). They say you can just paint it on what I have already, but thats a waste, I wouldn't be satisfied, so I'm stripping all of that junk down to the metal, and then painting, so whatever small bits of rust are left and I couldn't see, that paint takes care of it.

I understand your concern though, and I can agree with you, but there aren't really alot of perfect cars around here if you don't want to pay a crapload of money. All the other 1gs I've looked at had rotting frame rails, rot in the door jambs, or under the door switches, wheel wells, etc. This car doesn't have that. Perfect exterior, it's just honestly the undercarriage and the engine bay. Inside the frame rails is still pretty good, but just in case, I'm going to spray this POR15 inside there down the road just to make sure. It would be safe to say that someday after I get a 2g, this will be my racecar, so I'm not planning to get rid of it anytime soon.

Keep tuned though, cause alot of good things will be happening soon, and I'll keep you guys updated if I'm on a high speed banking turn, and the car splits in half.

I wrote an essay just for you man.

 

[Smitherines]

Picked up the POR15 today, and ordered another quart, and the Metal-Prep and Marine-Clean preparation products. Will probably start painting next weekend. Also I'm going to cut that subframe bolt out this weekend too.

This weekend's goals:
Pull the rear suspension down completely
Get the front suspension down
Finish gutting the engine bay
Pull off the doors
Pull off the hatch
Pull off rear bumper
Remove ground effects from the car
Remove headliner


Thats about it.

 

[Laysher91]

I TOTALLY agree with everything you said. I am in the middle of doing the same thing to a AWD Laser but luckily I have considerably less rust . It is a lot of work, but it'll be worth it. I dont know about you, but I cant wait until mine is finished! I live three miles from Nordstrom's Auto salvage and Ive been scrapping so many times that its depressing looking at all of the DSM skeletons that are rusting away. *sigh* I swear row 22 should be nick-named deathrow.

 

[Smitherines]

Haha, I miss my car very much, haven't driven it in 6 months. When you leave the Turbo-AWD setup behind (right now I'm daily driving a 94 Chevy S10 SS (planned for an LS1 swap later in the summer)) you go through withdrawal. No joke. At times I found myself almost bolting the suspension and drivetrain back up, and popping the engine back in and drive it, but then realizing that I already diced up my fuel lines. Good luck Laysher91, why don't you drop some pictures by some time on your progress? Maybe it may convince others to do fix up their lightly rusted bodies, and getting them in tip-top shape again.

John

 

[brandonzero0]

lots o rust i did the same but my car was completely bare, GOOD job you'll be happy when you're done trust me thumbs up x5

 

[brandonzero0]

try to get a hold of a sandblaster tooo makes it more fun..

 

[Smitherines]

I can get one, the question is, can my compressor handle it.

 

[Dream On]

How big is your compressor? I sandblast small stuff with a 5 hp, 100 gallon. After awhile I've gotta stop and let it catch up so the motor isn't running constantly, but it works nicely.

 

[Smitherines]

How big is your compressor? I sandblast small stuff with a 5 hp, 100 gallon. After awhile I've gotta stop and let it catch up so the motor isn't running constantly, but it works nicely.

Not sure how big bro, I'm thinking about it though.

A little update since I haven't well...updated in awhile.

Chemicals arrived, and I'm waiting for someone to come over and help me drop the rear subframe, because that isn't light at all.

I'm also going to order the bushings this week, so as soon as the rear suspension comes down, I have a couple buddies coming over and we're going to go to town on the rear of the car, with pictures to follow.

Anyone else have any updates on their restoration projects?

-John

 

[absolute_DSM]

I used a jack under the rear end to drop the entire rear suspension by myself. Worked like a charm.

Im finishing up undercoating the center section of the car, then when the OEM parts come (engine mounts, rear toe arms, etc, etc) Ill be throwing the rear subframe and suspension all redone back up and dropping the engine and trans in! I dont care if anyone else is excited, but I sure am! This car is going to look new.

 

[vargs55]

That rust isnt that bad. It looks like the 90 awd i'm currently redoing. It just looks like surface flake. When you sand blast or wire brush it get some Rust Mort. That stuff works great. We use it at work. Just follow the directions on it and you will be very pleased with the results.

 

[My91TalonTSi]

Anyone else have any updates on their restoration projects?

-John

John, as others of said, it's good to see someone really restoring their DSM the right way. It doesn't happen too often.

I am working on my car as we speak. It's not as an extensive of a restoration as yours, but it's still a big project. Since January I have replaced all the rotors and pads, new timing belt, tensioner, water pump, and drive belts, new front shocks with mounts and new springs all the way around, new tires, 1 new axle, 1 hub bearing, passenger side inner and outer tie rods, new 850cc injectors, 255 fuel pump, rebuilt and chipped ECU, AFPR, and there is probably a few small things I'm missing.

As it sits now, there are still a few bugs to be worked out. I think my alternator is on its last leg and I have an intermintent vibration while driving. The vibration may be coming from a caliper that's hanging up because it gets worse when I brake and when we looked at the car on Saturday after driving it the wheel where the suspect caliper is was blazing hot when compared to the other rims.

Good luck with your project bud

 

[Smitherines]

Rear end came down today, along with a huge puddle of Redline on the floor. I'm waiting to head out to Sears hardware to pick up another impact socket, and then the rear subframe will come down. I also pulled the driver's fender off today. I think I may pick a clean spray bottle, and spray the por 15 into the frame canals and inside the rails.

Wednesday Im going to get the socket, and then pull off the rear subframe, and then take the front struts out. Then deattaching stuff in the rear of the car.

 

[Dream On]

BTW I love what you're doing. When I get out of school and can afford it (and another car) then I'll probably be doing the same thing.