Rebuild or Save

[osiris]

I'm pretty torn on what to do. I have a 1990 GST that has sat for about 3 years in my garage and maybe 6months-year outside. The initial problem with the car was that a rod bearing slipped. As far as I was told the crank is fine.

Here is my dilemna. I would love to have a second 2nd gen.. I have always wanted one. The problem is I currently do not have a car and have to bum rides from a friend and my girl to get to and from work. I figured out a budget and I should have enough to get a second gen around May or June. So the question is to rebuild my first gen or save for a running, probably in good shape 2nd gen.

I'm thinking the rebuild should be cheaper and I should be able to have it down by February. The car still has a transmission that was working fine before it went down. The block is still in. It will probably need to be machined but looks to be in good shape.

So anyone with experience, what would be your advice? Is the rebuild worth it? What are any issues I need to worry about from the car sitting for so long?

 

[rogergoochman]

Rebuild the 1g then sell it to get the 2g you want

 

[turbo98eclipse]

Rebuild the 1g then sell it to get the 2g you want

Sounds like a good idea -- how much are you calculating the 2g to be and how much for the repairs on the 1g? There may be cheaper alternatives to fixing the 1g

 

[jmartinez1228]

Rebuild and sell or part out the 1g for what you can and just keep the motor to build up. YOu are going to want to do a 6bolt swap anyways so why not.

Fixing the 1g could be your quickest way into a running car though. Just buy a new crank and bearings and have it thrown in. that way you dont have to worry about a crappy job done by a machine shop to resurface an already junk crank.

 

[osiris]

Yea I'm thinking what I can do is rebuild the 1g and if I wanted I can still buy a 2g shell and drop the motor I build now into the 2g.

I was looking to spend around 4-6k for a 2g. I have seen some pretty good ones on sale here. So that was the price range I was looking at. I have around 700 now and should have around 1300 Friday. Some guy is offering a rebuild kit(rods, pistons, bearings, ring, water) and head without cams for 400. Once I get more details and check out the sale I may go for it.

I also have my old alternator that I need to get checked. Still have the new ECU I bought a while back. I have a turbo that is almost new. I will post pics because I'm not sure what kind it is because I bought it off a friend.

What other issues should I worry about since the car has sat for so long? I'm thinking I will need new tires and will have to drop and drain the gas tank. Anything else?

I will post pics tonite of the current state of the engine bay, the crank I have and the turbo.

 

[jpmxrider489]

To put the rebuilt motor in a shell is a lot of work. I love the 2g but if you like rebuilding motors then you can.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

To put the rebuilt motor in a shell is a lot of work. I love the 2g but if you like rebuilding motors then you can.

A lot of work? Not necessarilly ... if the motor is preped out of the car, all that would need to be done is attatch the trans and drop the whole assembly into the shell at once. Nothing that cant be done in a day or two.

 

[osiris]

Its looks like its a Topline rebuild kit with a new 6 bolt crank and head for $500. Seems like a good deal. I will have to check it out before buying but it will take care of a lot of parts that I need to at least get started.

I still have a 1g intake manifold but will have to get a custom exhaust manifold to fit the turbo I have. I will also more than likely need bigger injectors and a new fuel pump to compensate.

Anyone have any luck with a Supra side mount intercooler? I have been out of the game for a while but from what I remember they are capable of handling 350hp with out issues.. Is this true?

 

[GST2012GSX]

Now you are thinking on keeping it, you don't want to spend money on something that you are going to sell. Take out you crankshaft make sure is good to be reused if not get a replacement new bearings put it in and sell it.

 

[osiris]

Now you are thinking on keeping it, you don't want to spend money on something that you are going to sell. Take out you crankshaft make sure is good to be reused if not get a replacement new bearings put it in and sell it.

All it has is the block, crank(not checked), tranny and intake manifold.

Yea from the advice here and from friends it looks like the rebuild is the better option.

 

[jpmxrider489]

I would either sell it as a roller and buy a 2g or build up the 1g. I think 1g are easier to work on.

 

[ed1380]

I would not reuse a crank that had a spun bearing unless its been cut down.

 

[jpmxrider489]

If you decide to rebuild, you can look into a strocker kit. Unless you want a stocker.

 

[osiris]

I would not reuse a crank that had a spun bearing unless its been cut down.

My old crank is still in the car, I have never looked it. I also have a spare one sitting that I took from the shop that screwed me over. Plus with the rebuild kit he is selling a supposed brand new crank.. I will check it out.

If you decide to rebuild, you can look into a strocker kit. Unless you want a stocker.

I'm trying to get it on the road asap so saving for that would take too long. So I'm just going to build it around the turbo I have with minimal boost and then work on making it faster later.

I'll post pics when I get home.

 

[1G90TalonTsi]

I would not reuse a crank that had a spun bearing unless its been cut down.

I would second that. My friend Got the slightest rod knock on his Honda, Replaced the bearings, two months later.....another rod knock.

Take it to a machine shop, see what they say. Don't just assume its alright.

Jared

 

[buhay6]

for $500 for a crank head and full rebuild kit..... I would jump on that! no way you cant get it for any cheaper then that. Well as far as I know that is.

 

[BogusSVO]

Got a link to the deal on the rebuild kit w/ head and crank?

I would like to see what is going on there.

If it is an idividual selling I can see that, but not a shop.....

 

[Honto]

Rebuild and drive it. A new car brings in new problems, at least you know what your working with with this car.

 

[osiris]

The current state of the engine bay

The turbo

Got a link to the deal on the rebuild kit w/ head and crank?

I would like to see what is going on there.

If it is an idividual selling I can see that, but not a shop.....

eclipse, talon, 4G63 turbo parts

Just buying the rebuild kit. I have a crank still in the block but it is more than likely the one that had the slipped bearing. I never pulled it but will once I get into it.

I have another crank that I just took from the shop that screwed me over. So I will have to take it to the machine shop as well. I will post a picture of that one tomorrow.

 

[VetoJuice]

I would suggest to rebuild. As stated you never really know what you're going to buy. Atleast you know what you have now. Its all personal preference, but personally, I've owned 2g's & I've owned 1g's... I prefer 1g's..

 

[GST2012GSX]

For what I hear you want to keep it ### you have it already, but you really like the 2g right? Well personally I would rebuild it even if I have to cut the crank but I would not keep it, I will sell it and then I would buy me a 2g. 2g so far is the best line, sorry guys but that's the true, even on the 4g has resemblance of the 2g ### everyone knows is the best.

 

[honda_burner]

A lot of work? Not necessarilly ... if the motor is preped out of the car, all that would need to be done is attatch the trans and drop the whole assembly into the shell at once. Nothing that cant be done in a day or two.

i would like to remind you that 2gs and 1gs although the same motor are very different harnesses. different cas's (depending on the year) different mounting positions for the spark capacitor, and the list goes on and on. just something to keep in mind if you do plan on doing this transition in a few months. it can be done but its alot of tracing and figuring stuff rather than an easy swap over. good luck

 

[osiris]

After taking the pics last night I realized I have more than I remembered. I still have a ton of work to do but not as much as I previously thought.

Any one have any idea what kind of turbo that is? Or a general idea of what type of horsepower it may produce? Or what supporting mods will be needed to bolt it on?

I'm hoping 550 injectors will be sufficient or should I go bigger?
I'm pretty sure it needs an external wastegate and custom exhaust manifold.

Edit: Did a little more research and found what size injectors I should go with.

 

[bryanwheat]

i would like to remind you that 2gs and 1gs although the same motor are very different harnesses. different cas's (depending on the year) different mounting positions for the spark capacitor, and the list goes on and on. just something to keep in mind if you do plan on doing this transition in a few months. it can be done but its alot of tracing and figuring stuff rather than an easy swap over. good luck

Putting a 1g engine in a 2g is as simple as putting a 2g engine in a 2g. You just have to grind one area of one motor mount brackets, and wire in the cam angle sensor.

 

[osiris]

For any Dsmer that has done a few builds or rebuilds(I assume most here):

I am also torn on whether to buy parts just to get the car running or start building the car now for the bigger turbo.

How much HP can the stock internals handle? From what I remember it was 350HP, is that correct?

My goal will probably be 350-400hp. The turbo pictured above should be capable of that HP. So I'm starting to think the best way to go is to build the car for the bigger turbo while everything is apart rather than building it pretty much stock only to break it down later when I want to upgrade parts.

What do you think DSMers?