The Official "What's this DSM worth?" Thread

[khartley]

Ya, really depends on how much time you want to devote to it.

 

[Theforeign1]

Hey all, I just became a member tonight....I am possibly about to purchase a 1997 GS and I'm just worried about making a bad purchase. I am going to list all of the additional work the guy has done to it and I just want some DIRECTION in making the best decision here. He says he has a "small rattle noise" when accelerating and his mechanic has told him it is NOT a rod but the camshaft bearing caps. This would be my first Eclipse ever and I really don't want to buy something that will break down in a matter of days. If someone knows how much replacing the camshaft bearing caps would cost me, or if the work could be done at home I would appreciate it very much. The car has 135k miles on it and the guy has done the following things to it:

fidanza short throw shifter $88
Apexi N1 exhaust $590
AEM V2 cold air intake $300
Megan Racing Headers $200
Megan Racing Hi Flow Cat $80
MSD Ignition Coil $80
MSD Wires $50
Accel Spark Plugs $20
new front bumper $140
obx throttle body spacer $50
used black rear bumper from a 99 spyder $50
used maroon side skirts from 99 GS $200
modern performance 60mm throttle body $240


If anyone can give me some opinions on this purchase and the camshaft bearing cap problem I'd greatly appreciate it.


Thanks,
Andrei

 

[cheap90gsx]

how much do they want for it $$?

 

[Theforeign1]

He wants 1800 for it. I MAY be able to get him to lower it a bit. The exterior needs paint also from the clear coat coming off and the side skirts are maroon on a black body. So I'm just wondering if it's worth it? The mileage seems high (135xxx) so I am thinking I will only make the purchase IF replacing the camshaft bearing caps doesn't cost much or if I could do it myself.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

If something's wrong with the camshaft caps, it would probably be in your best interest to replace the entire cylinder head. There's no saving damaged camshaft journals without a lot of money and effort. Good used cylinder heads are cheap enough. Replacing it might take a complete beginner one weekend. You could also pay a shop to do it and have the car back the same day.

 

[Theforeign1]

Okay, so the cylinder head I could do at home? That's definitely a possibility but I'm still wondering if the car itself is worth buying with all the info I've provided? What do you guys think? I became a member because I definitely want to do some work on it IF I do purchase it.

 

[cheap90gsx]

investigate more into the noise it's making.

 

[deviousgst]

Looks like it will be a big project.

Ya, really depends on how much time you want to devote to it.

ya thats true..
but im in no hurry to fix it. my plan was to take my motor and safc and slap in on the tsi..
all it needs is just for the motor to b put in...

 

[Diamondrev]

yea find out whats the rattling noise from the engine.. make sure its not rod knock, rod knock starts off small then it gets worse over time..

i also see that the guy has done some mods to it.. im sure he has been racing it.. he wouldnt do all that work just to drive the speed limit..

 

[mitsubishi9908]

i would say go for it. makes a nice little project to keep ya busy.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Hi guys,
My name's Andrew and i live in Columbus where i go to The Ohio State University. I've come across a nice 1997 Eclipse GSX from back home. The guy says he's had this list of parts installed professionally...

5-Speed,
Walboch High flow fuel pump,
Big 16g turbo- about 500 miles old,
Super loud BOV,
Front/rear strut tower bars,
Front mount intercooler,
Stage 2 clutch,
Greddy turbo timer,
Eibach spring 1.5 inches,
Kyb shocks,
Evo 8 exhaust manifold,
Turbo cat-back exhaust,
2 autometer gauges in pillar pod- boost/ air-fuel
siruis satellite radio- included not installed, brand new
and much, much, more!!

He was asking 7k for her. i told him who i was and found out he played on the football team and is good friends with my cousin. said he'll give it to me for $6300. the car has 97K miles on it. looks nice in the pictures but i gotta get home to see it up close. i was just wondering what i should look for and if this was a good price. i've been reading up about CW and i gotta admit, it's scaring me a little. i've also been reading up on recalls. so what do you guys think? Thanks for your help.

 

[xx503boyxx]

somethings to look at is:
tranny shifts good no grinds
make sure clutch dont slip
take a look under the car for any oil leaks/or any other fluids
make sure car dont smoke under acelaration/if u want ask to check the turbo for shaft play
look at it during the day for straight body or any other getho rigged stuff holding togethor things
make sure every thing works....,seats,side mirrors,horn,all lights,power locks and windows/sun roof ac/heater hatch stays up ect
look for anyweird noises while driving the car

 

[Pitbull2o08]

thanks...how can i check for shaft play?

 

[Pitbull2o08]

here are some pictures of his car he gave me...

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[Pitbull2o08]

and i've seen GSX's that have the "ECLIPSE" logo in between the tail lights but this one says "Turbo"..any clue about that? thanks guys. i appreciate everyone's help.

 

[tunethis]

thanks...how can i check for shaft play?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/237596-shaft-play.html

 

[tunethis]

and i've seen GSX's that have the "ECLIPSE" logo in between the tail lights but this one says "Turbo"..any clue about that? thanks guys. i appreciate everyone's help.

The "ECLIPSE" logo is the way it comes from the factory. The "Turbo" emblem on there now was added and is not oem.

 

[mindset]

I found this 95' Talon. Isn't it rare to find something like this on there? Anyway, it looks super clean. I just emailed the guy but no response yet. Although it's not the exact color I want, nor the body style, it is AWD . Every eclipse I find is trashed with crappy tail lights and what not.
95k, Turbo
AWD
CLEAANNNN!


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[95redturboawd]

I'd get rid of that link unless you want someone else snaking it.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

but what do you guys think about the price he's asking me?

 

[mindset]

I'd get rid of that link unless you want someone else snaking it.

Good idea

 

[SpawnedX]

I saw that on Auto Trader, been for sale for awhile, cannot believe it has not sold yet.

 

[AceGSX]

Looks very clean inside and out.

 

[alansupra94]

Well, yesterday I finally went to go see the car and engine. The owner was a real nice stand up guy and knew what he was talking about when it came to the car.

Here are some pictures.

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Reason he is selling is because his brother messed with the timing of the car and that caused the valves to come smashing down onto the pistons (as expected from an interference motor).

He has a 3in Apexi exhaust, a 6 bolt rear end coupled to an AWD transmission rebuilt by DogBox Racing, 2 ACT clutches, Manual boost controller, 2 stock 13B turbo, 2 MAFs (I forget exactly what he said regarding them being modified or something), a front mount intercooler, stock sidemount intercooler and a bunch of other parts. Nothing is missing from the car, only needs the engine dropped in and reassembled.

Aside from all the junk, the interior is immaculate and the exterior just needs a waxing (besides the broken light but he has a spare one).

He is also including a fully rebuild motor (just needs the head assembled to the block) and the broken engine (the block is fine minus the pistons that got messed up). Last time he was running it, he was making 310awhp at 20psi. He also had a 20G turbo but he sold it because it lagged like a bi***. He was making around 450awhp back then on the old motor.

I bought it for $700. I think it was a ####ing steal

 

[tunethis]

I'll say it was a good deal. Especially with all the extras.