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

[knochgoon24]

For some reason, JDM folks like the high output oil pumps. With the balance shafts removed on my car, I have no problem with oil pressure.

 

[theantirice]

As far as the crank pulley goes there's a lot of talk about how running an undampened pulley can cause harmful harmonics to be transmitted to the crank and cause crank failures. Some people swear an undampened pulley caused their crank to crack, some have run undampened pullies for miles with no ill effect, ymmv, but I always thought better safe than sorry.

Have to agree with you on this one. With only a couple of hp at stake, I'd rather take some risk out of the equation.

Is it a PITA to find/install an OEM pulley?

 

[GsXtC21]

Average price for that kinda car IMO is about $7k-$9k anything less than $7k (and if the car checks out to be perfect mechanically wise, which is almost never the case for a modded dsm hint hint**) would be considered a good deal...!!

 

[dylnwit]

The thing that should really be making your decision here is how much time are you willing to put into the vehicle. If it actually does have the 6 bolt swap, then with a lot of the engine related stuff, walking into the local parts store and telling them you have a 97 GSX will be hit or miss with a lot of the parts. The 6 bolt swap refers to type of 4g63 block the car has in it. 6 bolt motors are known for their strength, and tend to be preferred for high-horsepower applications, and were found in 1st gen DSM's from 1990 to ~1992.

If it's not going to be your daily driver, I'd say go for it, but be prepared for some downtime here and there, and to do a lot of research. Almost every car more than 10 years old will have it's own little things here and there that are different from the rest, and the engine swap raises that number massively, as your taking two slightly different mechanically, even more different electrically/ecu-wise motors, and mixing parts from both of them together into one. You'll have to learn a good bit to keep it running strong, but if you do, it can be a very nice car, it really just comes down to how much time you have for it. If your scared to get your hands dirty, this probably isn't the right DSM for you.

*edit* To change your crank pulley, all you gotta do is pull 3 belts, then the pulley. You'll remove a total of ~11 bolts, loosen ~3 others, and take off 2 nuts if i remember right. All should be metric, most are 12mm. If you buy it, get a Haynes or similar style manual for a '97 and a '91, and a good set of metric wrenches and sockets if you don't already have them.

 

[blackbetty]

Have to agree with you on this one. With only a couple of hp at stake, I'd rather take some risk out of the equation.

Is it a PITA to find/install an OEM pulley?

Although I am also pretty reluctant to use anything but OEM for something as important as an oil pump, I've done a lot of research on these Toga pumps.. and they sound pretty legit.

I'm sure you could easily find a crank pulley in the classifieds in excellent condition, or you could go the Fluidampr route as Kahl said. It really just depends on how much you would like to spend; a Fluidampr pulley will look sexy while doing the job.. the stock pulley just does the job, no frills.

If you buy it, get a Haynes or similar style manual for a '97 and a '91, and a good set of metric wrenches and sockets if you don't already have them.

Very good info here...
If you did any work on that 6g72, I'm sure you have a plethora of tools around.. if not, you need some.
Haynes manuals come in handy.. mine is a brown/gray color from greasy fingerprints

 

[nate379]

Edmunds.com lists it at $2,925

Nada Guide lists it at $4900

Avg of the 2 is $3900, which is where I got $4000 from.

Honestly mods like what was done to this car SUBTRACT from the worth when I'm looking at something. With the stuff on the car, I know it was more than likely driven hard. Then I wonder how hack was the work. Was it an 16yr old kid working on this with Dad's vicegrips and hammer or a pro wrench turner/shop?

That's just me though... if it's worth $8K to you, that's not for me to argue.

Not sure I believe book's only 4 grand. What 'book'? 5 grand would be one heck of a deal if the car is nice. It should be worth 5 if the car was bone stock and nice.

 

[niddydsm]

if i was in your shoes i would really think hard about this. Those are parts he remembers puttin in what if he forgot some? its alot harder to fix a car that your not to sure what is done to it. especially trying to diagnose the problem and why it happened. i would get a stock DSM and do it your self so you know for sure what is done to it

 

[GsXtC21]

To the OP, if you dont mind me asking, just how much is this car going for...?

 

[theantirice]

To the OP, if you dont mind me asking, just how much is this car going for...?

Seller's asking $6500

 

[GsXtC21]

Wow i think thats pretty good deal, since he's asking $6500 you should show him $5800 in hand and see what that does for you Goodluck to you man..!!!

 

[buffaluphagus]

Been looking for a while and I found this, here is the ad.

1997 Mitsubishi GST Turbo Coupe
59k miles!!! (average 5K miles per year)
5 speed transmission
Stock, no modifications of any kind

WIFE's car. NEVER RACED OR ABUSED. Nice Stereo with CD player. CREME LEATHER interior. WAY better than average condition. Has a couple almost not worth mentioning parking lot dimples which could easily be removed with "paintless dent removal" service.

Here's the list of over $2000 recently spent on this car: New 60K mile warranty V rated Les Schwab tires, new water pump, new timing belt, new plug wires and plugs, battery and complete intake/throttle body/fuel injector cleaning and tune up at Mitsubishi dealer locally.

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He says he will take $6500. Only thing is the car is about 1,000 miles away from me, could fly and pick it up though. Go for it or nah?

 

[rich3389]

Looks new!

 

[knochgoon24]

Yes, that is a 2g gst.

 

[EvilutionaryTSi]

looks really good. keep it clean man!

 

[tunethis]

That's a very good looking GST.

 

[niles]

Looks very clean, almost too clean Several things like the power steering pump look like new.

 

[theantirice]

Wow i think thats pretty good deal, since he's asking $6500 you should show him $5800 in hand and see what that does for you Goodluck to you man..!!!

It looks like it could be a nice deal. I'm holding back my excitement until I see it this weekend, though. I'll be sure to take/post pics.

I totally agree with what other members have said about mods & added value; I typically follow a 40% rule ($1000 in mods worth $400 at resale). Even that might be generous in this case, though, since it looks like the owner did most of the work himself. Not a shot at his craftsmanship (in fact I hope his work is stellar), but it's harder to put a value on modification when there's no receipt to back it up.

*edit* If any local members want to come along for the ride and check out the car, food & beer is on me.

 

[ArticNemesis]

So.... where's that car located?

 

[the_illest_fool]

TOGA is a great company they make oem pumps for nissan

 

[Dsmj89]

I say get it ! That is a very well taken care of gst and looks like new !

 

[odysseybiker1]

Fly out there and make that little T25 turbo spool all the way home.

 

[kahl23]

Have to agree with you on this one. With only a couple of hp at stake, I'd rather take some risk out of the equation.

Is it a PITA to find/install an OEM pulley?

Tons of places sell OEM dampers, JNZ usually has a great selection of OEM parts at good prices, but shop around, any major vendor should have this part (SBR, AMS, MachV, etc). As far as replacing it, it will be slightly more of a pain in the ass than doing a timing job, as you actually have to remove and replace the crank pulley, but doing a timing job is something we all have to do sooner or later, so it's good to get used to it. Plus, there are tons of writeups online about how to do one and plenty of people on these forums to help you out. For the car, where is it located? You might want to get on NewEngDSM.org :: Index and see if the car is being sold by a member there. New England DSM is a pretty tight group, and if the owner is a member you should be able to find some background on the car.

EDIT
I see I missed your post when I was writing mine, I'm at school in Chicago right now, so I'm sorry I can't help you out. I think you should get on NEDSM, I'm really sorry it took me so long to do so, there are some really standup guys there.

 

[tenn-gsx]

How will replacing a crank pulley be more of a pain than a timing belt? There are 4 bolts to remove and you loosten all of the accessory belts and the thing comes right off.

 

[theantirice]

He says he will take $6500. Only thing is the car is about 1,000 miles away from me, could fly and pick it up though. Go for it or nah?

I'm also in the process of finding a GST/X. I haven't found anything in this type of condition & miles for less than his asking price.

 

[kahl23]

Like I said, slightly, as in, not much at all. That's 4 more bolts in a tricky position than you would otherwise have to do, so it is just a tiny bit, or slightly, harder.