Thinking about DSM thoughts?

[E362G]

Hey guys. New to this forum but have car experience and forum experience. I had a quick question as I know how valuable the information is from forums like this. I have been a BMW enthusiast since I was 5. I drive often an E46 330xi that I bought with a blown motor, new motor and birthday present for the ma. My pride and joy is a 440awhp 2006 WRX Limited edition with a K16 Billet turbo (I won't get into what it took to fab up and a good experienced friend saved me to be honest). I am not able to use the WRX because of my parents pending divorce (I'm 18 but its considered a family asset that I can't add miles to, shoot me). I just sold my dd a 1994 BMW 325is with 201k on it. Blast to drive but rusted out on me, sold it for a $700 profit and now have about $2,300 to spend. I found a 1998 GS Eclipse with the 420A motor that has 80k on it and 120k on the body $2,200 and needs nothing as of now. The car has no rust and I'm checking it out this week. The car seems cool and don't worry I'm not some stupid high school kid who's buying this because of F&F. I wanted a reliable and gas efficient dd for commuting 75 miles a day to school and work. I'm planning on a drop and some nicer rims, and that's about it. I searched a lot about these cars and hear so many different pov about reliability. I work on the cars myself and I'm on top of my cars. Other than missing FWD I think this car will also be a blast but as far as a dd how are these cars? Surprisingly my E36 only needed brakes, tires, guibo and a VCG in 18k of ownership. Any thoughts or advice of trouble places to look at will be appreciated. Working on pics of the car. Thanks again. Hope to help out once I get around these Japanese cars a little.

 

[E362G]

Well other than replacing rod bearings in the JDM civic I had I have no engine internals experience so I'll be doing a lot or hw before I tackle that job. I was ready to get the integra instead but this forum seems awesome and bimmerforums is sole reason I can do just about everything with the cars. I'm now going to be looking at eclipses. Only thing not as nice is the interior. I'm now just looking and looking within 200 miles and need it by Sunday. Thanks again everyone learning a lot quickly from this forum now just need out of probationary haha.

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

Have you thought about buying a 1G instead of a 2G? I prefer the 1G myself, I love the way the interiors are laid out.

 

[E362G]

Have you thought about buying a 1G instead of a 2G? I prefer the 1G myself, I love the way the interiors are laid out.

I'm not really finding any around me that isn't rusted out and the looks are worlds apart. The 2G is just slick and smooth to me, being a BMW guy I like smooth lines instead of Sharp ones which is why I think I prefer the 2g. I guess I'll keep my options open but also I understand the 2g handles better?

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

Could but I have never owned a 2G, I think a 1G with a nice suspension handles great. In my opinion the factory suspension is not the greatest on either car and if it's original you will probably want to replace it. I think and I know I am going to get bashed for saying this but I think the 1G is more masculine. The 2G is a bit girly for my tastes.

 

[jcarmichael]

agree with above post 1gs do look more manly to me as well but we are probably one sided since we both own 1gs if you get a 2g see if they have done an engine swap to the 6 bolt engine, its not as common as ppl outside the dsm community put it out to be but 2gs are more prone to crank walk. also to do with not knowing much internally, I would say you are further off then I am when I got my dsm a yr ago. I had no clue about cars almost a yr later and alot of reading and I feel way more comfortable with my car anything I don't know I can usually find on here. It really is a great community of ppl.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/132485-1st-gen-6-bolt-vs-7-bolt-actual-differences.html

if you do get a 2g try to find one where the 6 bolt swap has been done its kind of like the balance shaft elemination it might not get crank walk but it gives you one less thing to worry about.

 

[E362G]

Could but I have never owned a 2G, I think a 1G with a nice suspension handles great. In my opinion the factory suspension is not the greatest on either car and if it's original you will probably want to replace it. I think and I know I am going to get bashed for saying this but I think the 1G is more masculine. The 2G is a bit girly for my tastes.

I can see your point but the 1g looks awkward to me. The proportions look off and the rear is hideous sorry guys.

And as far as suspension goes. Once the subie is able to be driven I'm doing what I do to most.my cars. Coilovers and full poly bushings setup from summit racing and GForce tires (best street tires you'll find I also like the toyo Proxes F1 but too pricey for what you get imo)

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

I guess , but not to me. I think the car looks great but hey that's me. I have to disagree on the tires though. I think the star specs, re-11 or the hankook r-s3 are better choices

 

[jcarmichael]

instead of going through summit you might check extremepsi,com as far as prices go in the dsm area they are one of the cheapest places I have found on almost any part. I know they deal with subaru parts as well, so might be worth checking out.

 

[E362G]

instead of going through summit you might check extremepsi,com as far as prices go in the dsm area they are one of the cheapest places I have found on almost any part. I know they deal with subaru parts as well, so might be worth checking out.

I'll check them out. I go through a connection at summit so I get pretty good prices. My subaru had only gotten very high end parts and built correctly. For 70k its as close to mint as can be minus the drivers seat wear.

I guess , but not to me. I think the car looks great but hey that's me. I have to disagree on the tires though. I think the star specs, re-11 or the hankook r-s3 are better choices

Funny you mention the Hankook. I was a huge fan of that tire. I used to do some pro am racing for Mazda until last year when that specific tire blew on me at a track in New York and I smacked the wall at 127mph. 4 concussions, separated shoulder, 4 broken ribs, torn acl mcl and pcl later I highly advise if you are pushing the tire I don't recommend it. It had 8 laps on them and proper psi and nothing blew the tire. Just catastrophic failure for no reason. Lost my seat on the team .... So maybe some revenge in there but that's my experience. And the GForce are on the subie and they perform amazingly and so far 28k on them and about 50% tread still with 3 autox events and hard launches with launch control (I like having a transmission, best investment for a subie)

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

Strange Curt Brown has not had any problems with that tire, he actually recommended it to me, then again he and I don't road race our cars but they do hit some high speeds.

 

[E362G]

Strange Curt Brown has not had any problems with that tire, he actually recommended it to me, then again he and I don't road race our cars but they do hit some high speeds.

There are isolated incidents with the tire. If you Google it some stuff comes up. I think a Porsche cup series team in Cali had an issue too. It will probably suffice for autox and spirited driving. And I'll take your engine bay haha wow that's sexy..

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

Ha it's looks like hell, it's filthy

 

[E362G]

Ha it's looks like hell, it's filthy

It's only because its yours and you know exactly where every flaw is . And does anyone know of a good enthusiast classified for these cars?

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

This forum has one so does dsmtalk.com and check out dsm trader

 

[E362G]

So picked up this one for $1100.. It has oil leaking from the camshaft position sensor, needs coolant flush, oil change (done), throtlle body cleaned out, new intake filter (there is one on I took it off then took picture), valve cover gasket, crankshaft position sensor I believe because coming off the highway at a stop I stalled. Then after the car jerked at the stop when I tried to pull off then stalled, jerked then was fine to get me home. If anyone knows a common reason why these cars leak oil in the rear of the engine bay please let me know.. Also needs new tie rod ends, sway bar end links and rear shocks. Also got a whole bunch of air tools, compressor, paint gun, new jack, jack stands. Should be flipping it then hopefully soon make enough money for a GSX.. Here's the car....

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