What did you do to your DSM today?

[curt-s]

You'll have to sacrifice one of the mounting tabs on the bottom of the plenum/runners that the OEM Cyclone coil pack mounts on, sadly. And the IM bracket itself will have to be "notched". But it's possible! God help you with those lower IM bolts though.

The car came with this manifold already installed so they did the work prior to me . I mount my coil pack off the firewall

 

[CrackedDSM]

Changed more SD settings, continued to fail. Moved it back like 2 feet and moved it forward 2 feet because I had to make room to air up the tires that are deflating.


Yep. DSM life. I did this willingly to myself too.


The (self inflicted) struggle is real.

 

[curt-s]

I hear you. Might I offer an alternative point of view/situation?
I started disassembling my car two years ago, and have been actively trying to get it done since Jan/Feb.
I am just over 12 hours away from starting it for the first time since 2022 and I'm scared to death. It's just a car but a DSM has been my vehicular self-identity for 16 years.
This is my third 4g63 ground up build and the first one was a combination of assembler error and machine shop blunders. Much like the blunders I suffered through this year.
It's been so stressful the last six months that I'm actually sort of considering just stopping at this point, but I know the pain of not knowing is going to eat at me the entire winter. If it fails, I don't know exactly how I'll handle it.. I have considered moving on to something more current.

 

[CrackedDSM]

I hear you. Might I offer an alternative point of view/situation?
I started disassembling my car two years ago, and have been actively trying to get it done since Jan/Feb.
I am just over 12 hours away from starting it for the first time since 2022 and I'm scared to death. It's just a car but a DSM has been my vehicular self-identity for 16 years.
This is my third 4g63 ground up build and the first one was a combination of assembler error and machine shop blunders. Much like the blunders I suffered through this year.
It's been so stressful the last six months that I'm actually sort of considering just stopping at this point, but I know the pain of not knowing is going to eat at me the entire winter. If it fails, I don't know exactly how I'll handle it.. I have considered moving on to something more current.

If there was something more modern and widely supported that I loved as much as a DSM I'd honestly already have one. The self-inflicted problem I have is, I love these damn things more than anything else. I've ridden in Vettes, Hondas, Evos...I like them, and if I had one given to me I'd be happy with it...but just don't have that DSM connection. Anything I think I might really enjoy and be connected with is 60-80K. (GTR, GR Corolla, both of those I thoroughly loved riding in and driving..)

 

[pauleyman]

I hear you. Might I offer an alternative point of view/situation?
I started disassembling my car two years ago, and have been actively trying to get it done since Jan/Feb.
I am just over 12 hours away from starting it for the first time since 2022 and I'm scared to death. It's just a car but a DSM has been my vehicular self-identity for 16 years.
This is my third 4g63 ground up build and the first one was a combination of assembler error and machine shop blunders. Much like the blunders I suffered through this year.
It's been so stressful the last six months that I'm actually sort of considering just stopping at this point, but I know the pain of not knowing is going to eat at me the entire winter. If it fails, I don't know exactly how I'll handle it.. I have considered moving on to something more current.

I have to ask, why do you think it would fail? My repairs have always been objective. Problem-solution-repair. I measure what I need to etc.

 

[99eclipsegs-2t]

maybe introducing some variety would help with the burnout feelings if experienced. I've got a fox body along with my dsm, and I also maintain my jeep, Honda, and Benz daily drivers. I'm setting up to buy a 1st gen dodge pickup with the 12v cummins, it helps to not feel burnout from just one project. having a big shop and lift helps too, . It allows me to work on multiple projects at the same time.

 

[CrackedDSM]

I have to ask, why do you think it would fail? My repairs have always been objective. Problem-solution-repair. I measure what I need to etc.

Different mindset. I can't speak for him, but I always plan for worst case scenario. Not in a pessimistic way, but in a "if I'm surprised, it's in a good way" type way. Anxiety before a new build is a real thing, because there's always those factors you can't control.


This next sentence sounds like an insult, but I promise its not: I think being more comfortable with the unknown and not being so anxious comes with age. The older I get, the more I am able to let go. Not close to being there yet, but I'm better than I was.

 

[curt-s]

I have to ask, why do you think it would fail? My repairs have always been objective. Problem-solution-repair. I measure what I need to etc.

Did you clean things as well as you could have?
Did you keep things as clean as you needed to?
Should you really have used the used-but-still-pretty-good-condition OEM front case instead of the comparatively horrible ACL that you bought earlier and is still sitting on the shelf?
Did the thrust bearing actually set properly?
Should I have chosen to delete the squirters instead of bodging them to clear both piston and crank? (I didn't stress the brazed joint, just to be clear)
Did you forget to do ... something... ?
Was the machine shop's work truly good enough?

All those things. Sometimes even your personal best isn't good enough. It's when you've had so many setbacks in a year and delays that you just can't help but question the resulting product.

maybe introducing some variety would help with the burnout feelings if experienced. I've got a fox body along with my dsm, and I also maintain my jeep, Honda, and Benz daily drivers. I'm setting up to buy a 1st gen dodge pickup with the 12v cummins, it helps to not feel burnout from just one project. having a big shop and lift helps too,

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. It allows me to work on multiple projects at the same time.

I've had a bunch of around-the-house things but when you can't park your other car in the garage because of the parts and equipment, and you've put as much $ into this car (which you've wanted for over half your life), it's becomes a preoccupation to finish.
Yes, having a shit ton of space would help. We all should be so fortunate in that regard but, no, double car garage and a 40ft driveway I'd rather not have half assembled cars on.
Unfortunately, the other cars/platforms that I'm interested are quite beyond the DSM in cost, so I'm limited to one expensive toy at a time. I had a APR S1 B8.5 S4 a number of years back and, no, never again outside of warranty.

 

[Tkuhn89]

maybe introducing some variety would help with the burnout feelings if experienced. I've got a fox body along with my dsm, and I also maintain my jeep, Honda, and Benz daily drivers. I'm setting up to buy a 1st gen dodge pickup with the 12v cummins, it helps to not feel burnout from just one project. having a big shop and lift helps too, . It allows me to work on multiple projects at the same time.

I love my 1st gen Cummins. Hands down most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned.

 

[pauleyman]

Different mindset. I can't speak for him, but I always plan for worst case scenario. Not in a pessimistic way, but in a "if I'm surprised, it's in a good way" type way. Anxiety before a new build is a real thing, because there's always those factors you can't control.


This next sentence sounds like an insult, but I promise its not: I think being more comfortable with the unknown and not being so anxious comes with age. The older I get, the more I am able to let go. Not close to being there yet, but I'm better than I was.

I agree. When I was 25 I was terrified of a timing belt. Now I change one like I do an air filter.

 

[pauleyman]

Did you clean things as well as you could have?
Did you keep things as clean as you needed to?
Should you really have used the used-but-still-pretty-good-condition OEM front case instead of the comparatively horrible ACL that you bought earlier and is still sitting on the shelf?
Did the thrust bearing actually set properly?
Should I have chosen to delete the squirters instead of bodging them to clear both piston and crank? (I didn't stress the brazed joint, just to be clear)
Did you forget to do ... something... ?
Was the machine shop's work truly good enough?

All those things. Sometimes even your personal best isn't good enough. It's when you've had so many setbacks in a year and delays that you just can't help but question the resulting product.



I've had a bunch of around-the-house things but when you can't park your other car in the garage because of the parts and equipment, and you've put as much $ into this car (which you've wanted for over half your life), it's becomes a preoccupation to finish.
Yes, having a shit ton of space would help. We all should be so fortunate in that regard but, no, double car garage and a 40ft driveway I'd rather not have half assembled cars on.
Unfortunately, the other cars/platforms that I'm interested are quite beyond the DSM in cost, so I'm limited to one expensive toy at a time. I had a APR S1 B8.5 S4 a number of years back and, no, never again outside of warranty.

I can understand your concern. I guess I've just done enough I don't worry about it anymore. Also the typical major work I do isn't on my daily. If I do major work on the daily I have a backup plan if something goes wrong.
Funny I was talking to a friend the other day and I realized I simply don't go buy tools for a job anymore. If something breaks I simply go to the toolbox to get the bolt extractor, pipe wrench, slide hammer etc etc for whatever went wrong.

 

[99eclipsegs-2t]

I love my 1st gen Cummins. Hands down most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned.

this gem of a truck I found has only 138k and is a single family owned truck also. I just need to do a little bodywork and it'll look brand new.

 

[curt-s]

Different mindset. I can't speak for him, but I always plan for worst case scenario. Not in a pessimistic way, but in a "if I'm surprised, it's in a good way" type way. Anxiety before a new build is a real thing, because there's always those factors you can't control.


This next sentence sounds like an insult, but I promise its not: I think being more comfortable with the unknown and not being so anxious comes with age. The older I get, the more I am able to let go. Not close to being there yet, but I'm better than I was.

For me, it's different. I don't plan, I expect. I'm a pessimist.

I think the older I get, the more anxious I am about important things because there's less time left in my life to redo it or "get it right next time." Lol

I've got more responsibilities now than I did when I was younger, so the cost of my time has gone up exponentially. A failure represents hundreds of hours wasted that could have been better spent doing something else with my life other than building a dud.

Just those kinds of thoughts roll around there and make me stressed out

 

[b00zt3d spyd3r]

For me, it's different. I don't plan, I expect. I'm a pessimist.

I think the older I get, the more anxious I am about important things because there's less time left in my life to redo it or "get it right next time." Lol

I've got more responsibilities now than I did when I was younger, so the cost of my time has gone up exponentially. A failure represents hundreds of hours wasted that could have been better spent doing something else with my life other than building a dud.

Just those kinds of thoughts roll around there and make me stressed out

Felt this with my whole soul

 

[chrisman287]

Finally got one!! Uncut and with the metal support bracket intact

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I drove my Speed Density Tuned Talon around town just to go driving. It sure was nice to be out, just flashing around this one horse town . It really drives pretty good for having the 11.5 lift 280 duration cams and 10:1 slugs.

 

[enriquez2000]

I drove my Speed Density Tuned Talon around town just to go driving. It sure was nice to be out, just flashing around this one horse town . It really drives pretty good for having the 11.5 lift 280 duration cams and 10:1 slugs.

Wait until we add timing!

 

[1cleangsx]

Pulled a tranny

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[steve]

Trimmed the bushes growing out of it. Poor Car!

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Trimmed the bushes growing out of it. Poor Car!

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I have another Red 90 TSI doing the same thing so "I feel your pain"

 

[CrackedDSM]

I drove my Speed Density Tuned Talon around town just to go driving. It sure was nice to be out, just flashing around this one horse town . It really drives pretty good for having the 11.5 lift 280 duration cams and 10:1 slugs.

Wait until we add timing!

 

[b00zt3d spyd3r]

Gave her a nice bath, inside and out . (No pics) It's been a long time since she been this clean though took her out for a nice 3rd gear wot pull to see where I'm at. Progress is being made.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Messed with SD a little more, got a little bit of promising results but then unfortunately got stood up by someone who was supposed to help me today.

So as prep work for tomorrow in case I get left out in the cold again, I installed a 10mm hose port/vacuum port on my MAF intake tube so I can run the catch-can/PCV setup on a MAF since I wasn't doing that before.

Tomorrow I'm gonna give it a few hours of SD stuff but if that doesn't work out, I'm throwing the MAF back on and I'll just bring the laptop with me to work and tinker with SD/tune stuff while at work. I'm tired of the car just sitting and this is going on the second week that it just sits there and doesn't move when it was running and driving to the beach and back on the MAF. I'll just deal with gremlins if the MAF is dead/bad.


Doing more research on this, I think if I get the MAF tune perfect I'm gonna switch some inputs around. Wideband to front o2 location and simulate NB via Link. MAP sensor to EGR Temp input, and then use Link's ability to essentially create a VE map for me. Worth a try at least. If all else fails this will allow me to log actual boost vs trying to go on Link's Estimate Boost.

 

[dsmmario]

Did a DIY alignment on my car using Vevor toe plates. I’ll be doing ES control arm bushings in the near future. I’ll get a professional alignment after that.

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[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Went for a drive with my friend and both the cars I bought back to life! Soon we are going to hold the UK's largest DSM meet! Haha all of 3 maybe 4 cars

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