Where do I start? 98 spyder

[clarkjo03]

My girlfriend just bought a 1998 Spyder gs (5 speed), I want to know where to start. Let me preface this by saying I am new to this, not only DSMs but anything but the very basic mechanical maintenance, but I want to learn.
My short term goal is to get the car back new or better condition (engine performance wise).
I'm hoping for a list of where to start. What should I clean, what should I replace with stock parts and what would I be better off upgrading instead.

Some basic info about the car, seems to run evenly, throttle sticks closed(at idle) a little when you first start it but that seems to go away after a single rev. Going from a stop to moving seems to require more gas than other cars I've driven whether going into first or reverse.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[mchustle]

Maintenance first thing. Complete timing job,~$300 including the oem belt, oem tensioner, oem idler and tensioner pulleys. While your there might as well do water pump, I think my gates pump was ~$50. Don't forget to do the balancer belt with the tb, unless you want to save hassle down the road and do a balance shaft eliminator. Then of course oil change, plugs, basic tune up.
The throttle sticking could be a misadjusted cable or a sticky throttle plate that could be cured with a little carb cleaner.

Good luck and enjoy the Dsm.

 

[11Banger]

Like a lot of people are going to say maintenance should be first... you can't start modding until you have a solid platform to build on

 

[clarkjo03]

Maintenance first thing. Complete timing job,~$300 including the oem belt, oem tensioner, oem idler and tensioner pulleys. While your there might as well do water pump, I think my gates pump was ~$50. Don't forget to do the balancer belt with the tb, unless you want to save hassle down the road and do a balance shaft eliminator. Then of course oil change, plugs, basic tune up.
The throttle sticking could be a misadjusted cable or a sticky throttle plate that could be cured with a little carb cleaner.

Good luck and enjoy the Dsm.

You specified that I replace with OEM does that mean I won't gain anything by going with an after market alternative on any of these?

 

[mchustle]

You specified that I replace with OEM does that mean I won't gain anything by going with an after market alternative on any of these?

Nope the only thing I could suggest you "could" go aftermarket on would be with a gates racing Kevlar belt, but I'm not sure if they make one for the 4g64 or not. Other than that anything aftermarket for these parts is more likely to break than oem and anything in the timing area breaking always ends horrible.

If you are all about power I would get a 6bolt 4g63 and completely build it then you will have boost on your side and it is a relatively easy swap.

 

[iceman510]

throttle sticks closed(at idle) a little when you first start it but that seems to go away after a single rev. Going from a stop to moving seems to require more gas than other cars I've driven whether going into first or reverse.

Thanks in advance for any help.

that seems to possibly be characteristic of the vehicle, as my daughter used to say the same about her '97. Make sure the cable and throttle body cam operate freely, since if there is any interference or something is bent this can happen.

Also may need to clean the throttle body.

 

[4G63gst1990]

I agree with mchustle if you want power get a 6 bolt and build it

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

If you are replacing the belt on a N/T car you can use just a regular gates belt. Millions of them are installed and very few ever break. On a turbo car they are a little more important due to power. Depending on budget though an OEM belt is always the best way to go. Also consider replacing the tensioner while you are in there. Basic maintenance will be the best thing to do first, spark plugs, fuel filter, bleed out the clutch and brake fluid and get new fluid in it. Change out the oil and transmission fluid and spray some throttle body cleaner around the throttle plate with it at WOT and use a soft toothbrush to clean the plate and sealing area to help with the throttle sticking problem. With a N/T Spyder your power options are going to be limited, exhaust, intake basic things like that outside of a turbo which can really hurt reliability.

 

[clarkjo03]

If I do go with the 6bolt 4g63 where do pick one up, how much should I expect to pay?

 

[gieri002]

AWD and 6 bolt swap.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Since he is very new to vehicles in general I would advise against any engine swaps or AWD swaps. It's your girlfriends car to easy tasteful mods will be sufficient. If you wanna do something big, buy a project car and start on that.

 

[clarkjo03]

Since he is very new to vehicles in general I would advise against any engine swaps or AWD swaps. It's your girlfriends car to easy tasteful mods will be sufficient. If you wanna do something big, buy a project car and start on that.

This goes in line with what I was thinking I'm not trying to make a 10s car just something a little quicker and more fun than it is now and maybe better than it would have been new.
Basically if i need to replace a part because it is old/bad ie if you say part xy usually wears out after 150,000 miles so you should replace it could I just as easily and for a nominal amount more use xy perfomance part instead of OEM.
(am I making sense?)
Specific example, I'm guessing I should replace the spark plug wires (correct me if I'm wrong). Should I use the OEM or is there benefit to higher end wires?

 

[97blkeclipse]

I wouldn't bother trying to make the N/A engine more powerful, but I would try and make it healthier. Maintenance first.

 

[mutters2Gspyder]

Quick Question, Concerning Swapping Stock Ecu In My 98 4g64 SpyderFor A 95 Gst ecu. I'veBeenReading OnThe Swap And It Describes Wiring The Knock Sensor WhileDoing TheSwap. ItsThe OnlyPart That's Confusing Me. I'mNot Swapping The Head For The 4g63 Dohc, I'm Keeping It Sohc. Any Thoughts Or Answers?? Parts I Have: Exhaust Manifold And 14B Of 91 Awd, Stock Smic, 450Cc Injectors, ResistorPack, 95 Gst Ecu.

 

[98Spyder_GS]

Quick Question, Concerning Swapping Stock Ecu In My 98 4g64 SpyderFor A 95 Gst ecu. I'veBeenReading OnThe Swap And It Describes Wiring The Knock Sensor WhileDoing TheSwap. ItsThe OnlyPart That's Confusing Me. I'mNot Swapping The Head For The 4g63 Dohc, I'm Keeping It Sohc. Any Thoughts Or Answers?? Parts I Have: Exhaust Manifold And 14B Of 91 Awd, Stock Smic, 450Cc Injectors, ResistorPack, 95 Gst Ecu.

WTF what the? That was from way left field ...I, too, just aquired a 98 Spyder N/T GS and whats worse, she's an auto! Not too bad though for our cars because they have auto turbo trannys and our blocks are better for turbo because of the displacement? Im new to all of this too...So far ive done the wires/plugs/basic maintanence and have yet to do the timing belt/water pump as i just realized the pumps leaking now OH btw, have the vin checked to see if the lower control arms were ever fixed. That's a first and it costs a whole bunch just for the part Good luck!

 

[mutters2Gspyder]

Yeah I'm Having Trouble understanding The Ecu Swap. TheOnlyThing ThatMakes Sense To Me Is
Id Have To SwapThe Ecu Only If I Swapped The Head. Anyone Out TheirThat's Converted The 4g64 To Turbo, AnyAnswerS Will Help. Thanks Guys