My slow, but getting there transformation from a 1.8 DD to 2.0t Monster...

[kronus]

So I figured I’d do a build diary of my car. It’s not the fastest, nor the most prestigious, but honestly this car changed my life. It all started with a blown water pump, and now I’m preparing for my first engine swap. Not even a drop in the pond compared to some of you other dsmers, but this is my baby, and here’s our story. It‘s a long read, but I think you‘ll like it. =)



The Beginning…

I picked up my car on April 23rd 2006, about a month before I graduated from high school. Paid a whopping $1800 for a base model, 1.8l 4g37 equipped Eagle Talon DL. It’s funny, when I was a really little kid, like maybe 10, I thought that the humps in the hood these cars should be in the middle. Who would’ve known I would’ve fallen in love with it 7 years later.

I’m not sure where the desire to purchase a DSM came from, but when I’d had enough of painting the interior panels of my Mercury Tracer LTS (equipped with the 1.8 BP engine found in the Miata) as well as FEOA.net (That’s Ford Escort Owners Association) and a desire for some real speed, I just happened to see this car on the road beside a Neon. I’d secretly always wanted a Neon, for some unknown reason, so I was torn between the red little four door and the teal, girly looking 2 door. My parents said the Neon would be better for school and just a better all around car. More room, four doors, how could I go wrong?

How ever it happened, I was drawn to the Talon. I had to sit in the back seat while my dad test drove the car because I didn’t know how to drive stick. All I could see were those indiglo gauges calling my name. I had to have it. The seller told me the hump in the hood was for the turbo, but that this particular car had the turbo engine removed. Curses. Well I’d love it and make it my own.

Two days later, I came back and drove it away, although I looked like a fool. I stalled on hills, burnt the clutch, wasted gas, but I loved every minute of it. Here’s what my car looked like after it’s first wash.

http://photos-040.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v65/107/54/1298820040/n1298820040_30019876_8314.jpg

I was in love. Everything about the car made me feel alive, almost invincible. The sounds, the smells, the Walkman hooked up through the tape deck playing my favorite songs. It was perfect…

Until one morning on my way to school, after two weeks of a weird grinding, clunking sound, I heard a bang, and saw steam pour out from underneath my hood. I pulled over and saw coolant pouring out from underneath the car. I was blown away. My car, my precious baby girl, dying already?

I wouldn’t have it.

I immediately drove back home, which was less than two minutes away, thankfully, and popped the hood. What a mess. Coolant everywhere. I started messing with things, examining anything to find the culprit. No holes in the block, nothing from the head gasket or water pipe, but a very wobbly pulley. I would soon find out this was the water pump that had take a crap and dumped my coolant all over main street. So I decided to skip school and walk to O’Reillys which also happened to be a few minutes away. Who knew that I would get to know everyone in that store on a first name basis?

I picked up a water pump, gasket, and lots of RTV and coolant. I marched back home and started to tear the car apart. All with screwdrivers and adjustable wrenches. You heard me right. No sockets. Not even metric wrenches. Just continually adjusting this wrench until the engine was apart.

It took days. No sleep. Slacking at school. Barely eating. But I got it done. With a friends help. He drove a Le Mans and a GTP swapped Fiero. I only wished for such speed and power.

This was the first of many new experiences. First the water pump. Next would come the Indiglo gauges, which just stopped working. Then a blown suspension. And finally a slipping clutch. I thought that this was it. I was just going to get another car. I could never swap a clutch. But I bit the bullet and paid a mechanic to fix my problem. The suspension was a fiasco. I could never do a clutch.
Three months later, and less than a month before moving to college in Utah, (I’m originally from Missouri,) I noticed silvery puddles everywhere I went. They started small, but got larger and larger. It never dawned on me until my cousin said, “Hey, that puddle is under your car…”

Not again.

[kronus]

Desperate times…

I had learned my lesson from the water pump and invested in a set of sockets, wrenches, a jack, and two jack stands. I jacked her up and squeezed under the engine bay. I couldn’t see anything. No drips, no leaks. Nothing. Then it hit me. Why was my transmission becoming stiffer, clunkier, just crappy? I took a closer look at the transmission and saw two cracks in the case. I pulled the drain plug, but no fluid? I slid my finger in the virgin case, and what did I find? Thick, silver muck.

I again turned to DSMtalk and searched for cheap, effective repairs. Weld the case? Swap a junkyard transmission? I then saw this:

“Cheap, fast, reliable. Pick two.”

That got me committed. I didn’t know if I was committing to joy or pain, but I was set. I wouldn’t take my car to any local shop. No one would do this for me. So my first REAL purchase, aside from the suspension, was a TRE stage 1 transmission. Like most of TRE’s stuff (they’re busy, ya know) it came in a week before I was to leave for college. I borrowed a friends camera and got to work.

Out came the old transmission, and this is what was left: my half carcass of a car. Hey, the clutch? I guess I could’ve done that after all.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/100_2607.jpg
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I did this one by myself. No one offered to help, no one would come when I asked. Aside from mom, but she shouldn’t have to help me. I cursed and struggled, I was crushed a couple of time but I got it in there. I was so eager to start the car after a month of sitting, I almost turned her over. But wait, I need tranny fluid! So I dumped liquid gold in the from of Penzoil Syncromesh and Redline into the case. Why was it coming out of the bottom? Doh! The axles!

She lived! I had to adjust the clutch and shift linkage, but she drove like a new car. But most importantly, she drove. To Utah in fact. She gave me no problems over the 1200 mile journey, which I made alone, but prayed she wouldn’t die the whole way.

[kronus]

A ‘Fun’ Mod…

When spring rolled around, and after my tax return, I figured I’d invest in a fun mod to my car. Not one that came out of desperation. I knew my brakes had sucked from day one. Couldn’t lock them up to save my life. So I contacted Marti from VIPGarage and ordered HP Centric Slotted rotors, Metal Masters Pads, Goodrich SS lines, and Super Blue Brake fluid for all four corners.

And some 3kgt front calipers from eBay, of course.

I got the package and was floored at the size of the rotors. Bigger than my head. And that was a feat indeed. All this new gear for the car! So once again, I put the car on stands and got to work.

My beautiful stoppers.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/100_2617.jpg
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Again, my car was revitalized. Reborn, I cruised the night in search of prey. Yeah right. 92 crank horsepower of fury? I think not.

[kronus]

The Joys…

While in Utah, I went to my first DSM meet, in Layton actually. Lots of fun, and lots of inspiration for things I wanted from my car. Namely, more power.

A few shots the night before the meet.

http://photos-040.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v73/107/54/1298820040/n1298820040_30039823_8011.jpg
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One at the meet. I’m allllllllll the way at the end.

http://photos-040.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v73/107/54/1298820040/n1298820040_30039841_2396.jpg

[kronus]

The Pains…

I left Utah to come home for the summer. I had made this journey before, so it shouldn’t have been a problem, right? Well, this is when I discovered that my car is a psycho, jealous, b*tch. I brought a girl with me to drive home. Big mistake. All was well for 8 hours, half way home. Then the catastrophe. For those of you that know I-70 and the Eisenhower tunnel, I made it all the way up, through, and over it. And on the way down, coasting mind you, I hear some loud hissing, and the temp gauge is pegged. Crap.

I let the clutch out, and the car immediately dies. And won’t start again. I cost down the mountain for another two miles and finally pull over in a Podunk town known as Idaho Springs. I check the vitals. Oil is good. Coolant is not. So I ask the local hill billies for some water. I top her off and start her up. She’s shaky, but she’ll make it. I head back down the road wearily, and am forced to stop on mile marker 244 after pegging the temp gauge once again.

I gave up. I called a tow truck and he got us to Denver. We stayed the night and in the morning I shipped the b*tch home. Flew home and enjoyed what was left of my ‘vacation.’ I anxiously waited for my baby. I never should’ve abandoned her. But she bent me over and royally boned me at the worst possible time. Oh well, forgiveness is good, so I let it go. Maybe it went with the $600 for shipping, and the $400 for emergency plane tickets.

The one that made my car jealous…

http://photos-040.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v73/107/54/1298820040/n1298820040_30039830_9684.jpg
http://photos-040.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v73/107/54/1298820040/n1298820040_30039832_191.jpg

Should I have taken her and killed my car? Looking back… Definitely not.

[kronus]

New Parts, New Car…

Months went by and my car was relatively trouble free, for a DSM. I worked and saved more money to get back to school and feed my growing DSM addiction. I picked up different parts like new wheels, tint, TSi factory moldings, a SS clutch line, and Silver Star bulbs. I recovered my headliner, made a custom HDR front lip, and I even got rid of my Indiglos. I was maturing indeed.

On one particular night during the holidays, I took some shots of my transformed car. Hardly what I thought it would’ve become. And here I was on the verge of another move.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/102_2821.jpg
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[kronus]

Back to Utah…

I moved back here at the end of February to get a decent job and prep for school in the fall. I found a great job with Safelite Autoglass installing windshields, and more importantly, making bank. Bank to fuel me raging DSM fire within my heart.

Shortly after moving, I found a post by Will (Pookers here on talk) saying he found the ‘Cyclone’ 4g37 motor in a junkyard up north. Ironically enough, I had been searching for one since I met Monte (op712 here on talk.) We set up a time and I met him in Ogden and we pulled the head off of the DSM. It was the weirdest DSM either of us had seen, too.

It was a 1991 build, but it had 1gb headlights. Maybe a conversion? The paint was a perfect match from the bumper to the fenders to the rest of the body. Just coincidence? There was pin striping that looked like it had been added at a dealership before being sold, and it went around the entire car, including the front bumper. I wish I had my camera at the time to take pics. Back to the diary.

I made the long trek back home, after grabbing some taco bell, and grabbed a new head gasket, and some copper spray. This time I wasn’t taking any chances. A friend and I bolted the new head on and the car roared to life with a sound only your average 4g37 wishes to have.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF3287.jpg
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[Got Insulin?]

Kronus, seriously, I find your resolve and the beginning of your build thread inspiring. Good shit man.

[kronus]

Kronus, seriously, I find your resolve and the beginning of your build thread inspiring. Good shit man.

Thanks, I really appreciate it. It's been a journey to say the least.

[silver bullit]

Nice, id help but i am to far.

[XTAGEX]

haha thats funny , i was at that meet , i drove the white 1ga and had to chage my injector seals :D

[ApexImprt2nR]

Awesome story man.

[kronus]

The Addiction…

So I thought I was done. No more mods, no more hopes of power, just a fun little gas sipper. Boy was I wrong. On a day off, I headed off to the junkyard. Is that sad? I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but hey, for a buck, how much more fun could you ask for? I found some interesting cars, an early turbo Supra, a stripped 3kgt VR4, lots of riced out honduhs.

After what seemed like miles, or maybe a football field or two, I finally saw the familiar rear windows and the classic tails of some early DSMs. I worked my way down the row, not really seeing anything worth pulling, but up ahead I saw a glimmer of hope. A SMIC laying on the ground. Could it be? My pace quickened as my hopes began to rise. My eyes grew large as I set my tools down. An injector resistor pack on the fire wall; upper intercooler piping; and there it was, the turbo. All was well until I heard a tool drop.

Someone beat me to the jackpot.

A 1990 GST was our target. We chatted, I asked him what he wanted, and he took the injectors and water pipe. I was shocked, so I took the fuel rail, injector pack, and all of the power interior. As we were dismantling the car, he pointed out the big exhaust. Initially I just thought it was a ricer tip, but would I dare? He left me alone with the car, and I peered under the beast. There it was, a full 3” stainless cat back and a custom 2.5” down pipe. It was mine.

Nothing would stop me. I wrestled with the exhaust trying to preserve the great condition, but also trying to desperately remove it from the car. After 3 hours, lots of cuts, and a couple of killer cramps, I had it. The dowpipe and cat back were mine, but I left the turbo in a Galant in case I wanted it later. I went to the counter and paid $50 for all of it. I didn’t care to notice the laser inscription on the tip of the muffler. At home I somewhat cleaned the whole system and read the tip: Thermal R&D. What…. Not possible. Again, I was in shock. How could someone not pull off something like that before scrapping a car? That alone was worth more than half of the carcass sitting in the junkyard! Oh well, after years of finding absolutely nothing worthwhile at a junkyard, it was my turn to score the treasure, and my turn to create a monster.

One man’s trash in another man’s treasure.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF3323.jpg
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[kronus]

The Beginning of the End…

Well there it was. I had the beginning of a 1.8 turbo build. I took some of the loot I had been saving and bought a DSS tubular O2 housing and Turbonetics 50-trim turbo from Olmytsi. I searched and searched for a turbo manifold off of a Colt, or a cheap intercooler setup, but I found nothing. So out of desperation, I went back to the yard. Mind you this was a good month and a half after scoring the exhaust and interior.

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[gSx-LeX]

Good build thread. Keep it coming!

[silver bullit]

You should go back and get the 2.0 turbo motor if its in good condition or rebuildable. Go get the turbo to if ts in good shape, mine aswell grab the engine harness and was it awd or fwd? Grab the trans to.

[kronus]

Haha, patience my friend.... Just wait for the update =)

[Red1991TSI]

Haha, patience my friend.... Just wait for the update =)

:D Me's knows something others don't.

[silver bullit]

Haha, patience my friend.... Just wait for the update =)
No wait, me want cookie nowz...

Ban you i will. :tat:

Cock tease. Post more up date

[fanaticdsm-er]

POST AN UPDATE. Haha that was a badass build thread so far.

[kronus]

Destiny…

So I made it back to the yard, and to my dismay, I couldn't find the burnt to hell white Colt that had originally marked the row of treasures. I couldn't find any of the cars from that row... except the two that mattered. Surprisingly enough all of the cars in the row with the GST had been scrapped except the GST and the Galant with the turbo in the trunk. Could it be? I popped the hood, and there it sat, like a shrine of fire, power, and charred rubber and plastic, as if no one had dared open the hood since my leaving. I debated. I have a potent turbo, why not get the most potential out of it. Should I? Well the engine and transmission were still there after a month. It was destiny.

So I battled with the make shift engine puller, and I got it. When I say make shift, I'm talking g-h-e-t-t-o. It couldn't roll in a straight line, I had to use prybars to hold the wheels in decent direction. It was jacked. But back to the story.

The engine and transmission were mine. After an hour of twisting, lowering and raising the drive train, destroying CV shafts, and covering myself in various oils and greases, the motor and tranny were free. Like the babe Simba in Lion King, they hung there together suspended in air, signifying man's greatest triumph. Or at least one of man's worst vices. But they were mine.

I brought the engine and transmission home, but had nothing to get it into my apartment. And there was the Smith's shopping cart. It had sat in the parking lot for weeks, so no one would miss it right? Nope. I cut the front of it out and slid the whole thing in there. Well, more like wiggled half in and hoped it would hold. Regardless, it made it back to my room and promptly collapsed under all of the weight. But at least it was there.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF3353.jpg
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[kronus]

There. Are you happy? :D

[speed_demon]

Ok, now update it to where you decided to keep it 1.8.

[kronus]

Haha, will do. I've been pretty sucky at updating this, but for the past month, everytime I looked at that sad motor sitting in my room, it just made me sick to my stomach. Not anymore though!

[Bradikus7]

Have you got any idea how badly it pisses me off to read through this post that is several months old and get interested, only to find out at the end that there is no update!!?!?!?:tat: :chair: :tat: :chair: :( :mad: :( :mad: :mad:


Update asap please!

[kronus]

Another Lady…

You’d think that as I got closer to actually having a turbocharged car, I’d stick with it, right? Well the love bug hit me, and my ever growing want for a bike finally took hold. So my new baby was a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R in Kawasaki Green, of course. She was faster than my car was, newer, sexier, well, only in a two wheeled sort of way and a helluva lot more expensive.

She was beautiful, and she was quickly emptying my pockets. I bought the bike and told myself that I wouldn’t need to mod it. Yeah right. Flush mount signals, after market rear sets, a new windscreen and of course a new pipe were quickly added to the monster.

She was amazing. I quickly realized that I no longer needed a fast car when I had a fast bike. Painfully, I put up an ad on dsmtalk to sell ALL of my turbo swap items. Everything was up for grabs, from the turbo setup right down to the block and internals. I kept telling myself to hold on, just to make it by on ramen noodles for a few months, just so I could keep the car. But it wasn’t logical. I needed the money, and the best way was to sell it all. I had plenty off lookers, a few offers, but no one would come through and buy my stuff. I couldn’t figure out why, seeing as I was giving back to the community what they community had given me.

I didn’t worry about it too much, because I knew eBay would be a ‘friendlier’ selling environment. I figured I’d leave the ad up on Talk and put the stuff up for auction when I came back from vacation over the Labor Day weekend. But that didn’t happen.

[kronus]

A Slap in the Face and a Swift Kick in the Nuts… Just To Remind Me Where My Heart Truly Lies.

I prepped for the long drive back to Missouri. I’ve made the journey twice successfully, both times in the winter. I knew what had happened during my last summer trip, so I made sure to double and triple check all the fluid levels. Everything was perfect. So I packed up and jumped on the road.

40 minutes later, disaster strikes. Once again, my car was over heating. Made no sense, and it pissed me off. Quite royally I might add. For more details on the over heating, check my posts. Anyway, I knew I would never make it to Missouri, so I tried to gimp it home. Why I did so, I’m not sure, well I am, but we’ll get to that later.

Made it half way there after refilling the cooling system, and the car started to overheat once again. But I pushed it. 10 minutes of near red zone driving, and the car seemed to be doing fine. Then the loss of power; the throttle issues; it was time. I pulled over and tried to start the car again. She wouldn’t fire. She wouldn’t even turn over.

I got her towed back to my apartment and sulked around for the evening debating my options. I was surprisingly cool headed. Ironically, she was dead. My little baby had really died.

But I would resurrect her…

[kronus]

Subconscious Knows Best.

I remember falling asleep that night wondering why in the world I had tried to push my car past its limit by running it so long in the hot. I couldn’t figure it out for the life of me. But I had a dream. I dreamt of spooling turbos, burnouts, and being thrown into the back of my seat.

I woke up and knew.

I had pushed my car to the point of death. Why? Because subconsciously, I knew it was time to swap. This was no laughing matter anymore. This was balls to the wall, live or die trying swap time. So I got to work. I analyzed every little detail that would be necessary to make this car work. I wouldn’t schmuck around with the swap. This would be the real deal, and I WOULD NOT give up this time. Money would be an issue, but I would be patient. I would do what needed to be done to make this car what I had always wanted it to be. Turbocharged, rice eating, grin giving sex machine. K, maybe not a sex machine, but she would become everything I had ever wanted.

So I built another parts list. More supporting mods. Maintenance items. Everything to make this run the right way the first time. No skimping or switching back and forth this time. As Red so eloquently put it, I was a mangina, and I had to work hard to get rid of it :P

[kronus]

And I know, there weren't any pics with this one, but not a lot has happened other than buying more parts. I'll get some pics up as soon as I can though.

[xuberantz]

Great thread bro, good luck ;).

[dannyrampage]

Good luck bro.

[brokeawd]

Great fricken read.

[Pookers]

Thanks for mentioning me, let me know when you need some help dude.Keep the reading material coming.

[91EclipseGuy]

Very well written!!! Good story so far!

[shadow_FIX]

New pics or ban! :ban:

Good shit man.

[xuberantz]

New pics or ban! :ban:


Agreed, lets see some new pics bro!

[kronus]

Patience brothers! Soon. Very soon :asthanos:

[Ripper_XX]

Damn it!

I just read this all the way from the start to here, and you leave me hanging like this! :mad:

[97talonblack]

Gah update this!!

[Pookers]

Update homo!

I know for a fact this shit should be running by now!

[speed_demon]

Update or :ban:

Ive heard the rumors that the swap was completed a day or two ago. :P

Lets hear of some progress at least.:o

[kronus]

I will try my hardest to get all of the pics uploaded and write a pretty interesting little dialog. Let's just say I've been having a hard time keeping couplers connected even at 60% throttle :asthanos:

[shadow_FIX]

Too much pressurez? :P

[Pookers]

Call me kev. I'll help ya out bud.

[badas93tsi]

Wow, that the best waste of the govt's money I've done all day. Awesome thread. Get some pics up.

[shadow_FIX]

Wow, that the best waste of the govt's money I've done all day. Awesome thread. Get some pics up.

Nothing like getting paid to do nothing, right? ;)

[kronus]

A Brief Brief on the Demise of an Engine.

So I thought I’d clear up a few things about the death of my beloved 1.8. I’ve gotten some backhanded compliments regarding the decision to swap motors. Yes, I pushed the 1.8 past the breaking point, and yes, I was in complete control of the situation, and no, the 4g63 will not be more motor than I can handle.

The bottom end is still in good shape, and really it was only a ‘blown’ head gasket. If you can call it that. Apparently the head was warped, or the middle two headbolts had stretched, because as you can see in these pictures, the middle two pistons are very clean (probably steam cleaned by all of my coolant) and the hg has ‘blow by’ marks.

Nice semi-clean #2 and 3 pistons.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3742.jpg
'Blowby'
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3748.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3752.jpg

[kronus]

A Slow Start.

After finally deciding to undergo the swap, I tore into the motor a bit. I pulled the head and to my surprise, it looked fairly clean. Of course, that was compared to the disgrace of a motor which had fallen into utter disrepair, that I was used to. However, I saw that this was quickly becoming more complicated than I had anticipated. I obviously needed more parts and more odds and ends than I had imagined. Oh well, such as life. So the order went in to extremepsi for lots and LOTS of factory goodies to freshen up the motor.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3476.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3490.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3493.jpg
'Fail-pro'
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3494.jpg


In the mean time, I tried to keep myself occupied with other items on the car that needed attending to. There was the power window, mirror, and lock conversion, which was much more of a pain that I had imagined. I have fairly small hands compared to a lot of guys since I’m oh so tall at 5’6” but even my hands were almost too large to squeeze into the trap known as our car doors. But alas, now I can control who I want and don’t want to see me in the car. On both sides.


Next, and probably the most frustrating mess, or fiasco, of the entire swap was the engine harness swap. I had already purchased one engine harness, and ended up w/ an interior harness. (No hard feelings, but it adds some character to the story.) Next, I purchased what was a ‘working’ harness from a 91+ parts car. What I received was an auto hack job of a harness. Few things were left in decent shape on that harness, and so after a couple weeks of cutting, soldering, yelling, more soldering, trouble shooting, wanting to kill things, and more cutting and soldering, I cut the harness out of the car, and purchased yet ANOTHER engine harness. Thankfully, this was a 91+ manual harness, and it worked like a dream.

Old Harness.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3781.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3782.jpg
I contemplated running the car like this because it just looks so bad a$$!!!
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3783.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3784.jpg
Yeah, wait, this is an auto harness? Eff that.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3788.jpg
As you can see, there are a few hacks in this harness.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3792.jpg

One hurdle down, umpteen billion to go.

[xuberantz]

F5 F5 F5! :d

[kronus]

A Package of Car Parts a Day Keeps The Doctor Away… And Your Pockets Empty.

My boxes of parts were slowly beginning to block the light from our sliding glass door in our living room. As the wall of cardboard grew, so did my fears of the swap. Was I in over my head? Could I really do this? How am I ever going to get out of debt?!?

All of my worry was quickly relieved as I opened each box of glorious parts. Like a never ending week of Christmas, each day held in store a new surprise, each with new potential and new purpose. Boxes full of an assortment of go fast goodies became our first ‘conversation piece’ in the apartment. Never ending questions like “what’s that?” “where does it go?” “a what?” and deep questions of the sort were often fired in our direction. I never thought I’d get tired of explaining what a turbo does. My first answers were complicated, referencing flow and how power was related. My last few answers were quite simple, but very accurate. “It makes my car faster than yours.”

Just one example of differences in parts from 6 months. Gay.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3848.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3850.jpg
One of a few necessary gauges.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3836.jpg
How about some $50 shipped aluminum IC piping? I'll do that.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3839.jpg
Go OEM or go home! lol
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3868.jpg
Needing some extra cooling? eBay FTW!
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3883.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3884.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3924.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3925.jpg
Extremepsi delivers.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3822.jpg
Rear facing outlets to retain the fogs.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3825.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3826.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3827.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3828.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3829.jpg
That oughta look nice.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3830.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3831.jpg

[KazooGS-T]

Looking good man!

[kronus]

A Motor Really Isn’t That Complicated. Just Tedious.

When my beautiful teal, green-blue, aqua-marine (you pick the color) Talon came into my possession, I hadn’t ever wrenched in my life. And here I was, tearing a motor apart on a shopping cart, in a living room. Yeah. A shopping car (or what’s left of it) and our very own living room. The build became our second, probably most memorable conversation piece.

Here, proudly on display, was my lonely and tired motor gettin’ some lovin. From balance shaft elimination to my first 4g63 t-belt job, the motor was getting a real work over. Only the best for my baby.

Never thought I'd see that.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3840.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3841.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3842.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3843.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3845.jpg
These b-shaft bearings were a royal PITA!!!:chair:
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3846.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3847.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3856.jpg
Yeah, those lifters make a HUGE difference. Silence is golden.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3857.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3860.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3861.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3862.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3866.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3867.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3869.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3870.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3879.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3881.jpg
Oh yeah, that's gonna be hott.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3882.jpg

[ys0blupandab3ar]

Looking good! :tree:

What kind of fmic is that?

[kronus]

The Swap Begins.

Not much to explain here, just lots of pics. If you’re a parent, I would assume this is like watching your first child being born.

Looks so empty and heartless…
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3886.jpg
One last look at the gas sipper.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3887.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3888.jpg
The front and rear mounts don’t really look that different, but trust me, they are. I had to pull the whole motor because I ‘thought’ the 1.8 mounts would work.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3891.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3892.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3893.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3895.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3896.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3897.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3898.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3899.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3900.jpg
Just looks like it belongs, huh?
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3901.jpg
Tranny is in.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3920.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3921.jpg
Hhahahahahaha, A/C, psh. Who needs it?
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3922.jpg

[kronus]

The Goal Is In Sight, But Seems So Far Away.

And with the motor in, my mind was on the verge of insanity from literally hours of brainstorming on how and where to place certain items, route certain hoses, you name it. So, on to more pics!
Faceless.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3926.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3927.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3934.jpg
So here is fail on almost epic proportions. Thought I'd have to pull the motor to fix that:mad:
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3940.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3941.jpg
That's better.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3942.jpg
Tell 'em to make me a ggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiilllllllllllll.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3944.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3945.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3947.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3948.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3949.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3950.jpg
Someone had nabbed the original 90 cooler from the carcass of a car, so I grabbed a random oil cooler from a nearby Mitsu. Running 300psi pushlock line.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3951.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3952.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3953.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3954.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/Update/DSCF3955.jpg

More soon, folks!:tat:

[Die-Civic-Die]

LMFAO!@Smiths shoping cart
:D :D



Good shat.

[kronus]

Looking good! :tree:

What kind of fmic is that?

The punishment racing front mount out of their kit. Not bad eh?

[kronus]

LMFAO!@Smiths shoping cart
:D :D



Good shat.

HAHAHAHAHA. How'd you know it was a Smith's cart? I could've sworn I kept the front out of the shots. Ya know, for legal reasons :P

[KazooGS-T]

HAHAHAHAHA. How'd you know it was a Smith's cart? I could've sworn I kept the front out of the shots. Ya know, for legal reasons :P

In one of the pictures it says SMIT and the engine covers up the H's. ;)

[kronus]

In one of the pictures it says SMIT and the engine covers up the H's. ;)

Ah! Good eyes grasshopper, lol.

[Burnett03]

Good work. Are you swapping motors in a parking lot? Lol. Whats with all the blue silicone on the water pipe? The oring should do the sealing.

[kronus]

Good work. Are you swapping motors in a parking lot? Lol. Whats with all the blue silicone on the water pipe? The oring should do the sealing.
Haha, yup, that's the way us broke college dsm'rs do it. And I guess I was a bit paranoid that the little o-ring wouldn't quite do it, so I took some preventative measures. Better to be safe than sorry, right?:o

[tsi2psi]

Great build man.

How did your parents react when you were working on the motor in the livingroom?lol

[kronus]

Great build man.

How did your parents react when you were working on the motor in the livingroom?lol

Haha, thanks. And I'm 1200 miles from home in a college town. All of my room mates got a kick out of it. :confused:

[frankozz]

Great thread :) Very entertaining. Props to you man ;) Question, Don't know if you posted this already, but I'll ask anyway... Is it going to be fwd or awd?

[ferriolom]

Hawtness

[kronus]

Great thread :) Very entertaining. Props to you man ;) Question, Don't know if you posted this already, but I'll ask anyway... Is it going to be fwd or awd?

Just FWD. Unfortunately, the FWD chassis has no provisions to accept an AWD driveline.:(

[Prozach]

Still an epic upgrade in an even more epic setting. A parking lot full of college kids. This is probably on the lines of what I'll be doing once I finish community college... thanks for the inspiration!

[shadow_FIX]

You're a pretty good storyteller haha. That FMIC looks great!

I want pics of her all cleaned, buttoned up, and tearing the streets a new one in the next update! :tat:

[speed_demon]

Hotness!!!

Hope to see more by the time I get home from work.

[Pookers]

Did you get the 255 in yet kev? And it looks great bring her up on sat for the last cruise of the year dude!

[Burnett03]

Don't forget to install a plug or fitting on that turbonetics turbo, or it's going to leak boost.

[ys0blupandab3ar]

The punishment racing front mount out of their kit. Not bad eh?

I like it looks nice and clean on the car, I might have to get one for my 91 tsi.

[kronus]

Did you get the 255 in yet kev? And it looks great bring her up on sat for the last cruise of the year dude!
Sure did. Whines like a baby, lol. And I'll try real hard man, but I'm having some HG issues. Check my other thread for details.

Don't forget to install a plug or fitting on that turbonetics turbo, or it's going to leak boost.
Wait what? Plug or fitting.... Turbo noobie here, I'm lost, lol.

[kronus]

I like it looks nice and clean on the car, I might have to get one for my 91 tsi.

Thanks man, yeah it's a quality piece.

[kronus]

Don't forget to install a plug or fitting on that turbonetics turbo, or it's going to leak boost.

OH! Down at the compressor outlet. Yeah that's a bad shot, there actually is a plug in there already, but you can't see it:)

[kronus]

Still an epic upgrade in an even more epic setting. A parking lot full of college kids. This is probably on the lines of what I'll be doing once I finish community college... thanks for the inspiration!

Haha, dude this has been the most fun car experience yet. I mean, it's such a good feeling when I look at where the car was when I bought it, and how much it's evolved since then. You'll love it.

[kronus]

You're a pretty good storyteller haha. That FMIC looks great!

I want pics of her all cleaned, buttoned up, and tearing the streets a new one in the next update! :tat:

Oh I've already had a few fun experiences with some unsuspecting drivers. Romping on sports-luxuries is soooo much fun;) :tat:

[Burnett03]

Yes the compressor outlet, i couldn't see the plug, sorry.

[kronus]

Yes the compressor outlet, i couldn't see the plug, sorry.

No it's cool. Good lookin' out.

[speed_demon]

Any more updates?

[98BlackGS-T]

Just found this thread - one word - AWESOME.

[frankozz]

Pretty amazing build bro... Once again sorry for that shitty harness :o

[ApexImprt2nR]

Awesome progress! Keep it coming.

[Pookers]

Updates kev?

[iDsm]

For real! I want to see this thing in person! Next time you are in Ogden, let Will know, and he will let me know. lol Right Will? :P

[Pookers]

For real! I want to see this thing in person! Next time you are in Ogden, let Will know, and he will let me know. lol Right Will? :P

Yup.

[speed_demon]

Yea man, where are the pics of this bad boy.

[lazylaser]

You kept the balance shafts OUT of that motor, right?

[kronus]

Well, time for an update. Finally...

Got everything running fairly well. I still had a knock issue above 15 psi with the 1g MAF, so I got a new chip burnt for a 2g MAF and swapped them out. Knock now presented itself sooner but only a few counts here and there with a spike to 16 counts every once in a while. Filled the tank with 1/4 e85 and 3/4 91 piss, and the knock went away completely! Slowly turned the boost up to 20 psi w/o any signs of knock. This is the second sign confirming the knock was real.

Anyway, turned down the boost to as low as it would go (11 psi) and got the car ready for the drive home to Missouri for Christmas. (Ever since the last headgasket, I've noticed the car burning oil and producing a fair amount of blow by. This got progressively worse as time went on.)

Got on the road, and all was well for the first 6 hours of the trip to KC. However, I would need to dump another quart of oil into the motor after every 100 miles or so. So I guess things were not going as well as I pretended they were. As I headed up the mountain to the Eisenhower (I took I-70 for the record) I noticed the car was losing power and boost wasn't even coming till around 5k. Still, I made it up and down the mountain and into Denver.

Filled up with gas, grabbed some oil, snacks and breakfast, and took a 30 min. nap, and was on the road. Again, at every stop for gas, I'd throw in more oil. Made it to Hayes, KS which is about 250 mi west of KC. Pulled in for some gas, and the car immediately dies. Uh, oh.

I try to start the car back up, and it runs, but only when giving some throttle. I let the car cool, and grab some lunch as well as more oil and coolant. Back on the road for another 40 miles when I hear a pretty loud 'pop/snap' sound. Blue smoke almost immediately starts pouring from the engine bay and out back the exhaust. The car's done.

I'm not gonna even go into the crappy night of a tow, because I'm trying hard to accept what has happened, but I eventually get the car home. Great way to start a Christmas break. I start tearing into things and pull the head. I'm thinking it's another popped HG, because it's exhibiting the characteristics of a blown HG. Loss of power, rough idle, consuming oil.

Boy was I in for a shock.

Everything looked great on the headgasket. And boy was it sealed down tight too. It took a considerable amount of force to dislodge the head from the block. Looking at the headgasket, there was no sign of blow by or any type of leaks at all. However, the #3 pistion was missing almost a dime sized chunk, and that cylinder bore was pretty much thrashed. The piston was loose inside the bore, and there were two very deep gouges in the walls.

Talk about heart wrenching. I know that knock was very real in my situation. I know that I should've been more patient and taken more time and precautions before really getting on the motor. However, what I don't understand is why only one cylinder would be affected.

Every cylinder but #3 looked great. I imagined that with 43 counts of knock, the whole motor would have been feeling this type of 'pain' yet it seems that only #3 took any damage. Could it be that the #3 injector just wasn't working correctly? I can't imagine any other reason but if you guys have anything, lemme know.


-----

So, I'm sorry to everyone that's been asking for updates. I really wanted to make an update earlier, but I was really busy with getting things ready for school as well as trying not to think about the car too much.

As of right now, the car is sitting covered in my driveway in Mizzou. I'm not sure whether or not I want to just sell it as is an make a few bucks, or keep it around and part it. I vowed never to get rid of this car, but it's just been too much to not have a bitter taste.

Still, part of me wants to grab some 1600cc injectors and get tuned for 9:1 compression on e85 and just swap motors with the n/t sitting in my garage.

Anyway, it's late, and I'm tired, but that's it for now.

[lazylaser]

Could it be that the #3 injector just wasn't working correctly? I can't imagine any other reason but if you guys have anything, lemme know.

Yes or a leaking lower injector seal, allowing more air into #3 leaning it out only that one cylinder.

Sorry about the bad luck, don't give up its worth it when everything is finally right.

[kronus]

Yes or a leaking lower injector seal, allowing more air into #3 leaning it out only that one cylinder.

Coming back to this. Even if it was a leaking lower inj. seal, why would that lean out that cylinder? If anything, under boost, wouldn't it just be a boost leak? Not the other way around?

And here's my plan. I'm going home for a week and a half in April. My plan is to take the n/t 6-bolt long block at home in Missouri and throw it in the car. I'd like to keep the boost down, somewhere around 14-16 psi on the 50-trim and run on 91 piss. I know the higher compression will need much finer tuning. However, the Evo guys run 9:1 stock, and lots of you guys run 9:1 aftermarket pistons. And yes, I know the difference. The ring lands are so high up on the n/t pistons that any detonation will throw the motor.

However, I was doing some thinking the other night. Everything was golden on the motor except for the #3 cylinder. I definitely plan on checking out all 4 injectors, but especially that one. I'll probably just send them off to get rebuilt. Input?

Also, how easy would it be to throw 1g 7.8:1 pistons on those rods? I would like to do that if time permits, just because that would be safer in my mind for boosting. Input?

I don't know if this really counts as an update, but I'm going on 2 months without my car and I'm absolutely DYING. Now that the weather is warming up, I'm really missing window down weather. SO I plan to get the car running after this semester. Any pointers or ideas for this season?

[twinturbo3k]

Wideband!!!!!!

[kronus]

I know!!! That's definitely going in when I get back. Any insight to my lean condition though? All of my chips came from Jeff O. of DSMchips, and I know that they're typically pretty close, with maybe a little need of fine tuning, but it shouldn't have been so far off to do that, should it have?

[Sean485]

If your NT block (2.0NT right?) doesn't need to be bored you could just hone it and pick up a set of used 1g pistons already on the rods cheap. Throw some new rings on em and run it, you wont have oil squirters but it would be alot better than NT pistons w/o squirters.

My only suggestion with #3 being bad and the rest good would be a possibly bad solder joint somewhere resulting in higher resistance to that injector or the injector clip coming slightly off to where it will sometimes open the injector and sometimes not.

[drifte]

This entire build sounds like my life story. I've stuck with my dsms for years now and I think I may have finally caught a break myself from problems. Drop the pistons out and get some rods pistons from another car or have pistons put onto your rods. Just make sure everything gets crack checked.

[123abc]

Unless you actually enjoy tearing into your motor each time, you shouldn't put the nt pistons and rods in it.

[kronus]

Unless you actually enjoy tearing into your motor each time, you shouldn't put the nt pistons and rods in it.

Well running the n/t pistons would only be out of necessity. I'm not sure I'll have the time to get the block to the machine shop and back. And fyi, 6-bolt rods are the same in the non-turbo and turbo blocks.

[kronus]

What's this, an update?!?

After months apart from my car, the day came when I would, once again, bring her back to life. 4 months is a long time to be without weather-proof transportation; and while a bike was fun, I longed to lower myself back into an unsuspecting terror of the streets...

So I prepared. Patience was a virtue that I had long sought, but never cultivated. After thousands of dollars, and lonely nights on DSMTalk, I had the drive to bring her back. After blowing a motor, I decided, with the help of lots of members of Talk, to do it right, and to take my time.

A set of good 1g pistons/rods and an OEM composite headgasket were tightly packed into my suitcase; clothes came too, but they weren't as important as these life giving pieces of metal. Rod bearings and rings as well other gaskets were ordered and sent to Missouri where the car resided, from Bruce, the man known as the PartsDinosaur. Also sent to Mizzou were a set of ARP Head studs, to properly hold down the fort, and a quite peculiar, yet useful bird; the Ostrich.

After a harrowing set of flights, I arrived again (albeit more timely and much more reliably) at my homestead. Exactly as I thought would happen, my car was left uncovered, despite my desperate pleas to keep my love out of the weather. She was dirty. She was sad. The HDR lip that had lasted through so much was torn in two and covered in mud. The eBay black housing corner lamps had been broken during the tow, and were hanging by their wires. Soot and dead foliage that had washed down the street during torrential down pours had made their way into the driveway and around the wheels. She was disgusting. Heartbreaking as it was to see her, I dug my keys out of my pocket and unlocked the drivers door for the first time in months.

As the door opened, a wave of all too familiar smells rushed me and overwhelmed my senses. I was home.

[kronus]

Plans.

It was late when I arrived, so I spent the rest of the evening catching up with the parentals. In the back of my mind were thousands of thoughts rushing and colliding like electrons orbiting a nucleus. I was too caught up in my plans to sleep... But I was tired, and apparently all the thinking, ore maybe the great home cooking knocked me out.

I woke promptly at 7 AM the next morning and proceeded to clean out the car. The interior was littered with receipts from unknown gas stations and empty Vault bottles. There were all the parts I had brought back at Christmas, with plans to clean up the beast once again.

As soon as the local rent-it shop opened, I acquired a hoist and brought it home to tear into the heart and soul of the machine. The process was familiar, and by 11 that morning, the drivetrain was out. Once again, the car sat, empty, and taller than I remembered. And there laid the dead heart. Upon pulling the head, I saw a destroyed piston that brought back a wave of feelings; despair, anquish; heartbreak.

Quickly moving past the feelings, I went over all the parts in the motor and salvaged what I could for the new build. I left all of the bottom end, however. In the remainder of the oil was a gritty, metallic substance. This glimmering, almost precious looking powder was the destroyer of many bottom ends, and I would not have it in my new motor.

[kronus]

The Original.

Out of the shadows came the forgotten one; my original introduction to the 4g63. Here, on a Cooper tire, stood the non-turbo motor, once esteemed for so much worth, and now here being called upon, only out of desperation. I had remembered my early introduction to an interference motor, a shredded timing belt, and bent valves. I had not, however, delved into the bottom end, and now questioned whether I had one last stroke of luck.

I pulled the oil pan and was once again pleased to see a pristine bottom end. Pulling the rods and pistons revealed a clean crank, free of scores and scratches. Here laid my hope for another chance; and many fears of failure.

[kronus]

Late nights and long drives.

Leaving the block alone for a bit, I began my 3 hour journey southeast to a city known as Joplin. I had been there once before, only as a child, and long since forgotten, but now, I would always remember this place. I pulled into a neighborhood and saw a familiar shape; a familiar color; here sat a Red 1ga which I had not seen before. But then came the dark green sister of my own car, a 4g37 equipped beater, owned by Wade Harper, or 'swade' as he's known here. Honestly, the man made the trip worth while. Not only did I receive a new head, but also great s tories, inspiration, and motivation to succeed once again.Armed with another car part, I made it back to my home, just in time to crash for a few hours before resuming work on the motor.

Daylight came again, and so did another work day. (Which turned into many work days.) The head was sent to the machine shop for a to be freshened, and the work started on the block. The bores were honed, bearings were installed and plastigauged, rings were aligned, and finally the bottom end was back together. Another balance shaft eliminator kit was in place, all the timing components, and the majority of the external items had been swapped over to the new motor.

The head finally came back from the shop, and with care was placed on the fresh block. The ARP's were tightened to spec, manifolds were remounted, bolt holes were helicoiled, things were coming together. After what seemed like years, the motor was complete, and back in the car. All necessary items were triple checked, and with a final prime of the turbo, I fired the motor.

[kronus]

A creature of habit.

What a sound was to be heard. Oh, the sweet symphony of chaos known as the 4g63t roared in my garage. Neighbors were coming out of their homes, curious as to what could create such a cacophony. After letting the motor warm, and ensuring that all fluids were in place, I took the car out for the break in.

Following the 'hard' method, I opened up the motor with a good amount of load, and promptly gave it plenty of vacuum. Blue smoke billowed from the tailpipe, but quickly diminished as the rings began to seal. A silly grin began to form and all of the joys of hard work began to return. She was back.

After a proper break in, I prepped for the long journey back to Utah. In the car. I was unsettled. My car had stranded me so many times before, I was mad to think I could make it almost 20 hours, and 1200 miles reliably. Regardless of the fears, I embarked. All was well for the first 1000 miles... Then disaster.

I should have known something would go wrong, but I didn't expect what I would soon find out. The transmission gave out. I don't know how, and I don't know why, but one of the case bolts on the rear of the transmission backed itself out, dumping all of the precious gear oil on I-80, and consequently destroying the transmission. Better call the tow truck.

I have to admit, that I'm very glad my parents have AARP towing coverage. In the past year I've used it 5 times. 2 of which would bring me from Rock Springs, Wyoming back to good ol' Provo, Utah.

[kronus]

Home again. Again.

I was literally on the verge of lighting my car on fire. Once again, and as usual, she had stabbed me in the back. And this time, I had done nothing to deserve it. I contemplated my options. I had no idea what I would do. No clue where to begin. But, after clearing my mind with a long ride on my Kawi Green harlot, I opened my laptop and began perusing classifieds.

I had little luck finding a transmission for the car. One came by, but ended up being a non-turbo transmission, which would do me no good. I even tried to pick up an AWD shell for a fresh start. But every time I tried an option, it fell through. It seemed, ironically as if my car had a wish to die, but the fates had a plan for the car and I together.

Then, out of sheer luck, came 'the other.'

[kronus]

More tomorrow! With pics too!

[123abc]

I love reading your progress with the car. Very entertaining. I bet you're going awd, aren't ya?

[Prozach]

Love your writing style! Keeps me interested. Couldn't you humor us with more frequent updates though? :)

[0lmytsi]

So you still haven't gotten to feel the pull of that 50 trim?

[swade]

Hey that's meeeeeeee. Glad my pile-o-parts could finally help someone out.

Swade

[kronus]

I love reading your progress with the car. Very entertaining. I bet you're going awd, aren't ya?
No, not this time.
Love your writing style! Keeps me interested. Couldn't you humor us with more frequent updates though? :)
Haha, if more would happen in 5 months, then yes, I'd love to.
So you still haven't gotten to feel the pull of that 50 trim?
No, unfortunately. But soon!
Hey that's meeeeeeee. Glad my pile-o-parts could finally help someone out.

Swade
For sure brotha, thanks again.

[kronus]

Salvation...

In the midst of despair, I found what would soon become my Talon's salvation. Local to me was a 91 GS-T only in need of a head, turbo, and ecu. For $350. A quick call to AARP towing and a 100 mile drive north landed me my first donor car. Being white, and with my love for white cars, I was torn. Pop-ups were sexy, and the sharp GS-T lines gave me new thoughts... Swap parts over to the GS-T? The relatively rust free shell made this very tempting, but in the end, the body work that would need to be done was just too much for me to work with. So it was decided, the un-named GS-T (I name all of my cars) would become a martyr to the cause and help fuel the ever growing fire of love for my Talon. Sad as it was, someone had to give their life for this car; and it sure as heck wasn't going to be me.

My first Eclipse.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4064.jpg

A little rough around the edges.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4065.jpg

I true donor car form, parts in the trunk.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4067.jpg

So young, such a shame she had to die.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4070.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4072.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4073.jpg

The lack of a driver's door handle makes it a PITA to get in and out of the car.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4074.jpg

Something about that rear end is just SO SEXY to me.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4075.jpg

[kronus]

Unlucky men do get lucky.

The only thing I knew about the white GS-T is that I would be taking it's transmission for my Talon. Little did I know that the interior was BEAUTIFUL, and it had a decent suspension on it as well. So began the cannibalism. First the transmission, then the suspension, and finally the interior.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4068.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4069.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4071.jpg

This gave me a good opportunity to clean up the interior on the Talon. Once again, returning back to the premise of patience, I slowly undid all of the hasty moves I had made months before.

Logger and Fuel Pump hardwire as well as deteriorating interior paneling.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4255.jpg

Dead seats which have LONG SINCE lost their support.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4221.jpg

Parts stained rear seats. No love there.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4222.jpg

Just kind of bland looking interior.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4223.jpg

[kronus]

Reborn. Again. Again.

Cleaning revitalizes the soul and awakens the mind. Or at least gives me motivation to make my car look decent again.

Old interior out, and a shot of the nasty dilapidated interior.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4252.jpg

Crusty old, uncomfortable 'base model' seats.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4253.jpg

New to me 'PREMIUM' seats. :P
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4254.jpg

Clean 'premium' carpet installed.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4256.jpg


After a good revitalization:

Driver and passenger shots of the new interior.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4257.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4258.jpg


What's this? No more cables?
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4259.jpg

Before: Ugly.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4223.jpg

After: Now that looks good.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4260.jpg

[kronus]

Also, finally motivated me to mount my logger in a suitable fashion as well.

Ok, so this isn't the logger, but I love me an iPod with Alpine 'Direct Connect!'
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4277.jpg

If you look closely, that would be plumbers tape mounting that logger. But this one has been painted in 'wrinkle' black. Oh yeah, I have an Ostrich in my car, too ;)
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4278.jpg

Quick disconnect in case I ever dyno this and someone wants to log from the drivers seat using a laptop.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4279.jpg

Night shot. Love me the indiglo. Thanks k1tty :D
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4265.jpg

Just a video of all my gauges.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/th_DSCF4271.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/?action=view&current=DSCF4271.flv)

[CrackedDSM]

Very nice, I always love seeing the progress of your car. Where did you get that Ostrich from? How do you like it so far?

[kronus]

Finally built a boost leak tester that works (made that a little bit more difficult than I needed to.) Found out why I couldn't hold more than 2 or 3 psi...

This is what happens when alternator meets LICP. A lot.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4275.jpg

And I finally got a chance to test my stutterbox. Though I think something doesn't sound right. I've gotta get a new oil return fabbed up, then I'll start investigating. I still think I've got a few boost leaks to seal up.
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/?action=view&current=DSCF4281.flv

[Sean485]

Yea, that hole wouldn't keep you from getting full boost. I've had couplers tear completely in half and I could still get 2-3psi. It would however completely F*CK your a/f if you are using a draw through maf system.

[kronus]

Very nice, I always love seeing the progress of your car. Where did you get that Ostrich from? How do you like it so far? Picked it up on ebay for a little cheaper than from moates.net. They wouldn't lower their price.

Yea, that hole wouldn't keep you from getting full boost. I've had couplers tear completely in half and I could still get 2-3psi. It would however completely F*CK your a/f if you are using a draw through maf system.

Yeah, absolutely killed my gas mileage.

[kronus]

F*****' Oil Leaks!!!

Of course, once everything is buttoned up, then my front case would decide to spring a leak. That's what I get for cheaping out on a gasket. Pulling the oil pan is a nightmare to say the least, but I did it without pulling the cross member. FML.

I was very tired of leaking oil from the bulkhead fitting for the turbo oil return on the pan, so while the pan was off, I took the time to make my own quick disconnect return.

I wasn't about to pay $70 for something I could make for half as much. So I went to my local Evco: House of Hose, and picked up a 45* fitting, mated it to a Push-Loc fitting, and threw on some hose. Also picked up a steel weld on Earl's 10 AN male fitting from Summit Racing. Grand total of all this came to $30. I'll still utilize a stock style return off the turbo, but will transition into the push-loc system for quick disconnects. On to the pics!

$30 dollars of parts.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4344.jpg

Ignore the ugly as sin welds; they'll be painted. I only cared that it sealed.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4346.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4347.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4348.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4349.jpg

[ferriolom]

So is your car going to be off jackstands and moving under its own power before mine?!

Good luck with the build dude. Nice homemade return line.

[lazylaser]

Logger and Fuel Pump hardwire as well as deteriorating interior paneling.



Kronus,
I have a question about your Data Logger Cable being hardwired.

I might be getting confused, but with the cable connected it will not let you set the base timing.

Having the datalogger attached to the car grounds pin 10 on the DLC.
Setting the base timing requires you to ground the timing adjust connector.

Grounding both the timing adjust connector and pin 10 on the DLC puts the ECU into BISS adjustment mode. So you can't have a datalogger attached much less use it for setting the base timing.

You'll have to disconnect the logger cable and use a timing light while grounding the timing connector under the hood to get the correct base timing.

Thats how I remember it, I would search/consult the factory service manual to double check what I said. "Does your logger cable have to be disconected in order to set the base timing?"

Or am I reading that incorrectly and the logger cable is not hardwired?

[speed_demon]

As always, excellent reads from you.

:tree:

[kronus]

Kronus,
I have a question about your Data Logger Cable being hardwired.

I might be getting confused, but with the cable connected it will not let you set the base timing.

Having the datalogger attached to the car grounds pin 10 on the DLC.
Setting the base timing requires you to ground the timing adjust connector.

Grounding both the timing adjust connector and pin 10 on the DLC puts the ECU into BISS adjustment mode. So you can't have a datalogger attached much less use it for setting the base timing.

You'll have to disconnect the logger cable and use a timing light while grounding the timing connector under the hood to get the correct base timing.

Thats how I remember it, I would search/consult the factory service manual to double check what I said. "Does your logger cable have to be disconected in order to set the base timing?"

Or am I reading that incorrectly and the logger cable is not hardwired?
Ah yeah, sorry that's a bit misleading, The FP is hardwired, but the logger is not.

As always, excellent reads from you.

:tree:

Thanks! I really try to make it interesting.

[123abc]

Oil leaks suck dude. I've been in a constant battle with mine for a while now.


I would've done the same you're doing with the return line but I have an fittings and a stainless braided line with aluminum adaptors so that wouldn't weld too good to the pan.

[kronus]

Oil leaks suck dude. I've been in a constant battle with mine for a while now.


I would've done the same you're doing with the return line but I have an fittings and a stainless braided line with aluminum adaptors so that wouldn't weld too good to the pan.

You can pick up a steel bung from Summit Racing for less than $10. I'd highly suggest it.

[123abc]

You can pick up a steel bung from Summit Racing for less than $10. I'd highly suggest it.

Maybe I'll do that if it still leaks. I'm going to try sealing it up one last time today. Thanks for the tip.

[kronus]

Maybe I'll do that if it still leaks. I'm going to try sealing it up one last time today. Thanks for the tip.

I never got a chance to just use new gaskets (I mean all of them) because the threads stripped on my oil pan. So, I figured that while the pan was off for the front case seal replacement, I'd take care of this too.

Anyway, here's a pic of the return as well as my remote oil pressure sensor plumbing.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4353.jpg

Note that for the remote plumbing, I actually used a 90* fitting off of the OFH as well; I just had already installed it before the pic was taken.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o41/kronus8564/DSCF4365.jpg

[123abc]

Looks good. Just becarefull as it looks like that rubber hose is a bit pinched.

[kronus]

Looks good. Just becarefull as it looks like that rubber hose is a bit pinched.

Yeah, this 10AN hose is so freakin' big, that's about the best I could do. It's not as bad as it looks though, and it's not like this is a high pressure area anyway. From what I've seen, the turbo more or less 'trickles' oil out of the return, so a slight kink in the hose shouldn't be too bad.