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Does mileage matter?

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Mr.Roboto

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I mean I know it does when it comes to maintenance parts and stuff that gets usual wear and tear. But for the motor itself, if it has good compression, doesn't burn oil or coolant etc, does it matter?

Reason I ask is I have a 98 GSX with 162k miles on it. It runs great, has no issues, so if I compression test it and its all good, should it be alright to lightly mod? Just like exhaust, intake, maybe get a 1g turbo to replace the t25? I'm on a super strict budget so anything I do is something I need to plan for months ahead. I know a timing belt is very highly recommended but I don't have the option to do it myself and that's gonna run me ~$6-800 for a shop to do. That one will definitely take some saving. Should I probably do that first and foremost then worry about mods?
 
#2 ·
When was the last time the maintenance was done? Like timing belt/ tensioner/ pulleys?

I don't think it is wise to start modding if you cannot afford to do the regular maintenance that a high mileage car needs. But if that stuff has been recently done then sure you can do those mods and it should be fine!
 
#3 ·
Def. save up and get the timing belt job done it will save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Aside from that though as long as the motor runs strong and doesn't smoke miliage doesn't really matter, I had a motor that turned 200k while I had it and it had an intake, echaust, and some tuning software very lightly modded but held up great. Once again though I would do the timing belt and any other basic maintenance though before you mod the motor just to make sure everything is good to go.
 
#5 ·
Where in PA are you located?

As far as a high milage motor versus a new or low milage motor. Personally I would rather have a higher mileage motor with good compression and no leaks then a fresh rebuild with stock parts.
A high milage motor tells me one thing, it was built correctly. If it has good compression, good head gasket, no major leaks, and doesnt burn oil then I would start modding it. Thats AFTER doing the timing belt and deleting the balance shafts.
 
#7 ·
I know where that is but Ive never been there. Im in the lehigh valley area.
As for as doing the timing belt If I were you I would find a local DSM'er who does work on the side to help you out. That way you can learn a thing or two instead of taking it to the stealership to get it done.

According to your profile you have a bone stock 1g.
Thats a good platform to work from. I would buy a new oem water pump, oem timing belt, oem belt tensioner, oem tensioner pulley, and oem idler pulley. Also I would delete the balance shafts. That will lower the cost of doing the job because you dont need to buy the belt and tensioner. Plus it makes timing the motor 100 times easier. If you decide to keep the balance shafts I have a brand new oem belt and tensioner for the balance shafts I will sell you dirt cheap, just PM me.
If you delete them you can reuse the OEM bearings, just turn them 180*.
All you will need to buy is a stub shaft and front case gasket and oil filter housing gasket.
You will also need a block off plug for the other balance shaft or if you know somone who can weld aluminum you can have it welded closed.
This will also give you the chance to inpect the oil pump for any major wear.
This may seem like a lot to take in but anyone with experience with these cars will be able to walk you through this.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Oh ok yea. Same here. Never been there but I know where it is. And my profile is actually out of date. That 1g never made it outta my garage. Fortunately a friend of a fiend bought it and its now ~375hp and running good. The current one is a bone stock 98 GSX. I assume most of that info still applies though. My biggest problem is time constraint. I can't have the car off the road for more than a day or two. But I guess if I have someone who knows what they're doing it shouldn't take too long. I'm not mechanically inept, in fact I'm an ex mechanic and have owned and modded about 10 different cars (I'm 24). But they were all S chassis and mustangs so I'm a little lost on this one. Anything different I should take note of for 2g vs. 1g?
 
#9 ·
Ive never really worked on a 7 bolt motor before. Ive had a 6 bolt in my 2g for as long as I can remember...
Heres a link for the 2g timing belt for you to get familiar with whats needed and how to do it.
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-2G.html
This is a balance shaft delete link for a 1g, it cant be much different for a 2g
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/balance-shafts.html
Another link to read
http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209487

Being that you have mechanical skills this shouldnt be too hard for you.
But I will say that nothing goes as planned and dont assume that you can do this all in 1 day when its your first time doing it.
You car has high mileage, it would probably be a good idea to get in there and inspect/replace a few things.
For example, if you delete the balance shafts, replace the seals on the front case while you have it out. It would suck to get it all done and have the front crank seal start leaking a few thousand miles later and have to tear it all down again.
If it were me and I would do it right.
All new timing components, new water pump, balance shafts delete, new seals for the front case, new gaskets for the front case and oil filter housing. I would start buying this stuff slowly as I could afford it, once I had everything I would save up for a cheap rental car for a few days and start ripping mine apart.
160k plus miles is a lot for seals/gaskets, they prob need to be replaced...
Hope this helps!
 
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