[5S-FE] Syaoran's Build, Update August 14! Options

[Syaoran]

So I've bought myself a 1994 GT, black, with NONE of the extra cool stuff (sunroof, foglights, cruise control, automatic climate, 8-speaker etc)...... but who needs that? It's all just extra weight! Here's the background:

The car was bought from a fellow University Student who sold it because there was an issue with the car he couldn't solve. The issue apparently was both a bad (brand new) distributor and a bad ECU that was losing sync every 5 or less seconds.

It is in pretty bad cosmetic shape and had some massive 18 inch wheels running 225/40/18 way-oversized tires. The brakes are bad, and it seems the wheel bearings on it are going. It has a pretty bad oil leak (it's not burning it however) right around the cam cover. Seems like the timing belt is wet in oil, and so is the axle boot below, and part of the engine around there. The other side of the engine is completely fine, bone-dry, however.

With that said, it's got a working A/C, good-shape Transmission (it's an upgrade from my previous S53!), overall-good shape engine, turns on fine, the hatch struts work fine, has no interior rust holes, etc. It's pretty good.

I bought it for $1300!

-----

With that said, I started working on a list of priorities and started tackling all the issues to get it up and running. First up was the issue of losing sync. Got rid of it by getting a new alternator from Advance Auto under warranty (saved $145! let's hope it lasts a bit) and I also got a MegaSquirt-II EMS installed. The car is no longer losing sync and idled like a purring kitten.

Next up was the brakes. I might need to get new brake lines because the rear passenger side brake line didn't pour out any brake fluid when I removed the calipers. All others poured at least a little. Might have to check what's going on... Maybe it's air trapped in the lines.

I removed the rotors to get the turned, and the calipers to get them cleaned and painted. I chose a copper-orange metallic color for them.

Once that's done, I'm putting the wheels back and getting it to my mechanic to have the oil leak fixed and likely giving it a cam-side tune up (waterpump, tensioner, idler, cam seal, crank seal and timing belt) and I will change the valve-cover gasket with plug tube seals.

Next up is getting new wheels because those 18s are WAY too damn big. Getting BBS RX 16x7" +42 in 5x114.3. I'm buying a set of 20mm front and 25mm rear spacer adapters which are double hub-centric. (54.1mm to 67.1mm). Tires will be 205/50/16 stock size. After that, I'm taking it in to the bodyshop to get the exterior quoted for fixes.

Then comes a turbo

I'll keep this thread updated. I will upload some pictures soon enough!

This post has been edited by Syaoran: Aug 14, 2014 - 1:27 PM

[Syaoran]

Ok, so as far as an update.

Car is down because the radiator fans went. Already ordered a slim fan from eBay. Hope it won't overheat on just 1 fan. My previous 5th gen didn't so I'm expecting it to be the same.

Got a set of Prothane front and rear sway bar bushings, 20mm and 17mm respectively. I measured my bars and the front is 20mm and the rear is 17mm, so I'm guessing that's the size of all GTs, at least pre-face.

Most likely ordering Speed Source polyurethane engine mounts, if I can find an application that'll fit the GT mounts. Thinking the MR2 NA ones will most likely fit.

Also ordering brass shifter cable bushings to replace my worn rubber ones, and aluminum shifter base bushings.

Waiting on a set of Tein S-techs to arrive, and those will go on with new strut mounts on the front, and perhaps the rear ones as well.

Thinking about buying poly swaybar endlinks (miata rear, GT4-Racing.eu fronts). That'd complete my suspension work for now, and hopefully will have the car tracking straight for a while. Having alignment issues and I'm betting it's due to the tired suspension components.

As for the engine, I got a set of OEM 3SGTE rods and I'm considering getting a set of 87.5mm CP 8.5:1 pistons and give the engine a rebuild and boost, and a new clutch. I have some of the turbo parts already so I might as well. I was considering doing a top end build as well, but I won't for now, I'll do that later on, but an engine rebuild is definitely due.