project: Mutant GSX problems, this post may become quite long Options

[SCCA Stang]

ok, as some of you all know I am in the middle of a project build up on my GSX.
I am running into some difficulties and need some help. I have a Chiltons and haynes books, I also have the repair manual on cd (BTW cant figure out how to load correctly) but I am still having some stuborn difficulties and such.
this post may become quite long as the project continues, but I will appreciate all the help I can get with this.

thanks for the space!!!!!

First Question:
does anyone have a simple way to get the spindle nuts off of a '93???
I have the cotter key out and have been hammering on it for a couple of hours with a 450 ft/lbs impact. I have also drowned it in PB Blaster. (BTW the pass. side came off with in a few min of getting at it with the impact.)

Second: do I just use a regular puller to get the hub assembly off???
and why does my hub assembly look like the hub assembly from a FWD according to Chiltons???

[KOU In3]

I've always used PB blaster and a long lever arm for the spindle nuts. Sounds like you've been soaking them in PB blaster. Have you tried a longer lever arm? I've had good luck by sliding a length of steel pipe over the end of the torque wrench.

You'd be suprised at the amount of help you get from a 3 ft lever arm.

Driver's side is almost easier as you can 'deadlift' the wrench (stand-up into the pull). Take a 3 foot lever arm and a 300 pound pull and you're looking at doubling the torque of that impact wrench.

[natedogg]

1. Do like KOU says and it still doesn't budge start jumping on it. Worked for me before I got an impact.

2. I may be wrong but I'm assuming you are taking the transmission out right now? If so then you don't need to detach the entire hub assembly. There are 2 ways to loosen it enough to free the axle.

-Remove the nut that connects the ball joint on the lower control arm to the hub assy. You might need a pickle fork to help you out. The hub should move enough to free the axle.

OR

-Remove the bracket that attaches the brake line to the strut. Remove the two bolts that attach the hub to the strut. You should be able to free the axle now.

[SCCA Stang]

I am looking to purchase my new turbo for the GSX and want to know what gains I will get from the ported EVO big 16G over the unported EVO big 16G???

also, does anyone have a 2G ported exhaust manifold for sale (will fit on my '93 1G GSX, Correct?????)

[SCCA Stang]

Yours for only $599.

if $$$ were no object that would be a decent deal, but can't go that steep

[DVNT Kidd]

I also have the repair manual on cd (BTW cant figure out how to load correctly)

gimme a holler back on that cd, bro. if you haven't tried it already, why not throw that thing on the laptop and have it RIGHT THERE for when you're at the car, know what i'm saying?

if you want, bring your laptop and that cd and i'll throw it on there for you, complete with extra mouse and keyboard guard (like you'll care about wiping your hands when you just HAVE to know what to do next).

jracer was tellin' me about your escapades at work today. i was available! i may not be the greatest mechanic around, but i guarantee you wouldn't have had a dull moment! you know me!

anyways, when in doubt, do like i do: *kidd bashes paw and hoof through the sick factory stock radio in his probe, encouraging it to work... or daring it not to* hehe, sometimes you just gotta be a little gentle with it.

holler back, gsx.

[SCCA Stang]

gimme a holler back on that cd, bro. if you haven't tried it already, why not throw that thing on the laptop and have it RIGHT THERE for when you're at the car, know what i'm saying?

jracer was tellin' me about your escapades at work today. i was available! i may not be the greatest mechanic around, but i guarantee you wouldn't have had a dull moment! you know me!

hey bro, thanks, when are you available to come help??? I dont know much more than you do when it comes to this car cause it doesn't have 300 Cubic inches, and that is what I am used to messin with, but I have found that the concept is the same ("move the stuff out of the way to get at what you want to work on")
I am sure that I will be spending a large majority of my weekend (except for when the Daytona 500 is on) working on my ride, and all the help I can get is greatly appreciated.
-werd

[DVNT Kidd]

they just switched me up on hours at work, so anytime in the mornings on weekdays and anytime during the weekend (every other saturday after noon). just let me know whenever. we'll work on the ride and the ol' ladies can hang out and do whatever they usually do: gossip.

[Larz]

Good luck. When in doubt, use more leverage.

[turbohcar]

Ok first thing is first, where are you located? If need be I can help you this weekend.
Second, why in the heck are you takin the entire spindle assembly apart?
Let me know and I may come over this weekend if there's time. Later

[SCCA Stang]

well, I am from Morton, but my car is in Pekin. I am removing this shit to get the trani out. I will be over there tomorrow to do some more work

[KOU In3]

well, I am from Morton, but my car is in Pekin. I am removing this shit to get the trani out. I will be over there tomorrow to do some more work

Just unbolt the two bolts from the shock/strut assembly (17mm) then the spindle/brake assembly will tilt out enough to allow you to remove the halfshafts from the tranny. Don't forget to unbolt the carrier bearing too though.

[SCCA Stang]

thanks KOUin3

[SCCA Stang]

To get those big hub nuts off I had to use a 5ft long breaker bar to get them to move. Even then I was pushing abut as hard as I could to break them loose.

after a broken craftsman breaker bar, a broken Snap-ON breaker bar, a bent proto breaker bar and a half hour of cutting the bolt off with a air driven grinder wheel and a chisel...EUREKA!!!!! it came loose!!!!! but the spindle nut is toast.

Just unbolt the two bolts from the shock/strut assembly (17mm) then the spindle/brake assembly will tilt out enough to allow you to remove the halfshafts from the tranny. Don't forget to unbolt the carrier bearing too though

I was going to just do this but with a bad cv boot, i gotta get the cv shaft out anyway, but thanks for all of the support so far.

[SCCA Stang]

well guys, I got the struts removed and the brake lines removed, but the abs wires are still attatching the strut to the car. the little brackets that hold the wires onto the strut itself are rusty and thus weak, so to get them off I will have to break the brackets, are those available at the dealer or where would I have to go???

is it possable to remove the abs with-out regrets later???

[SCCA Stang]

is it ok to reuse the factory upper strut mount when replacing the strut with a KYB GR2 / eibach prokit setup???

[natedogg]

is it ok to reuse the factory upper strut mount when replacing the strut with a KYB GR2 / eibach prokit setup???

Yes.

For the ABS, just zip tie it if the bolt breaks. Worked for me on the brake lines for the old FWD.

[SCCA Stang]

For the ABS, just zip tie it if the bolt breaks. Worked for me on the brake lines for the old FWD. 

why didn't I think of that...duh


what about removal???

[SCCA Stang]

should be wrenching on the GSX again tomorrow 3/10 if anyone wants to volunteer their time call me, I want to get an extreme amount of progress done on it so the more hands the better, most of you have my phone # but if you dont call me on my cell : 309-241-0972, wont be over there till probably 10:30, but I will try to be there all day.

[SCCA Stang]

got the turbo timer installed yesterday and the valve cover painted, I'll be installing the new ceramic coated headre and EVO III 16G tonight, maybe if I have time after that I will install the newly painted valve cover and work on my rear suspension and brakes... just the update.... next week I will try to get the rest of the loose ends tied up and get the car on the road... I have the week off from my full time job and so free time will be plentiful... If anyone would like to come over and give me a hand feel free to call me - 241-0972

Ben

[xian 1g]

after a broken craftsman breaker bar, a broken Snap-ON breaker bar, a bent proto breaker bar and a half hour of cutting the bolt off with a air driven grinder wheel and a chisel...EUREKA!!!!! it came loose!!!!! but the spindle nut is toast.

holy shit! I've worked in that area a pretty fair amount for 3 months of wrenching on cars... Somewher around 4-5 half shafts... that's sick! absolutely sick.. nice to see that you didn't give up. i respect that. keep me posted with the rest of your progress.

[SCCA Stang]

new tubular header and EVO III 16G install was a great success tonight... there were no fitment issues with the turbo, so that means that the angles of the tubular header are right on... all of the oil and water lines hooked right up, just as they are supposed to, except for the upper oil feed line that I can't seem to find any where, does anyone have one layin around???.... the header and turbo along with the valve cover that is now painted blue look great under the hood.... I am very pleased with the progress I made tonight and the next project is gonna start off with a trani install, which by the way came back from slopny today.... car should be runnin by next week with any luck

[xian 1g]

good luck man... it's nice to be updated...

[SCCA Stang]

I'll get some pics up as soon as I can

[SCCA Stang]

Trani install went well today... I haven't got all the wires and speedo cable hooked up yet, but with the help of the trani jack that i borrowed from my friend it went smooth....

Projects left:
Transfer case (Monday) complete
Front sway bar bushings (Monday) almost complete
Front Brakes (Monday) Complete
Rear Sway bar (Tuesday)
Rear springs/Shocks (Tuesday) Complete
Rear Brakes (Tuesday) Complete
Stereo Install (Wednesday) Complete
Button up interior panels (Wednesday) Complete
Final fluid check (Wednesday)
TEST DRIVE!!!!! (Wednesday)

tentative schedule.... may be broken but must be finished by the official unveilment day (June 27)

[SCCA Stang]

we started to get the front sway bar bushings installed but were unable to finish due to problems getting the factory bushing brackets to line up with the stock holes with the energy suspensions bushings in them.... any pointers????

[SCCA Stang]

when inspecting the wheel bearings I found them to be worn... however I seem to be unable to remove the hub from the spindle.... any pointers???

[SCCA Stang]

when inspecting the wheel bearings I found them to be worn... however I seem to be unable to remove the hub from the spindle.... any pointers???

fixed!!!!

[SCCA Stang]

there is a large vacume hose that comes off the vacume canister on the firewall.... where does that connect to?????

I think that it went to the air intake hose (stock configuration) what should I do with it now????

[natedogg]

Plug it.

[SCCA Stang]

Plug it.

thats what I was gonna do with it, just wanted to make sure that there wasn't a better place for it

[SCCA Stang]

ok, so after intense beating on the ball joints to dislodge them from their well known homes of 11 years I discovered that you need a ball joint press....

so I made my way to AutoZone for the "break-a-tool"

after I arrived home I took out the good ol' air grinder and hacked away the stem from the old ball joint and pressed it out with ease....

I know the new ones need to be pressed in but the new ball joints are being a pain as they won't seat into the holes straight and I do not want to hurt the $26 each parts....

any hints?????

BTW.... I have already cleaned up the holes with emerycloth and greased the holes with some motion lotion to help slide them in place they are on chill right now to possably shrink them enough to help the process

[SCCA Stang]

Trani install went well today... I haven't got all the wires and speedo cable hooked up yet, but with the help of the trani jack that i borrowed from my friend it went smooth....

Projects left:
Transfer case (Monday) complete
Front sway bar bushings (Monday) almost complete
Front Brakes (Monday)
Rear Sway bar (Tuesday)
Rear springs/Shocks (Tuesday)
Rear Brakes (Tuesday)
Stereo Install (Wednesday)
Button up interior panels (Wednesday)
Final fluid check (Wednesday)
TEST DRIVE!!!!! (Wednesday)

tentative schedule.... may be broken but must be finished by the official unveilment day (June 27)

ok so murphy's law sure is kickin my a$$

this sucks cause I dont think I am gonna make the car show!!!

I'll be there, but the GSX won't

even if I get all the work done, I still gotta get someone to weld my exhaust back together
and....I gotta have one of you help me tune my GM MAF

and.... I gotta get the whole thing aligned as the geometry is gonna be way off with all the suspension/chassis changes made

[xian 1g]

keep on hack'n at it man!

[Justincredible]

keep on her. you'll get it


for your exhaust a quick fix is a 3in to 3in couple. with some exhaust clamps.

as for logging I still dont have a cable for mine.

[SCCA Stang]

luck was on my side tonight as I completed the front suspension and brake system install successfully... my pass. side rear is mostly put back together

the only thing left on the front suspension part is getting the new energy suspensions sway bar bushings installed....
it seems that the bushings are the wrong size because of how stiff they are but they measure out excactly what the stock ones do... I guess I have to just keep on it and I will get it... any suggestions???

the only thing murphy kicked my ass on this time is a drivers side wheel stud stripped at the back side teeth that hold it to the hub... thus the wheel won't come off.... trying more things next time I work on it.... any suggestions?????

[SCCA Stang]

ok guys here's another update on the project.....

tonight I got the complete Rear brakes put back together..... I also got the rear strut tower bar installed..... after that I hooked up the Down pipe and clutch slave cylinder (now all the drive train components have been installed)....

all thats left is wait till rear sway bar links come from Conicelly..... bolt on new rear sway bar, bolt front cross member to frame, re-install my kris 144 intake, install GM Maf, Fire Motor and tune MAF, button up the interior

[SCCA Stang]

the only thing murphy kicked my ass on this time is a drivers side wheel stud stripped at the back side teeth that hold it to the hub... thus the wheel won't come off.... trying more things next time I work on it.... any suggestions????

kicked this things ass after smoking 4 HSS drill bits and then 10 min of drilling with a cobalt bit.....

[The Iron Goat]

Did you ever find a suitable solution to your sway bar endlink prob? I saw some energy suspension end links at Auto Zone the other day, but I don't know if they're the right size. Just FYI.

[SCCA Stang]

Did you ever find a suitable solution to your sway bar endlink prob? I saw some energy suspension end links at Auto Zone the other day, but I don't know if they're the right size. Just FYI.

no not yet!!!! the bushings I have are made for the car, but they are just really stiff

[The Iron Goat]

You might want to swing by Auto Zone. They had about four different sizes, and they were under $20 a piece. I know that's a lot better than satan's prices.

[SCCA Stang]

You might want to swing by Auto Zone. They had about four different sizes, and they were under $20 a piece. I know that's a lot better than satan's prices.

thanks, I'll look

[xian 1g]

hey gsx,
no computer and no internet make me go mad... but, congrats on all the work!
do i smell next months cotm??? my vote says yes...

[SCCA Stang]

hey gsx,
no computer and no internet make me go mad... but, congrats on all the work!
do i smell next months cotm??? my vote says yes...

only if it running.... god I hope so

[SCCA Stang]

BTW.... progress continued tonight as I got the interior put mostly back together... the turbo timer installed, the lower dash panel put back in and the stereo mostly installed.... got my "A" pillar pod installed, looks like it's gonna be back to the grind at work tomorrow morning, but tomorrow evening its back to work on the car

[SCCA Stang]

well, I got the whole dash put back together last night and it was the most beutiful site I ever saw.... I will post pics A.S.A.P.

[SCCA Stang]

That thing running yet? I gots a race 4 ya.

no, not yet, my rear sway bar links just came in this morning and I have to get that upper transmission mount put in.... pluss that I need to get the damn thing tuned... who do you have to race me???

[SCCA Stang]

redemption for kicking my ass in my former car.

I see.... we shall see the results when this goes down

[xian 1g]

eagerly awaiting.... <cough>cotm</cough> with a victory over spy that is...

[SCCA Stang]

working on the car some more tonight I ran into problems... the transmission mount that goes to the pass side fender won't line up... I tried to jack the trani up higher to make it line up, but when I do I just lift the whole car... any suggestions would be nice.... thanks.... I am off to go back to the garage to work on other things till I get some help with this one.... if anyone wants to call me to help out my number is 241-0972... if not just post, thanks

[ncgalant]

Hey Ben,
Your talking about the only of my mounts I've not had to replace. Jacking on the Transmition worked well for the other 3 though. I would say to do that while someone else bounces on the fender and tries to get it to line up

[SCCA Stang]

working on the car some more tonight I ran into problems... the transmission mount that goes to the pass side fender won't line up... I tried to jack the trani up higher to make it line up, but when I do I just lift the whole car... any suggestions would be nice.... thanks.... I am off to go back to the garage to work on other things till I get some help with this one.... if anyone wants to call me to help out my number is 241-0972... if not just post, thanks

success!!!!!!!!

I only had to loosen the fender side of the mount and jack up the trani..... the pin in the middle went right in..... The battery mount, re-install went with-out a hitch and I accually got to hear music out of my new Eclipse brand CD Player after installing my Optima Battery....

I have 3 more bolts to purchase to finish the re-install of the frame cross member under the trani

install my rear sway bar

re-install my front sway bar

purchase some coolant

fill the fluids

turn the key



so close I can taste it... maybe I can finish up tomorrow.... who wants to help??? I will start at 8am

[SCCA Stang]

tonight I heard the most beautiful sound I have heard in over 6 months.... I got all the fluids filled, the air intake installed and the clutch bled......
just then I reached down and turned the key....
the motor turned over and fired almost instantly
it ran and the turbo sounded awesome
it barely wanted to idle though since the o2 sensor wasn't hooked up and the new GM maf wasn't hooked up.... for a 4G63 running "blind" it ran great.... what a success!!!!

[mitsu90]

congrats all the hard work paid off

[MidwestDSM]

bout time! It seems like alot of us seem to be getting our rides put back together right now! I wanna see this thing sometime, I think as soon as my car runs again I might have to make a trip over to see you boys.

And speaking of projects getting together....KOU? Frank? I still await.

[turbohcar]

Congrats man!! I'm just waiting on money for an interior and to fix the oil leaks and then mine'll be on the road again.

[natedogg]

Congrats Ben! I know you've been working hard and waiting a long time for all the hard work to come to fruition.

[xian 1g]

way to go gsx... it'll be a heartbreaker to see this thread go.

[ncgalant]

Congrats man! Looks like your AWD project finishes right when mine starts. Happy boosting to you

[wortdog]

Sweet news. Who says this thread is going to stop? It is a DSM we're talking about here










j/k Ben

[SCCA Stang]

Sweet news. Who says this thread is going to stop? It is a DSM we're talking about here










j/k Ben

I was thinking of having admin remove the word "problems" from the title, but it is a DSM.... I will always have new problems

BTW..... thanks for the congrats guys.... I have poured blood, sweat and anger into this car (literally).

[SCCA Stang]

ok, guys, time to help me find a part real quick or a solution to the current problem....
when trying to hook up the GM MAF, I ran into another un suspecting problem... the translator is for a 2G and I obviously have a 1G '93 GSX.... the plug on the translator is a "flat" 5 pin and I need the 6 pin "rectangular" (I Think???). I either need to trade someone for a translator, or find out what to do to make mine work

any suggestions would be very helpful at this time

thanks in advance!!!

[ncgalant]

I gocher back

[SCCA Stang]

ok, guys, time to help me find a part real quick or a solution to the current problem....
when trying to hook up the GM MAF, I ran into another un suspecting problem... the translator is for a 2G and I obviously have a 1G '93 GSX.... the plug on the translator is a "flat" 5 pin and I need the 6 pin "rectangular" (I Think???). I either need to trade someone for a translator, or find out what to do to make mine work

I set up the maf plug as if I was using a 2G MAF on my 1G ecu (thanks much to vfaq) then plugged in the 2G translator into the 2G MAF plug, adapted to the 1G wiring..... if you can make sense of this then you know more about what happened here than I do


.... the plug that NC Galant hooked me up with worked good... BTW, thanks for setting up my base settings on the translator.... after the GM MAF was plugged in and the O2 sensor was hooked up.... the idle smoothed right out, the car still needs logged but it seems to run good.

the front sway bar is completely hooked up, the rear sway bar is completely hooked up... the car is now what I believe to be road worthy.... I still need the exhaust hung, but other than that minimal time to button up a few last bolts, the car will hit the streets..... along with that we will have pics posted.... especially if I win COTM

[SCCA Stang]

some pics are posted in the "garage", thanks

[turbohcar]

Congrats GSX. Car looks good!

[SCCA Stang]

just what everyone wanted to hear.... I took the Mutant out for a test spin tonight, I was lucky that I didn't get pulled over with my 3" exhaust ending directly under my ass with no muffler (very loud!!!!) however, I did get a chance to test the new suspension a little and I have never felt my car handle the way it did tonight

I still have a few bugs to work out, the linkage for the trani needs adjusted as the car won't go into reverse or 5th.
you never realize how much you accually use reverse until you don't have it.

I still need to put my A/C fan back in place

I still need to tune my GM MAF as I can't push past 5 lbs of boost with-out hitting fuel cut.

I need to get the rest of my exhaust under the car