alik
Well-known member
This is a car with history. Not a good history. It sat (blown engine) for some 3 years while I was getting around to it. Even after the engine transplant, it's still a ball of wax.
Problems are abound. Rocker panels are full of rust. Hood is damaged (and rotten at the lip). Front bumper is hanging off (the corners do not make contact with the body, only the bolts behind the turn signals). Rear bumper is hanging on by the rust that holds it together (I'd hate to think what would happen if I got badly hit in the ass). Gas tank is leaking at the seam. Engine is displaying the uneven idle (revs up, revs down, up and down until it settles). Despite the Cyclone intake, I'm sure it's down on power. There's a horrendous oil leak that I'm gonna try to address tomorrow (my mechanic says that it's coming from the oil pump seal).
My mechanic also says that he wouldn't put any more money into the car. But, then, there are the following factors.
I like that it's #40. The engine is Frankenstein (6bolt block with 1g rods and 2g pistons), turbo (no play) is Evo III 16g. Interior is very nice (apart from f***ing idiotic automatic seat belts), no rips or tears. Sunroof works. A/C doesn't. Cruise does, and heat is there. Drivetrain is solid (no issues so far), and no, I haven't done the 5-lug conversion. (couple of sets of wheels on factory rims).
My issue is that I'd hate to trash the car. If I can help it, I wanna keep it on the road. But, for this car to get to "cherry" state, it needs a shitload of work. Right now, I'm just focused on making it safe and reliable (yeah, right! It's a DSM!!!) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Yet, even if I had to junk it, not only do I not want to do it because the value I'd get would be barely enough to break even with what I've spent (body would get junked, 6-bolt would sell, interior? rims?), but I'd be crushing a piece of history.
Yet, I'd hate to think that I'm sinking cash and effort (thank God for understanding mechanic who allows me to use the lift at no charge!) into something that will never be reliable and safe, nevermind pristine.
Thoughts?
Problems are abound. Rocker panels are full of rust. Hood is damaged (and rotten at the lip). Front bumper is hanging off (the corners do not make contact with the body, only the bolts behind the turn signals). Rear bumper is hanging on by the rust that holds it together (I'd hate to think what would happen if I got badly hit in the ass). Gas tank is leaking at the seam. Engine is displaying the uneven idle (revs up, revs down, up and down until it settles). Despite the Cyclone intake, I'm sure it's down on power. There's a horrendous oil leak that I'm gonna try to address tomorrow (my mechanic says that it's coming from the oil pump seal).
My mechanic also says that he wouldn't put any more money into the car. But, then, there are the following factors.
I like that it's #40. The engine is Frankenstein (6bolt block with 1g rods and 2g pistons), turbo (no play) is Evo III 16g. Interior is very nice (apart from f***ing idiotic automatic seat belts), no rips or tears. Sunroof works. A/C doesn't. Cruise does, and heat is there. Drivetrain is solid (no issues so far), and no, I haven't done the 5-lug conversion. (couple of sets of wheels on factory rims).
My issue is that I'd hate to trash the car. If I can help it, I wanna keep it on the road. But, for this car to get to "cherry" state, it needs a shitload of work. Right now, I'm just focused on making it safe and reliable (yeah, right! It's a DSM!!!) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Yet, even if I had to junk it, not only do I not want to do it because the value I'd get would be barely enough to break even with what I've spent (body would get junked, 6-bolt would sell, interior? rims?), but I'd be crushing a piece of history.
Yet, I'd hate to think that I'm sinking cash and effort (thank God for understanding mechanic who allows me to use the lift at no charge!) into something that will never be reliable and safe, nevermind pristine.
Thoughts?
