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1^st Gen Eclipse GSX

I recently purchased the newest addition to my automobile collection. 　 This 1^st Gen Eclipse GSX was found up in Lovettsville, Virginia.　 The body was in perfect condition, and the interior was a little torn up, but it's usable.　 The original owner was a student at George Mason University, and he gave me an unbelievable deal on the car.　 The owner had broken the timing belt, and we all know what happens from there.　 Basically the car is going to need a new/rebuilt head, and new pistons and new bottom end.　 Either way, I got the car towed to my friend Mike's house via AAA.　 Hurray for triple A!　 So all in all I have put in only a little amount of money in the car, and the car is going to be phat!!!　 So far, I have put on my Momo Champion steering wheel from my Hyundai Scoupe onto the car.　 Tonight, February 9th, 2000 I hope to have the head taken off the car with my friend Dennis.　

Parts that I have for the car were given to me by Michael Hsia, Christopher Mun, Adam Peters, and Stephen Kim.　 Michael gave me a GReddy Turbo Timer, and car alarm for the car. 　 Chris gave me a 12W6 JL Audio Woofer in a box as well as a PPI 600A2.　 In addition Chris has given me a manual boost controller and a turbo tuff 3 inch muffler. 　 Adam Peters gave me a GReddy boost gauge.　 Stephen is giving me an HKS EVC IV. 　

I am in the process of trying to purchase 95 forged pistons, 95 exhaust manifold, and a 90~ head.　

Here we are at the beginning of the job! 　 The valve cover was already off when I purchased the car.　 Next my Russian KGB friend, Dennis, and I began taking the head off.　 Let me just tell you that there are a ton and ton of vacuum tubes, wire harnesses, and weird gadgets stuck to the head. 　 It's a real pain in the ass to take it off.　 In addition, we began work with only a few tools and thus it took a long time.　 The job took place at my friend Mike's house who allowed me to leave my car there while it was being worked on.　 All in all the job took about 4 hours.　

After I took off the head, I shopped around for prices at the local machine shops. 　 I found that the average price for just replacing the valves and machining/resurfacing the head was around 195 dollars.　 If you're paying more than this and you're located in the D.C. area, contact Ron's Auto.　 He does an unbelievable job.　 But anyways, on top of this price you pay for the valves which cost about 9 dollars each for the intake and 12 dollars each for the exhaust, or vice versa(can't remember).　 This comes out to about 400 bucks.　 If you decide to upgrade to stainless steel valves, then the price is about double for each valve. 　　 Remember that there are 16 valves.　 So far the total was around 400 bucks without the seals and considering that none of my valve guides were bad.

With the seals, and a new gasket set the price gets boosted by another 150 bucks. 　 This puts the total to around 550 bucks.　 But the gasket set comes with all of the gaskets and seals for the engine.　 So you might as well get this and subtract some of it from your total cost.　 Remember that all of this is for the standard machining with a two angle valve job.　 I wanted a three angle valve job and thus shopped around a little more.

Finally I got my friend to ask his speed shop to find out a price on a newly rebuilt head.　 The price was only 480 dollars with all new valves, guides, seals, and a three angle valve job.　 This was a deal!!!　 So after all this shopping, I've decided to go with this option.　 The 480 dollars is after you give in your core.

Next i started working on taking out the short block.　 What a pain in the ass. 　 You need an engine lift for this so if you don't have one, then either rent, buy, or borrow.　 It's heavy!!!　 In order to take off the short block you have to take off the power steering pump, alternator, a/c compressor, drive shafts, wiring, etc... 　 Like I said a royal pain in the ass.

At the same time, I ordered some JE Pistons with a 8.5:1 '95 spec compression with rings and ARP head studs.　 In addition, I purchased a new ACT Clutch, Pressure Plate, and bearing. 　

　It is now 2/15/01. I have had the head rebuilt with titanium valves, alamo motorsports valve springs, JE pistons, 90' long rods, lightened flywheel, knife edged crank, and ported and polished head with a 5 angle valve job. The engine runs smoooooooooooooth. I've had the tranny replaced with a 95 gsx tranny and I've changed the throttle body elbow and throttle body to a 2^nd gen spec one. I've also accordingly changed the intercooler piping to the second gen versions. All the heater and vacuum hoses were replaced as was the radiator and it's hoses. Basically everything in the engine bay is now new. (i.e. power steering pump, alternator, etc . . .) I've shortened the shift linkage and cut down the stock shifter to get a shorter shift throw. The interior has been changed out and I've basically changed the entire interior with new seats, and new painted dash kit. Stereo equipment has been replaced with boston acoustic speakers and polk audio compenent speakers. 12w6 woofer kicks in the trunk powered by a boss amp. The compenents are powered by the ppi 600a2. The tires have been replaced to new, and so have the shocks and springs. Car has been lowered 2 inches. I have yet to tint the car, and various other work needs to be done before completion.

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