Eclipse Update---

Just wanna let everyone know, got the '91 Eclipse GSX started up today. My first attempt at a fast import (only other import i've owned is a mazda 929) Some things I've done--
-Motor was completely re-worked, head shaved, block decked, bored .030 over, new pistons rings/all new seals, everything balanced. Balancing shafts removed (gets rid of 10 lbs of rotating mass)
-Plugged the turbo oil feed from the head and re run the line to the oil pump.

Things that need to be addressed:
-Front wheel bearings, both are shot, getting some new ones pressed in tommorow.
-Radiator cap leaks
-Heater Core hose leaks
These are immediate needs, some others are:
-Need new windshield
-Needs new tires

I do have a couple of questions-- I am getting a horrible valve tap, its the same old top end (cams and everything else) It has plenty of oil pressure, but it makes a loud valve tap, may be shotty machine work (explanation at bottom). The car ran on gas in the tank (thats approx 4 years old) Would that be more of the culprit for the 'pinging'. I have yet to run the motor under load or any boost.

Ok, in regards to shotty machine work, IF YOU LIVE IN SOUTHERN VA, STAY AWAY FROM PERFORMANCE UNLIMITED AT ALL COSTS. Its very rare that I go this public about a company, but these guys are absolutely horrible. Heres my horror story-

I picked the car up for a remarkable $20 and 3 cigarettes. The head gasket was blown and the previous owner had let the car sit for 4 years in this condition. This let water get into the combustion chambers and cause some rust. I take the motor to this above listed machine shop, dropping the pistons, rods and crank off as well to be balanced. He says it will be done in a week which I assured him was fine. A week goes by and I go back there to pick everything up. He tells me 'Its not done, its going to be another week. By the way, did you drop your connecting rods off?' I told him, yes, I brought them in here with EVERYTHING else. "Oh, well then they have to be around here somewhere" A week later I return, and he still hasn't done any machining. He promises me next week (the next wed to be precise). Next wed I return, he has everything ready, take everything home to put it together. When I start rebuilding the head I noticed something, He had stripped (not only stripped but broke part of the head casting off) one of the studs on the end bearing cap. To try and cover this up/fix it, he took epoxy and shoved the bolt back in. I take the head back in and point this out to him. "Let me get the person who did the machining (who turns out to be 16 years old)" TRAGICALLY he couldn't find him in a shop thats only about 2000 sqaure feet. He said he would find another core head for me and replace it. Again, he promised me he would have everything within a week. Next week I come back, he hasn't found another head yet, come back in a week. Next week come back, he found one but didn't like the way it looked, he was going to get another, next week, he said he found one, but it was going to be a couple of days to machine it. I FINALLY get the head back, and did a thourough visual inspection before I took it. Re-assemble the motor, get it in the car, start hooking up lines. I find out the oil feed line from the head (runs from the head to the turbo) where the banjo bolt plugs into, the whole was COMPLETELY stripped and the bolt hammered in tight to try to hide it. My story, again, this wonderful experience provided by Performance Unlimited of Norfolk VA.

So I guess I should be taking bets-- Who thinks its the old fuel causing the tap/ping or who things its shotty machine work.

I'll try to post some pics as soon as I can...

Has anyone else messed with this motor? What would you recommend for some first upgrades? I plan on bigger injectors, new wastegate, tubular headers for the first upgrade, any other ideas?

Thanks!
Joe