At a project crosspoint.. Need advice

Alright... I haven't done a write up on my project, nor really given any indication of what's going on in quite some time.

As you all (should) know, my Tsi(FWD, Black) lost a trans and almost a second before I figured out the block was missing tabs for the dowel pins for trans. As you should also know, I traded the rims I had for another Talon... A Red AWD, needing a head, turbo, FMIC, etc...

Now, I haven't been doing too much work to them here recently; due to time and money constraints and freeloading roommates. Now, I just got the latest shipment of parts in from ExtremePsi. These parts were what I needed to finish putting the AWD Talon together (as far as I know), and consists of the following: Cometic MLS, ARP headstuds, Fuel injector harnesses(were cut out of AWD), and injector o-ring kit.

I stripped down the FWD (motor, trans, suspension, turbo, head, [empty engine bay]). I have all the parts sitting in the hatch of both Talons(and a lot of extra stock parts). Now, I've been sick since mid last week. I originally attributed it to allergies, but a severe reaction, one starting Wed night, hitting its peak Fri night, and dying down over the weekend. The only thing that hasn't really gone away is this damned eye infection that came with it (I'm getting that handled tomorrow morn, first thing).

Now, my problem is this; I'm getting back into college this semester. Classes start in two weeks. I've got my daughter next week. The car isn't running. I'm also probably about to quit my job (due to college). So, it doesn't look like either Talon will really have a chance to hit the streets anytime soon (unless I wake up 100% health, and am able to bust my ass the next few days scrapping the car together).

Monday Night, I got a call. My roommate was talking with a guy at Sonic. The guy was looking to sell his 3000GT, he wanted $3500. He was talking about getting a faster car. My roommate let us talk awhile, and I was offered the 3000GT(95, SL ATX[:(]) and $500 for both my Talons and all the parts I had. Now, I really miss my Stealth. I loved that car and it was wrongfully taken away from me, and the insurance company fucked me over (Progressive). I would love nothing more than to have a 3KGT sitting in my yard. I know they are fucking expensive to repair though. The upside to this deal is: I wouldn't have to put the car together, it runs, fairly reliable, and beyond sexy.
The downsides(just a few): I have too much time/money in my Talons, I haven't driven this 3KGT yet, and it's auto... oh, and no turbo or AWD...

I don't really know how to make this decision. Either way, I'm gonna regret the decision. What should I do? (The guy is supposed to contact me next week and let me know if he still wants to do it, then we make a decision and start bickering over price/parts).


Cliff notes for lazy asses:
1. All parts in for Talon
2.Stripped FWD, prepping AWD
3. Got sick, progress slowed and vision blurry
4.Going to college
5. Quitting job (gonna be broke)
6.Got Trade offer: Talons for '95 3KGT SL (ATX) and $500(given to me)
7. Love 3K's, but money/time in Talons
8. Gonna hate decision no matter what I do
9. Need advice...
10. Cliff notes
11. your response (see below)

Damn son. My advice is going to be a bit biased as I really dont like 3kgt's, but my advice would be to keep the DSM's. If it were me in your shoes, I would finish stripping the car and sell all the parts you have extra and buy a $300 beater. Just find the cheapest junker you can. I would use that to get around in and put the DSM on the back burner until winter break/next summer or whenever you can find time to or afford to work on it. Thats just me though, but what you need is a driving car.... and that trade isnt exactly a bad deal on your part IMO. Its up to you big homie.

:iagree:

Build your fucking car, sell the extra parts, and have yourself a DSM. You will hate yourself if you do otherwise.

cliffnotes at teh beginning would have been helpful. post some pix of the 3000GT. i think its less of a headache to just get rid of all DSM sturff and get back the car you origionally liked. yes i do miss my gsx and my talon but i have more money in the bank because of it! Ur call man

cliffnotes at teh beginning would have been helpful.
Ya gotta be lazy enough to scroll to the end first and see if they put them or not...

For lazy asses like me. :icon16:

Anywho...

You and I are in the same boat. Except right now I have no car to drive at all... My Talon is so close to being done I can taste it. My parents want me to ditch both my cars and get a brand new one. But they won't co-sign for a loan unless I get something they want. (Freakin retarded and gay as Richard Simmons...) So now I am trying to get it done so I have a car to drive. I have too much time, money, and work invested in this thing to just give up and get rid of it now. I'm never gonna get any of it back out of it. I say keep up the project and finish it man... Then we will be laughing as we beat the shit out of our DSM's and break them every other week. lol

But I still gotta find a cheap car to get me thru the times the Talon is busted down... :(

Somewhat good news...

1. Eye appt went well, turned out to not be infection, just a bad allergic reaction, still happening in my eyes (got meds to clear it up)
2. Swapped 2 of four motor mounts last night
3. Looked at motor while working on it last night and for the time being... I said Fuck it, I'm putting the damned car back together
4. your responses were an overall persuasion in the direction of fixing the car, thanks for the encouragement...

5. I'll keep ya updated on progress...

Current plans (until Thursday):

Finish swapping prothane mounts
wire fuel injector harnesses
put ECU in
put interior in
check which of the broken radiators might hold pressure until I have another.
check wiring and hoses.

Then Thur(tomorrow) I get paid:
Buy carb cleaner
Clean head
Install Cometic and ARPs
finish assembling the top end of motor.

Friday(probably):
Set timing, make sure to tie up all odds and ends

and this weekend, I hope to fire her up...

Wish me luck... I'm gonna need it...

Yeah, I know during projects at times it can seem hopeless, But in the end when you are driving an AWD DSM, it makes it worth it.

I don't think you will regret the decision.

:1: For real dude. Before Sunday I had roughly 350 hours of work into my car and it had been all of about 50 miles. Well, as of right now she has 111.7 miles on it since the new motor went in and nothing is leaking or anything :). Belive me man, it will all be worth it once you hear the BOV flutter. Side story: I got off work around 8 and took a short cruise. I always shift between 3000-3500 rpms, but sometimes when I get on it a bit the BOV will give a fuckin sexy flutter.... I came in at home smiling to myself and my mom asked what I was so smiley about. I just pointed to the driveway and she knew what I was talking about :).

I appreciate the encouragement guys... things did get pretty hopeless for awhile... the damn black Talon has been sitting for a year now (Aug 11th, IIRC). I've sank tons of money in getting that Trans right, then found out the block was scrap... Then I ran out of money and shit sat, forever...

I've worked on the AWD for the last couple of days now. I've got all the prothane mounts in (that was a PITA). I've just got to get the ARP's in, the cometic, the head and the rest of the turbo shit...

Now, I took the head off the old block, and it sat for awhile. The dumbfucks that stay in my house must've thought it cool to flick cigarettes, spill beer, drop bottle caps, and put hair (:eek7: :confused: ) in the head... I really don't feel like disassembling it to clean it. Would it be alright to just spray it down with some brake parts cleaner (after removing foreign objects of course). Then of course, I'd apply some ass. lube.

I think I've got at least a full days worth of work ahead of me, but I feel like I'm getting damn close.

Things left to do:
Put motor back together (head and accesories)
set timing
hear the bitch run
put interior together
hope to God that the torque converter isn't trashed (previous owner mentioned the car shaking when you nail it, see TSB on TC)
set boost lower
and last but not least,


FIND ANOTHER JOB, so that when it breaks, I can fix it


Things I'd like to do(but probably not at the moment):
Swap oil filter housings (from water cooled, to the air cooled unit I have)
remove balance shafts


I think the car will be sitting pretty nice when completed:
14b
450's
ATX AWD (looking to do shift kit and end clutches)
16psi (gotta get that reset, still siting at 22.3 right now:eek: )
FMIC
prothane inserts
3" Evo-hybrid exhaust (mechanic said it was rated good to approx 500hp)
couple of gauges (weary of the Autometer's I have, I'll certify them before use)
Possibly SAFC (if it didn't really get fried)
Napolex(?) TT

^oh and this AWD has PS, AC, LSD(3-bolt), and CC... things that were stripped outta the FWD...

oh, and a back seat!!!! (I gotta scare the shit outta my mom's kids:P)

Would it be alright to just spray it down with some brake parts cleaner (after removing foreign objects of course). Then of course, I'd apply some ass. lube.
My vote for most fucked up quote of the year. :lol:

Good to hear things are going well for you.

^very observant... though you missed the big question :p

Would it be alright to just spray it down with some brake parts cleaner

I heard something somewhere about it drying up the valve seals...

Yeah, I wouldnt do it.