Project Talon Blog
9-9-01 Took delivery of 1992 Eagle
Talon TSi AWD. Cost: $1500.
6 bolt / 4 bolt. Built date- 2/3/92
Installed Optima Yellow Top battery.
Removed headlights and polished away yellow hazing.
9-10-01 Replaced shifter bushings on the tranny bracket and shifter plate with metal washers.
9-11-01 Pulled ECU for capacitor replacement and ordered new capacitors from Digi-Key.
Replacement capacitor total (for 2 of each size). Cost: $13.14.
Cut metal behind passenger headlight for improved air flow to air intake.
9-12-01 Removed silver pinstriping on lower passenger side.
Attempted to run new fuel pump wire through passenger firewall. (not successful)
9-13-01 Removed windshield wiper blades and arms (front and rear) and front wiper cowl.
Removed upper timing belt cover for belt inspection.
Removed spark plug wires and plugs for inspection.
Discovered nice oil leak somewhere on drivers side of engine... exact location undetermined.
Rewired fuel pump. (Through drivers side firewall)
Removed silver pinstriping on lower drivers side.
9-14-01 Washed, clay bar, and buffed the hood, roof, hatch lid, and drivers side.
Repainted wiper cowl, and drain vents.
UPS delivered new ECU capacitors.
9-15-01 Removed both driving lights.
Clay bar and buff passenger side, front and rear bumpers.
Replaced capacitors in ECU and reinstalled ECU in car.
Removed drivers side door panel.
Cleaned and lubed drivers door window track.
Repaired drivers door passenger side window switch and cleaned contacts.
Removed and repainted drivers side door mirror cowl.
Shimmed sunroof latch for better seal when closed.
9-16-01 Removed passenger side door panel.
Cleaned and lubed passenger door window track.
Removed and repainted passenger side door mirror cowl.
Reinstalled driver and passenger door and mirrors and cowls.
Purchased 2 front and 1 rear replacement wiper blades from Wal-Mart. Cost: $12.19
Purchased 2 air fresheners from Wal-Mart. Cost: $4.15
Purchased 2 replacement hatch support rods from AutoZone. Cost: $39.87
Purchased chrome valve cover breather from AutoZone. Cost: $8.39
Installed new hatch support rods.
Installed crankcase breather.
Cut out 2 new door speaker mounting plates out of "1/4 plywood.
Replaced factory door speakers with a pair of JL Audio TR650-CX series door speakers.
Replaced factory dash speakers with a pair of JL Audio TR400-CX series dash speakers.
Removed excess door panel material from behind factory speaker grilles.
Reinstalled driver and passenger side door panels.
9-17-01 Sandblasted, repainted, and reinstalled all wiper arms and installed new wiper blades.
Polished stock exhaust tips.
9-18-01 Admired clean car.
9-19-01 Removed dash gauge bezel.
Disassembled driving light switch and reassembled. (no fix)
Removed center dash vents to inspect area for future gauge mounts.
Removed A'PEXi S-AFC from the wife's '96 Talon TSi.
Removed VDO EGT gauge and replaced with a Cyberdyne voltage gauge in the wife's '96 Talon TSi.
9-20-01 Removed EGT probe from the exhaust manifold in the wife's '96 Talon TSi. Tapped and filled hole with a bolt.
Purchased LED's, resistors, (for future knock LED) and 2 switches from Radio Shack. Cost: $5.73
Dremeled out fog light switch and replaced with a new rocker switch for future driving light install.
Dremeled out blank switch panel and installed momentary pushbutton for future garage door opener.
9-21-01 Started cleaning engine compartment.
Removed front passenger side wheel cover.
Removed, cleaned, and reinstalled intercooler and all intake piping.
Cut factory wheel well liner behind intercooler and installed metal mesh for better air flow through intercooler.
Reinstalled wheel well liner and passenger wheel.
9-22-01 Removed and reinstalled ECU after wiring S-AFC and Knock light.
Ran wire from O2 sensor plug behind passenger side kick panel to gauge bezel for future Air/Fuel gauge.
Wired garage door opener to new button in gauge bezel, and hid unit above gauge cluster in dash.
Installed Alpine CD player in upper factory radio opening.
Fabricated lexan mounting trim ring and new bracket for S-AFC below CD player in lower factory radio opening.
Installed new driving lights in center bumper opening and ran all wiring to new switch and relay.
Ran lighting wire to future gauge location in center vents.
Ran EGT probe wire through firewall to future gauge location in center vents.
9-23-01 Ran switched power and gound wire to future gauge location in center vents.
Purchased vacuum hose for future boost gauge and chrome valve stem caps from Advance Auto. Cost: $7.64
Installed chrome valve stem vaps.
Fabricated lexan mounting plate for Boost, EGT gauges and knock light in center dash vents.
9-24-01 Ordered 3 quarts BG Synchroshift, clutch release bearing, clutch release fork, and clutch release ball stud from Conicelli Mitsubishi. Cost: $102.72
Ordered ACT 2600 clutch from Buschur Racing. Cost: $395
Ordered K&N filter, VDO -30-0-25 psi boost gauge, and stainless steel braided clutch line from Extreme Motorsports. Cost: $120
9-26-01 UPS delivered ACT 2600 clutch.
UPS delivered Synchroshift, release bearing, release fork, and pivot ball stud.
Started clutch swap process as per the VFAQ. Made it all the way to the CV Joints on the pass side. (appx 4 hrs) Thanks to Bill B. for helping!
9-27-01 Finished removing tranny, clutch, and flywheel. (appx 3.5 hrs) Thanks again to Bill B. for helping!
9-28-01 Got flywheel resurfaced, and bought high temp grease at Shrader's Auto Parts. Cost: $52.09
Reinstalled clutch, tranny, and drivetrain. (appx 7.5-8 hrs) Thanks again to Bill B. for helping!
Took for test drive and noticed common low clutch pedal travel problem resulting in grinding and harsh 1-2 shifting
Bled clutch line - no help, made problem worse.
9-29-01 Adjusted clutch actuator rod and switch to no avail.
9-30-01 Installed EGT probe in #1 exhaust manifold runner.
Finished wiring EGT gauge in dash.
10-1-01 UPS delivered VDO boost gauge, K&N filter, and braided clutch line.
Purchased "T" fitting for boost gauge installation at Advance Auto. Cost: $1.79
Installed boost gauge.
Swapped stock air filter for K&N.
10-4-01 Finished cleaning engine compartment,
underside of hood, around hatch sill, and around sunroof sill.
Removed front driver's side wheel. Tire has slow leak. Got tire fixed and reinstalled. (Rim weighs 22-23 lbs.)
10-10-01 Removed, repainted, reinstalled hood support rod bracket, and throttle cable pulley cover.
10-12-01 Got oil changed. Mobil 1 10W30 Synthetic. Cost: $15
Purchased new NGK BPR6ES plugs and Autolite plug wires at Advance Auto. Cost: $40.27
Installed new plugs and wires.
10-13-01 Drove car to Lafayette for Lance S. to look at it and give diagnosis on tranny problems.
Determined the 1st and 2nd synchros are bad or gone. He did show me how to shift so it's not as noticable though.
Thanks Lance, it's like a whole different car now! :^)
Installed radar detector. (Hardwired)
Installed cell phone power cord. (Hardwired)
10-14-01 Purchased new Purolator fuel filter at Advance Auto. Cost: $15.54
Removed stock(?) fuel filter and replaced with new one.
10-18-01 Washed car.
10-19-01 Installed Viper security system.
Attempted blue wire mod on S-AFC. No reading from O2 kickpanel wire. Suspect dead O2 sensor.
10-20-01 Drove car to Indiananpolis to Ken W.'s for a small DSM Gathering.
Pulled apart new Autolite plug wires. Guess who will be getting their $ back!
Purchased new valve cover gasket set from Andy M. Thanks Andy! Cost: $20
Changed valve cover gaskets.
Ken W. donated a used pair of MSD 8.5mm wires to the cause. Thanks Ken!
Swapped stock rubber clutch line for braided SS line.
Lance S. datalogged car for the first time. O2 sensor is dead - imagine that!
10-21-01 Won eBay auction for a set of clear corner lenses. Cost: $24.50
10-22-01 Returned junk Autolite plug wires. Got money back.
10-23-01 Ordered new O2 sensor from Conicelli. Cost: $60.46
10-24-01 Mail delivered new O2 sensor.
Removed old, and reinstalled new O2 Sensor.
Reconnected S-AFC blue wire mod. Works now, thanks to new O2 Sensor.
10-29-01 UPS delivered clear corner lenses.
Swapped stock orange corner lenses for new clear ones.
Attempted to remove stock catalitic convertor. Not successful, bolts too far rusted.
10-30-01 Removed entire exhaust system from the O2 housing back.
Removed catalitic convertor, reinstalled exhaust with "2.5 test pipe.
11-4-01 Hit 500 miles since new clutch installed.
11-13-01 Cleaned carpets with Tuff Stuff.
11-19-01 Ordered Dynomax "6 round muffler from Jegs. Cost: $68.73
Ordered "4 polished tip from JC Whitney. Cost: $24.50
Purchased '88 Conquest FMIC from Ernie S. Thanks Ernie! Cost: $20
11-20-01 UPS delivered Dynomax muffler.
11-26-01 Mail delivered exhaust tip.
11-27-01 Scheduled 11-28 appointment for exhaust.
11-28-01 Had "3 pressbent downpipe back exhaust / muffler & tip installed at Beaver's Performance in Peru, IN. Cost: $105.30
(Total cost for "3 pressbent downpipe back exhaust, including Dynomax "6 muffler and "4 tip $198.53)
12-2-01 Ran car with Bill B.'s G-Tech.
1st run: 13.97 @ 100? mph.
2nd run; 14.2 @ 104? mph (ground 2nd gear bad)
3rd run; knock light came on at top of first, so I shut it down and went home.
Got home and discovered dipstick popped out and sprayed oil all over engine bay.
Cleaned engine bay.
12-3-01 Removed, cleaned, and reinstalled PCV valve.
Crimped dipstick tube slightly.
12-4-01 Purchased 2 brass hose barbs and a brass "T" fitting. Cost: $3.54
Pieced together custom catchcan for valve cover vent line.
Removed valve cover breather and installed catchcan inline with valve cover vent and intake snorkel.
12-8-01 Small DSM Gathering at Stuart Engines on Gasoline Alley in Indy.
Dropped off Conquest FMIC to Ken B. and Andy M. of Indy Race Cores to have "2.25 ins/outs welded on.
12-22-01 Removed tranny for synchro replacement. Thanks to Bill B. for helping!
Removed front bumper/nosepiece for Conquest FMIC install.
12-24-01 Enlarged hole in front end beside radiator for FMIC pipes to go through.
Relocated powersteering cooler line to behind the hood support bracket.
Straightened some radiator fins.
12-17-01 Dropped off tranny at Lance S.'s for synchro replacement.
1-15-02 Drained transfer case.
1-16-02 Ordered transfer case input and end seals from Conicelli. Cost: $13.38
1-18-02 Mail delivered transfer case seals.
1-19-02 Picked up modified Conquest FMIC from Ken B.Cost: $80
Purchased 1G BOV flange and gasket from Ken B. Cost: $5
Thanks to Indy Race Cores for modifying my IC. The welds are top notch!
Mail delivered ported 2G throttle body elbow from Daenan F. Thanks Daenan! Cost: $35
1-20-02 Finished porting and installed 2G throttle body elbow.
Started work on Conquest FMIC install.
2-2-02 Purchased 1 quart of 80W90 gear oil for transfer case, and a can of Permatex spray from AutoZone. Cost: ?
2-3-02 Talon's 10 year birthday. :^)
2-8-02 Went to local junkyard and purchased 1G shifter, 1G BOV, 1G gauge bezel. Cost: $15
2-9-02 Moved EGT and Boost gauges from custom center vent mount to custom gauge bezel mount.
2-10-02 Small gathering at Ken W.'s. Replaced input and output shaft seals in transfer case.
3-6-02 Ordered 5) 90 degree, and 2) 45 degree mandrel bends for new FMIC piping from Road Race Engineering. Cost: $126
3-7-02 Picked up 2G throttle body elbow from Tom's Auto. Thanks Tom Jr.! Cost: Free
3-12-02 Purchased 3 quarts of GM Synchromesh tranny fluid from Burger Chevrolet. Cost: $29.67
3-14-02 UPS delivered FMIC piping.
3-16-02 DSM gathering at Ken W.'s.
Lance delivered tranny. Cost: $260
Removed tranny end cap to stake shaft nuts.
3-17-02 Bought Permatex RTV for tranny seal. Cost $5.00 with delivery & tip ;^)
Staked nuts, reassembeled end cap.
Bill B. helped get tranny back on car. Thanks Bill!
3-19-02 Started putting car back together.
3-20-02 Transfer case back on car.
3-22-02 Purchased 2 exhaust adapter fittings, and JB Weld. Cost: $7
Made throttle body elbow adapter out of exhaust fittings.
3-23-02 Car back together. Starts and runs at 4:00PM!! Without Conquest FMIC...
3-24-02 Adjusted tranny shift linkage.
Made custom tinted license plate cover, and installed RRE plate frame.
3-27-02 Removed turbo outlet elbow and sidemount
IC
to repair some boost leaks.
Used RTV to seal turbo outlet elbow and reinstalled.
Used JB Weld to patch pinholes in SMIC elbow.
3-28-02 Reinstalled SMIC.
3-31-02 Washed car
4-2-02 Ordered Proform shift light from Northern Auto Parts. Cost: $51.24
4-3-02 Removed tint from hatch glass.
4-4-02 UPS delivers shift light.
4-5-02 Modified ashtray hole so it can be used as a cupholder.
Bought 10K ohm resistors, 2 green and 2 red LED's for shift light, and new knock LED. Radio Shack Cost: $6.32
Custom installed new knock LED's, and shift light LED's in instrument cluster.
4-7-02 Noticed tranny won't allow downshift from 3rd to 2nd.
4-8-02 Ordered ALDL OBD1 Interface from PPT Racing. Cost: $71.87
4-9-02 Removed all interior trim panels.
4-10-02 Removed tint from door glass, and rear side glass.
4-11-02 Reinstalled all interior panels.
4-12-02 Installed Alpine 25x4 watt amplifier, and JL Audio 12W3.
4-19-02 Got rear side and hatch glass tinted 5% by Midwest Auto Trim.
Ordered "2.5 mandrel bent downpipe from Phantom Roadworks. Cost: $140
4-22-02 Got side windows, and sunband tinted 5% by Midwest Auto Trim. Cost $160
Tranny is crunchy shifting on 1-2 upshift.
4-24-02 Dropped off sunroof to be tinted 5% by Midwest Auto Trim.
UPS delivers datalogger cable.
Installed datalogger cable in car.
4-25-02 Picked up sunroof.
1-2 upshift getting worse.
5-3-02 UPS delivered "2.5 Downpipe.
Installed downpipe. Slight exhaust fitment issue.
Washed car.
5-8-02 Ordered Mofugas short shifter. Cost: $133.46
5-9-02 Tweaked exhaust fitment. No help.
Noticed transfer case leaking out of rear output seal. (again)
5-11-02 Refilled transfer case.
5-13-02 UPS delivered short shifter.
5-14-02 Got exhaust fitment issue resolved at Beaver's Performance. Cost: $35
Installed Mofugas short shifter.
5-22-02 Washed car.
5-31-02 Washed, clayed, and buffed car.
6-29-02 Purchased can of red brake caliper paint. Cost: $3.95
Painted calipers red, and hubs black.
7-20-02 Removed the Alpine CDA-7842 CD player, and installed new Alpine CDM-7871 CD player.
8-17-02 Purchased used 2G ported O2 housing from Neil Migala. Cost: $75
8-22-02 Airborne Express delivered O2 housing.
8-24-02 Purchased used 2G ported exhaust manifold from Jason Self (thru Dennis Natter) Cost: $125
8-31-02 Got oil changed. Cost: $15
Washed car.
9-5-02 UPS delivered 2G ported exhaust manifold.
9-16-02 Purchased used ND 150 fuel pump from Dennis Natter. Cost: $105
9-21-02 Glued falling headliner.
Fixed passenger door light switch.
Washed car.
10-5-02 Got FMIC pipes fitted and welded. Cost: $20
Bought 10 hose clamps from ACE Hardware. Cost: $14.18
10-6-02 Covered welds with JB Weld to ensure no leaks.
10-7-02 Bought can of black high temp grill paint for IC pipes. Cost: $4.75
Painted IC pipes.
Reassembled FMIC setup, and noticed some additional adjustments need to be made.
10-09-02 Bought 2 more hose clamps from ACE Hardware. Cost: $2.84
10-12-02 Made pipe adjustments.
Bought 1 foot of 2.5 inch connector hose at NAPA. Cost: $15.95
10-13-02 Got car running and took first test drive. Low boost, and a possible boost leak.
10-14-02 Tested for boost leaks. Found one IC pipe hose clamp loose.
Took car for 2nd test drive. Huge improvement. Car pulls harder and builds appx. 18psi.
Total FMIC cost: $297 (rounded up)
11-9-02 Mail delivered ND 150 fuel pump.
11-13-02 Started fuel pump swap, unable to get fittings loose.
11-14-02 Bought new flare wrenches, got pump swapped, but not back together.
11-15-02 Finished putting car back together. It runs!
11-20-02 Started winter teardown for turbo rebuild/porting, 2G exh mani, 2G O2 housing, tranny rebuild,
balance shaft removal, AC removal, timing belt replacement and replacing of various other worn out items.
Removed radiator, and intake piping.
11-21-02 Removed downpipe, exh mani, turbo/ O2 housing.
3 broken mani studs, but all backed out with vise grips. Oh happy day!
11-22-02 Separated turbine housing from center section.
Removed remaining exh studs from head.
11-23-02 Ported O2 housing while at work, time and a half! (Sat.)
11-24-02 Ported turbine housing while at work, double time! (Sun.)
Having machine shop remove inlet step and open it up to 60mm on a mill.
11-26-02 Got ported turbine housing back. Thanks Tom!
12-3-02 Removed dr. & pass. splash shields
Removed battery.
12-4-02 Ported more of the turbine housing inlet, and wastegate hole.
12-7-02 Removed tranny. Thanks Bill B.!
12-9-02 Bought 2G MAS, harness, snorkel, and airbox from Chris Schaffer. Cost: $120
12-17-02 UPS delivered 2G MAS, harness, snorkel, and airbox. Thanks Chris!
12-18-02 Ordered parts from Conicelli. Cost: $369.40
12-23-02 Ordered parts from Road Race Engineering. Cost: $143 (before shipping)
12-26-02 AirBorne Express delivered first parts package from Conicelli.
1-1-03 Removed driver engine mount, PS, Alt, AC belts, water pump pulley, lower belt guard.
1-3-03 UPS delivered parts from Road Race Engineering.
Made crank sprocket tool.
1-4-03 Made timing belt tensioner tool.
Removed oil pan, filter block, pump cover, all timing belt parts, and finally, the front and rear balance shafts.
1-5-03 Removed alternator and PS pump, replaced water pump, and rotated front balance shaft bearings.
1-6-03 Scraped gaskets, and cleaned parts.
1-7-03 Bought new upper/lower radiator hoses, NGK BPR7ES plugs, transfer case fluid, blue thread locker,
gray RTV, and 1 foot of 3/8 coolant line at Advance Auto Parts. Cost: $36.71
(Advance stock # for NGK BPR7ES plugs - #2023)
1-8-03 Removed all A/C system from engine bay. (32lbs worth)
1-15-03 Airborne Express delivers second parts package from Conicelli.
Removed balance shaft from small oil pump sprocket.
1-16-03 Installed stub shaft and sprocket in oil pump rear case, rear pump case to front engine case,
and block off plug on front engine case. Took oil filter block to work to remove allen plug for SS oil feed line.
1-17-03 Installed front case, and oil pump filter block.
1-18-03 Dropped off tranny at Chris Nusbaum's for rebuild.
1-19-03 Reinstalled oil pickup, and oil pan.
Added new oil. (oil change)
1-21-03 Installed new timing belt idler pully, tensioner pulley, tensioner and timing belt.
1-22-03 Reinstalled timing belt cover, water pump / powersteering pulley, alternator.
Installed new power steering and water pump / alt belts.
1-23-03 Installed new exh mani studs.
1-24-03 Disassembled turbo for rebuild and cleaning.
Bought RC Engineering 550cc injectors from Zach W. Cost: $225
1-25-03 Mailed 14B shaft and wheels to Forced Performance for balancing.
1-27-03 Cleaned turbo center section, and compressor housing.
1-28-03 Pulled timing side all apart and loctited all the bolts I touched.
1-29-03 Finished loctiting bolts. Replaced timing belt and accessories.
1-30-03 Polished inside of compressor housing.
2-1-03 Removed all emissons crap, and associated vacuum lines. Installed home made EGR blockoff plate.
2-2-03 Bought vacuum caps at Advance Auto. Cost: $8.44
Installed vacuum caps on all unused solonoids, and throttle body nipples.
2-3-03 Talon's 11 year birthday.
FedEx delivers RC 550cc injectors. Thanks Zach W.
Inspected injectors to find one pintle cap cracked.
2-5-03 Shipped injectors to Linder's Technical Services for repair, cleaning and balancing.
Got radiator tested for leaks. 1 leak found as suspected, I think the A/C condensor rubbed a hole in it.
Thanks to Clem's Radiator Shop for fixing it for me at no charge.
2-5-03 RTVed the back of front drive shaft yoke.
2-12-03 UPS delivered injectors from Linder Tech. Cost: $107.80
Ordered upgraded compressor outlet elbow from Buschur Racing. Cost: $30
2-13-03 UPS delivered outlet elbow from Buschur Racing.
Ported compressor housing to match new elbow's gasket.
2-18-03 Modified manifold and O2 heatshields for EGT, and O2 sensors.
2-21-03 Bought 2 quarts GM Synchromesh from Burger Chevrolet. Cost: $21.01
Bought Prestone antifreeze and Purolator oil filter from Advance Auto Parts. Cost $13.09
2-22-03 Bought 1/4 brass vacuum line T fitting. Cost: $3.28
2-23-03 Picked up rebuilt transmission from Josh Forbing. Cost: $933.52
Installed transmission, and started putting car back together.
Broke tranny bolt.
Replaced transfer case rear seal.
2-24-03 Installed battery.
Bought cheap tranny fluid, and some new bolts. Cost: $14.49
UPS delivered turbo parts from Forced Performance.
Rebuilt turbo.
Installed turbo, 2G O2 housing, 2G manifold, water pump, PS, alt belts, downpipe, FMIC.
Charged dead battery.
2-25-03 Started car!
Drove car!
Transmission shifts!
Idle surging now.
Bought 2 1/2 foot of coolant line. Cost: $2.00
2-26-03 Relocated coolant overflow bottle.
Reconnected coolant lines to throttle body, cured idle surge.
2-27-03 Pulled A/C 10amp fuse so A/C switch controls both A/C and radiator fans.
3-3-03 Adjusted shifter linkage.
3-6-03 Washed car.
3-11-03 Modified 2G snorkel with "2 1/8 pipe to fit in my car.
Installed 2G MAS and filter.
Bought 5 hose clamps, and a "4 long piece of "2 1/8 diameter exhaust pipe. Cost: $6.83
Bought HKS Type1 Turbo Timer and harness from Dennis Natter. Cost: $60
3-12-03 Wired up 2G MAS to 1G wiring.
Replaced stock injectors with RC 550's.
Took car for Datalogger tuning run.
Balance shaft oil plug cap popped out dumping out some oil.
Tore car apart to replace plug.
3-13-03 Bought 1 3/8 steel expansion plug, and compression tester. Cost: $27.01
Tried to install steel plug, but cracked case lip.
Bought gasket set for front case. Cost: $15.04
Tore front of engine apart to get to front case.
Had aluminum disk made.
3-14-03 Removed oil pan and front case.
Had aluminum disk welded to front case.
Put car back together.
Bought dual gauge A-pillar pod from Jeremiah Smith. Cost: $26
3-15-03 Finished putting car back together and added fresh oil and filter.
Put on new NGK BPR7ES plugs and NGK wires.
Did compression test. 1-4 = 160-150-155-160
Took car out for logger run.
3-20-03 Removed Alpine amp and pulled out unused audio wiring.
Hooked up deck to front speakers.
Tracked down ground problem resulting in deck not operating properly.
3-21-03 Picked up HKS Turbo Timer at post office.
Installed TT, and put most of interior back together.
3-22-03 Finished putting interior back together and wiring up Rockford Fosgate amp.
3-23-03 Washed car.
3-25-03 Mail delivered A-pillar pod.
3-28-03 Bought 1qt GM Synchromesh. Cost: $10.50
3-29-03 Changed tranny fluid from cheep Coastal crap to GM Synchromesh.
Blew off IC coupler on highway blast. Fixed that problem.
3-30-03 Got hatch cover, and some misc trim pieces from Willy B. Thanks Willy!
3-31-30 Started on new Turbo Timer mounting location project.
4-1-03 Finished mounting Turbo Timer.
4-5-03 Drove car to Indy for a small IndyStars gathering at Ken W.'s house.
5-4-03 Drove car to Indy to pick up GReddy front strut bar from Ken B. Thanks Ken! Cost: $40
5-5-03 Polished strut bar, took bar ends to work for sand blasting and had them Electrocoated black.
Cleaned top of intake manifold.
Ordered KYB AGX shocks, and Eibach ProKit springs from Chad G. Cost: $575
5-6-03 Installed strut bar.
Polished "EC Multi" emblem on intake manifold.
Reinstalled upper timing belt and spark plug covers.
Covered some wires with black flex loom.
Bought used Dejon aluminum rear bumper from Dennis N. Cost: $80
5-8-03 Washed car
5-9-03 Chad G. delivered new shocks and springs. Thanks Chad!
5-10-03 Removed stock shocks and springs and replaced with KYB AGX, and Eibach ProKit. Thanks to Josh G for helping!
5-14-03 "Bought" used FP18G turbo from Ken W. Cost: $500
18G compressor wheel in 14b housing
TD06 exhaust wheel (no clip)
7cm exhaust housing ported by Forced Performance
Bigger flapper put on wastegate and necessary port done by FP
5-20-03 Cleaned carpets.
Bought used Dejon aluminum front bumper from Dennis N. Cost: $72
Scheduled four wheel alignment for 5-22-03.
5-22-03 Got four wheel alignment & replaced tie rod ends. Cost: $157.84
5-23-03 Washed, clayed, then buffed car with Meguiar's Step 1 Paint Cleaner.
5-24-03 Buffed car with Meguiar's Step 2 Polish, and Meguiars Step 3 Carnauba Wax.
5-29-03 UPS delivers used Dejon aluminum bumpers. Thanks Dennis!
5-30-03 Modified and installed front aluminum bumper.
5-31-03 Installed rear aluminum bumper.
6-26-03 Removed rear wiper assembly and filled hole with rubber plug.
7-3-03 Drove car to Indy to pick up 18G turbo from Ken W.
7-4-03 Seperated compressor housing from turbo and ground down external casting seam.
Smoothed the inside of the compressor outlet.
7-7-03 Sanded down and started polishing compressor housing.
7-8-03 Polished compressor housing more.
Cleaned, primed, and painted wastegate actuator.
7-12-03 Washed car and took some pics for the NABR "HOTH" contest. ;^)
7-15-03 Ordered rear strut tower brace from RRE. Cost: $89
7-16-03 Car rolls over 100K miles.
7-18-03 Went to Bunker Hill 1/8 mi. strip to race for the first time at a dragstrip. See Track Times page for details!
7-22-03 UPS delivered RRE Rear strut tower brace.
Installed rear strut bar.
7-25-03 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip again. Results not as good as last time. See Track Times page again.
8-8-03 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip again. Much better results! See Track Times page.
8-10-03 Washed car.
8-12-03 Got stickers made at Walker's Sign Shop. Cost: $10
8-15-03 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip again. See Track Times page as always.
Bought used 2G Eclipse chrome rims and Dunlop tires from Gonzalo H. Cost: $350
8-23-03 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip again. Used Torco 112 race gas. Excellent results! See Track Times page.
8-26-03 Fex Ex delivered rims, tires, and lugnuts.
Cleaned and installed rims/tires.
8-27-03 Washed car and took some pics.
9-1-03 Started 14B to 18G turbo swap but ran out of time.
9-2-03 Finished 18G swap.
9-4-03 Turned up boost to 18psi.
Split heater hose, spraying coolant all over engine bay.
9-5-03 Replaced both heater hoses, along with new hose clamps.
9-6-03 Washed car, cleaned engine bay.
9-18-03 Ordered Walbro 255lph high pressure fuel pump from RRE. Cost: $134
9-25-03 UPS delivered Walbro fuel pump.
10-6-03 Got some chrome sticker material and covered up the red Mitsu logos on the chrome GS-T wheels.
10-9-03 Bought Charged Air AFPR, and B&M FP gauge from Jeremy H. Cost: $130
10-11-03 FedEx delivers AFPR and gauge.
10-12-03 Installed FP gauge, AFPR, and Walbro 255 pump.
Discovered fuel pump outlet hose fitting was cross threaded. Rigged up some hose and clamped it together.
10-15-03 Worked on fuel lines, triple clamped 3/8 fuel hose on the hard lines.
10-25-03 Took delivery of '90 Laser RS-T rolling chassis for parts from Willy B.
11-1-03 Put car into storage at new house.
12-3-03 Took delivery of '92 Laser NT for daily driver/ winter beater from Willy B. Cost: $250
2-20-04 Took delivery of '91 Talon TSi AWD (auto) in need of head gasket and other maintenance from Willy B. Cost: $1200
2-20-04 Sold '92 Laser NT to D. Scott for $500.
2-28-04 Took 92 AWD out of storage, and washed.
3-6-04 Finally got car back on road...ahhh.
4-12-04 Started daily driving this beast.
Ordered Z1R ZRP-3 helmet from Clem's Cycle Shop.
4-16-04 Picked up helmet from Clems. Cost: $58.25
Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip. Turbo, fuel pump, and AFPR make nice difference! See '04 Dragstrip Times page.
4-23-04 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip again. Used Torco 112 race gas. Excellent results!
6-25-04 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip. Torco 112 race gas. Not so good results, shifting issues in transmission.
6-27-04 Bought '91 AWD to part out from Willy B. Cost: $200
7-18-04 Bought IRC Street core, pipes, clamps, overflow bottle, and SPAL fan from Fathouse. Cost: $700
Changed oil.
7-19-04 Started FMIC install.
7-21-04 UPS delivers J-pipe. Cost: $25
7-26-04 Modified BOV pipe.
7-27-04 Finished FMIC install.
7-28-04 Drove car to work and noticed shimmy / vibration in front end - suspect sticking brake caliper on passenger side.
Ordered new loaded front calipers, rear pads, and 2 headgaskets from NAPA. Cost: $155.10
7-29-04 Replaced front calipers and pads, and rear pads.
7-31-04 Drove to Indy for a small gathering at Ken W's.
Painted front calipers.
8-1-04 Resealed leaking thermostat housing.
8-23-04 Removed headliner for recovering.
8-24-04 Bought new thermostat, gasket, and radiator cap at AutoZone. Cost: $12.79
Replaced thermostat and radiator cap.
8-27-04 Bought 1.5 yards of headliner material at JoAnn Fabrics. Cost: $17.48
Recovered and reinstalled headliner.
Made new brackets to support SPAL radiator fan.
11-2-04 Bought used knockbox from S. Brown. Cost: $140.00
11-23-04 UPS delivered Knockbox.
11-30-04 Installed knockbox in center vent housing.
12-1-04 Put car into storage for winter.
3-27-05 Got car out of storage.
3-28-05 Washed car, and it's back on the road again!
4-16-05 Changed oil. Filter shaft was loose. Explains strange oil leak. Cleaned shaft, loctited, and torqued back to spec.
Glad I discovered this in the garage, and not while going down the highway.
5-30-05 Pulled Tranny and disassembled for rebuild. Found broken 1/2 shift fork.
6-1-05 Got new Bridgestone Fuzion P225/50/16 tires installed. Cost: $348.47
6-22-05 Ordered new clutch master and slave cylinders from Skillman Mitsu. Cost: $146.66
6-27-05 Ordered upgraded shift rails, EVO 1/2 shift fork, and EGT probe from TRE. Cost: $258.25
6-29-05 UPS delivers TRE parts.
6-30-05 Swapped half-dead VDO EGT probe for TRE probe.
7-1-05 UPS delivers Mitsu parts.
7-30-05 Got trans gearsets rebuilt by Josh F. Cost: $428
Picked up Palm logger setup, and ST rear sway bar from Nate C. Cost: $250
8-10-05 Bought CV boot kit at Advance Auto Parts. Cost: $17.89
8-12-05 Replaced driver's side inner CV boot, and installed new clutch slave and master cylinders.
8-14-05 Reinstalled transmission and got car back on the road.
8-19-05 Installed Palm datalogger setup.
8-21-05 Removed stock rear sway bar.
8-22-05 Installed Suspension Techniques rear sway bar.
Ordered new sway bar end links from Skillman Mitsu. Cost: $63.30
8-26-05 Went to Bunker Hill Dragstrip.
9-3-03 Modified 1G BOV to hold more boost.
9-8-05 UPS delivers new sway bar end links.
9-11-05 Installed new sway bar end links and poly bushings.
9-13-05 Went to Indianapolis Raceway Park for Street Legal Drags.
9-17-05 Repaired wastegate actuator.
9-18-05 Adjusted shifter linkage.
9-26-05 Went to IRP again.
9-27-05 Fixed boost leaks. Checked compression 1-4 = 145-135-150-150
9-28-05 Bought and installed new shorter bolts for throttle body. Cost: $2.01
11-27-05 Put car away for winter.
3-12-06 Car is back on the road.
7-10-06 Built new sub box. Much more bass!
9-12-06 Bought 2G dual piston calipers, Powerslot rotors, carbon / kevlar pads, and SS lines from Colin R. Cost: $370
10-10-06 Brakes delivered by UPS.
10-11-06 Installed front big brake upgrade.
7-25-07 I lightly tapped a "Hispanic" unlicensed and uninsured woman in a Ford Expedition when she failed to stop at a stop sign and crossed traffic in front of me.
This damaged the driver's side front fascia, fender corner, headlight, corner lense, and aluminum bumper.
The estimate amounted to roughly $1700 in damage. Most of it was repaired by myself.
5-28-08 Removed transmission again for rebuild.
Noticed both outer front CV boots need replaced.
7-19-08 Bought used transmission transfer case, rear diff from Ryan for $200. Thanks Ryan!
10-13-08 Colford came over and helped put transmission back on car. Thanks Matt!
11-10-08 Replaced both outer CV boots, then finished putting car back together.
It runs and moves under it's own power again. I still need to replace the transmission fluid. Have Redline MTL and light shockproof to go back in it.
I don't know how much more of this Log I'm going to keep up with, as not much happens with the Talon any more.
I have a few things I'd like to upgrade yet. I'd like to pick up an aluminum radiator, and I've been toying around with the thought of an EPROM ECU.
I'm still in the "buy it used and save money" mindset, so if I see something come up for sale in the price range I want to spend I may update this page more. Who knows.
My attempt to rebuild the transmission failed due to the expense of new parts, and the lack of drive for me to mess with it.
I ended up buying a used box off of an IndyStars member for a lot less than what it would have cost me to rebuild the old one.
At least this will get the car back on the road until I decide to save up the $1300 for replacement parts to rebuild the old box.