Advice needed on getting started

Started by Si Trader · Sep 17, 2010 · 6postsSMF 2010–26

Si TraderSep 17, 2010, 8:47 pm · #1

Long story short I need to get this thng started and running as daily driver. Where I need advice is on the engine.

I took a compression check and the driver side is about 150 150 and 210psi. The passenger side one is 150 then it drops to below 100 on the other 2 cylinders. Car has a 3.0 with 154k and hasn't been turned on in years. Now where I need help is

1. should I buy a used jdm vg30e (aprox. $800)
2. get heads checked ($200 labor to get them checked)
3. just get the 3 liter rebuilt by a local shop ($1150)

Of course these prices don't include water pump, belts and other stuff i'll break or need replacing. I want to get it running just cause i'm tired of carpooling and driving my gas guzzling K5 4x4. I don't have money to burn just want to get it right the first time. The car also needs alot of other parts replaced like clutch, suspension bushing and other stuff that rots when a car sits for 10 years.

What would be a good idea out of those 3 options that i think I have? Is there any other suggestions?

I just got the gas tank cleaned and ordered a new fuel pump assembly from the dealer, replaced some of the sway bar bushing, brakes w/ hoses have been replaced and still need the interior door panels redone. Like I said I have no money to burn but I also miss driving something different and small vehicle. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

ArroSep 17, 2010, 10:07 pm · #2

Ok so first thing's first... this is an SE model, right? (put your vehicle info in yer profile Wink )

Not sure why you'd want a JDM VG30E as opposed to a locally-sourced one...

Si Trader on 08:47:34 PM / 17-Sep-10 I don't have money to burn just want to get it right the first time.

No offense, but this is a total contradiction. If you're on a tight budget and want a daily driver, a busted S12 is not the right car for you. Because if you want to "get it right the first time", you will take the rebuild option you listed and be certain, plus a good shop will warranty the work.

The car also needs alot of other parts replaced like clutch, suspension bushing and other stuff that rots when a car sits for 10 years.

Clutch is cheap if you don't listen to some people who may tell you to go big and expensive, and just put in a LUK OEM spec clutch. Some people might tell you "now's the time to upgrade" but that gets costly, and you sound like you just want it to be running ASAP. LUK clutches are solid, reliable parts, and at OEM or better specs, for great prices. You can usually order them from a local auto parts store or online (online might net you a better deal).

The bushings and other suspension stuff can be sorted out by you if you have simple hand tools and a little time to do it yourself. We have how-to's and plenty of other info on here to get the job done, plus lots of knowledgable people who can help you with any questions along the way.

I just got the gas tank cleaned and ordered a new fuel pump assembly from the dealer, replaced some of the sway bar bushing, brakes w/ hoses have been replaced and still need the interior door panels redone. Like I said I have no money to burn but I also miss driving something different and small vehicle. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

That's a good start... the door panels almost always get screwed up from exposure to heat and time, and crack apart a the top. You can re-vinyl them yourself if you are up for it. There is a how-to somewhere buried on this server, when I get a chance I will put it up. It has pictures and step by step instructions.

MaxpowSep 18, 2010, 3:09 am · #3

Bad compression...

does the car run? If it does is it burning alot of oil? If it is you're compression problem is probably rings. If its not burning a shit ton of oil I'd look at the heads. Just do the work yourself and save a shit ton of money. I'm doing it right now.

Si TraderSep 18, 2010, 6:51 pm · #4

Car hasn't started since I bought it. The fuel pump/tank were completely rusted out. Hopefully once I get the pump assembly this week i can get it running and see how it runs.

I was planning on getting either Aisin or LUK hydarulics and clutch.

I guess as far as replacing the engine I have no real good source on an engine builder. I had my engine rebuilt by a local shop on a v8 350 and one of the studs for my rocker arms came loose. Yes they replaced it but I had to remove the head and get another one. Labor wasn't easy since I had the car running for 10 minutes before I had to disassemble it soon after I found the problem.

That's why i'm contemplating on getting a low mileage jdm or just replacing the heads. Unles someone knows a good engine builder in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

MaxpowSep 18, 2010, 7:32 pm · #5

Damn bro seriously spend $20 on a FSM (Factory Service Manual) from ebay, and do the work yourself. I found all kinds of janky shit when I took my girls car to a "reputable mechanic"

it ended up costing a whole lot more to have someone else do it... pretty much every time I've had someone else do it. Every time I fuck up its cheap, seems like everytime they fuck up its expensive as hell.

Best bet if you don't really want to get your hands to dirty is to pull the motor you have, and put a new block in.

Si TraderSep 19, 2010, 5:13 pm · #6

After writing a Pros and Cons list on fixing up the s12 and realizing how many miles i've put on my k5 in the last year (which is like only 4k). I might as well replace evrything that's wrong with the car. Just do it right the first time with room for modifications. Meanwhile i'll just drive the old ladies car and K5.

Hopefully when I'm done with it I end up keeping it for longer than my other cars. I tend to get bored easy and just sell them usually.