pcristquester Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Bought this nice running and driving 88 Starion several months ago. Got it smogged, registered, insured and drove it a bit (a couple of weeks max) before I started breaking her down for some needed TLC, cleaning, mild mods (at this point), and bringing back it to original Palermo Gray. It has about 138k on the clock, but supposedly rebuilt at some point previous to the guy I bought it from. I would have paid much more, if not for this alligator skin feeling blue paint. Don't know if this was an attempt at Fiji or not, definitely a failure if so. No major body, rust or mechanical issues that I have found besides power steering box dumping huge puddles of fluid below it. Here are a few pics in chronological order to start this topic of my progress. Thanks to this community and having my other 88 to refer to, this thing will be looking and driving better, sooner than later. My goal is less than a year from time of purchase. Any helpful criticism/advice is welcome and expected. Thanks for visiting. Parker http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/ca58707f-4310-4910-8f0c-53689c258166_zps2a874bb0.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/033_zps04381599.jpg[/urlhttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/009_zps98f66dca.jpg]http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/018_zps02b23d5e.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 A couple more how I received her. http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0053_zpsd3b6a55c.jpg http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/040_zps5d14d29d.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markhansenconquest Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 hey parker ..is that my header panel and chrome hard pipe???? :o :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 If I had another of each, they'd be yours Mark. You can borrow the hard pipe if you'd like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Good lord why the previous owner respray it another color than pretty Palermo. Needs some TLC for sure, looks original and untouched almost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Yeah, I told the guy it was going back original color. He was like, uh good luck, have fun....and I am! Scored a very decent OEM airdam and pair of 87 front seats in the deal, too. More progress pics tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 This one at Mitsufest sold me on going back to Palermo instead of silver (my favorite flavor on these). Super clean car almost bone stock besides the springs. I forgot the owners' name, sorry.http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/017_zps4bb4a6ce.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Some wet sanding and pressure washing off the blue. Got too close on the spoiler...oh well, no metal to rust therehttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/001_zps422ea749.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0042_zpsfcafde35.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0014_zps46ddd21f.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Parts removed for cleanup and blue removal http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/3bac2534-5e06-4c7b-9655-52ad80d8c041_zpsd22ee084.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/b89d33fe-b5f7-45ec-b49a-ad11fa5ed4c3_zps6746ec6d.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/c7b17af8-49b7-4c8f-876c-1bf58a61c849_zps210245fc.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markhansenconquest Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 looks better already.....when I saw it on craigs list I couldn" t tell if it was blue or green?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Sweet bent GNT short shifter installed and driven a bit before taken down for restore http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/EJS010_zps3999b08d.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/EJS012_zps4feddebf.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Very Nice! i like the Fiji color. so your going to the original color.cant wait to get my GNT Shorty installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Very Nice! i like the Fiji color. so your going to the original color.cant wait to get my GNT Shorty installed.Yeah, L83 Palermo Gray @ $350/gal at paintscratch.com....ouch! Anywhere else for less $? I can't get myself to pull the shifter to put in my black quest, but can't afford another one yet either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Engine bay clean up and exhaust manifold removed...that was a test of patience. Of course it was cracked, but have one that I stress relieved, ported and surfaced. Just waiting to get it back from ceramic coating to reinstall. http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0123_zps91eb8069.jpg http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0113_zpsd9d37d82.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/030_zps1cfec291.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Keep up the good work man. Yes great choice using Gates belts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Thanks TX.Those belts were on there when I bought it. They look pretty new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 A few removed items were cleaned up and rattle canned. The heat shields got primed, sprayed with a high heat coat, then finished off with a hammer toned finish. Did the same on my quest and has held up nicely for a decade now. Bolted up my 3" DP to the stock turbo which has plenty off life left in it. Need to figure out how to approach finishing the exhaust downstream of it, while being able to swap it back with the stock pre-cat for smog every 2 years with minimal effort. Any suggestions there?http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0034_zps1eee02ff.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/0143_zps705e347e.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Is it a Mookeh down pipe? If so the has a complete system for the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Is it a Mookeh down pipe? If so the has a complete system for the car.Yes it is. Does he make an adapter flange on the 3" b-pipe to bolt up to the stock pre-cat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 (edited) I don't think so. He makes a test pipe with mid-pipe and 2.5" or 3" system. Edited December 12, 2014 by TexasQuest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Test pipe sounds doable. I'll have to inquire. Thanks for the input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Your welcome. He doesn't have one listed on eBay at the moment, just the cat-back system. If you message him he'll sell you one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 I just tried. It says he can't receive messages at this time. Does that mean his inbox is full? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Had some time and parts arrive for reinstall. Manifold and turbo were ported at flange where they mate, stress relieved and flat black ceramic coated the manifold. New exhaust studs, washers and nuts from Dad on the manifold/head. Engine bay paint was cleaned to nice Palermo while it was open on this side.http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/002_zps92fc83d7.jpghttp://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag335/pcrist/003_zpse09f0703.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markhansenconquest Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 (edited) When u come by with that green injector...u can pick up my 2 manifolds and 3 turbo hot sides and have at it...... looks like u been busy in the garage.......What happened ...?? Did u ask her about saving that other car we talked about..??? Just joking.....just finished up my rear struts.... NEW KYBs those GABREALS DIDNT WORK OUT............do u know leesfer..??Have u seen his console that he is redesigning ??We need to have a meet....!!!! So/Cal..........When u come by bring your grinding burrs and bits Edited January 9, 2015 by markhansenconquest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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