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krudmuphin's not-so-great '88


krudmuphin
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Hello there! :o

 

This isn't my first post on SQC, but it is my first since I actually acquired my new ride. Unfortunately she's a loooong way from showtime, but for a 25 year-old-car, who really expects that. I did, however, overpay for this lump. It's non-running and I dropped 2 grand for it.... oops... but it's quite rare in my area so well worth it in the end (so I hope!)

 

Well, here it is in all its 80's glory.

My 1988 Conquest TSI

 

On the farm where I bought it from... this thing was REALLY DIRTY

http://i.imgur.com/l9W6p54.jpg

 

 

After I cleaned up a bit and got it into a garage, unfortunately not my own garage so my time here is limited.

http://i.imgur.com/lAmB1YD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/k7DZ2np.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mNKOjxs.jpg

I was told that this car just needed a new head to make it run well, but that sounded waaaay to good to be true... This thing is a pit. He included a new head in the sale, but I have yet to see it so i don't know what kind it is. The wiring in this is especially bad. It's poorly laid out, disconnected in random spots, cut in places, etc, but no frays and it looks to be all there still.

 

Disconnected that ridiculously complex air intake system (seriously, what's the deal with that huge thing anyway?!) so I could actually see things better...

The turbo is brand new OEM but the intercooler is shot. There's an aftermarket blowoff valve on it, but for some reason the previous owner left the old one plugged into the wiring system...why did he----?!

http://i.imgur.com/82qIhYZ.jpg

 

Then, after pulling the valve cover, I was really shocked. This valve-train looks brand-spanking new, doesn't it? Why would the owner say it needs a new head? Guess I won't know till I pull the darn thing off... The valve cover even looks new-ish.

What are all those little threaded holes in the valve cover? Is there supposed to be something in those? They don't line up with the head, but I don't think it would be a good idea to have oil spurting out of those after all is put together again, haha.

http://i.imgur.com/xs6OQ6X.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rqU8GiR.jpg

To put this whole thing simply, I bought a project car that I don't even understand, lol. I have 0 experience with engine work so I'm relying on friends and forum members to get the car back on its feet. To make matters worse, I can't even drive a stick yet. :wacko:

But... we'll see what happens. I don't have any big plans yet besides getting it running, but i'd like to go for something more rally-inspired as I've always been a huge fan of rally racing and the Starion has "some" roots in that motorsport.

 

If you guys see ANYTHING that looks wrong, missing, or out of place, PLEASE let me know!! Thank you! :)

 

And if anyone's interested, this is what I'm stepping over from. This is my daily driver:

http://i.imgur.com/CYUt1GJ.jpg

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Welcome. You've definitely come to the right place to get your lady going again. That head does look pretty good, perhaps it needs a head gasket? Best way to check for sure is do a compression check first and see where your at before tearing into everything. Don't worry about those threaded holes in the valve cover, they're for other things for different cars that came with the 2.6 motor. These cars never came factory with a blowoff valve. The intake system can be a little cumbersome but it was what they had for the time. Later on down the road you can simplify it more after you get things straightened out. Clean civic btw. Always a great idea having a daily that's not also your project. ;)
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Thanks. My friend is kinda leading this project since he knows a LOT more about engines than me, so I'm mostly following his energetic lead, haha

He's already planning out ways to simplify the intake system and run the piping in a more efficient way, but there's so many wires and hoses everywhere, it's a big mess at the moment...

I'll definitely need to take a day to sit down and thoroughly read through the factory service manual, because this stuff is all foreign to me.

 

Most I've ever done to an engine is bolt on a cold-air intake and a catback exhaust, haha. But I'm here to learn and this project will force me to do just that.

 

 

One question I do have right away is regarding the oil lines... it appears that the line coming out of the oil cooler is pinched at the corner, and same with the oil line lead into into the turbo from above. Are the cinched corners supposed to be there or are those pipes probably damaged?

Edited by krudmuphin
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nice find looks pretty good if you are going to ask questions some times its better to post a pic with your question so we can accurately look and help diagnose your problems and help you get her back on the road. there are a few things you need to remember the car is 25 years old most of the parts on these cars are just as old take your time things will break try not to let it get to you .almost all of these cars have been used and abused lots of them neglected and cut up never finished just please if you start the project please try to finish i know some times it just seams like the dam thing dont want to go together,cant get hands in there, it gets aggravating but dont let that stop you you find yourself scratching your head and dont know what to do take a break smoke a cig. (if you dont smoke then dont start) post a question or to and some pics then go back to it

 

you will find a lot of guys on hear are really helpful but you must know what you are working on to ask the question .

 

ex. (what is this thing under the intake- take a pic use your fingers to point to the item you are asking about.

hope every thing works out for you feel free to ask for help it never hurts especially if you dont know.

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I know about the whole picture-with-post thing as I am a frquent member to my Honda forums as well. I just made this post last night with what little pictures I snapped on my phone.

Tonight when I get to it, I will take a picture of literally everying that looks odd to me so I can get a good jumpstart on what needs fixed and what is good to go.

 

I can already tell these forums will be helpful and this website rund really smoothly too. Just hope that I don't drive everyone crazy with my loads of questions and lack of mechanical apptitude ;)

 

I'll keep everyone updated so I don't mess anyhting up :)

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Welcome to the forum and please take the following remarks seriously but understand that they are to help you.

 

This car is nothing like a Honda, there is little to no aftermarket support for them and the older more experienced members around here can give you plenty of insight and advice, about anything from 350k+ mileage SQ's still on the road to some of the most highly modded cars around. Be respectful and heed the advice or you will find yourself in the same boat as so many other young guys that had big dreams for their SQs, with no one willing to try and help them anymore. People are willing to help here but you have to be willing to help yourself. You have to research problems and learn to diagnose what the car is telling you. Download and read and learn to use the FSM. It will tell you what almost everything is on the car and save you from asking a bunch of easy to answer questions. Read through some of FAQ's especially ones about your specific problems. Learn to use the search function for this site. It gets complained about a lot that its not a very efficient search function, compared to other sites, but its what we have and it works well enough if you take your time with it. Get your car running tip top in stock form BEFORE you go modifying anything. Then if you mod something and your car reacts badly to that mod, you will know why. If you mod a bunch of stuff while trying to get it running, you wont know if its a basic engine problem or one of your mods that is causing your issues. It looks like you have a pretty decent starting point with your car so enjoy it and stay patient. Like Sean said, most of them have been beaten on and thrown away and it will take some time to figure out what the PO's have screwed up in it's past life to get it back where it should be. Good luck with it and enjoy the ride.

 

BC_99

Edited by BC_99
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Well said, I'm actually used to being in the position of helping others on a forum so this is a slight change of pace, but the etiquette is perfectly understandable and I do greatly appreciate the help.

 

Now just a minor update and a few more pictures to show off some of my concerns so far...

 

First of all.... WOO HOO! The lights flipped up! They work! (sort of) They flip up, but the lights and fogs do not come on with any combination of the space-age dash buttons, only the park lights illuminate :P Tracked back the wiring and it all looks good so I'm hoping it just needs some bulbs.

http://imageshack.us/a/img405/8549/son6.jpg

 

Next, here are the kinked lines I was talking about. Something tells me they're not supposed to be there, but I could be entirely wrong...

http://imageshack.us/a/img823/4428/8a8p.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img10/3007/09m5.jpg

 

I talked to a Conquest owner recently ad he told me to check out the frame under the passenger door for rust... and sure enough...

Gonna need this fixed soon. There's a couple holes through it already. :(

http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3314/8ddt.jpg

 

The radiator has a nice fist-sized punch right in the front so it may be a goner. It doesn't leak though, haha!

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/1521/6neq.jpg

 

And finally here's the intercooler. Dirty, rusty, probably no good anymore. It even smells like it had gas leaking into it! :(

Note the HKS Blow-off valve mounted to the top piping.

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/7568/0z8c.jpg

 

Next thing on the list is to get a key made because the PO's lost it somehow.

I will first attempt to get one from my local Mitsubishi dealer and hope they don't send me away because the car is badged as a "Chrysler"

If that doesn't work, I'll have to use a local locksmith and dig out the ignition cylinder :/ *sigh

Edited by krudmuphin
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Wow, the AC condenser sits so close to the radiator you'd think it's all one piece. I totally did not notice that.

I'm looking to dump the AC anyway as I have no plans to resell the car. Less weight, more room, and heat doesn't bother me, haha. That's coming out then. Thanks!

 

I'll clean up the intercooler

 

Been reading the FSM and straitening a lot of things out already. I'm certainly having a tough time figuring out why many of my vacuum hoses are leading nowhere...

 

Once we get a key, my friend and I are going to try to start the car N/A to see if it will even crank at which point we'll be able to finally change the oil. If we run the motor turboless is there anything important we should make sure is plugged or disconnected? We're not driving the car obviously, we just wanna get it to idle (hopefully...)

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The turbo oil line will be pumping oil all over the place. The car won't fire if there is no air going through the mafs. If you are just doing it to check compression just keep an eye on that oil line.
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Car will start with no MAS plugged in. Perfect time to upgrade the intercooler (ebay?).

 

When you weld in a new section of the frame rail, remove the carpet above that area. Welds get hot!

 

But a compression test would be better to do before trying to start it. Unplug the injectors and take out all the spark plugs, then test one by one.

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I just like the fact that even though you're new here, you're conducting yourself very well. Even with the knowledge you have, your humble nature is going to reap you big rewards from the more experienced members here. And we all like pictures so keep em coming!
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Sure is! Though it's usually pretty dried up in the summer thanks to Iowa's silly NW irrigation system

 

And thanks a ton guys, you certainly weren't joking about how nice and helpful everyone here is ^_^

What huge step up from my last forum adventures!

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Car will start with no MAS plugged in. Perfect time to upgrade the intercooler (ebay?).

 

When you weld in a new section of the frame rail, remove the carpet above that area. Welds get hot!

 

But a compression test would be better to do before trying to start it. Unplug the injectors and take out all the spark plugs, then test one by one.

Sorry for the mistake, haven't had a stock MAS in a while. Thanks Tech. Not meaning to be misleading.
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Well scratch what I said, we're going to do the compression test and then try to start it with everything connected again.

Turbo and MAFS hooked up again and I'll temporarily try to "uncrimp" those oil lines.

 

Hopefully we can fire it just enough to get the oil heated so it can be changed properly. Hopefully then we can see what problems the old head apparently has.

I will add a picture of the new head as soon as I get it. Right now I'm not even sure what kind it is, but supposedly it was $600 and the PO bought it from someone on this forum.

 

In cleaning the intercooler today, I noticed that it had a strong smell of gas inside of it. That would be a sign of...?

I had one person say that's normal, and another person say it's probably a fuel leak somewhere :wacko:

Edited by krudmuphin
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Yeah, I figured that out after studying the wiring for the lighting. I'm pretty sure wipers, windows, seatbelts and all that wonderful stuff is on with ACC power too.

Me not having a key yet is definitely an annoying delay, haha. But I have a DC3 key blank in the mail and hopefully my local Mitsubishi dealer can cut me a new one with either the VIN# or by bringing in one of the lock cylinders.

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Bodywork = 1% Complete!

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/674/vvbv.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6088/hwqm.jpg

 

Just killing time until I get my key (probably tomorrow!)

 

Also smacked my front nose panel and fog light covers back into the correct shape with a mallet and phonebook B)

Gotta love metal parts!

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