Colin Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 This thread is dedicated to the restoration of my first car, a 1988 Mitsubishi Starion. I bought it on December 8th, 2012 (2 days after my 18th birthday) from a local man who was selling his project because he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren. On the way home it wouldn't hold any RPM's and eventually stalled out. Luckily we weren't far from home, and we're friends with a local tow truck driver. At first we thought it was a bad fuel pump or a dirty tank, but upon giving it a fresh battery, it started and ran fine. Since then I've put on 2 front tires that hold air (they were used tires from our pile, but hey, they were free), since the old ones were rotten and leaky (I will be putting on a set of brand new ones before I'm finished the project). 2 weeks ago I pulled the radiator before starting a 2 week long condensed college course, so i was unable to do anything aside from ordering a new radiator. Today I discovered that my new radiator does not have the two holes at either side of the bottom of the tank where the coolant temperature sensors for the fans plug into, which brings me to my first of many questions, how should I go about solving this? Is there a way to have the coolant temp sensors somewhere else, or do I have to buy a different radiator? I also need to get the wastegate working properly. Should i be able to move it freely without the car running or should I not be able to move the linkage at all? right now I haven't seen it move with the car off, idling, or running at a higher speed. I know the vacuum lines are routed wrong, but does it sound like I will need a new wastegate solenoid? Anyway, thing still on the list of things to do:Front Wheel BearingsStrut Rod BushingsDrain and fill differential/transBrake hosesFix parking brakeComplete brake job (drilled and slotted rotors?)Sway bar bushingsTiresPolish wheelsPaint-(going with Summit's Acrylic Urethane System-Merlot color)Possibly an aftermarket intakeFix an exhaust leak at the flange behind the second catalytic converterSome parts I could use some help finding:Wheel center caps? I cant find them anywhere...Rear wiper motorRear wiper arm is rusted and bentHere's a picture of the day I brought it home, as well as a picture of the paint color I'm gettingIf you have any suggestions or answers to my questions, your help is much appreciated.Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88-cnqst-tsi Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 the wheel center caps you can get from Dad http://www.enginemachineservice.com/conquest.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Thanks, I saw that just after I posted. 17 bucks a piece seems a bit steep, especially since I need all 4 of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88-cnqst-tsi Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Thanks, I saw that just after I posted. 17 bucks a piece seems a bit steep, especially since I need all 4 of them.yes it is but since i have been on the site iv seen like 2 used sets go up for same so there kinda hard to find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Got my radiator back today, had the fan mounts soldered on and the coolant temp sensors mounted in the bottom tank. Also had the bottom outlet turned to a different angle because the fan shroud would interfere with the hose. Also cleaned my K&N air filter and ordered my radiator hoses. I hope to have it up and running again shortly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 I finally put my radiator in Friday and put everything back together. I took it for a drive on Monday and everything felt great. i only went down the street and back but I couldnt resist riding the gas and slamming through some gears haha I also ordered a boost gauge from Jegs and I'll put that in once my mounting bracket comes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pc85 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Are you in Mt. Airy, MD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted April 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Been a while since I put anything up, but I'll update it now.Radiators in and worksFinally got the car running rightChanged the turbo, got an aftermarket downpipe, waiting til after I paint to do exhaust (custom)BrakesSway bar bushingstrut rod bushingsbrake hosessway bar linksnew gear oil in rear and transsanding the car down for paint right now, just primed the hood today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted April 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 If anyones still reading this Ill put up a few picturesI also got a new hatch to replace the one riddled with nasty stuck on tint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistapickles Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 I would love to see some pictures... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted April 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) Installed a Jegs boost gaugeInterior Disassembly to remove side spoilersHood primedNew downpipe + Fresh turbo Edited September 30, 2013 by Patrick_Starion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistapickles Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Any time you can get your girlfriend involved it's a good thing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZacMan Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Unless she f***** it up and then you have to fix it... ;-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowTSi Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 (edited) Nice work so far! Are you planning on painting the car yourself? Edited April 20, 2013 by ShadowTSi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 nah she does a good job- and yes i will be painting it myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komeuppance Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Looks good!! A tip in restoring you heater/fan controls, use brake fluid (not brake cleaner) on a paper towel to rub all the crud off. It'll make it brand new looking and shiny. -Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Havent updated in a LONG time. here goes.Car is at home now, mechanically sound, just need exhaust bent.Bumper is off, side spoilers, mirrors, front valance, everything is off Washed the car after sanding: Primed the whole car this time: Threw on some steelies i got from a friend, took mine to the shop and am gonna sandblast and powdercoat them. also been doing some block sanding. I'm hoping to get a lot done this weekend as well and possibly update if anyone is interestedColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted September 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Ok time for an update. I got all my body and prep work done and started laying down some color this weekend. Here are the results: As you can see I still have some work to do. I couldnt get my gun adjusted exactly right so it was spraying a narrow pattern. I didnt get even coverage so i'll have to wet sand it and go back over it this weekend and hopefully get it done right this time if I can get my gun to spray right. The bumper turned out decent but you can see in the close-up of the hood it left a bunch of tiger stripes and light spots all over the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) Teeny update- sandblasted a wheel and gave it to my uncle to powdercoat. Turned out pretty good for what they looked like before. Today I sandblasted the other 3 and will give to him tomorrow to finish. Edited October 7, 2013 by Patrick_Starion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Okay here goes. Progress has been fast and updates have been slow so here we go. http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3093-Copy_zps2d350fa7.jpgGot her all painted and cleared a few weeks agohttp://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3104_zps00cfd497.jpghttp://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3100-Copy_zps256d1583.jpghttp://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3098-Copy_zps573a99c8.jpg http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3139_zpsf6e0002e.jpgThe other three wheels back from my uncles house beautiful 245/5016 Uniroyal Tigerpaw GTZ tires on the rear 8's. This is our favorite tire to put on customers cars as well. Cheap, durable, and the plain flat sidewall looks sexy IMO. They only cost around 90 bucks apiece for the rear and 80 something for the front two.http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3171_zps0186aab8.jpg http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3140_zps7a455b6a.jpg Battery died while I was putting the front end together (oops)http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3173_zps54d0e7ec.jpg Home sweet homehttp://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3181_zps7c1059d1.jpg Sibling pic with my buddy's Prelude (forgive the HonDUH, he wants a Starion now too )http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r767/colinturbo88/IMG_3185_zps9adbbf53.jpg Thats how she sits right now, just need to finish scraping the ugly tint off and get tags and insurance and it'll become my daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Also forgot to mention I will be having a custom 2.5" exhaust custom made with an OBX muffler in the next two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87quest_stv Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 the paint looks good.. are yo planning to wet sand and buff? would probably shine that up real nice and take any orange peel out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 the paint looks good.. are yo planning to wet sand and buff? would probably shine that up real nice and take any orange peel outyes i will be, It's my first paint job so it's really peely and i'm nervous about wet sanding it haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 what color is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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