ScottyUndersteer Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Hey folks, I purchased a 1988 ESI-R with 117k in Minnesota last November while on a work assignment there. A month later work took me to Germany so I got to drive her around a few times before trailering her back to Michigan for storage (thanks Grandpa!). I've been meaning to get around to introducing myself on here since I moved to the land of sausage, kraut, and beer, so here goes. Anyway...the car... In my opinion, not a bad example...rust free with a 'good from far, but far from good' paintjob. Has been in what appears to be a minor front passenger side collision but repaired well. Tapped my ring around the typical trouble spots and couldn't discern any signs of bondo abuse or painted over rust and frame rails are good, so I'm quite content with the body. The bad: slippy clutch needs to be replaced, jank wiring of the cooling fans to toggle switches in the dash failed = no fans (I was assured the needle never made it to the red and that the car was parked since that happened, but I guess only time will tell), power steering is weeping from the gearbox and unfortunately I know the previous owner topped it off with PS fluid so we'll see how the pump fairs in the near future. The good: its an '88, other than the cooling fans all other electronics seem well sorted, diff was rebuilt, starts right up, runs smooth, drives smooth, trans seems strong, makes stockish boost (unless the stock guage is off), only mod appears to be an aluminum radiotor and those fan switches . Target: when I get back to MI...fix cooling immediately, then replace clutch (lighten flywheel while I'm there), address PS depending on how bad it is, then go through her with a fine tooth comb (newbie checklist) and make a reliable 3-season runner. When I get bored with that, we'll see, but I reckon I'll be kept plenty busy for a while just getting her on the road strong and care-free. Sorry for being a bit long-winded...additional pictures are in the gallery (all of them are shotty cell phone pics taken at night tho) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Nice, and welcome. Sounds like you have a solid and reasonable plan so far. What is the interior, burgundy, black, black and tan, leather, cloth etc...more pics cuz we love um Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Welcome. Awesome screen name! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyUndersteer Posted March 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Welcome. Awesome screen name!A young me botched up my first scandy flick attempt, hit a curb, and ended up in a ditch with the the right front corner exploded...nickname ensued And it's a black and tan cloth interior. Unfortunately no more pictures since there's a big ocean between the car and me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chassispuke Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 welcome awesome looking car, love the cloth tan interior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSiTSi Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Welcome! glad to see another Michigan member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyUndersteer Posted July 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 So I got back from Germany and could finally drive and work on the Starion! Made respectable boost (all 10psi) and pulled surprisingly well until about 3k, then it would run out of gas and fall on its face. While looking into it I found out I have Trilogy injectors, went to inspect the wiring and it literally just fell apart. Re-wired it all and then she pulled hard until about 4k but still went nasty lean and stumbled under full load. Decided I needed to dig deeper so I went to pull the plugs and do a leak down test...that's when I found cylinder 3 plug had been cross-threaded. Slowly got it out while weeping quietly with each turn. I guess at this point I think I'll pull the head, replace with a non jet valve head, and go from there...assuming that's the only damage. Thoughts? This explains why I got it cheap...you can't accidentally cross thread a spark plug... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyUndersteer Posted July 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Welcome! glad to see another Michigan member. Whereabouts are you in the Mitten? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87redcat Posted August 1, 2015 Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Welcome aboard! check the vac advance on the dizzy (distributor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSiTSi Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I live near Grand Ledge and work in Hastings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyUndersteer Posted August 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 I live near Grand Ledge and work in Hastings. I work in Plymouth and live in Livonia. Not super close but not too bad. Once I get running again I may reach out to ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyUndersteer Posted August 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 I live near Grand Ledge and work in Hastings. I work in Plymouth and live in Livonia. Not super close but not too bad. Once I get running again I may reach out to ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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