89 CSX-VNT #153 Build Thread

[Turbo224]

Well, i've owned this thing for about six months now and am considering selling it to help finance my Cuda project. I haven't really decided what I am going to do, but figured I may as well start a build thread for the car as I put it back together. The car itself is still in storage so I don't have many pictures of it, but i'm working on the motor right now which is the fun stuff for me.

Super brief history. The previous owner did a serious build on this car only to have it drop a valve and destroy the motor shortly after it was put back together. He never got it back together and had to sell it when he decided to move out of state. My plans were to make it a mildly upgraded daily driver, so I didn't want to use a lot of the high performance parts he had on the car. I didn't really feel comfortable trying to salvage any of the blown up motor either, so I bought complete long block from another local guy that came out of another 89 CSX. The owner of the motor I bought didn't know anything about it, it came with a car he bought many years ago. Here is an older picture of the car, the new long block, and the carnage from the old motor.

[Turbo224]

Yesterday I pulled the head and oil pan off the replacement motor to check everything out and it looks super clean. The rod bearings all look great and are within spec, and the cylinder walls are perfect. I wish I had some history on this motor, it appears to be very low mileage considering how clean everything looks. My plans are to have the motor back together by this weekend and ready to drop in the car once I get it out of storage.

[85boostbox]

Looks like it was rebuilt at some point. Due to the number markings on the rod caps. Unless you did that

[cordes]

Tag for the progress.

[Turbo224]

Looks like it was rebuilt at some point. Due to the number markings on the rod caps. Unless you did that

Yeah, I marked it when I checked the bearings.

[Turbo224]

Funny how things always get done faster in your head compared to reality. I spent tonight working on assembly and got a few things done. Mounted the head, manifolds, and the turbo, hooked up the turbo oil and coolant lines and primed the oil pump. Using ARP head studs, Cometic HG, Turbonetics S60 turbo with a coated exhaust housing, and a 3" ATP ultimate internal swing valve.

[Turbo224]

Just about finished all the assembly I'm going to do before dropping it in the car. I noticed the rear main seal is leaking oil, can this be changed without removing the oil pan? Either way, I won't be able to get to it until I get it off the stand.

[cordes]

Unless my memory fails me I believe I've changed a rear main with the pan on.

[Reaper1]

Yes, you can do that job with the pan on. Make sure to use anaerobic sealer on the outside of the seal so you know for certain it's not going to leak or come out without some help.

It *can* be done on a stand, but it's no fun.

[Turbo224]

Brought the car home from storage on saturday and promptly installed the motor. I have shop space for about a week, so i'm hoping to get as much done as I can. Pictures aren't great, but you get the idea...

[cordes]

Very cool. What size wheels are those? How about the tires?

[Turbo224]

Very cool. What size wheels are those? How about the tires?

I know the tires are a 225, and i'm pretty sure the wheels are 17"

[cordes]

Sweet. Does it look like they rubbed much in the front? I would love to know the exact size if you get the chance.

[Turbo224]

Sweet. Does it look like they rubbed much in the front? I would love to know the exact size if you get the chance.

I'll take a look next time I'm out there. I can see slight rubbing in the front, but I dont recall it being anything too serious.

[Vigo]

Not trying to second guess you on your own wheels but im 90% sure those are 16x7.5. They used to be pretty popular wheels. I actually like them a lot on that body style. Strax22 has the same wheel (in silver) on his 87 csx and i have a set almost exactly like that on my Aries too.

[Turbo224]

Not trying to second guess you on your own wheels but im 90% sure those are 16x7.5. They used to be pretty popular wheels. I actually like them a lot on that body style. Strax22 has the same wheel (in silver) on his 87 csx and i have a set almost exactly like that on my Aries too.

You're probably right, I have never looked at them very closely.

[Turbo224]

Looked at the wheels today and Vigo wins, they are 16/7.5. Tires are 225/50/16.

[cordes]

Thanks a ton for that info.

[Turbo224]

Two questions regarding this plug that comes off the starter wiring harness. Is the plug supposed to go into the speed sensor on the transmission? And does the loose end hook into the negative battery terminal?

[cordes]

That does look like a speed sensor connector. The red fat wire goes to the positive terminal on the battery. The brown wire goes to the starter relay. IIRC there should be a ground wire that goes to the trans and two wires for the reverse lights that go to the trans on that black(?) connector also.