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Thread: Csx vnt #497

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  1. #1
    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Csx vnt #497

    I picked this up last weekend with the intention of making it a daily driver. It has some rust underneath it, but nothing crazy at all. I'll be undercoating it to beat the band and driving it until it rots to nothing. That should be a long time from now in these parts. All of the Shelby specific items are on the car with the exception of the original shocks/struts, and the air dam. That's just as well since the struts would have seen their best days gone by, and I don't need to run a snow plow into school. As a matter of fact, I can barely get over the speed bumps at school when I take #42 there.
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    When I Picked it up, the driver's window had popped off of the track, and wouldn't roll up. That was for the best as there isn't an exhaust on the car right now. The exhaust manifold has been converted to a T3 bolt pattern and it has a T4 60 trim wheel in an E cover. I'm unsure of the exhaust wheel trim, and turbine housing size. I do know that it has a Turbosmart external waste gate on it which was welded to the top of the turbine housing. For an outlet, the previous owner reused the original VNT elbow. Unfortunately, that clocks the exhaust outlet preventing the stock down pipe from being used. There were some fumes which got into the car, but the open window allowed for adequate ventilation. In all, the car ran very well, and I was able to make it home with the only worry being about the fuel gauge. I thought it might be broken, but we were actually just getting amazing mileage. Huge thanks to my father-in-law for looking at it with me, and to my father for heading out the next weekend to bring it back.

    Another issue which was actually preventing me from driving the car home was a bad brake hose which kept the pressure in the L/F caliper. The owner of the vehicle went above and beyond helping me bring this car back. I shipped him a hose, and he actually changed it out in his shop before my father and I arrived. He helped me bleed the brakes, inspect the fluids and saw us off. I really appreciate all of the help. You can tell he has a great respect for the cars and is a great guy.

    I have already fixed the window. The problem was an aftermarket JL audio speaker which was too deep for the door. The window had been hitting it and didn't have the strength any longer to push past, and that in turn popped it out of the track. I have removed the speaker, and replaced the window clips. If you have a problem with your window tilting forward as many of our cars do, just buy the 25 pack from Clips and Fasteners, make sure to install it with the locking part facing toward the interior. Use the brass pieces along with some cobra head pliers to press it together. It's quite simple, and makes all the difference.
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    I only took one shot of the door, but much like everything else on the car, it shows that someone drove, but really loved this car throughout its life. Everything is there, and it went back together nicely. The door skin looks nicer in the photo than it is, but I suspect it will clean up really well.
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    The horn button and steering wheel are well worn. I may leave the button alone, but I'm tempted to pull the cover off of the wheel. They're all the fake wood grain underneath right? I've done that with a wheel before, but I know there is some argument about if they're all the same underneath or not.
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    Under the hood, things are not very stock looking any longer. While it looks nice, I'm thinking that I may convert everything over to the 90 VNT stuff I have. I think it looks cleaner than the 89 pieces, and I know it performs better. I think I'll put the S60 VNT I have in my basement on this car. It will just be much less work than to make the current turbo function, and I'm not out for performance with this one anyway. I think if I do it with the one piece intake, and a restrictive exhaust, I should be able to keep the S60 VNT under control. To start the process, I pulled off the half 89 airbox and replaced it with the NOS VNT upper hose I had in the basement. I'm pretty sure that this engine was rebuilt very recently, and that head studs were used. I'll pull the head, and get everything in order before putting it back on. I would really like to finish out the school year driving this bad lad.
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    The fiberrides are in decent shape. I've seen way worse. I don't think that any of them are perfect, but they are all better than average. I'm not sure if they'll stay on the car for the long haul or not. The tires on them are new and were over $600 installed. That makes up a very decent chunk of the purchase price, so I've got that going for me; which is nice.
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    Last edited by cordes; 03-24-2019 at 03:44 PM.

  2. #2
    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    I'm going to dump the photos I received from the seller here for historical purposes.

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  3. #3
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    I approve, gonna show us the rust?
    1988 Lancer Shelby 2.2TII 1989 Shadow ES 2.5TI 1992 Lebaron Sedan 3.0Auto 1993 Acclaim 2.5TI-A520 Hoard parts now!

  4. #4
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Cool! Looks like a fun project. Dang, I'm starting to want an '89 CSX now!

  5. #5
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Quote Originally Posted by raccoon View Post
    I approve, gonna show us the rust?
    I'll have to get under the car. The fuel lines don't look the best, and the driver's floor has been patched, but there isn't any bubbly rust on the top side. I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible.

    Quote Originally Posted by iTurbo View Post
    Cool! Looks like a fun project. Dang, I'm starting to want an '89 CSX now!
    Do it. There are some good drivers out there these days. I love P body cars for many reasons. The only real problem with the 89 CSX that I have is they cheaped out and didn't use a tilt column. Those are a must for me. I could feel the 4 hour drive home in my right knee for a couple days afterward.

  6. #6
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    I know what you mean. I used to have an '89 Shadow ES 4-door, and I absolutely loved that car. It was so fun to drive with the 2.5L TI/A520, and then I upgraded it with the TII turbo/intercooler and 3" exhaust. Sadly it got totalled by a drunk driver though. I kinda prefer the 4-door versions of all our cars now that I think about it. I used to have an '87 CSX; still really kicking myself for selling it.

    Your #497....did it come from the Denver area at one point?

  7. #7
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    If I'm not mistaken, #497 has spent its life in IA.

  8. #8
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Drove the car to the front of the house and noticed there was not much brake fluid in it. The car stopped, but a leak is evident. Will be investigating this one soon...

  9. #9
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    The leak was the line coming off of the prop valve to the L/F brake hose. I replaced it with a stainless unit.

    Not much was done to the car before I headed out to SDAC 29. The car ran fairly well on the way there, although it looked like I lost a lot of oil on the way. On the way back, the low oil light was coming on and it looked like it was very, very low on fluid. Concerned, I stopped to put some oil in it before I realized that the slightly bent dip stick was not seating all the way on the tube, thus indicating a low level. It was certainly burning some oil though. The car needs a new turbo. Thankfully, I have plans to restore it to VNT greatness soon. Ideally beginning this weekend.

    On the brake front, the car stops well enough, but it is clear that the car is dragging at least one caliper. I hope to have that remidied soon too. This car seems like it will be a very strong runner for me.

    To do list:
    Headlights are weak as all get out- Relay them ASAP
    Brake lights are weak as all get out- Ground issue?
    Burning oil- Replace turbo/exhaust manifold and run VNT
    Headliner sagging- Rip it out
    Brakes dragging- Considering a swap to Neon brakes in the rear since it will be on winter duty and as little rear brake as possible is desired.

  10. #10
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Well, the turbo was a hummer of a job. The head looked pretty rough on the deck surface, so I had that skimmed. It took some time, but I'm done now. Head studs installed with a felpro gasket. I have the S60-VNT on there now and it should be ready for some trials once I retorque the head tomorrow after tonight's heat cycling. Then I just need a piece of pipe to put in place of the cat. Fingers crossed that the exhaust will be restrictive enough to control the boost.

    - - - Updated - - -

    ETA: Added some Taylor wires and I need the bolt/stud that goes into the head for the later style air box to bolt on. I'm not sure if those are used on any non turbo vehicles.

  11. #11
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    I finished off a lot of maintenance yesterday. I replaced both rear wheel bearings, and the shocks. That was fun due to the rust. I sprayed everything very well with Fluid Film. I replaced the alternator bushings in hopes that the alt will finally stop squealing. I did notice that the front wheel bearings need to be replaced, and both inner tie rod ends are pretty rough. I'll probably swap out to big brakes and just replace the rack, ball joints, etc. If I ever part this thing out, it'll have a ton of great stuff to donate to other cars. That's for sure.

  12. #12
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    The CSX is sitting out front dripping used motor oil all over the place. I filled up a sprayer and went to town with about 1.5gal of the stuff. I sprayed it in the doors, under the car, under the hood near where my 90 shadow rotted out, in the fenders, the rear quarters, rockers, pretty much everywhere I could reach without putting the car on a lift. I'm hoping that this and the fluid film will really keep the rust off of the car.

  13. #13
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Quote Originally Posted by cordes View Post
    The CSX is sitting out front dripping used motor oil all over the place. I filled up a sprayer and went to town with about 1.5gal of the stuff. I sprayed it in the doors, under the car, under the hood near where my 90 shadow rotted out, in the fenders, the rear quarters, rockers, pretty much everywhere I could reach without putting the car on a lift. I'm hoping that this and the fluid film will really keep the rust off of the car.
    This should help keep the rust away
    Regards,
    Miles

    DD '87 Sundance T1, SLH with rear disks
    '87 CSX #432 2.5 CB TII, SLH

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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Well, to update this thread, I did replace the front knuckles with later units for the R/T style 11" brakes with Hawk pads. I have new KYB struts on the front and the VNT turbo has been fairly well behaved. I need to install a BOV or more accurately, hook up the stock airbox with the stock BOV in it. I'll probably go ahead and drill out the bracket for a bigger bolt, as I've not seen one of the proper bolts for sale since I've been looking. I'm very happy with the car over all and hope to drive it for the long haul. The interior is still pretty nice and I intend on keeping it that way. Here's the video from the front suspension and brake work.



    I also replaced the temp sender and made a little video showing how I tested the gauge in the dash.

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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    I have had the 90 VNT airbox setup in the car for a while now. The stock airbox definitely helps to control the boost a little more. The BOV makes me feel like I'll get a million more miles out of the turbo than I would have otherwise. Thanks to Anthony Prior for setting aside everything for me. It looks really nice in the car.

  16. #16
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Tonight the car started running very rough on my way out of school. I did about an hour's worth of trouble shooting and determined that the FP regulator failed internally and is now leaking fuel into the intake line at a very good clip. I'll replace it and be back on the road in no time if I had to guess.

  17. #17
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Well, the car has run very well up until this week. All I have to complain about is that the exhaust broke right before the trailing arm. I need to get that fixed and I should be all set. I've been driving it back and forth to school for most of the winter and it has done very well for me. The gas mileage is incredible, and the fun factor is through the roof. I enjoy the VNT to say the least, and I'm surprised at the great gas mileage given how much time I spend in boost, even if just a few pounds while accelerating.

    Does anyone know the size of the exhaust where it goes over the trailing arm in the back?

  18. #18
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Quote Originally Posted by cordes View Post
    Well, the car has run very well up until this week. All I have to complain about is that the exhaust broke right before the trailing arm. I need to get that fixed and I should be all set. I've been driving it back and forth to school for most of the winter and it has done very well for me. The gas mileage is incredible, and the fun factor is through the roof. I enjoy the VNT to say the least, and I'm surprised at the great gas mileage given how much time I spend in boost, even if just a few pounds while accelerating.

    Does anyone know the size of the exhaust where it goes over the trailing arm in the back?
    1-7/8"

  19. #19
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Quote Originally Posted by Reaper1 View Post
    1-7/8"
    Thanks a ton. Now to see what I can do about repairing that section. It looks pretty stock back there except for the muffler.

  20. #20
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    Re: Csx vnt #497

    Well, I've never replaced the exhaust, but I have certainly put some miles on this car going to and from school. It has been extraordinarily reliable for me. It's due up for some problems, so I'm not surprised that today there wasn't much in the way of brakes.

    The car was just about out of fluid, so I think it's safe to say I have a leak. I think there's too much air in the system right now to adequately push fluid out so I can see it. I'll gravity bleed them in the morning, and then try to blow the line completely open. That should be a good starting point.

    I think the hydraulic flaring tool I have had on hand since my last brake problem will be put into service again. Some copper nickel line should help to make short work of the problem. Even if it's one of the flexible lines in the rear, I should be good to go since I have some in the basement.

    I'm hoping this won't be anything a little time and heat won't fix.

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