97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Figured this could use a build thread as well, since it's getting some attention and hopefully brought back to life. I picked this car up on Monday (10/17) after looking at it the previous Sunday. Got home and started to dig into the car and after some time realized that I've seen this car before and remember Mark (Tkr) having to replace the strut tower.. thas when it hit me. It's Blakes (97gsexx) old car! Thought that was pretty funny.
Anyways I bought the car knowing it had a few issues. The guy tried to do a 6 bolt swap and said he couldn't get spark when he tried firing it up. It doesnt have DSMLink and I also noticed he had the CAS wired up to the wrong sensors so I'm thinking that's the issue. It also has some rust (none on the body) and a broken drivers door handle.

While taking everything apart we realized it had some goodies.
Apexi 3" turboback
AEM cam gears
Aftermarket cams (unsure of brand or what size they are)
Newer 6 bolt swap (said to have 10k miles)
Sportcomp boost gauge
VRSF front mount
Precision 680cc injectors
ACT Streetlite flywheel

Plan is to get it running and maybe do a 16g or 20g setup.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Got the bay cleaned up. Here's a before and after.. should be going back together shortly.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Tore the engine apart after finding that the previous owner left the oil pump gear bolt loose along with numerous others and finding he used the wrong tensioner arm when he did the 6 bolt swap, I felt it was necessary. About to go through the head and relap the valves and swap the cam gears back to the stock ones.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Looks perfect for a 16g pump car. I assume it already has a fuel pump? You putting the cam gears on your other car?

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

yes I believe it has a 255 already in it. I sold the cam gears and will be throwing the stock gears on. I'm not the biggest fan of adjustable cam gears and since this is basically a stock engine I have should have no valve clearance issues.
Only thing I need to buy is Link and maybe some injector seals.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Got the engine back together.. should be going back in this week.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Painting the engine bay flat black.. buddy of mine that is going to buy it decided on the color.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Just need a few more things and then we start it!

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Put a straight edge on your cam gears and line up the marks with the center of the bolts, your marks look off a bit. The belt tension looks a bit tight as well, but that might loosen up once you rotate it several times.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Agreed, the marks look slightly above center.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Here are some better pics. I think I will be ok, only thing I could see would cause misalignment would be that I'm using two of the same gears. I did read and ask a few people if it would work and all said yes. Let me know what you guys think tho!

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Your bottom marks are fine but your top isn't. Check it with a ruler, I guarantee you're one tooth off.

Same gear doesn't matter, they're marked on both sides to be universal, at least on 1g's, 2g's had the cam position sensor I believe.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Redid the timing. Look better? Also got turbo on. Found out it's a small 16g! Been hurt and unable to work on the car much so it's taking a little longer now.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Finishing up the wiring harness. Had to lengthen 2 plugs. Hoping to start it up tonight then finish putting the suspension, tcase and exhaust back on.
Crossing my fingers this engine doesn't have any problems.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Went to go start it last night and for some reason the ecu is not getting power. No check engine light, just the door open and srs light. Hoping it's just a relay or fuse somewhere. Harness doesn't seem to be messed with. Will look into it tonight.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Check your ECU grounds.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Much better. :D

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Got power to ECU. Engine fuse was partially blown. Starter seems to be locked up. Going to swap it out today and see if it starts.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Does it even try to turn over?
Maybe pull the spark plugs and crank it a few times to make sure the motor isn't just flooded.

Re: 97 GSX -The Rebuild
 

Wasn't cranking because of a bad clutch switch. I unplugged it and now it cranks over. Which is weird because in link it showed the switch working.
Tried starting it but I think the gas in it is a couple years old and bad. (Has fuel and spark and compression and the 1g cas is not 180° Backwards.) It will crank and start so a second then die/ sputter like bad gas.

Going to drain the tank today and put in a couple gallons of fresh 93.