This is my project log on my 93 Eagle Talon Tsi Awd. Here is a little background on me and my Talon.

DATE- 12-1-10

Talon-
Specs- 93 Eagle Talon TSi AWD | Automatic Trans | 4G63T | 7 Bolt Engine | 4 Bolt Rear

Mods- 3" exhaust | K&N Air Filter | NGK Plugs | NGK Wires

Background- My Talon's name is "Felicity" named by the previous owner (who happens to be a cute female ). Her and I keep in touch. First we were just texting each other about the Talon. Shortly after, it turned into something else. Now we are planning to date. Anyway, I kept the name she gave my Talon. It is just about stock except for a few mods. I bought the car last month (early November or maybe late October). Since then, I have replaced the coil pack, plugs, wires, oil, valve cover, and maybe a few other things I am forgetting.

Me- I have owned 5 1G N/A's previous to this Tsi Awd. I learned alot thanks to the unreliabuility of these cars. I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved to work on them and learning more every day. Now, I finally got my Tsi Awd. I am determined to learn about these turbo charged engines and AWD drivetrain.

Recent Issues with Talon- I was on my way to my mothers for Thanksgiving last Friday which is a 3 hour drive from my place. About halfway, I dropped a cylinder. I finally made it to moms, got on Tuners, posted my problem in the Newbie Forum, and a couple great guys came over and looked at the Talon. They found I had a bad injector on cylinder 1. So, they let me barrow a 450cc injector to get home. My car has the stock 390cc injectors, so I am experiancing some power problems due to it. I am looking for another 390cc injector asap. Hopefully I get one soon. While those guys were there, they noticed my timing was off. So they took off the timing belt, and re-timed the engine. I can't thank these guys enough for the huge help.

Near Future Plans- First things first, I need to get another injector. Once that is out of the way, I will continue on the maintenance. I may have some boost leaks and I have an exhaust leak from a poor exhaust manifold gasket. After that, I want to get an aftermarket boost gauge, and a boost controller. I would like to also get some hard IC piping and a FMIC. If I can find a good deal on a dsmlink, that is definitely on the list as well.

I also put on a new valve cover that I had painted over 2 years ago. It was a wall ornament in my bed room, figured I would put it to good use. Engine bay is extremely dirty but it will be cleaned up soon.

Summary- All in all, I have alot to learn, and alot of maintenance ahead of me and I am looking forward to every minute of it.

DATE- 12-4-10
I got my stock 390cc injector in the mail today. I popped it in and she's got more power than she did before. Finally, I can give it more than 1/4 throttle! Still have some boost leaks somewhere. But none the less, a step in the right direction. Next to do, boost gauge, boost leaks, and check everything over.

DATE- 12-22-10
After some tests and experiments, I found out my alternator not only shit the bed, but it is causing my "studdering" that I thought was from boost leaks. I am not saying I don't have any boost leaks, but I know a majority of my problems are caused from a failing alternator. Here is a video describing my problems. http://www.facebook.com/video/video....v=478578917962 . I recorded this yesterday. So, hopefully tomorrow I will have some money for a new alternator. I am puting the damn thing on as soon as I get it.

Once the alternator is installed, maybe I can finally start getting things that I want and not things I necessarily need. Something that has really been bothering me is the damaged body parts. The hood and drivers side front fender, are damaged from a tree falling on the car before I bought it. New hood and fender are a must in the near future. Another thing really aggravating me is the side skirts that are partly dangling and sagging. That should be an easy fix.

I took a few pictures and a video today so here they are for viewing pleasure. Did a little photoshopping as well.

DATE- 6-10-11
Well, it has been awhile since I have made an entry. So I will try and recap what has happened over the last few months.

That girl I bought my car off of, we have been dating since January and we live together. Yeah.

I bought an Autometer boost gauge. I like it, works well. I have been replacing things left and right. Brake calipers, rotors, pads, oil, valve covers, plugs, etc.

The car looks much better now. Painted and cleaned the engine bay, polished a couple things like the intake manifold and CAS, it looks great. Painted a new valve cover and it turned out very well. Also, painted the side pannels so they match the rest of the car a little more.

Still no 450cc injectors, FMIC, upper IC pipes, walbro, blah blah blah.

Recently I have been having tranny problems that I am confident can be fixed with a new torque converter seal.

And for the kicker, this past monday the timing jumped a couple teeth. Needless to say, I am replacing the head.

But I'm not stopping there. I am getting a new head and some Web 546/547 cams to go in them. Along with them I am getting ARP head studs and a cometic head gasket. Should be fun.

So I now have a nice little build on my hands. I have been wanting to do something with my head for a while now but couldn't deal with the down time. I tend to go nuts when I don't have a drivable DSM.

The timing jumping and bending a valve or two is like an excuse to do what I had planned. At least that's how I am thinking of it so I can get through this with my head held high.

DATE- 6-11-11
I think I got a good bit of my parts list for my upcoming build. Just with this stuff, I am looking at almost $800. I didn't intend on spending that much but if I am going to do things right, then that's what it's going to consist. It would be dumb to install a new head with aftermarket cams with out getting all my timing belts, tensioners, pulleys, etc. If I get all this done and the belt snaps a week later or the tensioner takes a shit, I am not going to be very happy.

After taking a look at the list and parts I am going to get, it made me not want to stop. I will also be getting a new water pump, injectors, oil pan gasket, passenger front axle, torque convertor seal, as well as some other things. I have never been able to deal with not being able to drive a DSM when it is down, so I think it is about time I suck it up and build. Sure, I could have all this done and no time. But the couple of weeks of down time would be for nothing if I don't give the car some go fast parts and have the same amount of power I did before all this work. It's time to make my work count.

I would like some more idea's on what to get and do while the engine is dissembled. My oil pan gasket is leaking. So I will put on a new gasket, my tranny is messing up from a bad torque convertor seal, and the passenger front axle is clickity-clicking. There are several things like this that I will be taking care of all in one shot.

Heres the list so far:

1G 7 Bolt Head- $125
Engine Gasket Kit- $128.94 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SL...1704/?rtype=10
Webs 546/547 Cams- $155 (bought from a friend. Good deal.) Web Cam Inc. - Performance and Racing Camshafts
ARP Head Studs- $65 used. Low Miles, torqued once.
Gates OEM Timing Belt Kit- Black Belt- $145.92 Comes with all tensioners. http://www.thedsmgraveyard.com/Produ...CK167&CartID=1
APR Lubricant- $2 ARP 100-9908 - ARP Ultra Torque Assembly Lubricants - Overview - SummitRacing.com
HKS Pink Oil Filter- $25 http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co...oil_filter.htm
Royal Purple 20W-50 Motor Oil- $50
Torque Convertor Seal- $6.51 RockAuto.com
Passenger Front Axle- $53.79 RockAuto.com
Oil Pan Gasket- $4.18 RockAuto.com
Transmission Filter- $18.43 RockAuto.com
Right Rear Brake Caliper- Warrantee from Carquest
Walbro 190 Fuel Fump- $90 Ebay.com

Read more: http://eatsleepdsm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=projectlogs&action=display&thread=3&page=1#ixzz1knKSm2V0

DATE- 6-18-11
Parts are all ordered as of today. Here is what I bought.

7 Bolt 1G Head- $95 and some parts traded. Exhaust Manifold bolts need rehellicoiled and cams put in.
Full Engine Gasket Set- $130.33. Bought from Summit. Thanks to Paul for suggesting it!
ARP Head Studs and Lube $80. New.
Timing Belt Kit- $88.01. From Extreme PSI.
Jay Racing Timing Belt Tool Kit- $65.50. Also suggested by Paul.


Ended up spending a total of $458.84. I still need to get oil and a filter yet. I am going with Royal Purple as usual.

The full engine gasket kit comes with an oil pan gasket. Mine is leaking so I will be replacing that as well.

I also changed my mind on getting those Web Cams. I will be sticking with the stock 1G cams for now. My budget was only $500 and I made it!

I cannot wait to get all these parts and begin the work!

7-23-11

After replacing my head and still having a knock, I found the problem to be a rod knocking. So, I decided it was time for a complete engine rebuild. I did not want to do a stock rebuild if I am going to be doing all of this work. I would kick myself in the ass for my upgrading something. But at the same time, I am on a cheap budget.

I found a great deal on Evo 8 pistons and rods for $100 shipped so I bought them. Next, I will be buying Evo 8 rings, 1G rod bearings, and 1G main bearings. After I pull the engine out, I will take it apart and hone the cylinder walls and get my crank checked before installing the new internals.

While the engine is out, I plan on dropping the battery and mounting it on the sub frame. I have also considered getting rid of my power steering, but still am unsure if I will go through with it.

When the engine is bare after the old internals are out, I am going to clean it thoroughly and prep it for paint. I will be using some type of purple hi temp engine paint.

Once I begin the work, I will be posing up some pics.

7-29-11

I got my Evo 8 Pistons and Rods in the mail the other day. They were very well packaged and are in great shape. Here are a few pics of them.

7-30-11

I am currently waiting to find a place to put my Talon while I do the engine build. Hopefully something comes up soon. I am not having much luck thus far.

I am planning on using a Hurst Promatic II shifter and doing a "manumatic" mod. I have all the info I need and will make a write up on it on here after I get permission to do so. Here is a pic of the Hurst Promatic II shifter.

I may get a wally 250 as it could come in handy for future mods. It only costs $20 or so more than the 190 so I will probably go with the 250lph.

I am just going to buy a new hood, fender, and front bumper to save myself the headache of body work. Wish we did live closer though because I am sure you could teach me a thing or two about body work. There is a large dent in the roof that is going to be difficult to get out.

8-4-11
I pulled the head liner down to see and there are some braces and suck directly under it. So unless I do some cutting, I wouldn't be able to get to the dent from the under side and I wouldn't want to hack into the roof for safety reasons. The dent is right at the corner of the windshield. I didn't think to snap any pics of it while I was working on it.

Today, I pulled out the battery, ABS unit, IC pipes/hoses, disconnected the throttle linkage, all wires and vacuum lines, etc. Already had the alternator, all pulleys, and driver side upper engine mount off.

Now I just need to get the Talon in the inlaws garage, pull the axles from the tranny, drain the anti freeze, and take out the remaining two engine mounts (rear and transmission mounts). I would say another hour or so's work untill the engine is ready to come up through. Shooting for early next week to get it out.

Date- 8-5-11

Did some work on the Talon yesterday. Here is a list of what I got accomplished...
*Removed Intake Pipe Assembly
*Removed ABS Unit
*Removed Battery
*Removed Battery Tray
*Removed Battery Mount
*Removed Alternator
*Removed all Pulleys
*Removed all Accessory Belts
*Removed Upper Engine Bount
*Removed all Vacuum Lines
*Removed Throttle Linkage
*Disconnected all Wires and Connectors
*Set my new Aftermarket Headlights in place (Just for shits and giggles)

Now I need to get the car into the inlaws' garage where I can finish removing stuff. Before the engine is ready to be removed, I need to do the following....
*Remove the Hood
*Remove remaining Engine/Transmission Mounts
*Drain the Coolant
*Remove the Transfer Case
*Remove both front Axles

Once these are taken care of, the engine is ready to come out. Here are some pictures.

8-12-11

This week, I was able to remove the axles, transfer case, oil pan, roll stop support bars, O2 housing, exhaust, and some other shit. As soon as I get a cherry picker, another hours worth of work and the engine will be completely out.

After I got the oil pan off, I wiggled each rod. The rod in cylinder 2 was alot of play. Alot. Which means that is in fact my problem. There was also some small pieces of metal in the oil pan. Very fine metal shavings. Almost sand like.

Should have the cherry picker monday and will allow me to have the engine out monday as well.

In the process of removing all of this stuff, found out just how many things needing replaced. I need new both front axles, turbo hot side, exhaust manifold, O2 housing, lower control arms (ball joints are shot), and some other stuff.

After I get all the parts and supplies, I will be good to go. I will have to spend roughly another $300-400 for everything. Bringing me to a grand total of $1100-1200 spent on my build. Not counting things I purchased that I couldn't use.

8-17-11

This damn car has been a HUGE PITA! Heres the story, the car is my DD, had 163K and when I was up north visiting family and picking up my daughter from the crazy ex gf, my engine decided to take a dump. Left the car at my dads for a bit then made the trip up to fix it. It sounded like the knock was coming from the head, seen it jumped timing as well so I bought a brand spankin new head for $340 from aluminumcylinderhead.com .

After camping in a tent in a field for 5 days, I finally got the head replaced. Started the car and still had a knock. I knew I should have pulled the pan first! Well last week I began the work again but the car is down here at my gf's parents in her yard.

Pulled the transfer case, axles, blah blah blah and took off the pan. Sure enough I found that my rod bearing on cylinder 2 had disappeared. Already bought Evo 8 pistons and rods as I planned on a full rebuild.

Since then, the more I took off, the more I found needing replaced. Im talking axles, oil pick up, oil pump, front and rear case, exhaust manifold, knock sensor, hot side, and obviously every last gasket on the car.

The oil pump is gold in color and the gear is hard to turn. So I think that may have caused all of my problems. Maybe. Also found out that the bolt on the back of the block to check for TDC, yeah that bolt is...well not there. Idk why. Just bought this car last November.

This has been so expensive and has been causing countless problems in life. Work, only one vehicle for my fiance and I (which has no insurance and is not registered because we literally don't have the money so yea), my daughter lives 3 hours from me, just a whole list of stuff and I am getting tired of it.

Anyway, aside from needing to vent a little, I would like some tips and suggestions for my engine build. I am basically waiting on parts and I can start putting it back together. I think I need to get my block checked. I was going to hone it myself but I think it might be best to get it looked at. Or no? What would you do? I don't know much about machine work nor how much I am looking at for getting work done.

Anything I could do to make this any bit easier? Here are some pics during the work. My gf was just as greasy as I was. See, I met her because I bought the POS car off of her. Now we are engaged

I have decided to pick up a short block in excellent condition. A complete short block. All I need to do is clean it up a bit, paint it, remove the stock internals and put my Evo 8 rods and pistons in, then slap my head on it. It is going to cost me $375 shipped.

I am not using a MLS head gasket for just the reason you mentioned- Id have to get the block decked. I don't have the money to do the things I wish I could. Or the time. The car NEEDS to be done before my daughters 2nd birthday which is October 1st.

I have been getting a lot of help from the DSM world. A few people are donating free parts for my build. A couple of guys right off hand are Joshua Crooks and Paul Volk. So I would like to thank them for their help.

Once I get the block, I might buy a used water pump with only 5K on it for $35. If not, I will just use the water pump that was on my current engine. It only has about 8K on it. It will be a pretty straight forward build from here on out. I will keep you all updated.