Start date: November 20th 2006

The car has arrived -

Tonight, I got the GTX towed to my work (Jiffy Lube) and I had trouble starting it. It took a few blasts of starting fluid and she finally kicked. I wonder if it'll do this everytime it sits overnight. Hopefuly my services tonight will make for trouble free starts.

The brakes were seized...its almost like the master cylinder doesnt work too. When I hit the brakes, it feels like a car with non power brakes. When the car goes slow, its a HORRIBLE loud creek/ squeel. Like I said though, the car sat for ~1 year, maybe more. Turns out the passenger side e-brake cable is seized, the r/r caliper is locked in place.

I started with an oil change. I drained the oil, then ran bulk oil through (about 4 quarts) through the motor and directly out (plug for oil pan was out). I then put the bolt in, added 4qts and started it up. I let it run a minute, then drained the oil back out. Black as could be. So I grabbed engine flush, filled it up, and ran it for 5 mintues.I pulled the drain plug again. It was a golden brown this time! Good news! I then changed the oil filter, and added pennzoil platinum oil.

Once that was done, I fired the car back up, took me holding the gas pedal, and I grabbed a throttle stick so I could just set it and forget it. I hooked up the fuel system cleaner (additive for gas tank, additive for oil and a liquid that runs through a vaccum port to clean out carbon deposits. After about two minutes, the car started to sound better already. I let the bottle run dry, hooked up my vaccum source and removed the throttle stick. It idled a little lower than I like, so I messed with the idle air adjustment screw (recessed flat head on TPS side of the throttle body) and I found it ran best around 950-1000. Also, the boost gauge now reads 19-20in/hg at idle (up from 13-10)!! I revved the motor to 4k rpm, blew out some nasty crap from the exhaust, and it runs like a champ. Again, attempting to start tommorow will tell me if it worked good or not.

I then put in a new PCV valve while I was there, and then performed a radiator power purge a few times to get any sludge out of the system.

The bad part. I went to test drive the car (remember, no drive shaft, and the companion flange from the carrier is gone, so the shaft just wobbles. I put the car in gear and then I guess the shaft from the carrier pinion would lodge itself, and it would pop out of gear (the stick would stay in 1st, but it would grind and wouldnt move). By pushing in the clutch, going 1st, 2nd, back to first, it would then move again and POP! Same thing. I went to back up, put it in reverse, and nothing....the speedo would say ~30mph but I was still.

More updates coming soon!

I have some ROTA Wheels on the way!!

16" Rota J Mag; Absolute Polished. I think the look 'retro' and should fit the time perios of the look I am going for.

Pictures taken 12/2/2006

Next up, the wheels go on, and so does the Koni/ Ground Control suspension!

Picture Update: Feb 21 2007

CorkSport Intercooler upgrade ($198!!!)

My $11(each) "HKS" Decal

My car at work, with all the fun snow melting around me...