Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

Hello and welcome to my car project. First off I bought the car in Feb. of 03, in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a red 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4, with 104,000 miles on it. I first saw the car on eBay listing for about $1,200. The car dealer left his phone # on the page so I called him up and asked about the car. The problems with the car is as follows, Fog Lights does not work, Power antenna does not work, rear wiper was missing, tires shot, and rod knock. Knowing all of this I thought the car was still a great deal. I mean they sell for over $9,000 Used so I told him I will be there the next day to look at it. (St. Louis is about 3 hours from West Plains) Me and my friend (The funny looking guy in the pictures) went to St. Louis in his Maroon 90 Chevy Cavalier Z24, any way's we get there with some tools to test the engine and as we expected the car had a rod knock "DUH!" We ran a compression test on the front 3 cylinders all running around 120psi. Which is really good (We could not get to the back 3 cylinders very easily so we ignored it) The car would not start, it would just crank but, we noticed fouled plugs so we thought this was the problem. I asked him how much he wanted for it and he told me $2,750. I took it :-) gave him a down payment and told him I will be back with the rest and to pick up the car. You have to tow the car on a trailer with all four wheels on the bed. Since it is all-wheel drive it can mess the drive train towing it other ways.

Back to the story, I have no way of working on this car (Because, I lived in town at the time) So the car sat for about 1 month. (I was waiting for my dorky friend to get a friends truck out of his shop so I can push my car in there and work on it. I bought new spark plugs for it and proceeded to install them. (I was wanting to start my car and see what it sounded like.) As I was putting the last spark plug in Cylinder #6 I noticed that the old spark plug was beat in and the tip was missing. My heart dropped when I saw this knowing that it was because a piston or pieces of the piston slapped the head and caused the bad plug. Another 2 months went by and I was finally able to get my car in the garage to work on it. Me and my friend started stripping down the car only to find everything wrong with it. I took pictures along the way.


Links
Disassemble Day 1
Assemble Day 1
Assemble Day 5
Assemble Day 9
Disassemble Day 2
Assemble Day 2
Assemble Day 6
Story Behind The Car
A Year Later...
Assemble Day 3
Assemble Day 7
Things To Come...
In The Works! Day 1
Assemble Day 4
Assemble Day 8

Lots of help thanks to Brendan, It was his shop we disassembled my car in (Eventually was moved) and now helping with the assembling.
Check out his website http://www.lt1swap.com

Here Is my Current Bill List for my 3000GT TOTAL FOR PROJECT $8,856.41

QTY ITEM # ITEM PRICE DATE VENDOR DESCRIPTION
1   1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 $2,750.00
1-21-03
www.ebay.com VIN# JA3XE74C4NY051053
1 #075314 HS9842PT   HEAD GASKET $256.99
2-20-03
www.autozone.com FEL-PRO   Head Gasket Set
1 OEM Reman-Crankshaft Kit w/ Bearings $180.00   www.hoodperformance.com Remanufactured Crankshaft and Bearings
1 #190550 3312   BOSCH PREMIUM OIL FILTER $5.49
2-20-03
www.autozone.com BOSCH   Premium Oil Filter
1 #190762 4060455   POLY-V BELT $24.99
2-20-03
www.autozone.com GOODYEAR   Gatorback V Belt
1 K142 Melling Oil Pump Rebuild Kit $44.92
4-8-03
www.oreillyautoparts.com  Oil Pump Rebuild Kit
1 #505172 131-2161   WATER PUMP $109.99
2-20-03
www.autozone.com BECK/ARNLEY   Remanufactured Water Pump
1 Block Prep, Bore, Hone, Head Work $750.00   www.hoodperformance.com Stage V Head Job
1 #067486 OS30570C   OIL PAN GASKET $4.52
2-20-03
www.autozone.com FEL-PRO   Oil Pan Set
1 #136802 BS40627   REAR MAIN BEARING SEAL $14.99
2-20-03
www.autozone.com FEL-PRO   Rear Crankshaft Seal
1 4 TIRES - MOHAWK 245/45 R17 95V $389.00
2-25-03
www.innovativecreations.org Predator VLS
1 OEM Connecting Rod $15.00   www.stealth3000gtparts.com  oem connecting rod *used*
1 OEM Front Left Member $25.00   www.stealth3000gtparts.com  left member brace was rusted out *used*
1 #245951 OP25661 Oil Pressure Switch $10.69
4-9-03
www.autozone.com Niehoff Oil Pressure Switch
1 70152 EGR Gasket $1.27
4-9-03
www.oreillyautoparts.com  EGR Gasket 1
1 OEM Clutch Kit $250.00   www.speedfactor.net Pressure Plate, Throw out Bearing, Clutch Disk
1 99809 ROSS Forged Piston Set  $527.00   www.flatlanderracing.com
1 #082543 Thermostat 170' $21.38
5-20-03
www.autozone.com 99-170 1 year warranty
12 oem *Lifters/ Lash 3rd gen $135.00   www.hoodperformance.com
1 White Faced Gauges, EL Backlighting $34.00   www.ebay.com
1 B93763B Crower Forged Rods $979.21   www.horsepowerfreeks.com CROW B93763B, Twin Turbo - Bushed Fit
2 Remanufactured TD04 9b Turbos $704.00   www.dallasturbo.com Next Day Turn Around Turbos Look New
1 40195 Timing Belt $74.00   www.importperformanceparts.net Top Line
1   *Flowmaster 80 series $82.00   www.innovativecreations.org  
1 405-A011 *Apexi Turbo Timer $99.00   www.innovativecreations.org  
1 416-M001 *Apexi Turbo Timer Harness $21.00   www.innovativecreations.org  
1 551-M005 *Apexi BOV $239.00   www.innovativecreations.org Blow Off Valve Kit - Twin Chamber
1 420-A904 *Apexi Boost Controller AVC-R $639.00   www.innovativecreations.org Electronic Boost Controller
1   *Apexi Digital Super AFC $300.00   www.innovativecreations.org Piggyback Fuel Computer
1   *Red Wire Loom Kit $30.00   www.innovativecreations.org  
1   *Red Silicon Hose Kit $30.00   www.innovativecreations.org  
1 9-5271 Timing Idler Pulley $32.99
4-3-04
www.oreillyautoparts.com  CLO Line - Limited Lifetime Warranty
1 9-5258 Timing Tensioner $96.99
4-3-04
www.oreillyautoparts.com  CLO Line - Limited Lifetime Warranty
1 9-5224 Timing Tensioner Pulley $38.99
4-6-04
www.oreillyautoparts.com   CLO Line - Limited Lifetime Warranty

There are a number of other things that I have not put down. But, this is everything to get my baby running again.

* means that I traded website work for parts. Freebees!!!! :-)

 

Here are the pictures of us taking apart my car. DAY 1 (Back To Top)
Most all pictures I took were for referencing purposes, assembling (I did not have a service manual at the time)

Brenden aka (The dorkey friend) removing exhaust (first step)
Exhaust removed before we pulled it from the car
Exhaust all removed from car (Had problems with AA cable)
Throttle body and vac tubes
Stock boost controller and emissions control (Not going back in)
Pic before we really started into it
More of the removed intake
Here is the output shaft (The teeth are a little warn)
The teeth were grown to sharp edges, like this /\
Sadly my name was Q-TIP (Nickname created from my hair)
removed more intake tubing (Turbo #1)
Angle # 2 (Oil was dripping out of the pipes)
Everything is ready to pull at this moment
Engine 1/2 way out (Was a bitch with the Trans on it)
Engine compartment after we removed the engine (Dirty)
Picture of me (when my hair was blond) Last pic of the day

On day 2 when we stripped the engine so we can take the heads and block to the local machine shop. At this point we knew something bad happened but didn't know what. The oil pan was the first thing to go, which would make my stomach drop when I saw the amount of metal shavings built up in the bottom. The hardest blow did not come until we removed the heads, the cylinder was shot and the head (#6 piston) was beat to hell with parts of the shuddered piston & rings still hanging out of it. **NOTE** Later I sent off my turbos to Majestic Turbo our of Dallas, Texas for free estimate to see if they were bad. Not really that much shaft play but, they said better check it out because metal shavings were in the oil. (They were bad!)

Here's us taking apart the engine and finding out the bearings were spun and the piston slapped the head! DAY 2 HELL DAY! (Back To Top)
Picture of my head and cam belts
Here is the coil pack and water outlet body
You can see the back turbo and throttle body
This is the front turbo and waistgate
We took allot of pics to use as reference to later assemble it
My heart sunk when I saw this
Preparing to lower, so we can take the heads out
We just removed the head to find this!!
Here you can see the damaged piston and cylinder wall
Thinking of what to do next
Here is the head where the piston slapped it
 
Shot #1 of damaged piston
Shot #2 of damaged piston
Pic before we removed the crank
Shot #3 of damaged piston
Picture of the heads
Picture of the block
Here are some of the parts we removed when taking the engine out

 

Conclusion

What we think happened was, The car was low on oil (Had not been changed in a while!) The other bearings were about to go anyway's, but #6 piston goes first because of low oil pressure. So #6 bearing spun, raised the rod & piston. Caused the piston to slap the head, pieced of the piston & rings shattered and was getting smashed into the head. The smaller pieces went into the intake and exhaust valves. Metal shavings then went into the oil system, circulated into the turbos shot the bearings. Other pieces got wedged in between the valves and valve seat, causing 1/2 the values to bend. So low oil pressure an high mileage engine (ridden very hard) inadequate oil pump and 1st GEN lifter design caused all of this.

 

A Year Later...
Yes it is hard to think that more than a year ago I first laid my eyes on my baby, dreaming of the day I would drive it. Well that day is almost at hand, With my engine almost done over at Hood Performance I can taste the burning rubber. The great guys at Hood Performance have taken there time to make sure that the job was done right. Now that my engine is almost at hand I have the interior to worry about (But, that's another sore subject).

Engine on stand at Hood Performance **Almost Done!!** 4-6-04 (Back To Top)
   

 

In The Works (First Day)
This marks the first day of the extensive and excruciating work on the engine. I will take a couple of days to remove rust and oil from the brackets, trans, and misc parts. Funny how I mentioned that I did not have a service manual at disassemble, I found out while assembling it does not make a diffrence to have it or not. (Worthless peice of shit)

Engine on stand at My cousins show (Joey Smith) 5-6-04 Day 1
First picture of engine back from HOOD's
Spent 4 hours and $6.00 in cleaning supply's (like new)
Picture with out plastic, no work on it yet
Exhaust had cracks along the welds
Exhaust after weld (Thanks Joey)
I am going to take the exhaust back off and bead blast it
Had to break into my trunk to get parts out (Brenden)
Removed back seat and broke support bar
My flywheel
Parts after wire brush and paint
I am going to clean and repaint every part on engine

Most of Day 1 was spent cleaning and painting parts (Ran out of black and silver)

Cleaning 5-7-04 Day 2 (Back To Top)
One of the many brackets painted
Covers and brackets painted (All degreased and wire brushed)
Oil filter assembly (Could not find gasket)
All the bolts I found sorted (Missing allot)
Water housing, starter, and another bracket being degreased
Exhaust and other parts being wire brushed

Day 2 was basically another clean and repaint day

Assembly 5-8-04 Day 3 (Back To Top)
Do you see anything missing? (No shield, HOODS)
Here is the shield that was missing
Removing rust from back Exhaust
Attached exhaust and other brackets
Shield installed after betting it in
Messed up seal
Front of engine ready for timing cover
Oil outlet seal installed and motor mount bracket installed
Another bracket, front exhaust and shield
I was missing a bolt so I put a different one there
I know a bolt goes here but there are no threads????
More brackets
New rebuilt 9b turbos (Had them for a year now)
Front turbo and water / oil lines installed
Overall work area in shop
All timing cover installed (Nice)

 

Assembly 5-9-04 Day 4 (Back To Top)
Turbo bracket I forgot
Front turbo no shields
Front turbo oil return line
Front turbo with all shields
Alternator
Alternator again
Rear turbo

 

Finished Assembling 5-10-04 Day 5 (Back To Top)
Rear turbo
Down pipe rear turbo (I Messed up the O2 Sensor)
Oil return line
More brackets
Rear turbo
Front turbo
Back of engine (Assembled)
Me very tired and happy (1:00am)

 

Day 6 Delivery day (Taking the engine to my car to complete the transplant)

Transmition 5-13-04 Day 6 (Back To Top)
Front shot of new rusted pressure plate
Side shot (Forgot to put shield in)
Inside bell housing cleaned
New Lightweight Flywheel
Torque wrench was broken so I over torqued the bolt

 

Transmition 5-14-04 Day 7 (Back To Top)
Finally got transmition in (I had no alignment tool)
Pic of garage
Front shot of engine

 

Transmition 5-22-04 Day 8 (Back To Top)
Knock sensor and ported heads
Closeup shot
Side shot
Top shot
Full shot

Dropping Engine 5-27-04 Day 9 (Back To Top)
My brother surprised me
Final shots of engine
Final shots of engine
Final shots of engine
Engine compartment one last time
Final shots of engine
Final shots of engine
Engine in car (Took 3 hours)
Engine in car (Front)
Engine in car (Side)

 

 

The Story Behind The Car

When I bought the car the dealer told me that the car was sitting for a year (and it looked like it to) he bought it from a dealer repo auction and that's all he knew. Yea, right! I found out later from information I gathered from inside the car. (Which was not washed or cleaned out for years :-( Poor Car) Any way's the car use to be owned by a car leasing company, which is why the car was suffering from drivers with no respect for the car. DAMN THEM!!!

Condition of the car when I bought it, paint is very badly chipped, 2 door pings, wire showing on tires, 1 tire missing, rear wiper missing, power antenna broke, steering wheel leather worn white, shifter boot leather worn white, white paint all over interior, exhaust (muffler back) was rusted out, left front member rusted out, turbos bad, front Mitsu logo off, side and back window tint coming off, fog lights not working, front air vents on dash broke in 4 spots (nothing new for a 92), engine blown, break pads gone, that is all I can think of at the moment. (Back To Top)


This is when I first saw my car for the first time at the car lot. Here is another picture showing how bad of condition it was in.

 

Things To Come
I am going to be trading a website for a paint job on the car. I didn't want to go with graphics on the sides or change the whole color of the car. (although I do absolutely love the silver 3000gt's) I am going with the same red base coat with 2 colors of pearl, orange and yellow. The effect will make the car look like it is on fire!! (and it will be with bigger turbos) On the hood I need to cool off the rear turbo, what better way then to have vents on the hood channel fresh air into the engine compartment. I am cutting out my own design in the hood (Because, I don't like any aftermarket hoods for the 1st gen) The hood is going to look similar to the F&F Orange Supra Hood With the holes cut out and wire mesh inserted into it. I am going to do a euro front bumper conversion seen on the right (This will take some time acquiring the necessary parts I need. (Back To Top)
 
Pictures thanks to R-TEC

 

Here is my baby after some Luvin... 100% better then when I first bought it.
Removed the old ass tint. Putting new tint in (Black 10%)
Removed the old ass tint. Putting new tint in (Sides 15%)
There are allot of rock chips in the hood and lights
Brand new tires (MOHAWK 245/45 R17 95V, Predator VLS)