3000gt VR4 - any local experts?

[drcustom]

Or at least local enthusiats? I'm looking for someone that has the mechanical grit that a lot of the DSM guys have. Maybe I'm just not searching the right place, but I haven't dug up the type of good info you can find on DSM's...maybe I just don't know enough to search for the right stuff yet.

I'm hoping to find someone to BS with...that always seems to dig up little details that otherwise may be overlooked.

Basically, I'm looking to swap a timing belt and other parts (120k miles), and I'm wondering about reliability of non-OEM parts. I'll go to the dealer if I need to, but I'm hoping to save money if it won't make a difference. I'm also wondering if I should replace anything else while I'm in there.

[JSMCPN]

DRCUSTOM, have you purchased a VR4 yet? If so, what year?
Just curious...I checked out LOTS of them in the past 5 months, I might know yours already :)

I suggest you go with OEM 60k parts, although I have heard from a reliable source that Topline brand parts, which can be had locally from Western Engine, are also good quality. Don't forget the EGR tube gasket! You can't reuse it, it WILL leak.
I got all my parts from Mile High Mitsu. They had everything in stock (several times over) except the idler pulley which arrived less than 48 hours after I ordered it.

IMO, the 6G72 timing belt job is EASIER than a 4G63 for the most part.
Since the job is fresh in my mind, here's some tips:

1 - After draining the radiator, use a Wet/Dry vacuum to suck out as much coolant as you can. If you don't, you'll end up with several liters of it all over your floor when you pull the water pump. It doesn't drain out in a stream, it flows all over the crossmember and splatters everywhere!

2 - FOUR cam gears! The gears can be quite dangerous, WEAR GLOVES. They are sharp, and can snap around with great force as you are trying to align them. I put gloves on as soon as one of them whipped the wrench out of my hand. The next time one of them snapped on me, it tore a hole right thru the leather and into my finger. I may have lost that finger had I not put the gloves on.
Here's a nice tool (expensive tho) that makes it MUCH easier to keep them under control:
http://www.3sx.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24415
Also, there are bolt holes in the head behind the cam gears. You can put bolts (or a Mitsubishi tool) in those holes to stop the cam gears from turning so far that they endanger any valves.

3 - It's easier to remove the throttle body from the intake manifold than to remove the coolant hoses from the throttle body, and you can re-use the TB gasket if you put a little Gray RTV on it.

4 - The PFR6J-11 "Laser Platinum" spark plugs are $80+, I got BKR6EGP Platinums which are about half that. If you want to save money, just go Copper BCP6ES.

Everything I've needed to learn about mine so far came from: http://www.stealth316.com

Good luck, and enjoy! They are very fun vehicles.
Jesse

[BlueVelocity]

http://www.co3s.org/

That's the local chapter of 3S's here in Colorado. I know quite a bit about these if you want to talk. I have 2, been racing them for over a decade. :D

Erron S.

[drcustom]

Welp, looks like I've got some bent valves...if it was a DSM I'd pull the whole motor/tranny, but I'm under the impression there's a bit more work to do on one of these.

I'm not sure exactly what I'll do next, but for $5k the car still seemed like a great deal.

EDIT: I've pretty much decided to pull the motor/tranny and take my time putting it back together.

Anything special I need to worry about with the heads, and do I need to worry about taking it to a specialty shop to get the work done? Any good places to get parts?

[BlueVelocity]

Welp, looks like I've got some bent valves...if it was a DSM I'd pull the whole motor/tranny, but I'm under the impression there's a bit more work to do on one of these.

I'm not sure exactly what I'll do next, but for $5k the car still seemed like a great deal.

EDIT: I've pretty much decided to pull the motor/tranny and take my time putting it back together.

Anything special I need to worry about with the heads, and do I need to worry about taking it to a specialty shop to get the work done? Any good places to get parts?

There's a number of places to get good parts from. OEM, Mile High Mitsu. Non-OEM, Western Engine. There's also a million other places too. I'd get on 3si.org and search around. Parts are plentiful nowadays.

Erron S.

[drcustom]

There's a number of places to get good parts from. OEM, Mile High Mitsu. Non-OEM, Western Engine. There's also a million other places too. I'd get on 3si.org and search around. Parts are plentiful nowadays.

Erron S.

That's the idea I was having, but I was wondering if maybe someone had some local insight...but it sounds like there's nothing fancy to worry about and it's all pretty straightforward. Thanks again!

[BlueVelocity]

PM sent....

[drcustom]

So I still haven't dug into the VR4 yet...but I did pick up a Stealth so I have a good engine :D

However, I don't really need the rest of the car, and I don't have access to the classifieds seciton on the CO 3si board (not sure what needs to happen there).

Anyways - aside from craigslist, any other ideas on where to post? I'm waiting for clearance on the national 3si board...but haven't heard anything.

[Toybreaker]

I have the factory service manual for the 3k models.

You're welcome to borrow it.

[D Walker]

We do quite a bit with those, and can help you. I might actually have a set of heads that are ready to go, I will look and see.

[JackM]

If you are looking for head parts, a lot of u-pull-it yards have 3.0L DOHC V6 Diamantgays and Hyundais with heads that have the same valves as yours. It is a cheap and easy way to get good straight valves and many other drivetrain pieces for your turbo engine as you rebuild the heads. Those parts are perfect for an OEM rebuild. You can use the whole NA head on your turbo engine too, but be warned that the NA heads don't have the same air flow/runners as the turbo units do. The rods are also the same. Not sure about the crank...

Jack

So I still haven't dug into the VR4 yet...but I did pick up a Stealth so I have a good engine :D

However, I don't really need the rest of the car, and I don't have access to the classifieds seciton on the CO 3si board (not sure what needs to happen there).

Anyways - aside from craigslist, any other ideas on where to post? I'm waiting for clearance on the national 3si board...but haven't heard anything.

[jonvr4]

Wanna sell the calipers off the stealth? Are the 4 piston?