Interesting GT3000 VR4 I mite buy but not a mech.

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Chrisfromalbany

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Oct 24, 2012
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Albany, NY
Here is the car I am looking at

1991 3000GT VR4 4500 OBO
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3271662481.html

I wouldn't want drive the car all the time but I would want to be some mileage on it.. What would the weakness be or guesses as problem areas? What should I be looking for. I have seen the car in person last night. Owner told me then stock radiator is showing signs of wear and electric fan kicks on every time cars at standstill (temp 190). He saying that would be the first thing he replace. He also said the stock shift unit had a lot of play in it and need to be replaced. Also the car was leaking a little bit of oil on the ground(a few drops). Nothing major just I figured I mention it.

Thoughts..?
 
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typically, higher mileage mitsu gasoline engines suffer from top end oil burning issues, main culprit has to do with valve stem seal troubles as well as valve guide clearances, while all others are ok (some electrical issues may might as well included).

Unless this problem has been addressed, otherwise: I would not touch any high mileage mitsu engines at all.

AGain, my thought on this said subject.

Q.
 
He may have replaced the bearings and crank but those pistons sure look original in the pics.No rebuild there.
 
The following items are replace as new:
OEM Rods and Pistons

Thanks why I posted a question here.. the Mits forum is pretty dead.

ok I thought they were replace but maybe there weren't so that negative with that?
 
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Umm, they say it will sit on a lift more than it does in your garage, lmao.

It has a worse reliability than a 4g63t powered car, but god are they fun, I say go for it and enjoy it man.
 
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Wouldn't touch it. Wayyyyyy too much expensive stuff to go wrong with an AWD drivetrain in a sports car with 150k+ miles on it.

Stay away from that thing.
 
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Originally Posted By: Trav
Not Liking that "rebuild", it seems a little low rent with a lot of skimping.


like what? explain...
 
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Originally Posted By: JRed
Wouldn't touch it. Wayyyyyy too much expensive stuff to go wrong with an AWD drivetrain in a sports car with 150k+ miles on it.

Stay away from that thing.


So you aren't buying the..
OEM transmission bearing rebuild kit
OEM 1st and 2nd gear Synchronizers
OEM Transmission seal lit
 
I agree with the comment about sitting on a lift more than your garage.

Expect breakage, even on anything rebuilt. Nothing like a launching one of these though! AWD makes them squat!
 
yea the jump from start was pretty hard.. the BOV was pretty loud.. and sound was pretty different compared to other cars I been in.. the consideration is well it constantly be in the shop.. And I coudn't afford that..
 
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Weaknesses? Anything on the car that is 21 years old and anything that has been replaced. :o)

Electronic air suspension system (air struts) on all four wheels with all kinds of sensors, air lines, solenoids, compressor, air tank. The control computer for that has more wires and sensors than the engine control computer.

All wheel steering. That whole thing is a problem. because of two racks, lots of very special lines front to back.

Twin turbos. That translates into twice as many future turbo problems.

All wheel drive. I hope you are a transfer case expert.

That 2008 rebuild seems more like a reassembly. http://www.supermotors.net/registry/15558/6397

Look what happened two years later, 2010. Looks like they realized they needed new pistons and some actual machine work to the heads and valves.
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/15558/72171

I drive a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant with 429,000km (266,568 miles). It has a simple SINGLE OHC non-turbo 4 cylinder 4G63. I also have the simple body with normal suspension, front wheel drive automatic, no abs, normal front steering. Engine was rebuilt long before I bought it seven years ago and I rebuilt it five years ago at about 300,000km. Engine now still does not use a drop of oil between changes. I have spent countless hours maintaining my car. I love my car so that is okay with me, but people do not understand how long repairs and maintenance can take on a 20+ year old car. Consider it a part time job where you pay to work.

To make the car even close to being economically viable you will HAVE to do all repair work yourself. It will cost you a lot for any repairs if you pay a garage, and you will be lucky if you get the jobs done right. I can't tell you how many botched repair jobs I have seen on Mitsubishis.

I hope you are very mechanically inclined. You will need to be after you buy this car. 21 year old Mitsubishis are also dangerous to your health - they will raise your stress and frustration levels through the roof!
 
Did he have the heads in a machine shop for a valve job, guides checked, new seals and checked for flatness?
Was the block tanked and honed along with checking the bearing saddles for proper alignment and line bored if necessary?
New freeze plugs?

Was the crank checked and reground if necessary?
Valve springs checked? Cams? Oil pump? Flywheel or ring gear?
From the pictures it looks like this thing got new bearings, gaskets and maybe rings but not much else.
You said it yourself it has a minor oil leak, why and from where?
Just going by the pictures it just doent seem like a quality rebuild. Sorry.
 
Originally Posted By: 51Plymouth
Weaknesses? Anything on the car that is 21 years old and anything that has been replaced. :o)

Electronic air suspension system (air struts) on all four wheels with all kinds of sensors, air lines, solenoids, compressor, air tank. The control computer for that has more wires and sensors than the engine control computer.

All wheel steering. That whole thing is a problem. because of two racks, lots of very special lines front to back.

Twin turbos. That translates into twice as many future turbo problems.

All wheel drive. I hope you are a transfer case expert.
Look what happened two years later, 2010. Looks like they realized they needed new pistons and some actual machine work to the heads and valves.
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/15558/72171

Electronic system suspension system was deactivated when replaced the shocks and struts with KYB GR2 shocks & TEIN S-Tech springs.

All wheel steering is a problem if it goes. Some work done to transfer case, forget the details..

Turbos were replaced to ones that used in WRX. He did show me the old ones which looked in good shape but were really small compared to WRX ones.

Yea I thought the pistons were replaced at some point.. (that to the comment above about not being replaced.. That were replaced when went bad in 2010 rebuild.

Yes there are multiple points of failure.. I am seeing that.. lol...
 
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Indeed a beautiful car, but one heck of a possible snafu if it goes sour on you.

As long as it isn't going to be a DD it should be interesting!
 
Originally Posted By: Chrisfromalbany

Yes there are multiple points of failure.. I am seeing that.. lol...


Multiple points of failure? The whole car is a huge bucket of fail. Unless you have a masochistic streak, run, run away.

We went through a few of those cars as trade in fodder at the dealership. I remember about 4-5 coming through in the late 90s, and all except one were wholesaled. The one that wasn't wholesaled, a VR4, needed a new turbo. I saw an experienced tech, with 20+ years on the line, make up all kind of new and creative cusswords as he had to work on that car.

It is a garage queen. It will suck your wallet dry. One bright point, if you do get it, it will be a life lesson you will remember.
 
Honestly equate the purchase price to putting your money in a pile and setting on fire. If you are okay with that it may be okay. If financially this hurts move on.
 
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