I got a 1990 LX automatic for $500 for my first car. The car has a little over 90xxx miles on it but the exterior needs work. I wanted to get some opinions if it's worth it to replace what needs to be fixed(one quarter, both fenders, the headlight panel, and front bumper), swap a 5.0 and t-5 in it and call it done, or would it be better to just leave it how it is and try to find a GT or LX 5.0? The way I look at it when all is said and done I think I will have spent about the same but what do you guys think? Any input is appreciated!
1990 LX
- Thread starter 1990_LX
- Start date
Do you like the car? How is the interior? Is it a wiring ratsnest?
If you like the car and want to fix it up, go for it, but if it's not that special to you, sell it off and buy a 5.0.
It's really your call here.
If you like the car and want to fix it up, go for it, but if it's not that special to you, sell it off and buy a 5.0.
It's really your call here.
lickem
New Member
couldnt agree more, if you dont really like the car then screw it fix a few things and dump it and make a few bucks to turn around and get a 5.0
if you dont really like it then the next thing you know you will be in it 5 grand and you be wondering why you didnt just spend the 5 grand on a better car to begin with
i speak from experience, i had almost 10 grand in a truck that blue booked at 1500 bucks once upon a time.
if you dont really like it then the next thing you know you will be in it 5 grand and you be wondering why you didnt just spend the 5 grand on a better car to begin with
i speak from experience, i had almost 10 grand in a truck that blue booked at 1500 bucks once upon a time.
Strippt88
New Member
A 5.0 engine swap sounds easy, and looks good on paper, but unless you have a shop, and are ready for the 500 thing that go wrong while you're doing it, I'd drive the 2.3 while you found one the factory built.
The wiring is perfect, and the interior is absolutely mint (gray and black) I suppose the car is somewhat special to me being my first car in all but I really want a 5.0 lol What kinda parts am I looking at here? so far I'm thinking..
-engine
-wiring harness
-exhaust
-the efi stuff
-motor mounts?
-Annoying little things that will hold the whole project up
Will the stock auto tranny that's in it now work with the 5.0 at least for a little while?
ID89GT
10 Year Member
You'll want to upgrade the brakes too..
Lots of people will say to get a 5.0 car and just start swapping it all over. That would probably be the easiest thing to do.
Lots of people will say to get a 5.0 car and just start swapping it all over. That would probably be the easiest thing to do.
Strippt88
New Member
If you look at the list you made, and what a titanic pain in the ass undoing, then redoing, all that stuff is, and thats its all already in a 5.0, well, hope you have a lot of time and patience. Its kind like a nuclear device exploding- looks small, then mushrooms out of control. I would drive the 4 banger, while you find either a nice 5.0, or dig up a descent 5.0 roller, that needs an interior, and use yours. It'll save you countless hours tracing, then retracing, your own steps, and wondering what you left out when(not if, when) some little piece goes wrong. The springs, sway bars, struts, 8.8 out back, brakes...man, the list goes on. Unless you have a shop, and a ton of time/cash, I wouldn't.
ahah, that is the best description of a 5.0 swap I have ever heard.lol I have an opportunity to get a nice rear end from a guy around me for 150 obo...should I jump on it?
Strippt88
New Member
Buck and a half might be a little high for an 8.8, offer like $85, see where he goes from there. But you have the right idea, shop for, and pick up the parts you'll want in the 5.0 you wind up with. A rear end here, then get it rebuilt the way you want, a trans there, again, built like you want, a piece at a time. If its your first car, just remember to do it in steps, one thing at a time, and then you'll be ready to put them to work. You have the interior, I'd get those drivetrain parts, then set em up, then the car to install them in. Meantime, the 2.3 should be a good driver, unless you'd like an adventure! Thats how I would do it, not biting off too much to start with. I was lucky, they were new when I started with em.
Strippt88
New Member
There ya go, pick up the axle, whatever gear ya wanna go with(3.55, 3.73 good driving gears), have the thing rebuilt by a shop that knows what they're doing, if you want 5 lug axles, have them do that stuff, too. Paint it up nice, new stainless brakelines, and you have the rearend dialed up. Trans the next cheapest thing to build, shop, buy, build. Better than tearing up the car you need, and driving nothing when that goes south. Thats just how I would go, you hafta do it however you want. But I been playing 5.0 guy for twenty years, it'll save you from hating the hobby!
There ya go, pick up the axle, whatever gear ya wanna go with(3.55, 3.73 good driving gears), have the thing rebuilt by a shop that knows what they're doing, if you want 5 lug axles, have them do that stuff, too. Paint it up nice, new stainless brakelines, and you have the rearend dialed up. Trans the next cheapest thing to build, shop, buy, build. Better than tearing up the car you need, and driving nothing when that goes south. Thats just how I would go, you hafta do it however you want. But I been playing 5.0 guy for twenty years, it'll save you from hating the hobby!
Thanks for the advice man, straight advice without being a smartass
but it doesn't look like I'm getting that rear end..I just ordered 10 bumpers on ebay..have any of you guys heard about that whole thing?
lickem
New Member
lol here check this out..
2Gb BUMPER COVER $14 SHIPPED!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com
You just have to look through his store and you'll see the maxima and civic bumpers.
lickem
New Member
what the crap?? this place just doesnt realize their mistake of the listing prices or what? are they really honoring the whole thing?
1991notchbackLX
Active Member
well why dont you just look for a 5.0 and trans to drop in this instead of switching crap over? or is the GT beat up bad? peace
john
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