04-10-2016, 01:35 PM
So, if you guys read my M3 thread years ago, you know I had a tendency to freak out when bad things happen to my car. Not my finest moment, that. To save you the trouble, here's a recap: I attempted to do a cooling system overhaul on my own to save some cash, screwed it up, waterpump shredded on the first drive and I lost about 1500 bucks on it to get it fixed properly.
Anyways, that was then, this is now.
The Goat's motor has spun a bearing. Not sure why, oil levels were always fine, pressure indicator never took a dump, but either way, the oil pump failed (whether this is the fault of low oil or the pump is the center of the spun rod bearings, I'm not sure). I had a 3rd party powertrain warranty on the car from a place called Easy Care, which, of course, completely denied my claim after I had the motor torn down at a dealership and lost 1400 bucks. They denied it saying I ran the car without oil, dealership argues with them that the oil pump failed, then they get together and decide to join forces against me and say its my fault. It's not, but whatever. You guys know how anal I am about cars and making sure everything is perfect. (I'm the guy that reinstalled the stock head unit on my e36 because the aftermarket LED lights didn't match the other displays). Let's skip this part. Just, FYI, (and most of you probably know this) don't do the 3rd party warranty thing.
My car, as it sits, has no motor and no transmission in it. Former me would probably freak out. But now, older, wiser Tyler sees opportunity.
I essentially have a blank chassis that I can begin to build a project on. I like oddball cars too, and the GTO doesn't get much weirder when it comes to muscle cars. Australian? Check. Limited production years? Check. Brand no longer in existence? Check. Looks like a bloated Cavalier to the average citizen? Check. If I do this right, I could have an interesting build on my hands. Yes, it's fat, but I look at it as a sleeper Corvette with usable rear seats.
So, here's my goal. I'm going to keep this car until the day it turns to ash in a nuclear apocalypse. At this point, there is no way I'm going to recoup any of the cash I'm going to spend getting it back on the road, so I'm going to treat this as tuition in a very expensive school called DIY. Many of you have already gone down this path, I myself have not had the patience to do so until now. I'm okay at working on bikes but cars scare me. They're big, complicated and heavy and every time I'm underneath of a car on jackstands, all I can think about is that head-exploding animation from the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I'll get over it.
Every beginner's guide to modification says I have to start my build with a purpose, so my purpose is this: A reliable DD with responsive handling, able to do an autocross and such from time to time. "Shouldn't be tough, do it in a few weekends", says Jack's Achilles-heel confidence.
First and foremost get this motor figured out. Dealership is saying that the motor is rebuildable and the block isn't scored, but since they assisted in my no-good very bad week and then took my money for it, I'm a little wary. I've got some great suggestions for good shops in the area that some of you have recommended. If the motor is rebuildable, I'll probably want to go with stock components and swap in the much superior LS3 heads which can be had for cheap. I could do a junkyard motor which is always the cheapest option, but there's also a shit ton of risk with that as well and not too many options in this area. LS2 crate motors are nowhere to be found now, so if I wanted to go crate, I'd have to do an ls3 and the motor alone (without the other stuff for the swap) would cost me anywhere from 5800 to 6500 depending on where I get it from. I could also get my motor rebuilt from Jasper which would cost about 5500 with a warranty, but Jasper has been getting a bad rap over the past 2 years, looks like quality of service has diminished, and at that price a new motor with .2 extra liters sounds more appetizing. Last thing I want to do is be back where I started 1 year from now. Lots of questions with the swap, most I can figure out except for the emissions questions. I'd hate to drop all this cash and have it fail a $20 state inspection.
I'll probably go ahead and do new headers and exhaust as well while I'm doing the motor stuff, because why not. The exhaust sound okay, but it could be throatier. The headers look like shit and I don't like the design.
Then wheels. Already picked those out. Then suspension refresh and brakes. BTW, Pedders is dead in the States now, which used to be the bread and butter of suspension solutions for the Aussie Goat. That'll be fun. Everyone says Lovells now or some BC coilover stuff. I have done 0 research on aftermarket suspension or wheels in my entire life, opting for stock options. Funny thing though, the GTO has the same bolt pattern as many BMW's, and a lot of people use CSL wheel reps. I'm not doing that because my OCD won't allow it, but BMW is like that heavy breathing kid in Hey Arnold and will never leave me alone, it seems.
Any suggestions you guys have will be appreciated. Yes, I should have kept the FRS and modded that, but the cards I've been dealt are the cards I've been dealt. This entire experience of owning this car has been stupid mistake after stupid mistake on my end and I own that. This motor shit is not my fault, but I should've been more discerning on the people I was dealing with. I've learned from it and I'm using this as a chance to learn a few things that I've avoided for awhile now. I'll document and update on this thread and will take all ridicule and flame as it comes.
TL
R Blew my motor, gonna keep the car and rebuild it.
Anyways, that was then, this is now.
The Goat's motor has spun a bearing. Not sure why, oil levels were always fine, pressure indicator never took a dump, but either way, the oil pump failed (whether this is the fault of low oil or the pump is the center of the spun rod bearings, I'm not sure). I had a 3rd party powertrain warranty on the car from a place called Easy Care, which, of course, completely denied my claim after I had the motor torn down at a dealership and lost 1400 bucks. They denied it saying I ran the car without oil, dealership argues with them that the oil pump failed, then they get together and decide to join forces against me and say its my fault. It's not, but whatever. You guys know how anal I am about cars and making sure everything is perfect. (I'm the guy that reinstalled the stock head unit on my e36 because the aftermarket LED lights didn't match the other displays). Let's skip this part. Just, FYI, (and most of you probably know this) don't do the 3rd party warranty thing.
My car, as it sits, has no motor and no transmission in it. Former me would probably freak out. But now, older, wiser Tyler sees opportunity.
I essentially have a blank chassis that I can begin to build a project on. I like oddball cars too, and the GTO doesn't get much weirder when it comes to muscle cars. Australian? Check. Limited production years? Check. Brand no longer in existence? Check. Looks like a bloated Cavalier to the average citizen? Check. If I do this right, I could have an interesting build on my hands. Yes, it's fat, but I look at it as a sleeper Corvette with usable rear seats.
So, here's my goal. I'm going to keep this car until the day it turns to ash in a nuclear apocalypse. At this point, there is no way I'm going to recoup any of the cash I'm going to spend getting it back on the road, so I'm going to treat this as tuition in a very expensive school called DIY. Many of you have already gone down this path, I myself have not had the patience to do so until now. I'm okay at working on bikes but cars scare me. They're big, complicated and heavy and every time I'm underneath of a car on jackstands, all I can think about is that head-exploding animation from the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I'll get over it.
Every beginner's guide to modification says I have to start my build with a purpose, so my purpose is this: A reliable DD with responsive handling, able to do an autocross and such from time to time. "Shouldn't be tough, do it in a few weekends", says Jack's Achilles-heel confidence.
First and foremost get this motor figured out. Dealership is saying that the motor is rebuildable and the block isn't scored, but since they assisted in my no-good very bad week and then took my money for it, I'm a little wary. I've got some great suggestions for good shops in the area that some of you have recommended. If the motor is rebuildable, I'll probably want to go with stock components and swap in the much superior LS3 heads which can be had for cheap. I could do a junkyard motor which is always the cheapest option, but there's also a shit ton of risk with that as well and not too many options in this area. LS2 crate motors are nowhere to be found now, so if I wanted to go crate, I'd have to do an ls3 and the motor alone (without the other stuff for the swap) would cost me anywhere from 5800 to 6500 depending on where I get it from. I could also get my motor rebuilt from Jasper which would cost about 5500 with a warranty, but Jasper has been getting a bad rap over the past 2 years, looks like quality of service has diminished, and at that price a new motor with .2 extra liters sounds more appetizing. Last thing I want to do is be back where I started 1 year from now. Lots of questions with the swap, most I can figure out except for the emissions questions. I'd hate to drop all this cash and have it fail a $20 state inspection.
I'll probably go ahead and do new headers and exhaust as well while I'm doing the motor stuff, because why not. The exhaust sound okay, but it could be throatier. The headers look like shit and I don't like the design.
Then wheels. Already picked those out. Then suspension refresh and brakes. BTW, Pedders is dead in the States now, which used to be the bread and butter of suspension solutions for the Aussie Goat. That'll be fun. Everyone says Lovells now or some BC coilover stuff. I have done 0 research on aftermarket suspension or wheels in my entire life, opting for stock options. Funny thing though, the GTO has the same bolt pattern as many BMW's, and a lot of people use CSL wheel reps. I'm not doing that because my OCD won't allow it, but BMW is like that heavy breathing kid in Hey Arnold and will never leave me alone, it seems.
Any suggestions you guys have will be appreciated. Yes, I should have kept the FRS and modded that, but the cards I've been dealt are the cards I've been dealt. This entire experience of owning this car has been stupid mistake after stupid mistake on my end and I own that. This motor shit is not my fault, but I should've been more discerning on the people I was dealing with. I've learned from it and I'm using this as a chance to learn a few things that I've avoided for awhile now. I'll document and update on this thread and will take all ridicule and flame as it comes.
TL
R Blew my motor, gonna keep the car and rebuild it.
2008 4Runner
1974 CB360
2015 FJ09
1974 CB360
2015 FJ09