These cars are addicting... - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Wombat · 03-08-2008, 04:43 PM

Last year around this time I purchased a 1991 3000GT SL and a 1995 Stealth Base for dirt cheap. Pulled the engine on the Stealth, replaced VSS, gaskets, and other odds and ends, cleaned the engine bay up (it was the worst I've ever seen) and dropped it back in with a transmission from a lower mileage car (the original had 237K on it!). Sold it to a guy on the forums (treadmarks), dunno what he's done with it since then.

I also received a "rebuilt" shortblock with the SL and I was VERY stupid not to pull the pan and plastigauge the crank and rod journals to see if everything was in spec. I took the sellers word for it and just tossed in the engine anyway. The heads were completely rebuilt and looked brand new so I thought this would be an easy fix. Unfortunately, the car literally spun a bearing after about 20 miles of driving...something definitely wasn't done right with that engine rebuild. Decided to strip that car instead and sell most of the parts off. Used a few body panels for my car to replace the dented ones from a previous accident.

So I thought I was done with the 3S. Even wanted to sell my '91 VR-4 for a while because it just wasn't practical. The thing had been in and out of the alignment shop 5 or 6 times and no one could figure out why the thing would pull to the left so bad. There is no frame damage, no suspension damage, the car is supposedly aligned according to some $15,000 machine, but the car doesn't want to act as such. So I decide to just put a new set of tires on it and sell it as is only to find out my inner sidewall on one of my tires somehow got screwed and was the culprit all along (I found it pathetic the alignment shop couldn't tell me that, but even more pathetic that I didn't find it myself).

So now I decide to ride out to PA on a whim and check out a VR-4 for sale, nearly identical to mine, except for a slightly different interior. Also ironic is that my current VR-4 came from the same town...Anyway, I end up putting a deposit down on it and am going to pick it up when I come back from my trip to Europe next week

Well, there's my stupid little story...hope you enjoyed it. Looks like another VR-4 is part of 3SNJ

Pictures can be found here: http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=410528

Hannibalzero · 03-08-2008, 05:50 PM

Awesome dude. So how many does this make now? )

Wombat · 03-08-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibalzero

Awesome dude. So how many does this make now? )

Once I pay for the rest of the car and have the title in my hand it will be:

1991 VR-4 w/120K (my DD)
1991 SL w/137K (parts car)
1991 VR-4 w/106K (fixer-upper)

1320VR4 · 03-08-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wombat

Once I pay for the rest of the car and have the title in my hand it will be:

1991 VR-4 w/120K (my DD) <<< I wish I coud say that :-/
1991 SL w/137K (parts car)
1991 VR-4 w/106K (fixer-upper)

Love my ES (well 3000gt now); and your totaly right, these may not be THE fastest cars (i drive an na) on the road but you cant stay away from the almost orgasmic styling.

Matt

Treadmarks · 03-09-2008, 04:56 AM

ive still got the stealth its been running well besides new fluids and some new tires and a 5 speed conversion its been great
thanks again and good luck with the vr4

Adollarwodbnice · 03-09-2008, 07:47 AM

That's fuckin' sweet man I wish I could find a decent vr-4 fixer upper for that price. Congrats!

pkchino · 03-10-2008, 12:39 PM

I was tempted to buy that car since the exterior is in such a great shape, was going to swap out some panels and resell it but decided against tearing up a nice car with my zero mechanic skills. But yeah you are right Tim, these cars are so addicting, I picture myself will always have at least one around for another decade.

Ping

Wombat · 03-10-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkchino

I was tempted to buy that car since the exterior is in such a great shape, was going to swap out some panels and resell it but decided against tearing up a nice car with my zero mechanic skills. But yeah you are right Tim, these cars are so addicting, I picture myself will always have at least one around for another decade.

Ping

The interior is definitely going to need a revamp. Drivers seat is very worn and the rear seats are probably the worst I've seen. The center console also has some interesting wear and tear. The exterior of the car is straight and the paint on the metal parts need a good wash, claybar, and wax, but the plastic pieces will need to be compounded and buffed back to a shine. According to the seller, this car sat for a couple years in a backlot somewhere. The sun really takes a toll on our interiors if there is no tint on the windows.

Anyway, first thing I need to do is drain the 3/4 tank of stale gas, get the engine back in time (it was off by a tooth on the front head) and do a compression/leakdown test and go from there. This car definitely needs some love under the hood so I'll be doing a lot of sandblasting and repainting.

Adollarwodbnice · 03-10-2008, 08:18 PM

Do a big writeup on the revamping of the car!! I love seeing before and afters lol.

Wombat · 03-10-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adollarwodbnice

Do a big writeup on the revamping of the car!! I love seeing before and afters lol.

That's the plan...just bought a digital camera two weeks ago so it'll get plenty of use, assuming I don't lose it on my trip to Europe next week

03-08-2008, 04:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wombat Like a Rat out of Water Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central Jersey Drives: '91 VR-4 Trader Rating: (57)	These cars are addicting...(now with pics and story!) Last year around this time I purchased a 1991 3000GT SL and a 1995 Stealth Base for dirt cheap. Pulled the engine on the Stealth, replaced VSS, gaskets, and other odds and ends, cleaned the engine bay up (it was the worst I've ever seen) and dropped it back in with a transmission from a lower mileage car (the original had 237K on it!). Sold it to a guy on the forums (treadmarks), dunno what he's done with it since then. I also received a "rebuilt" shortblock with the SL and I was VERY stupid not to pull the pan and plastigauge the crank and rod journals to see if everything was in spec. I took the sellers word for it and just tossed in the engine anyway. The heads were completely rebuilt and looked brand new so I thought this would be an easy fix. Unfortunately, the car literally spun a bearing after about 20 miles of driving...something definitely wasn't done right with that engine rebuild. Decided to strip that car instead and sell most of the parts off. Used a few body panels for my car to replace the dented ones from a previous accident. So I thought I was done with the 3S. Even wanted to sell my '91 VR-4 for a while because it just wasn't practical. The thing had been in and out of the alignment shop 5 or 6 times and no one could figure out why the thing would pull to the left so bad. There is no frame damage, no suspension damage, the car is supposedly aligned according to some $15,000 machine, but the car doesn't want to act as such. So I decide to just put a new set of tires on it and sell it as is only to find out my inner sidewall on one of my tires somehow got screwed and was the culprit all along (I found it pathetic the alignment shop couldn't tell me that, but even more pathetic that I didn't find it myself). So now I decide to ride out to PA on a whim and check out a VR-4 for sale, nearly identical to mine, except for a slightly different interior. Also ironic is that my current VR-4 came from the same town...Anyway, I end up putting a deposit down on it and am going to pick it up when I come back from my trip to Europe next week Well, there's my stupid little story...hope you enjoyed it. Looks like another VR-4 is part of 3SNJ Pictures can be found here: http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=410528 __________________ 1991 3000GT VR-4 - 13T, 550cc, E-manage, Walbro 255, AEM FPR 1991 3000GT VR-4 - These cars are addicting... 1991 3000GT SL - Spare parts/Test car Last edited by Wombat : 03-24-2008 at 04:47 PM.

03-08-2008, 05:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Hannibalzero H to the izzO Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northern VA Drives: Recklessly Trader Rating: (55)	Re: These cars are addicting... Awesome dude. So how many does this make now? ) __________________

03-09-2008, 04:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Treadmarks Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New jersey Drives: stealth Trader Rating: (3)	Re: These cars are addicting... ive still got the stealth its been running well besides new fluids and some new tires and a 5 speed conversion its been great thanks again and good luck with the vr4 __________________ A man once said to me, "Remember, if it's got either tits or tires, it's gonna cost you a lot of money and cause you a lot of heartache"

03-09-2008, 07:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Adollarwodbnice 99 SLut Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hammonton, NJ Drives: 99 SL Trader Rating: (3)	Re: These cars are addicting... That's fuckin' sweet man I wish I could find a decent vr-4 fixer upper for that price. Congrats! __________________ -Robb Cali to Fed Spec conversion

03-10-2008, 12:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
pkchino Do it once, do it right Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Jersey Drives: 91 RT Trader Rating: (89)	Re: These cars are addicting... I was tempted to buy that car since the exterior is in such a great shape, was going to swap out some panels and resell it but decided against tearing up a nice car with my zero mechanic skills. But yeah you are right Tim, these cars are so addicting, I picture myself will always have at least one around for another decade. Ping __________________ 96 VR4 - Exactly Identical () 12 Mechanically Identical () 74 Same Model+Option Package 280 Same Model+Build Date 51 91 RT - DD 92 VR4 - SOLD VERY VERY happy customer of 3S Motorsports* Want to buy : -6 spd bellhousing -Dejon tool blow thru Y pipe

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03-10-2008, 08:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Adollarwodbnice 99 SLut Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hammonton, NJ Drives: 99 SL Trader Rating: (3)	Re: These cars are addicting... Do a big writeup on the revamping of the car!! I love seeing before and afters lol.