Well, for those that don't know, I bought Malenko's 97 GSX for a pretty good deal (here's his old thread - pretty much the same looking except for the hood, color of the valve cover, and the wheels);
http://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=60&topic_id=27514&mesg_id=27514&listing_type=search

Thought I would give an update now that she is the new daily (and not a bunch of parts for sale ).

While I am very happy with the deal and the car (nice ride that scoots around pretty good. Along with the winter safety of AWD), like most of these "deals" it takes a little bit to get her to daily status. Thom would have had his hands full in diagnosing and finding all the stuff that needed fixin'.

Probably the biggest problem was that the stock alternator ended up breaking down (it looks like due to the power steering leaking onto it) and putting 16 to 17 volts into the system (obviously regulator). Which, OK, one would have hoped that the 100 amp fuse would have burnt out in due time BUT, no she didn't. She just melted in place as the window on the fuse turned brown. Therefore, many other things had problems (that I'm still searching now).

But here's a basic list of the problems I had to fix for the great "deal"
1. Alternator - Saturn 95 amp Mod
2. Battery
3. Ignition timing - I'm sure related to the extra voltage
4. 100 amp fuse - Pull it out of the melted goop and replace
5. Fuse box - Haven't done it yet, but I also have burnt wires there
6. Turn switch arm - Replace arm. Works now, but on "hurricane" blink
7. Ignition transistor - we know why that went - 17 volts
8. Rewire fan back to stock
9. Rewire radio back to stock
10. Weld a piece in the exhaust pipe
11. Adjust idle screw - mechanically set for about 1800 rpm's
12. Rear hatch struts
13. Pull hood and sand out cracks and paint
14. Rear center piece replace and paint
15. Set of 4 wheels - He kept his to go on his TC
16. Power steering belt
17. (Edit in) thermostat

So yeah, pretty good deal, but definitely not a change the oil, fix a couple of lights kinda solution. I did spend some search time (and a little money) getting her back to almost snuff.

Just for those that were asking/curious.

MB

Captain Caveman

96 RS Turbo 11.414 @ 119.62 MSNS, Crower 2 NA cams, BW366, 10.5 comp, UDP, 60mm TB, W/A intercooler, 3.55 tranny 567.9whp 430tq
97 RS NA 13.188 @ 103.87 MSnS powered 12.5 comp, Crower 3's and 219.4whp with 175tq
98 RS DD 12.5 comp on stock ECU, LTH, Crower 2's, Koni, GC, Hypercoil, DG hats
99 OZ 5sp Stocker 15.856 @ 85.97
99 GS stocker auto 17.7@77mph!

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