98 GSX... need some input.

[Evolutionized]

I came across a 98 GSX. needs a wiring harness for the motor and a few other items. does anyone know where i can find a harness? the car has been sitting for a year or so and may need minor engine work. it was never really modified before... i know the previous only and he bought it 6 years ago with 15xxx and now it has 30xxx... anything i should check before i buy it?

[BlackBulletTSi]

I'll have to look but I might have a 2G wire harness laying around that I got for a car that needed it but got stolen. As far as anything else theres a couple other people that will hopefully chime in.

[Evolutionized]

thank you... let me know, i appreciate it

[92awdtsi]

check crankshaft endplay...FAIL... haha just a little 7 bolt dsm joke.. nah the usual dsm things to look for would be things like a leaky valve cover gasket, pull the intake pipe off the throttle body and see how much oil is in there, some is normal but your fingers shouldn't be dripping ( you'll know what i mean). ask if the timing belt and water pump were ever replaced.(as they are normally done as a pair) other than that, the obvious things to look for, dirt, grease, oil, bad wire connections, broken plugs, etc.

[enigma]

Why does it need a harness?
Fire?
engine change?
Corrosion?

[Got Insulin?]

Originally Posted by enigma

Why does it need a harness?
Fire?
engine change?
Corrosion?

My first concerns would be here also. Since it's been sitting, make sure to check the strut towers for rust. This could be a total barnfind, but it could also be a disaster waiting to happen, depending mostly on the previous owner. Good luck with it!

[EKLIPZGSX97]

Flood or Fire, stay away from IMO. You'll be chasing Electrical gremlins for the rest of your life. But DEFINITLEY check for rust on the strut towers, in the wheel wells, and along the hatch underneath the wing. These are the places that water most commonly sits on 2G's. Timing belt/water pump you shouldn't have to worry about as it's got wayy less mileage than needed, just check the belt for dry-rot, cracks, broken teeth, etc...

If it's a 5speed car, then yes check the crankshaft endplay to check for crankwalk but if it's a 98 and only has 30K on it, you should be fine. They started to fix the problem more and more in the 97-99 cars, the 95-96's were slammed with it (crankwalk). Also, they didn't commonly start showing symptoms until 75-80K or more, unless the car had a heavy clutch early on in life.

If you're gonna be replacing the harness anyway (which is no small task BTW) then just check and clean up all grounds, if the car has been sitting out in the elements these are prone to corrosion.

Change all the fluids, oil (duh) coolant and thermostat (just to make sure it's not stuck shut) check the trans, transfer case and rear diff. sitting cars tend to end up needing other dumb maitenance stuff (brake pads, rotors, e-brake cables/shoes)

Other than that extensive laundry list of things (which may be a little on the paranoid side) than you're good Hopefully it's a good find. these cars with low miles are becoming more and more of a rarity

[Evolutionized]

its unclear why it cought on fire... short? i dont know. battery was fried so maybe that grounded out on the hoood cause the hood has a burn on it. but i passed on the offer. car only had 28xxx needs a harness a drivers window cause it got smashed and some interior parts. he still is looking for a buyer. was asking 3k? that too much?

[SvicksTc]

3k seems like a pretty good price with that low miles on the GSX, but like stated above im sure the owner is just trying to ditch it due to obvious reasons

[Eclipse GSX 61]

Don't rush into anything. My car was in great condition when I bought it and it still has little problems here and there. I took 6 months of looking to find the right one.

[Got Insulin?]

Fire and water are two things to pass on unless you have time, money, and experience. But 3K for a 98........(sigh)

[Evolutionized]

well i know the dude that has it and hung with him since he bought it in 03 with only 18k... he lost his license for a year and drove an explorer thats why the miles were low. and i knw 3k for a 98 is a pretty good deal. i have to pass on it cause i got in an accident in my work truck and have bills to pay. workers comp doesnt kick in right away wtf!