"Anyone else into Starions/Conquests? 1989 TSi Refresh"

[theastronaut]

I found a one owner, white '89 SHP, 5 speed Conquest last week and will be picking it up this Wednesday. It needs some TLC to get back on the road, atleast a clutch, struts, fuel system clean-up, brakes, and a major detailing. I also picked up two parts cars earlier last week. Anyone else have one, and can offer advise? I found the starquestclub.com forum, and they are really helpful.
















The parts cars, a straight/solid '88 SHP 5 speed with no engine, and a complete but rusty '84 five speed.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I had to google what that was...

Neat looking car.

[inovermyhead]

Please tell me you're going to do a build thread here? I had an older friend when I was in high school that had a Conquest TSi turbo and that thing was crazy fast (to me back then anyways). I don't know much about them except Mitsubishi made them for Chrsyler.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I had to google what that was...

Neat looking car.

I thought they looked like a space ship on wheels as a kid, with all the angles and fender flares, front and rear spoilers...

Originally Posted by inovermyhead

Please tell me you're going to do a build thread here? I had an older friend when I was in high school that had a Conquest TSi turbo and that thing was crazy fast (to me back then anyways). I don't know much about them except Mitsubishi made them for Chrsyler.

The white one that I'll keep doesn't really need enough to have a full blown build thread; I won't be restoring it, just cleaning/detailing and going through it mechanically. I can post that though! Mitsubishi did make all of them, and Chrysler imported/rebadged some as Conquests with almost zero changes. I think the tail lights and sunvisors were different, and the grill was body color vs black on the Starions. The steering wheels may have been different too. I've just started researching about them and they can be very quick with just bolt-ons.

[inovermyhead]

I know Jackie Chan drove a Starion in Cannonball Run.

[alsriv2]

That white one looks awfully close to the Toyota Celica product back in the day. Nice looking cars and the TSi was a rocking machine. Good luck on getting it up to your liking.

[Jonboy]

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...st/?refer=news

That's funny, I just saw that article yesterday.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I remember those when they first came out and thought they were great looking car.

[theastronaut]

Just got home with it, now I just gotta find somewhere to put it. This makes car number 8...


Shot from when we stopped to put the sunroof back on. It was clear when we left NC but ran into dark clouds on the SC/NC line so we strapped the glass in place (latch was broke). He did have the hard to find sunroof bag.

[Narxoleptic Customs]

Love the lines. A buddy had done a few high school bolt ons and we thought it was fast, probably bc of the turbo noise... Keep us updated.
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[theastronaut]

I pulled the tank to clean it out and change the pump/filter. What a mess!! DON'T let a running car sit for 10+ years!! The only reason he parked it was the clutch started slipping. He was driving it daily until then. Now the whole fuel system is trashed.


Inside the tank




After a trip through the radiator shop's tank and a wash with muriatic acid.




Cleaned up the sunroof seal.

[theastronaut]

Pulled the throttle body off... I've never seen such a mess of wires and hoses packed into such a small place! I labeled everything and took pics so hopefully it'll go back together in the right order. TB rebuild kit is ordered, need to pick up a fuel pump and filters, and flush the main fuel line front to rear.


Yes, there is a throttle body somewhere in there.








One of the injector connector prongs broke, so I'll have to track down a good used replacement. New ones are $500+ at the dealership! I shoulda stuck with Chevy trucks and VW's!

[theastronaut]

Managed to do a little over our July 4th break. Picked up another gallon of Muriatic acid, some BB's, and PPG DX579/520 to finish the tank. Hopefully the BB's will remove the galvanized coating that is peeling inside the tank. Rebuilt the throttle body using a Standard Motor Products 1529 kit and a Felpro base gasket with the silicone inlays. I picked up an injector from a guy in Greer SC to replace the broken original one. Also ordered a Walbro fuel pump and installation kit.




I lightly bead blasted inside the connectors to clean the corrosion and applied dielectric grease.




Bought the remaining roll of vacuum hose from the FLAPS.




Bead blasted the pickup tube.




Picked up a spare flywheel to have resurfaced and lightened, a clean filler neck, and a working fuel level sending unit.

[theastronaut]

I sidelined the '89 project for later, but found/bought a super clean '87 this week. Biggest impulse buy I've ever made... Went just to look cause you never see them and ended up making an offer that I didn't expect him to accept. Got it cheap enough that I can enjoy it for awhile and hopefully make enough profit to pay for all the parts to finish the '89.

[Low Elco]

Not bad at all! I dig 'em!

[chevyrestoguy]

I have always liked the shape of those cars, and the fact that they're RWD. How big is the engine compartment? Would an LS engine fit? That car would be a blast with a mild 400+ horsepower V8 in it!

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

I have always liked the shape of those cars, and the fact that they're RWD. How big is the engine compartment? Would an LS engine fit? That car would be a blast with a mild 400+ horsepower V8 in it!

The compartment is fine as far as width, but the firewall and trans tunnel have to be cut out and fabricated for a LS/T56 swap. A 302/T5 swap fits though. They only weigh about 3000 pounds and they shed weigh pretty easily.

I've put about 300 miles on this one and it's pretty anemic... my '64 Bug with 90 hp would embarrass it badly in the 1/8 mile! It's not making full boost though, only about 5 pounds instead of 7. Going to remove the catalytic converters (there are two) and have the exhaust redone with 2.5" pipe from the turbo back.

300-350 whp is achievable with the stock engine, and it would be easier/cheaper than a V8 swap. I'll probably just do the exhaust on this one since I'm planning on selling it a little later on, then I'll focus on the white car. After Goldilocks is done!