to XT or not to XT

JUST CAME BACK FROM SEEING THE CAR.

It didn't start. It turned out to be a XT 4x4 turbo.

I thought of buying it but it had over 200k miles on it.

Talked to a friend of mine who is a dealer and he said that it was better to walk away and find another one.

Oh well...

The search goes on.

BW

OK so you guys think that it's worth it huh?

Here is what I am thinking.

200k miles on the engine and drivetrain.

So pretty soon I will need to replace the timing belt, the drivetrain may be shot as well

The overheat problem could be thermostat or bad head gasket or at worst a cracked head. Water pump could also be contributing to the problem but I don't know since I have yet to start it.

I called around and a used1.8l turbo engine w/o turbo is 650.00 plus tax. I don't want to think how much the drivetrain will cost.

I guess what I am trying to ask is if I get this beast for 200 bucks (yep the guy lowered the price) will I be getting into something that is a huge project?

I have pretty decent automotive skills. I have never taken an engine apart but I have helped my brother do a rear disc swap and change his clutch so I know my way around a Chilton's manual.

How hard and EXPENSIVE is it to work on the Subby 1.8L engine?

On the other hand I found a 1986 XT 2WD that needs engine work for 100.00. Not sure of the mileage These are RWD cars right? Maybe I could by both and make a FRANKEN-CAR.

Well give me your thoughts. Anyone have experience in working on the XTs?

BW

GOT IT.

Talked to the dude Saturday.

It's a XT-4 non turbo FWD. It's Navy Blue. There is some minor scratches on the passanger side where it brushed up against something. Engine bay is clean, no rust or signs of a blown head gasket.

I talked the guy down to 60 bucks. I have a buddy who is going with me today to tow it back to my place.

I have a place all ready for it in my garage.

I figure of 60 bucks I just bought me a cadaver that I can pick apart. Great way to learn about the Boxer engine.

I will take pics and try to get them posted.

BW

WOW :checkit: :drool:

If I can make it run the way it looks this is what the WRXer's will do when I blow then away...
:yikes: :whine:

And we old Skool peeps will just
:biggest: :roflmao:

Called bank....
"Hi, i'd like to appky for a loan"
"How much do you need"
"Enough to make a 94hp XT beat a 200+HP WRX"
(click)......

Where there is a dream there is a way
BW

Where are you located?

Dale Teague in Asheville, NC (http://www.boxer4racing.com) could swap an EJ22 drivetrain into it for you... use Kent's supercharger kit on that and modify the head a bit for high revs and you'll have a 200+hp high rpm banshee for well under 10k total investment including cosmetics and body work. The EJ22s are much less prone to detonation than the EJ25... something about flame travel I forget. You could probably see the hot side of 300hp if you really got crazy with tuning and mods, but that costs $$.


I considered a buildup like this at one point...

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=786

All the responses are out of order due to a server screwup, the original post is quite a ways down.

I'm still convinced this could be done COMPLETE for under 10k with a decent shell.

Good luck!