Hey all. I’ve been a lurker for a LONG time here. This is my first build thread ever.
Before I begin, I would like to thank all of you who have continually posted here, explored the various modifications that can be done to the CSM platform (and the wagons!) and who keep this forum alive. Some names come to mind: FlyingEagle, Lancerman, 89MirageMan, boostfreak (or whatever you go by
), Natedogg, Biglady112, LilEvo, etc,… there are too many to name. None of you know me (except Nate) but I have read your threads for years and appreciate you guys keeping this place alive. You are all an inspiration!
That said, cliff notes on the car. Had it for years – Natedogg owned it and sold it to my friend. I traded a set of 1000cc injectors for it and have kept it ever since. 89 Original Turbo Mirage.
I have pictures of when I first received the car, but can’t find them. I didn’t do anything besides drag it from Alabama to Georgia to let it sit in storage…
Pics of the car:
I dragged it to Tennessee with me so I could start on it. The first thing I tackled was the roof rust that all original turbo cars are plagued with:
This is the glue responsible for the roof rust…
Cutting the roof to remove the rust…
Here’s the result of all the cutting:
Once I removed the areas where it was rusting through, I used a shop vac to remove all the rust from inside the layers of sheet metal that make up the B-pillars and where the rood joins. As a southern car, there is no more rust to deal with.
End result. Of course I used a grinder to take the rest of the rust out before using POR 15.
I also needed to remove the roof supports.
Then I used POR-15 to ensure no more rust would develop.
Then I worked on the seats. The seams were busted, otherwise everything seemed to be in good order.
Then I cleaned the covers in my bathtub and coated the seat frames with rustoleum.
Now, I still have the seats and have repaired some of the seams, but I have not completed that part. Instead, I have a spare set of Evo VIII seats I intend to use in the Mirage…. But I am still going to finish the original seats and perhaps use them or sell them if I want to keep the Evo seats (likely).
Next, since the original sound deadening material had been removed, I used goo-off or some sort of goo-removing aerosol spray to remove the residue. I like how it turned out.
Since all these pictures I moved and also deployed to Africa for a little bit. Now I have to move again and that has motivated me to get some progress made on the car.
The original plans for the car were to use a stock 6-bolt motor that I have in storage with a small 16g. Plans changed drastically and I made a deal with my wife to sell my ’88 Conquest and build the mirage to be a high HP street car. End goal is a 6466 or better – forward facing setup with AC and power steering. I bought a built shortblock from a friend of mine who made over 650HP in his GVR4 and I dropped it in the mirage with a built head I had.
I used some MAP H11 12mm head studs I had in a box somewhere.
I needed new struts and bushings which I ordered off RockAuto. I love that website!
I also ordered some new wheel bearings and seals from Autozone. Because of the great research many of you have done, I knew using GVR4 or DSM hubs was not what I wanted. Instead, I opted to use the original CSM hubs, GVR4 rotors and DSM big brakes as my brake setup. I had the hubs machined at my local machine shop to convert from the captive rotor. I still need to make 6mm spacers for the calipers.
And this is where I’m at! The motor is in the car with, I believe, incorrect engine mount brackets, but at least it’s there. I intend to install the turbo kit and intake manifold, and then remove the engine from the chassis to install the timing belt side of things. After that, it’ll go back in and I’ll start working on the intake/intercooler system, exhaust and wiring.
Here’s the build list for the car:
- Crackhead-deal 6-bolt block, Eagle/Wiseco combo built by a local machine shop.
- Old Slowboy Racing 6-bolt head, ported, bronze guides, with stock cams and HKS springs. ( I robbed some BC 280’s and BC springs for my DSM back in the day. I will install some big cams and beehive springs later on.)
- FP Manifold, ported and ceramic coated
- Big 16g built by *me* with homebrew recirculated tubular O2 housing
- stock intake manifold
- 3G MAS
- FIC 1000’s - Old school off my DSM.
- Walbro E85 400LPH
- SS fuel lines from my old AWD (6-an feed)
- DSMlink 2.5 off my DSM before I went V3 on it. I will upgrade this to V3 and Speed Density after I get her running.
- FWD trans – I intend to go AWD in the future.
- ACT chromoly flywheel. ACT Clutch (2100 or 2600 – I have both PP’s. Not sure what I want to do right now)
There’s some other stuff but that’s the gist of it.
Any and all comments and recommendations are appreciated! Hope you guys enjoy the build.