6g74 / built atx

[n2nsanity]

finally my car starts with the key! no more push starts
i went back to the autostore, this time persistent that they pull every starter they had in stock for comparison
i was thinking something was up because the new one i got looked just like the 2 atx starters i have
somehow the one i bought ended up getting stamped and boxed up on the assembly line as an mtx starter, but it was actually an atx starter
anyway, they gladly exchanged it after seeing the difference
i can't believe the last guy had the nerve to say, "u sure u don't have your flywheel on backwards"
don't think that's even possible, lol

after getting the new one, i took some measurements
the mtx starter is about 8mm longer, which is almost how thick the flywheel teeth are (10mm i think)

comparison of mtx/atx starters


got new bolts too, the old ones i had were getting stripped out
found some m10 - 1.25 x 50mm on the shelf and were only like $2 for the set
these worked pretty good, but i wouldn't go any shorter than 50mm, oem length is 60mm i think

[n2nsanity]

now on to the more frustrating issues....

the most important thing i know i need to do is get an o2 sensor installed
if time and $ permits, i'll get a new one, only like $50 or so, but need to be ordered
and still need to get the bung welded into the downpipe

if i can sell my previous "would be project car" this weekend, that should speed up things a bit

still waiting on new axles to come in
mine feel ok so far, but the boots are in horrible shape, and i don't trust them, especially not for a 1500 mile trip
and it's about the same price to get whole new axles as getting all new boots, so i'm going that route

my biggest concern is i feel like i'm running way too hot
could running with no o2 make it run hotter than normal?
i'm sure being 100 outside doesn't help either
a working temp guage will help tho
engine and head fuses were blown, replaced those and now temp and battery guages are working again, so i'll give her another run tonight
also, my windows don't work any more, but locks still work fine, no idea what happened there
but for now, i'm using a cordless drill battery to operate my windows, lol

really wish i had someone local to assist with the remaining pesky issues

[BigTyla]

Running no O2 might cause you to run lean. That would create hotter exhaust gases than normal.

[GTwizard]

Starter bolt have a sholder for a better allignment. You risk ware and tare using those. Next, the threads of any and all bolts MUST engage 1.5 xs their diameter or will not toque to spec and hold with out damage to the threads. Starter bolts engage about 2 xs their diam do to the stress levels created from the starter torque. So if your bolts are 50 rather than 60. You are not done and need to go back and do it again before you have other issues with starter and ring gear. Concider you already stated the bolt threads were not looking good, say you should have gone longer, not shorter. Going shorter was a really bad idea. Though you and others should know.

[n2nsanity]

i'll go longer as soon as i can find some, 50mm was the longest available at the time
the threads of the original bolts were in bad shape, that's why i went with new although slightly shorter ones
this is just temporary. I'll probably order some through the dealership next week, only like $4 or so for the set

took her for another short ride tonight. feels great
can't wait to see how she does with the o2 sensor installed

replaced 2 blown fuses and now my temp and batt guages are working again
still seems hotter than normal to me, but temp guage didn't even reach the halfway mark
last test drive, it was like 100 out and coolant wasn't topped off, so hard to tell if there's a problem just yet

[n2nsanity]

was doing interior swaps at midnight lol
got the big stuff done at least, carpet, seats, headliners





this would've been nearly impossible, but i figured out how to hotwire the power seats
the red car had the charcoal power leather seats, but it's a base model and didn't have the wiring for it
have no idea how the guy even got the seats installed unless he did what i did
hotwiring the motor from the connector at the front of the seat

after figuring this out, it took about 2 hours to swap interiors
red car is about 90% done, green car is only about 50% because i still may need to do some rewiring and other things
once the o2 sensor is installed and if i can get all the guages working, i'll finish the interior
but until then, i don't want to finalize anything

[n2nsanity]

also, swapped the exterior door/window trim
was going to buy new, but it's like $200 for the set, so trading for the better set off the red car was the most feasible option

one more issue i havent hear anyone else mention in their mtx conversion
what can i do about this? (can't start or remove key if it's not in the correct position)



also, while i'm thinking of it...
what is this box mounted on the floor under drivers seat?

[Alex3000gt]

Pull that cord to make your ignition able to turn and forget about it. At least thats what I did.


Glad to see you got the starter issue fixed. Called it!

I am actually quite surprised the auto parts store made that big of a goof up. Good work!

[BigTyla]

I am actually quite surprised the auto parts store made that big of a goof up. Good work!

You are?!?! LOL!

I remember getting an alternator for my 3S back in the day and they gave me a SOHC one even though I specified DOHC. AND it came in a box with a DOHC part number on it! I finally got a DOHC one and it was still the wrong amperage!

[n2nsanity]

it was a reman'd starter
it must have somehow fell into the wrong pile after reassembly
1st time i've ever seen the wrong part # on an actual part, have seen plenty of things in the wrong boxes from returns
so i always check first to make sure it matches inside and out of the box. that way at least they can't say i did it

guess those 2 fuses also fixed my speedo
they were labeled engine, head
so now all my guages work except the oil pressure, turn signals working now also
i have the part for that already, just need to crawl under and put it on
might wait til i have it up in the air again while i'm replacing the axles
that and the o2 installed, and i just have to tidy everything up
oh and figure out why my windows aren't working, that's pretty important too, although i have been just hotwiring them lol
anyway, with my guages working, i think i'm satisfied enough with everything to start putting my dash all back together

took her for another short ride today
hit 2nd a lil hard and wow, i've got some torque steer going on lol