Just more of a reason to swap to a better suited T3 based unit. The issue with that Old Corksport Turbo was it was actually for a B6T's VJ-14 (hence the flow issues with), not for a F2T's VJ-11. It should be an easy 200+hp 250ftlb car at 15psi and be as reliable as stock, the clutch will probably hate life shortly if its still the OEM. Lol. I let the rain rinse off the 3 spoke Mustang wheels today, which are in much better shape that I expected!
Previous owner had a hiccup getting title transferred, so he's got another appointment next Friday. The bank never sent a line release when the car was paid I full, so just a technicality. Super stoked to start driving it!!!
Could this be the raddest $2000 Challenge car? Please say it's a Challenge car.
Oh man, I have a set of those Mustang wheels too. I love 'em, but I tried to put one on the car and the tire was hitting something, perhaps I need a different size tire on it to use it on the Probe. (Or maybe it's because my car is lowered, or maybe it would fit if I just jacked up the suspension a bit while installing, or maybe i need spacers...who knows at this point)
Man those IHI turbos are hard to work with. A friend of mine has a 323 GT and finding one with an uncracked housing has been a pain. That said, he's building a VJ14/11 hybrid which should be cool.
In reply to slowbird :
a friend tried them on his 92 PGT and had no issues. It could be a challenge car, but having a 16 month old a trip to FL isn't in the cards this year.
Had a 2.5" mandrel bent catback installed with a quiet muffler, and bronzoil shift bushings. Finally got the title and tomorrow it should be legal! Then to find any issues that arise and get it running 100%, then add boost!
well we made a 1st drive today. A few issue to work out, but im happy as hell with it!
Well I found my oil leak. Today i did some preventative maintenance/repair work. I did I did waterpump, timing belt and tensioner, cam and crank seals, rear timing cover gasket on Probe today.
I have new control arms to put on as well as swap out the 5th gear synchro hub. I pulled the cover off last week to see if I could see anything obvious. 
Here is the awful looking fluid that came out of the transmission... yes thats all that was in it....
Oil leaks appear to resolved thankfully! Next free day I have. I'm gonna swap out the 5th gear assembly, and install a new driver side axle seal as thats why the transmission was ridiculously low on fluid.
The H-type transmission in these uses the speedodrive as a fill hole, and level measuring device too. Well mine was seized so when I went to refill the gearbox I had to remove a few things to get it out. This turned out to be a good thing as the cars throttle body boot looks to have been gnawed on by the same mice that made a home in the hood insulation. Major boost leak found, before i up the boost on the old girl!
I also discovered a fuel leak at the pulsation damper, so will swap that out soon also.
This would be awesome with an FE3 in it. Came out in japanese 626 mazda's and the Kia Sportage had a copy of it too. With a turbo on stock internals they're good to about 500 hp.
I had some free time today, so I tore into fix a bad axle seal which ultimately cooked fifth gear. The fluid on the garage floor was literally from the time I pulled it in, til I got to he car jacked up.
While it was convenient, I went ahead and installed new control arms with balljoints (will do the passenger side this week). I'll post pics tomorrow of the syncro hub which is what caused the 5th gear to be inop. New fluid and seal and it seems good to go now.
started on some paint correction, alot of the oxidation came off. After I get it 100% mechanically I may respray it as its definitely in solid shape, but I may just leave it as an original unmolested paint.
A coworker has an interesting collection of 80's and 90's cars too. Here is a pic of my '89 Probe GT and his Merkur Scorpio
Ordered up replacement coolant lines from Jim Ellis Mazda to resolve any issues in the future from brittle lines. I also discovered that the car has an oil leak on the back of the engine, so i ordered a replacement oil cooler gasket as well.
Fitted a set of '94 Mustang GT 17" wheels and had the rear rubbing from blown rear struts, so I've got a set of KYB's in the trunk to replace. I love love love the car and look forward to putting alot of drive time on it this coming year.
Added some nice LED's, really brightened up the pitch black roads here in Central West Virginia.
I love three spokes so much. Especially with the silver over red. Heart eyes emoji.
Great buy, high five your wife for me.
Well I've been working alone and have my son on my days off so car time has been very limited...
To reduce tire rubbing with the 225/45/17's I borrowed a friend's Eastwood Fender Roller to clearance the tire. I worked slowly and used heat, but unfortunately this happened... (Insert Very Sad Face).
I did manage to install the rear KYB's as the rear electric struts were trashed. The local shop I use to swap struts out showed me one of the springs had lost tension and when the new strut was fully extended, the spring was loose on the assembly.
Tomorrow I'm hoping to get all the rubber turbo coolant lines replaced as well as replacing the oil cooler to block gasket resolving all leaks from this 31 year old gem.
In reply to dansxr2 :
It's hard to tell from the pic - did the panel buckle inward above the wheel in 2 places?
Unfortunately that's exactly what happened. The PDR guy was suppose to get to tomorrow, but I hit a bit of a snag... I replaced the rubber turbo coolant hoses radiator hoses and, replaced the oil cooler to block gasket that was leaking. Was jumping my dad's '74 TR-6 and saw a drip coming from what looked like the clamp. I wiggled the hose and BAM... it blew apart and spewed hot ass coolant everywhere.
While I was at it I installed the manual boost controller, but sadly didn't get to try it out.
Old oil cooler gasket compared to the new OEM replacement.
In reply to dansxr2 :
Wow, that really sucks about the panels. Hopefully the pdr guy can fix it. Glad the hose didn't fail while you were driving it though.
Managed to find a New Old Stock Ford radiator, so hopefully I'll be able to drive it tomorrow!
Trying to save as many odd 80's and 90's cars as I can!
Love it!
I had a '89 Probe Turbo. I made a Home Depot boost controller for it one day two of owning it. While crossing a 5-lane road I bang-shifted the 1-2 at full throttle, making for a John Force worthy smoke show from the Pep Boys 80k Mile hockey puck tires. It was a RIOT until it blew out the bottom end during a warp speed highway run. Best $68 car I ever owned.
Can't see the dent hardly on the driver's side as good as the passenger side, but rest assured it is there.
I got in contact with a local PDR guy who popped both sides out in short order.
I ordered a set of replacement taillight gaskets made of neoprene, and sadly they leak worse then the original foam gaskets did. I found an oem set, that should fix the water leaking into the housings and should have them soon.
That's a really clean probe! super rad! I really wish these(among numerous other cars) were RWD. I have a fantasy of getting a late 80's or early 90's Pontiac Sunbird, and putting a IRS setup with a hot V6 and a five speed in it and making a cool custom conversion. I feel like a probe like this (maybe not one this mint) would be an awesome equivalent build.
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