Help Buying GT4 RC St185

[Kayeabl]

HI,

can anyone help me with a decision please. I am currently negotiating over a 92 J GT4 RC. I have had it inspected, but there are one or two problems which I don't know if are serious enough for me to walk away from the car. The inspection said it is ok mechanically, but no evidence of timing belt change. Air con doesn't work and front wings are faded, but no evidenc of structural damage. The needle on the boost gauge also goes too far over on hard acceleration, is this normal. It has also been fitted with a relief valve, is this bad for the car.

Thanks a lot guys

[djdna2000]

Hi dude

Basically, the GT4 is a strong car and responds well to a little bit of boost increase. However I would be a little worried that the previous owner has upped the boost without fitting an aftermarket gauge to see how much boost they are actually running. The stock boost gauge is about as much use as a punch in the face. It shouldn't be too much trouble though. Check for usual signs of head gasket trouble, check that the turbo does not whine at tickover and that it DOES make a good whine when booting it Also make sure that there is no white smoke on-boost (a sure sign of worn turbo oil seals). The engine will take plenty of hammer (it's a rally car FFS!). When you floor it in a stock car it should start making boost after 2000 rpm then really kick in at 3000-3500.

Timing belt: if it hasn't been changed then get it done. it's hardly a big worry, should cost < 200 squids inc parts and labour. You should always think about it in ant case buying a used car with some mileage on it.

Aircon - probably needs a gas recharge, after all the thing is 12 years old! You might have a few 'issues' there as the gas required may be the CFC based one, now illegal. They will have to mess around a bit to fit some new bits, but hey I'm not an aircon engineer so I can't really tell you more there.

Get on the UK gt4 list and ask the questions there, there are plenty of knowledgeable guys who can answer your quesries - might even be able t oget someone down to look at it with you, to spot any faults.

Basically the RC versions were a significant improvement over the standard ST185 models, and are fantastic cars. They can be safely modified to release another 50-100 bhp or so if you are that way inclined, though are pretty rapid in standard form.

At the end of the day, it's a 12 year old sports car, so there will be problems. But compare it to a tin-can first generation impreza, the GT4 build quality is superb and they can run for ever.

hope that's of some use...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gt-four-owners-uk

[hellra1ser2k]

hi dan

i just found this group on the web and thought id join... if you dont know who it is, you should do i post quite a bit on the gt4oc uk yahoo group.

dan

btw: have you got urs back on the road yet after the spank?