Galant GSX build (and how to evict rodent squatters)

[BeerySquash]

I ended up mounting the Evo III RS mudflaps to my existing gsx parts, the rears are just mocked up cause I need to figure out what to do about a rear bumper.






Now for the part some people won't like, I can't find any Galant bumpers anywhere near me, so I'm going to be using an Impreza 2.5RS front bumper and Legacy fog lights. Also picked up a replica AMG grill thanks to mooserage, then randomly came across 8 other grills, but I'll be using the AMG rep on this car. That bent up trim piece under the grill/headlights is getting ripped out and I'll likely make a 1" bash bar that will go there.

 

[BeerySquash]

A friend got a good deal on some Evo III wheels from Japan and was nice enough to grab them for me. I'll likely run a 205/65 on these, not a street tire but M&S/AS.



Also removed even more stuff, car is sitting pretty high now. There was a hole in the gas tank as well, so I removed that and all the hardlines, I'll be doing a fuel cell in the back.

 

[ozlancer1]

Wow what a project! I love seeing all the progress though! You're definitely a braver man than I though lol. Excited to see more progress on this!

 

[BeerySquash]

I started pulling the front apart again so I can pull the passenger headlight support out about 1/2" and weld up a square tube core support that bolts in, which will make work on the front of the car and swapping engines a lot easier. Also got the rest on the engine bay harness out and stripped some other parts.






In my attempt to track down more mouse smells that weren't going away, I ripped off most of the back of the car and ran bleach and water through the body cavities, flushed out a ton of gross stuff which got rid of the last of the smell. Also chopped out the flimsy v-brace where the backseat is, someone before me butchered the rear deck with tin snips or something, so I'll be cutting more of that mess out.

 

[BeerySquash]

I finally found a parts car as well, so I was able to get the hood and passenger fender that I needed. Windshield had some big cracks and driver fender wasn't great, so I didn't grab those.


White hood is in much better shape, I'll work out the gaps and adjust it when I do paint, for now it's just thrown on.



Also finally found a manual steering rack from a base model DSM that I'll be using in this. I know it's more turns lock to lock, but I prefer less hoses in the engine bay and better road feel. If it turned out being too much of a pain to handle, I'll rebuild the power rack. Got the shifter out of 3000GT VR4 also that I'll be using with a 1G DSM base to make a shifter. Also got an EPROM ECU from a 1G DSM Turbo.

 

[BeerySquash]

I got around to buying a full set of used tires for it cause it still had the old fronts the slowly leaked and some rollers on the rear that were a different size. Someone did a number on the beads when they changed them, but I got them cheap because of that and just used some bead sealer and they're all good.









Tried on the evo wheels while I was mounting tires too, I could have mounted the tires on these, but I'm gonna wait and buy brand new tires for them.




I picked up a 3rd Montero as well, ordered a ton of new parts and raided the junkyard for a lot of others. The Galant will get a little less attention now, just because my spare time will now be split working on the Gen1, Gen2, and Gen2.5 Monteros, it also just snowed for the first time this year which will slow progess.

 

[yubh8tn]

Love the updates. I'm fiending for a 1st gen Montero, hopefully I can get one some day soon. Also, what does the rear v-brace do and why did you decide cut it out?

 

[BeerySquash]

Love the updates. I'm fiending for a 1st gen Montero, hopefully I can get one some day soon. Also, what does the rear v-brace do and why did you decide cut it out?

If you think you want a Gen1, you should definitely pull the trigger on one. They're getting harder to find and people are starting to ask a lot more for them. Parts on Rockauto are REALLY cheap for them though, I'd say 1/2 the price or even less than Gen2 parts. I got new NGK plugs, plug wires, alternator/fan belt, power steering belt, fuel filter, air filter, distributor cap and rotor, windshield wipers for a total of $70.50

The v-brace is just the very thin stamped sheet that is where the rear seatback goes. This car will never have backseats again, so it was just in the way and I can make a much better brace if I need to. You can see the brace here before I chopped it out, really just takes up room and doesn't do much else.

 

[yubh8tn]

Thanks for explaining the v brace. I'm not in a good enough place to support another car right now but as soon as I can, I'll try to find one. It's good to know about the parts pricing, I almost bought a 1st gen a while ago but backed out. And on an unrelated note, I'd also like to import a Nissan Stagea. I really love how they look

 

[BeerySquash]

It's been a long winter and I didn't get much done on any vehicles really, except some small jobs. I'm going to be selling the house and moving this summer, so the Gen1 Montero and Gen2.5 Montero have to go, I'll just be keeping the Galant and Gen2 Montero. I finally got some proper tires mounted up on the Evo wheels and ordered some new lug nuts. Also picked up an EvoX naca vent that I'm going to try to offset to the passenger side on the Galant hood above the air filter.

 

[paul j]

You are certainly diligent in your work. Hope the VR4 gets finished.

 

[BeerySquash]

Thanks man, unfortunately I've been waiting a lot longer than I expected trying to source the big stuff like engine, gearbox, diff, engine harness, etc. So that's really slowing progress. Every single thing I've removed from the car has been broken as well, so as expected, I pulled the driveshaft and both carriers are shot, add that to the list I guess.

 

[paul j]

And the 2 piece ones that are now available are $400. I am debating on getting the set just to have on hand. Not sure how mine are, this summer I should be able to check them.

 

[BeerySquash]

Yeah, once I saw what they cost I knew that wasn't the route I'd go. I'll probably try to make one out of a 01-06 Outlander driveshaft, the wheelbase between the Outlander and the Galant is less than an inch difference. I might be able to just cut off the 3-hole ears, grind off 25mm off the face and weld a 4-bolt plate onto the end to bolt to the diff without having to cut the actual shafts and shorten them. I can get Outlander driveshafters all day for less than $50 bucks, so it's worth chopping a couple up to see. The other option is see if Outlander carriers can work with a Galant driveshaft, but I'd prefer to have spare driveshafts on hand anyways.

 

[BeerySquash]

Also, I can't take all these grills with me so if anyone wants to buy one, $100/each shipped anywhere in the continental US. Crossed out ones are sold already. Let me know which one you're interested in and I can get you better photos and more info.

 

[paul j]

Good luck with them.

 

[yubh8tn]

3000GT, Stealth, AWD-Galant,Eclipse MB505495 NTN

www.driveshaftparts.com

stolen from nicholas cesca's thread

 

[paul j]

3000GT, Stealth, AWD-Galant,Eclipse MB505495 NTN

www.driveshaftparts.com

stolen from nicholas cesca's thread

Nice to know of this. Thanks!

 

[BeerySquash]

3000GT, Stealth, AWD-Galant,Eclipse MB505495 NTN

www.driveshaftparts.com

stolen from nicholas cesca's thread

Good find! As long as GSX and VR4 use the same carriers, that will be great.

 

[red96eclipse]

He said he was going to try this on that galant. But sold it before he ever installed them in that car. So who knows if they are good for the money.