pre-purchase questions

[Graeme H Burvill]

So I found a 92 tsi near my place up in pg. Has a huge fmic, 16g, hks cams, 3"exhaust, adjustable cam gears, gm 3.5 maf-t, hks bov, mishimoto rad, aem tru boost, hks turbo timer, obx lightened pulleys, magnus high flow intake etc. Guy wants 1000$ He says the balance shaft bearing or the tensioner bearing has failed. says it runs, everything works great was at 325hp before the bearing failure.
Now obviously there is a lot more than 1000$ worth of parts here, and basically this would allow me to build my tsi which has been in storage for 6 years.
What else should i look for when i check it out. Being that it is a 92, what are some differences i should be aware of between my 91. I am fully prepared to find out the bottom end has pooped itself and i may have to use my block, but i am not sure when the 6 bolt and the 4 bolt change happened and i mean...i cant just google it...right
Anyways need to check it out in person, but i am stoked that i may be back in the dsm game sooner than later. Any tips on purchasing are greatly appreciated.

[Richard Steger]

How can I tell if my car has a 7-bolt engine?

You would already know this (hint, hint) if you had used the FAQ Locator; specifically, this section. The two engines have different oil pans, among other changes.

Before the oil pan method was identified, the only way to 'tell' if you had a 7-bolt engine was the production date of the car. According to the staff of Conicelli Mitsubishi, cars produced between March, 1989 and the third week of April, 1992 have 6-bolt motors; May, 1992 to the first week of May, 1994 have 7-bolt motors.

Another way might be to check the front brakes. 7-bolt engines are associated with big brakes; cars that have big brakes often have 7-bolt engines. Unfortunately, nobody seems to know if this method is reliable or not. 

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How can I tell if my car has a 4-bolt rear end?
According to the staff of Conicelli Mitsubishi, all 1G cars produced before the second week of June, 1991, have 3-bolt rears. This essentially covers all 1990 and 1991 DSMs. All 1992-1994 cars have 4-bolt rears.

Many DSM owners are under the mistaken impression that the changeover between the original 3-bolt rear end and the stronger 4-bolt version occurred halfway through the 1992 model year. This is not so.

Those curious to know the production date for their car can check the driver's side doorjamb sticker. The acronym MDH stands for month, day and hour of production.

excerpts from http://members.shaw.ca/costall/1000Q/

[Graeme H Burvill]

sweet, thanks rich!

[Rob Armstrong]

All that shit for $1000.
Just buy it.

[John Hartman]

ahh, yea.  What Rob said.

Build date is a good indicator, pre march 92 should have a 6bolt, however, any number of engine swaps could have been done by now, so actually look at the oil pan.

also some 92 model awd cars had 7 bolts but still small brakes, and no fwd car had the big brakes, but many had 7bolts, so that can also be a red herring.

[Jason Harwood]

For a grand, you shouldnt be looking for anything.
Do a compression test.
Pull the motor out and pull the balance shafts if the bearings failed - it can kill the T belt.

If comp test is good and you get rid of balance shafts.

Well, then you've got a sweet cheap ride.

[Graeme H Burvill]

yah someone got to it before me, i called him right away and he already has a buyer coming by. They picked it up right away. Gotta thank mr. steger for linking me to the sale thread. Always lookin out for a brotha! So close....so close