New Project Post-Purchase Preparations

[Aaronbrook37]

Okay enough alliteration in the title! Suffice it to say that regardless of what I do with my Festiva, I'm going to be picking up a new project at the end of the month - a 1987 Suzuki Forsa Turbo. The only issue with it currently is a dead alternator and the fact that it's a demanding mountainous two hour drive to get it home. I want to ensure it makes the trip successfully, so I visited the local auto parts shop and put in a big clearance order on Rock Auto for parts. I have no idea how well the car has been treated as of yet, but the pictures and info I've received look very promising thus far. I have put together a post-purchase pre-driving maintenance agenda if I like what I see. All I need from you guys is any recommendations or additions for things I should look for, check, and adjust before making the drive. I may not have time/electricity/hose for larger jobs, so keep that in mind.

Clean and tighten battery terminals.
Test alternator output and battery voltage.
Tension drive belts and check all wires and hoses.
Seafoam in the gas tank and oil crankcase.
Anti-seize, gap, and torque new spark plugs.
Install new spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor.
Replace PCV valve and air filter.
Replace wiper blades front and rear.
Check tread, tire pressure, and re-torque lug nuts.
Lubricate pedals, adjust parking break, and pedal free play.
Check all fuses, fusible links, heater, radio, and lights.
Top up coolant, oil, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid.

Cheers,

Aaron

[Charlie1717]

Can we see some preliminary photos of it!

[TominMO]

Did a little research since I never heard of a Forsa. It's a 1985-88 Suzuki Swift/Chevy Sprint.

[Aaronbrook37]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/aaronbrook/ProjectForsa/pic1_zps6d2ada06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/aaronbrook/ProjectForsa/Pic2_zps66c465d9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/aaronbrook/ProjectForsa/pic3_zpsf046da89.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/aaronbrook/ProjectForsa/pic4_zpsb254ca8a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/aaronbrook/ProjectForsa/pic5_zps282e160a.jpg

Having some trouble tracking down original matching paint from the local stores... but hopefully I can find some. Obviously I have some rust repair to do, and a fuel door to track down... but both of those things are non-turbo compatible to swap. Window tint needs removing and stickers too. I will obviously pack my Windex too haha. So if I can find one this colour in a junkyard, all the better!

[Aaronbrook37]

Did a little research since I never heard of a Forsa. It's a 1985-88 Suzuki Swift/Chevy Sprint.

Yep, Rock Auto says Canada market only. Identical other than the grill and emblems I believe. I also think they only came in 3 cylinder turbo/non-turbo... there doesn't seem to be a Forsa GTi.

[sketchman]

Nice. I've always liked the look of the little Geos better than a Festiva, and I was looking at pics of the little 3 cyl the other day. :drool:

[zoom zoom]

Nice. I've always liked the look of the little Geos better than a Festiva, and I was looking at pics of the little 3 cyl the other day. :drool:

yea, you and many many other women in the US, like my aunt and cousin in law, like the look of the geo's too. :p



Aaron if you do end up getting that and have trouble with parts, I know where one (maybe 2) suzuki swifts are sitting next to a geo or two.

[Aaronbrook37]

Nice. I've always liked the look of the little Geos better than a Festiva, and I was looking at pics of the little 3 cyl the other day. :drool:

Yeah I like the Mk1's a fair bit. Always loved hot hatches. Had this been available when I got my Festiva in 2007, I probably would have gotten this one!

yea, you and many many other women in the US, like my aunt and cousin in law, like the look of the geo's too. :p
Aaron if you do end up getting that and have trouble with parts, I know where one (maybe 2) suzuki swifts are sitting next to a geo or two.

Right year and colour? 1985-1988 and I think the paint code is 15R. Turbo?

[TominMO]

Not to mention a Swift/Metro/Sprint/Forsa forum.....http://geometroforum.com/index/

[Aaronbrook37]

Not to mention a Swift/Metro/Sprint/Forsa forum.....http://geometroforum.com/index/

Yep, thanks Tom! Got that one and Teamswift.net already. RedlineGTI is good for the 4 cylinders, but Teamswift really rocks. They're loaded with amazing information: tons of info on Aspire-like swaps, running high boost, and audio stuff.

[Safety Guy]

Take a big can of PB Blaster too Aaron! And maybe an impact wrench?

Karl

[Aaronbrook37]

Take a big can of PB Blaster too Aaron! And maybe an impact wrench?

Karl

Hey Karl,

Good call! I hadn't thought of either of those and we all know that WD40 just won't cut it for a job like that. Hopefully the bolts and lugs aren't too stubborn, but better safe than sorry. Hmm... power tools. I know! I'm going to bring a monstrously long extension cord and see if they will let me use a plug-in in their house or garage so I can charge the battery, run some tools, and so on.

[Festevil3]

Neat little ride there, good luck with the project

[Aaronbrook37]

Updated list for my pre-road trip maintenance and post-road trip maintenance as well. I've done a lot of research on these cars, and they seem to be relatively easy to work on much the same as the B-series Mazda motors. I got a couple of good suggestions from this forum and others, and figured I'd share it with you guys in case anybody's in a similar situation in the future. Any amendments are welcome. My tools are all packed up and ready to go pick up the project.

Here's the list of stuff I'll do before driving it home:

1) Lubricate hinges, latches, locks, and pedals.
2) Adjust parking break, pedal height, and free-play.
3) Check fuses, links, heater, and radio.
4) Check lights and change wiper blades.
5) Check tread, tire pressure, and lug nut torque.
6) Clean terminals and grounds and charge battery.
7) Clean alternator and check battery voltage.
8) Check all hoses, belts, and wires.
9) Top-up coolant, brake, and WW fluid.
10) Change transmission fluid.
11) Oil change, drain plug, Seafoam, and filter.
12) Install new spark plugs and wires.
13) Install new distributor cap and rotor.
14) Install PCV valve and air filter.
15) Seafoam and fill gas tank.

And what I plan to do when I get it home:

1) Vacuum, steam clean, and deodorize interior.
2) Install floor mats and larger rear view mirror.
3) Remove all stickers, decals, and emblems.
4) Check brakes, remove rust/dust.
5) Wash car, wheels, rubber, glass, and lights.
6) Polish and colour restore paint job.
7) Seafoam engine interior.
8) Clean EGR valve filter and assembly.
9) Drain and flush coolant and heater hoses.
10) Engine bay power washing.
11) Oil change and filter again after a few hundred miles.
12) Sludge removal from valve cover, pickup, and oil pan.

[Pu241]

Think you should consider replacing the fuel filter before making the return trip.
Especially, if you SeafoamŪ the fuel tank, who knows what will be broke loose and possibly clog the filter.