Nd4SpdSe wrote:You don't need to use the Probe trans, it's the same as in the Mx-3.
Pop open the valve covers anyway to see the condition of the motor
Timing belt and waterpump would be highly recommended. But really, the more you can do the better.
Headers have fitament issues depending on which one you get, and even then, they vary between each. Just search around for ebay headers in the V6 section and you'll find alot of information about them, but all will require you to move the cat back several inches
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I'm using the probe transmission because my clutch is garbage (thanks to brother), and has possible water damage. Plus, I remember my 2nd gear and 1st gear synchros were garbage. I'm pretty sure his were good.
I'll go ahead and pop the valve covers just for safe measure. Should I pour some oil down there before dropping it in there? Anything else I should do while I'm there?
Timing belt I'm doing for sure. Water pump I'll probably do also. Just in case. At under 50 bucks, it's cheap enough.
I'd seen the threads on the PGT headers and I'm going to do a 100% custom-bent exhaust anyway so it doesn't really matter about length. I'm just hoping I can get something that'll fit without having to re-bend or otherwise mutilate the headers themselves.
This is a bit of a budget project so I don't want to spend $500 on this engine, but $300 doesn't really bug me too much. That looks about where I'm sitting right now.
Thanks for the reply! Any other input also welcome. I would like to get this right on the first try if possible.
Edit: Another option I suppose is to pass on headers for now and go ahead and do what I can to the engine itself, to promote longevity. Then if I feel like it needs more power, I can go ahead and drop in some headers later. They're not that difficult to pull on/off it doesn't seem like. Would make a good weekend project after she's up and running. Thoughts?
Also another random thought...
Is it possible to put my front K8 valve cover gasket on the 2.5L Probe engine? One less thing to spot if someone wanted to look under the hood. Adds to the sleeper aspect.
-Eric