[Patitprobe]

I'm trying to restore/upgrade the Probe as my first project car and I need help doing it! I bought the car two years ago and fell in love with it. I got a new daily driver and parked the probe in the garage and wanted to start getting the probe running better, looking nicer, and being something I was proud of. I started looking online for tutorials/info, I wasn't coming back with wealth of resources so I was hoping to source some help from others who know the ins and outs of this car. If you have any tips, online resources, videos, or even any words of advice you can offer, I would be extremely appreciative!

Info on the Car:
-1995 Probe GT
-Manual 5 Speed
-2.5L v6
-84K Odo reading (hasn't worked since I bought the car)
-Starts and runs reliably
-Been stored in my garage for a year but its started and driven briefly once a week.
-Engine swapped 20,000 Miles before I bought it

Whats Wrong:
-slow coolant leak
-slow oil leak
-Frequent misfires on one cylinder
-Cannot get a feedback from scanners. No luck yet, anyway
-slow tire leak
-Needs brakes and suspension work
-Rust
-Large Chips in body work

Upgrades: (I am checking makes and product types tomorrow)
-Carbon fiber Hood
-Cold Air Intake
-Iridium Spark plugs
-Performance spark cables
-Sports Exhaust
-Custom Rims
-Performance Tires
-Unknown clutch upgrade. I believe it was "pulled in" or 'Tightened' for "short shifting"? I'm not really sure but I know the clutch engages in a shorter distance than usual.
-Others

Goals: Big picture, I would like to upgrade the performance of the car to make it quicker and more fun (300BHP range), upgrade/tune the suspension to help it feel more nimble around corners and to have it look good. I would like the cars looks to remain similar, fix the body work and perhaps a new coat of paint. Maybe lower it a little or add a modest body kit? I just think the car could be made to have a more aggressive stance but I don't want it to look or act like an obnoxious tuner deathtrap.

Basically, I have no idea what I'm doing, or where to start, I just have always wanted to learn to work on cars and I just happen to love this one. I do have mild experience working on cars/with my hands so I'm not completely inept, I'm just looking for some folks who love this car as much as I do and would be willing to take the time to help a beginner!

 

[95PGTA]

-Frequent misfires on one cylinder

Run a cylinder compression test.

-Cold Air Intake

The stock airbox/filter gets cold air as is. If you put a goofy air filer in the engine bay it will be getting hot air in.

 

[95PGTA]

and more fun (300BHP range)

My 95 from the specs is 164hp, however the KLDE with non operational VRIS is more like 130hp.

The engine has a lot of vacuum systems that need to work to get the Mazda ZoomZoom.

 

[R.S.LOGAN]

Got to admire you aspirations for this project but your listed faults , upgrades , goals is quite a list even for someone experienced with all the tooling and necessary equipment to take on and do right . Not only mechanical but body, paint with your very limited knowledge is quite an undertaking . Add to that the unknown other possible faults once you get really into it , plus cost of parts and it could end up a money pit . The world is full of cars that lie unfinished by people who have aimed too high on their first project or underestimated what was involved . I wish you well but think it over carefully before getting involved too deep .

P.s
Your " Frequent misfires on one cylinder " could be as simple as a plug lead breaking down intermittently under load and an easy fix but many other possibilities with this cars history .

 

[tomw]

Late but not forgotten. You could have liquid/oil in the spark plug well for the frequent misfire cylinder. Could have a bad plug, bad plug wire(measure ohms end-to-end 1k per foot?), or engine problems. A sticky lifter could be causing low compression, etc. If it is the lifter, running the engine until hot and changing the oil may help. Just running the engine may help.
The transmission and FWD will make 300hp useless. The tires will melt and the transmission turn to shards and possibly the drive axles and CV joints come apart. The GT is a strong vehicle, with excellent handling. Straight line is good, but if you want push-back-into-the-seat acceleration, your better off with something RWD with more cylinders. Less cost, easier to accomplish, and leaves you with more cash in your pocket.
tom