Hey, I have been poking around these forums for a few weeks and finally took the plunge today. Picked up a white 89 RS with the 305 and and automatic (That must change) for $1000. Looks to be in fair condition with 150K and needs some bits and pieces. I drove it home over an hour away and had no problems. Still getting used to it (Like I said I got it today) but it seems very heavy from the cars I am coming from.
The former owner mentioned something about overheating and replacing the thermostat, there is a new one in the back seat so I am going to go do that now. I understand that has been an issue with these cars and would like some suggestions. She also mentioned the throttle cable was frayed or something, is this a common problem?
I already know,

But I figure this is a nice way to introduce myself and get all the need to knows information from people with more experience with these cars than me.

Really would like to know how I can shave some lbs without going "too" extreme (Like ripping out all the interior down to bare metal, I have done this on other cars) I think a fiberglass hood is going to be one of my first investments, the OEM one weighs a ton!
Will post picks once I clean her up
Seth

 

So I just replaced the thermostat, looked 150K miles old... Maybe 100?
Don't think it had been changed since the original owner.

 

If it's got the original radiator, invest in a new one. Good cheap insurance.

 

Scoped it out today whilst removing the shroud to take out the grill (Painting it black, some homo painted it white... Unless it was the factory, in which case they are still homo's)
Looks to me that the radiator has been replaced. In fact, from what I can tell... either someone has gone through this car or it has been very well taken care of.
Its got 150K so if you break that down its less than 10K a year, maybe it just has not been beat on too hard?

 

Sounds Good. When these cars have an overheating problem, it is usally due to lack of maintenance, ie; plugged up radiator. Other causes can be a missing or damaged air dam, damaged fan shround, or malfunctioning fans. Do a search. Lots of people change out the fan switch to one that operates at a lower tempature, as the factory one is around 225 to 230 degrees, which is good for lowering emissions, but cooks the engine over time. The primary fan is controlled by the fan switch, and the secondary fan is wired through the pressure switch on the A/C unit. I have a 195 degree thermostate, but have a three flu radiator, dual fans, both controlled from both sources, and the fan switch is set for 180. If the coolant temp is over 180, of the A/C is on, both fans are running. The car runs just at the 195 mark, and never gets hotter. Some members like to run em at 180. Is white a "homo" color? Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

No, white is not a "Homo" color, but painting the grill is retarded and looks like Poo. I got it off went through all the trouble of sanding and priming with urethane primer, wet sand to perfection. Then after I have it "perfect" with the black urethane paint I drop it, then try to fix the smudges and get drips... Its urethane paint so cant sand (Grrrr) I am just going to buy a new one when I paint the whole car.

I am thinking about a swap to the L98 as it seems to be the bang for buck swap as far as I can see. Also want to change over to a manual transmission when I swap.
This is my thought process, new suspension cause the car needs it. Smog legal L98 swap (smog legal parts, nothing to extreme... maybe 400 ponies?) M5 transmission (How much can these hold?) At the swap point my plan is to paint/prime the engine bay and then come back the the rest of the car later when I have more cash and I can afford all the little pieces that nickle and dime you to death (Door seals, the front lip needs to be replaced, new grill, light covers, new rear lights since one is cracked, need one new front fender, I need to pull some dings on the rear fender, get new shocks for the hood, replace the heavy *** hood with a fiberglass unit) Once all this is done I can do something about the interior, the interior in my car is immaculate... Its also some of the ugliest interior I have ever seen!

One of the things I am considering is the value of the car, I don't want to put more into it then the value... If the car was in described condition I think it would be fair to call it $4500 (given that the resto of the car looks great) Since I got a great deal and only spent $1000 that would mean my total budget for this car would be $3500. I do all the work myself, body, paint, everything (I am pretty damn good) Paint will cost $500 for materials, I already have all the tools. I can get allot of things at parts yards to save allot of bucks.

 

Do some searches. There are tons of information related to the questions you ask.