My 1996 GSX restoration/clean up

[emspjay]

Well I have been looking for mainly a 1998-99 SPX to fix up or restore but they seem to be unicorns. I really like the black hull bottoms on them. I was also even thinking about 1996 XP's but it would be just too much time and money painting the bottom and top of the ski, especially with how much those are going for in my area. Well I came across this GSX on Craigslist and well its not a black bottom I feel I can work with the dark blue. I scored it for just a few more dollars than I sold my 1994 XP for the other night. The outside is pretty rough the pictures make it look better than it is, it has one broken sponson and the hood is falling apart. The engine looks all original, runs great and has 145psi in both holes. Everything works except for the fuel and trim gauge. It still has the tempo lines and I'm not sure what oil was used. So it will get the fuel and oil systems re-done, rave's serviced, wear ring, all decals removed, wet sanded and buffed, some paint work, seat cover. This will not be a fast project because I'm also re-doing all the landscaping at my house so not sure how much time I got for this.

 

[emspjay]

So I'm looking for a hood and right sponson if anybody has one. color does not matter I will be painting them. And possibly a seat, I'm going to pull the yellow vinyl off latter to see why the seat is so lumpy.

 

[emspjay]

So here is the seat, anyway to fix this foam or should I just find a new seat?

 

[Chr1sfrench]

So I take it your not buying my xp? Lmao. Seat looks like it was on fire at one point. Or animals made home there. Your best bet is to buy one.

 

[emspjay]

So I take it your not buying my xp? Lmao. Seat looks like it was on fire at one point. Or animals made home there. Your best bet is to buy one.

LOL yep I figured you would see this thread. I really don't like the yellow on the 96's and it would be just to much time and money to change it. You got some really clean XP's! But I just can get over the yellow, LOL!

 

[emspjay]

Well I got some stuff torn down and decals removed. Hull is faded pretty bad, it's going to be a lot of wet sanding. I really hate wet sanding. This is my first with Hydro-turf, will wet sanding stain it? I was going to tape it off for buffing it out but should I tape it off before wet sanding?

 

[Matt Braley]

That's a great ski you will love it. Looks like you are gonna do a good job on it.

 

[emspjay]

Thanks Matt! I liked my 94 XP but I wanted more power, hope it is fun!

 

[soccerdad]

Yep, great ski! The sponsons are a one year only color, but the 97 is identical in a different color. The 98+GSXL will also fit, but are a little more agressive. And the XPL ones will also fit (and are about an inch longer). See thread here. https://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?88725-GSX-sponson-interchangablity

 

[soccerdad]

I went with the XPL sponsons, for a fun test. [MENTION=48582]nickj718[/MENTION] has a pair of GSX sponsons that he may sell you for a decent price.

 

[emspjay]

Thank you for the info! I'm glad the 98 GSX sponsons I put a bid on the other day will work.

 

[emspjay]

Well I didn't get anymore work done yet just getting all the parts gathered up that I need!

 

[emspjay]

Well this is the only work I have got done so far, got the seat recovered. Been busy at work and redoing my landscaping, and took a break from the landscaping to do this after work today. I got a ton of work done on my landscaping and once that is finished I can devote more time to the GSX. I went with a Hydro-turf cover for this, I put Black-tips on my GTX and GTI. I think I like the Hydro-turf product better. Got to have the proper tools, upholstery stapler with correct stainless staples, heat gun to soften it up a little, and a pool table covered with an old blanket makes a nice work bench for these big seats. I think this came out good for me being a DIY guy.

 

[emspjay]

Adding these pics for [MENTION=41828]Minnetonka4me[/MENTION] because I'm looking for this rub rail insert.

 

[Matt Braley]

Most 96 GSX's are missing that piece, just something I've noticed. I know the rear corner pieces are specific to 96's maybe they are the culprits.

 

[emspjay]

No real updates on the GSX, I got some parts I needed from Nick and I painted a few things. I'm still spending most of my time with landscaping and putting the boat back in the water.

I did by this 1996 XP last night for cheap. Owner said it needed a top end, that's what the marina told him about 2 years ago (see service tag picture). Well I get there with my battery and nothing, no beeps or anything so I got it really cheap. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet?? I think the electrical might just be corroded cables since it has been sitting but I'm sure the engine is toast due to having the grey tempo line still. Going to build a stand for it tomorrow and get it off my trailer and then I will dig into this after I finish the GSX.

 

[Chr1sfrench]

I went and looked at this. I passed bc it seemed to have a lot of issues. Might need a mpem and the crank felt choppy when turning it over by hand too. Plus a top end. Hopefully not. I have a stock yellow hood if your in need.

 

[emspjay]

I was thinking about it last night and since I will probably like the GSX I'm just going to part the XP out. I will keep the motor and carbs to rebuild so I have a spare 787 on the shelf if one of mine dies. The only color X4 I really like is the 98 SPX.

 

[Matt Braley]

Shoot it outa be worth a save right? Matches your other 96 perfectly.

 

[emspjay]

Matt, if it just needs a rebuild it might be worth saving but if it needs more than that it does not make sense.

 

[emspjay]

So I made some progress slowly but something! Got it wet sanded and buffed out. Got everything off the 96 XP I wanted and Fattony67 picked up the rest of it from me last week, should see some updates on his build soon. And I have gotten my GTX, GTI, and my boat out the last few weekends and everything is running great! Now I will start spending more time on getting the GSX done!

 

[emspjay]

Well its finished!! Black rub rail insert. Painted gauge deflector silver. Painted handlebar cover, rear handle, sponsons, caps all black. Got black carbon chin pad to match the seat and the silver and black carbon sea doo decals. Only thing I don't really like is the blue on the seat does not match well I should have done just silver and black. Now I just got to get this thing in the water.

 

[emspjay]

So the GSX has been running great! But the first few time out it the cavitation was pretty bad on acceleration. So I pulled the pump off the wear ring was good, the impeller has some imperfection on edges, and there was no neoprene seal on it. So I put on a pump from a 96 XP with solas impeller and a new neoprene seal and it is now perfect great acceleration. I have added a pick of the old pump and impeller. Do you think it was the imperfections on the impeller edges or the fact that the neoprene seal was missing that cause the cavitation?

 

[Matt Braley]

That wear ring looks dry but has not blown out yet. The impeller looks good from hear but damage on the trailing edges makes a lot more of a difference then on the leading edges. So I'm going with the lack of seal to the pump plate being the issue.

 

[emspjay]

Thanks Matt, I didn't think the impeller looked that bad either. Just hard to figure out what was the problem when you change two things at once.