Yep. Self etching then high build then sand then paint. Then sand then clear.

 

It's almost done. Wheels and new tires mounted... the wheels turned out fantastic! One of the center caps needs a little sanding to fit into the wheel bore.

 

The paint really turn out nice! So when are you going to take her out for the first drive and tell us how she runs. ride and handles?

 

I am extremely envious

 

Polished off a couple things today. Adjusted the TPS, set the idle, reinstalled the refinished windshield trim, gave it a quick alignment and power-washed the undercarriage.

I drove it today. I'm not exaggerating when I say it drives like a brand new car. It doesn't rattle or squeak. The clutch take-up is smooth. The engine makes great power and revs smoothly. It's quiet, it idles, it's just amazing. The only not great part is the brakes - they feel a little wooden. I think it's because the pads, while "new" are still several years old and probably a little glazed. I bled the brakes again but I think they just need some use.

This is an incredible car. I may actually just keep it because it is so nice.

 

oh em geee...... so freaking awesome hahahahahahahahahaa

 

That is what I was hoping to hear!

BTW - just encase you didn't already know, Hawk HPS pads seem to work very nicely for street use

 

You know what's annoying? I had a full set of pads lightly used (front and rear) from my GTUs which had the same brakes as this car. I ended up tossing them because I couldn't even give them away on the forums. (sigh).

I drove the car to work today. The brakes are getting better as they de-glaze. A few aggressive slow-downs from speed and I think they'll be OK.

Also, side note... this thing hauls ***. I've got a Racing Beat Rev TII full system on it but I welded a high-flow cat into the downpipe before the pre-silencer. I haven't even floored the thing yet (still making sure everything is healthy) but it boosted smoothly up to 7.5 psi and it was really quick! Maybe I'm just used to how dog-slow my GTUs was . It's pretty quiet too... but has a really great tone. I see why people love this exhaust system.

 

I wish I had known that, I would have bought them from you - cheap to ship in a USPS flat rate box. So many more items from that part out that I should have got...

Torque is a wonderful thing!

So are you planning to show the car to the guy you bought it from? Maybe take him for a ride and so he can see the results of what some TLC can do

 

do you have a stock wastegate? fuel cut override?

keep an eye on the boost (with something other than the stock gauge), I blew my stock turbo with pretty much the same setup i'm just glad it didn't blow up the engine...

 

Also, where did you get the wheels powdercoated and how much was it?

 

Stock wastegate, no FCD. Thanks for the heads-up. I can't find my mechanical test gauge in my tool box - I think I lent it to my friend's (now ex) wife when we were setting up her RX-8 turbo and it's gone forever now.

I did a fourth gear check of boost just now at lunch and it got to the top of the gauge but didn't creep. Not a definitive test for sure, but I know what boost creep feels like so I'll keep an eye on it. I was really hoping that with a stock intake and a cat added to the exhaust it would keep the boost creep down. I ran my '87 turbo like that for a long time and never saw more than 7.5 on a mechanical boost gauge. It was only when I opened up the intake that I started to have problems.

Chesapeake Coatings did the powdercoating. They did a nice job and were reasonably good to deal with. It did take them a week longer than they promised, though.

 

Slick car man, please don't sell it!

 

that is nice!

 

Thanks.

It's got to go. That was the plan when I bought it and it's still the plan. I don't have room for another car, and I certainly don't have time for a project beyond what I've already done.

Well... after I replace the brake booster. Ugh.

 

Dang.

Considering the work you've done, are you going to be able to turn a good profit margin?

 

I doubt it. I have really no idea what it will sell for. I think it's a $5,000 car to the right buyer. I just don't know how long it will take to find that buyer if he does exist. I did this more for fun and to rescue a nice FC than for profit.

 

looking forward to what you find out on this...

ever since I converted to the non-abs single stage booster my brakes have been sub-par... and the booster I got was used.

you can drive my car around this weekend if you want to see if the brakes feel the same.

 

So it was the m/c and not glazed pads? Sorry to hear about that.

 

That's not a bad idea, thanks Mike. The booster on this car is definitely fux0red. It is making bad noises as the pedal is pressed and I have to stand on the pedal to make the car stop. I was stupid to not check it when I did the master cylinder. The master cylinder leaked brake fluid into the booster and destroyed it, i think.

 

^I had some brake pads where the backing plate wasn't quite the right shape. The 'ears' were a little too wide. This caused it to rub on the caliper every time you pressed the pedal. It was a terrible metal on metal chattering sound. After taking them off, it was obvious where the interference was and easily fixed with a few minutes and a dremel. May be worth a quick look before you get into the booster.

 

Now would be a good time to upgrade the booster/MC then.
Shouldn't cost much more, if any, than dealing with the stock parts.

 

Upgrade? How does one upgrade the booster?

Master cylinder is new, calipers and pads are working correctly. I went through them.

 

Depends on where you're starting.
If you have a single diaphragm unit, a double is an upgrade.
If you already have a double, a larger double with a larger MC is an upgrade.

 

What is this mythical double diaphragm damper off of? I searched the catalog and there was only one booster listed for all FC's.