DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Hey guys -

Some folks have been asking me how the ol' project car is coming along, so I figured I'd make just one post with how things are going.

Right now, the car is on jackstands in the garage. I took off the rims and put the SP8000's I had on my GAB's onto a spare set of stock TII rims for my daily driver. I've got a brand new set of Yokohama AVS Intermediates to go on the GAB's - 225/50/16 front, 245/45/16 rear.

The subframe and front swaybar are out of the car - both were pretty hurtin' looking and needed some restoration. I've got Racing Beat swaybars front and rear, and the red paint was chipped off badly and there was some surface rust. I burned a good half day sanding down the swaybar, priming with a Zinc-based primer, and re-painting red. It turned out really good. The engine subframe has had the same treatment, except it's black . Also turned out great.

Again, every part that goes on the car is as clean and new-looking as possible. The metal brackets that hold the swaybar to the car were cleaned, bead blasted, and sprayed a bright silver, as was the PS rack brackets.

I installed an NA metal brake booster vacuum line on the firewall - it's longer, and will meet up with the '89-91 J-spec brake booster fitting which is on the lower intake manifold. One less thing to un-do to remove the upper intake manifold!

I spent a lot of time on the ECU harness this weekend. The harness is totally un-wrapped, and all emissions related wiring has been removed from it. I replaced the 2 yellow ECU connectors on the harness, as the wiring just before the connectors was pretty hacked up from all the electronic gimcracks that's been in the car over time. I also replaced the TPS plug with an '89-91 plug from the Jspec harness, as I'm going to be using the later TPS. I added a wire into the harness for the wide-range TPS which will go to the E-manage. I also added 2 wires for the 2 additional injectors I'll be running.

I've also made the first prototype of the starting/charging harness. I'm running 0-gauge wire from the positive terminal to the starter, 4-gauge to the main fuse block and alternator, and a 4-gauge ground wire. I've also removed some non-essential wiring, like the connector for the oil pan temp switch for the sub-zero system. The harness is mocked up and tape-wrapped every 1-2 feet or so just to keep it in shape. Once I have the motor in the car I'll be able to adjust the lengths properly and do a final wrap on the harness.

I put my J-spec motor on the engine stand this weekend and stripped it to the bare block - removed the front cover, all the stuff under the front cover, and the oil pan. Today I'll probably be ordering all the gaskets and stuff I need to start putting the engine together.

I'm going to be sending my 60-1 HiFi in to BNR Supercars today for a rebuild - it needs one bad. I've got the money for the turbo rebuild now, which is the last major expense on the project.

I'll see if I can get some pictures soon of how it's looking now! Boy I can't wait to get this sucker on the road!

Dale

banzaitoyota

Kewl, My bushing kit should be here today so I can start that, And my 4.3 gets picked up Saturday.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Matter of fact, my bushing kit just got here an hour or so ago! It's a Prothane kit - all the bushings, plus urethane boots for the tie rod ends and ball joints, for $85 dollars. Hell yeah! Even came with a free cap .

I was on the fence on doing bushings right *now*, but the price was right. The fact I have the subframe off the car also contributed - the front bushings are VERY accessible right now.

Dale

banzaitoyota

I did the energy suspension bushings; 99 Summit Racing. Free Hat, don't know yet

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

I looked around for bushings, and I think the Prothane is a great bang for the buck, since it also includes tie rod and ball joint boots. But, as far as quality and performance, they're probably identical.

Dale

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a major undertaking. Need some pics when you get them.
Just curious-How long have you been working on this project?
When completed, you'll have a wonderful feeling that you've done everthing yourself.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

I've had the car since about '98 or so, and it's been an undertaking ever since . This will be the 3rd motor I've put in the car.

The car has been down since at least May or June. A lot of the time with any project like this is selling old parts and buying new parts, waiting for money, waiting for stuff to come in, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if I hadn't spent at least $4000-5000 so far on this buildup alone, and that doesn't count all the money that's in the car already. Heck, I've got $3000 in just the coilovers, intercooler, and motor!

I'll try and get some pics tonight of how it's looking.

Dale

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Sounds great-I'm envious. In my "old age" I've become lazy. Just had engine & trans done @ KD in'89TII I purchased new. I have a '70 Firebird that's been in garage for 20 years. Had the frame out, installed 455,lot of time/work and it just sits there.
Thanks for all the replies on the various threads. It's amazing all the knowledge you people have!!!!

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

that sounds like mine =), ive had 2 motors, 4 radiators, 2 oil coolers (one exploded!), 3 ecu's, 3 turbos, 2 clutches (soon to be 3, i hate the copper one), 4 sets of springs and shocks, 4-5 different exhausts, etc etc.
eventually it will come apart and i'll make it pretty, but i'm liking driving it for a change.
your car will be pretty cool when your done with it, enjoy the project

mike

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Yeah, that's one thing I learned a long time ago - you rarely buy a mod once. I've been through 2 turbo timers, 4 boost gauges, 3 different turbo setups, 3 different clutches, 2 different boost controllers....you get the idea .

The good thing is there really won't be that much left on the car that I want to do when it's all said and done. The only things left after all this will be paint/bodywork (the paint is actually really good looking as-is), the new Apexi rev-speed meter when they release the MPH version, and the new Profec E-01 when it comes out in the states. My goal is to perform the mods with OEM-quality installation - as in, you can actually take something out for maintenance and put it back in without cutting wires or taking half the car apart.

Anyhow, thanks for the good words!
Dale

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

that would be known as the hard part.....

mike