I mentioned in an earlier thread that we had picked up a "theft" salvage title a month back for about $3000 grand. It was missing wheels, intercooler, AST, radiator was damaged, along with tons of parts that were either damaged or missing from the car such as the wheels, the left A-Pillar cover, the rear middle taillight, glovebox broken, no stick shift, trashed ignition switch and harness, etc.

We at first were going to part her out, thinking she was a goner, and that we could make some money off her, then thought about selling the entire car, but then I convinced Tom to just fix her up and get her back on the road. Well, it's a damn good thing we didn't part her out. The engine in this car is absolutely cherry, and after a good paint job (by us) it'll be one awesome street/race car.

All in all, we spent another $440 bucks for parts, another $200 something for registration, another $200 for insurance, and some misc. costs like fluids, etc...and the grand total came up to just around $4000 grand. 4 GRAND for an FD. F'ing hell.

When I say this was an f'ing deal...I'm not f'ing kidding. We took this thing from sitting on concrete blocks in a salvage yard to a fully functional FD3S. The air con is f'ing cold as hell, all the electronics work, the interior is immaculate after a thorough cleaning, and the engine bay is fully complete and given a degreasing and powerwash to knock off the crud.

Today, I finished throwing her back together with all of the parts we purchased over the past few weeks, radiator, AST, intercooler, along with the misc stuff that was damaged or stolen like the stickshift ****, glovebox, ignition switch, etc...then changed the oil, filled up the new radiator, burped her a bit, and then gave her a test drive.

On an easy run down the 1/4 mile at Hawaii Motorsports Center, we got into the high 90's...that's with a very slow launch, and shifting easy way before redline. She'll do 13's easy. And she's got plenty of power...plenty of it... only problems after a good, nice easy lap around the road course, we can tell the suspension is shot, and the brakes still need to get the rust caked off of 'em.

Anyways...here's the photos I have of the before and afters...along with a couple videos of her being started up. Jeezus, she sounds good. Makes me miss mine...

I figured you guys would be interested in this...espescially since it was such an amazing and lucky find. Like a diamond in the rough. Well, here's the photos and such.

When we first picked it up...with my rims on it.



With my FD...

The engine bay...missing some parts, and looking trashed, but this is what it liked when we picked it up.



New parts in, new radiator, AST, all the plumbing, and a thorough powerwash, plus the fluids changed and topped off. Still need to clean the parts alot better like the air box, battery, etc.

Ignition switch repaired now...the cover went back on after this pic was taken. Stick shift **** replaced, glove box replaced, paneling re-installed with boost gauge...pretty sweet looking interior.

 

Finshed for the moment...a fully functional FD3S, minus the paint job.

It came with a pretty sweet Trust exhaust...


And two videos of starting her up...kinda windy though...but she's rolling!
http://www.raceeventshawaii.com/Asse...ay05%20172.mpg
http://www.raceeventshawaii.com/Asse...ay05%20173.mpg

 

Good deal! Was this car orig and stolen in Oahu? I would've just bought it back from the insurance co if it were my car.

 

nice project dude, car is going to be nice

 

Yah...thanks go to turbojeff for kinda weighin in on the issue of it NOT deserving of being relegated to "parts car status".

I guess it was obviously stolen in Oahu...it was a steal...gotta give it that. We have a relativlely undamaged right fender that'll soon be replacing the damaged one...then a paint job, then rims, etc. It's gonna look nice.

 

Glad you kept another one on the road! That sounds like a fun project. I'm looking forward to getting a project FD myself to fix up back to snuff .

Dale

 

If I had 3 million I would get a koenigsegg

but on a serious note, awesome job keeping another FD out of the junkyard, thanks from a fellow rotary enthusiast

 

Whoops...I made a typo.

 

Absolutely NO WAY that car should be ever considered for parting out.

THANK YOU for not deconstructing but instead reconstructing. Thumbs up man she's going to take care of you.

 

Where do you shop that you got all that for $440?

 

Can't see the pics. Can you repost?

 

Great find, I've been looking for a parts car forever on Oahu

 

Am I the only one that can't see the pics?

 

Can't see the pics, but deff sounds like you made a lot of process.

 

Gah...my bandwidth is exceeded...I'll host the pics on the REH server..gimme a sec.

When we first picked it up...with my rims on it.



With my FD...

The engine bay...missing some parts, and looking trashed, but this is what it liked when we picked it up.



New parts in, new radiator, AST, all the plumbing, and a thorough powerwash, plus the fluids changed and topped off. Still need to clean the parts alot better like the air box, battery, etc.

Ignition switch repaired now...the cover went back on after this pic was taken. Stick shift **** replaced, glove box replaced, paneling re-installed with boost gauge...pretty sweet looking interior.

 

I got ya beat buddy

4800$ insured/registered with a clean title and 62k miles (just needed new clutch)



mine's rollin too

1994 Touring, white on black leather, 5spd

 

Finshed for the moment...a fully functional FD3S, minus the paint job.

It came with a pretty sweet Trust exhaust...
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So, basically, we rock the house

Representing FD's on a FC budget for Friday the 13th w00t!@#

 

Yah...but you have chrome wheels.

Sweet FD, though...how'd you get your hands on that thing? Nice WRX...by the way, someday, I'm gonna do something with my. It's been relegated to "to and fro" car...so no mods.

 

HEH they're getting powdercoated bronze here soon, it's all good... idiots around here stlil think it's a C5 with the chromies

 

The guy had SEVERE life/financial problems mixed with inability to work on cars.

WRX is a great car, surely no FD, however easy to make fast and ecomical, i've got all the bolt ons and a bigger turbo, should be good for mid 12s when I run it and gets good mileage still

 

Lucky you, you bastiche!

Yepz...sure is...so you're at better than STi performance, now? Did it take much to exceed that? I'm kinda interested in just getting to the level of a stock-ish STi with mine, when I do mod it. I want it simply fast and reliable...no racing, just a good amount of power.

 

I could beat STIs from a dig or a roll while still on the stock turbo (with uppipe/downpipe/exhaust/catless/engine management), they only have 230-240whp stock... however an STi w/ relfash & exhaust puts down 300whp all day... @ stage4 with all the other mods now, it would be a driver's race between me and a STI w/ relfash & exhaust (i.e., i'm selling for an sti)

 

Ahh...I see...do you think an STi is worth the upgrade? I really would like the seats outta one. Soooo nice compared to the old seats in my WRX. Comfy, too...

The STi's must be monsters with that 2.5L engine...we have several that compete at our Drift Session/Super Lap Series/Time Battle events, and just stock they're some serious competition on the road course. The current points battle for limited AWD is being won by it.

We also have an FD3S that actually drifts at our Drift Session events here in Hawaii...that's pretty cool to see. Nice looking one, too.

 

In my honest opinion, STi is hands down the best bang for the buck & practical car available right now, it runs 13 flat stock, handles like a beast stock and with just a turboback exhaust and ecu reflash you gian 60 at the wheels, while retaining your warranty (60k miles) at most dealers.... how can you go wrong!