My 83 GS "pandafb" gets restored - Again! (lots of rust/metal work)
12-19-14, 12:01 PM
#176
Yeah I'm guessing 130-140 hp. Even though it's only 4 port it still has staged injection and 550cc injectors all around. Plus s5 turbo rotors are like 9.0:1 compression. Decent enough to make some good power methinks! 
I like your idea too, kinda a cool mixup of parts. I'll let you know how this thing drives once I register it
I like your idea too, kinda a cool mixup of parts. I'll let you know how this thing drives once I register it
01-06-15, 09:42 AM
#178
Time for an update! I got this registered/insured last week and have put 80 or so miles on since. Overall impressions of the setup are actually very good! It pulls harder than I was expecting it to, definitely harder than a stock GSL-SE so HP levels are probably 145ish I'm guessing. Much of the steering and suspension parts are re-used from the original Panda build so not many surprises there, still rides nicely and handles well for a mildly modded FB setup.
Biggest issue I've encountered so far: The engine is making a ton of lung butter/mustard, whatever you prefer to call it, even after some fairly long drives (20 minutes+). I've had lung butter plenty of times on other engines, but usually it's just from short trips. Once I drive for a while it'll get drawn out. I had a problem with it on one of my T2's but it turned out I had the "crankcase" vent hooked up incorrectly. I'll have to double check my routing on this one, but I believe it's correct. Worst case I guess I'll just drill a hole in the filler cap and put a fitting on there to vent it to the atmosphere. Seems to be a common solution here.
Other than a few minor adjustments needed here and there, plus the lung butter issue there aren't many future plans for this car other than to get it smogged and drive it for a while. It's nice to have it back on the road after all this time
Biggest issue I've encountered so far: The engine is making a ton of lung butter/mustard, whatever you prefer to call it, even after some fairly long drives (20 minutes+). I've had lung butter plenty of times on other engines, but usually it's just from short trips. Once I drive for a while it'll get drawn out. I had a problem with it on one of my T2's but it turned out I had the "crankcase" vent hooked up incorrectly. I'll have to double check my routing on this one, but I believe it's correct. Worst case I guess I'll just drill a hole in the filler cap and put a fitting on there to vent it to the atmosphere. Seems to be a common solution here.
Other than a few minor adjustments needed here and there, plus the lung butter issue there aren't many future plans for this car other than to get it smogged and drive it for a while. It's nice to have it back on the road after all this time
01-06-15, 11:15 AM
#180
Sounds cheesy but inspiring others to restore these cars was one of the biggest reasons I decided to restore/document this in the first place. I had thought many times in the first few weeks of this build about just parting it and finding another shell, but I figured I'd continue on and bring it back to life one more time. This is definitely this car's last life though, if it starts to rust again (and it will I'm sure) then that's it... There are still plenty of these down South and out West to pick from Don't worry though, that's many years away.
So yeah the timing isn't ideal seeing as it just snowed today, but it's all good. If I had a big garage to store everything in I would certainly think twice about driving them this time of year, but I can only store one, and it's my 83 S. If the rest are going to sit outside, might as well enjoy them a bit, as long as the roads aren't too wet and salty that is...
Don't worry though, that's many years away. So yeah the timing isn't ideal seeing as it just snowed today, but it's all good. If I had a big garage to store everything in I would certainly think twice about driving them this time of year, but I can only store one, and it's my 83 S. If the rest are going to sit outside, might as well enjoy them a bit, as long as the roads aren't too wet and salty that is...
01-08-15, 01:31 PM
#181
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Smithfield, UT
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to feel that way about driving my Camaros in the winter, but maturity has improved my perspective. As with any production car, even the best Camaros were compromised, in many major ways that I'd been blinding myself to. And these FBs are no different.
The ultimate car, one worthy of a garage all winter every winter, would be a custom-built single seater, open-wheeled, mid-engine driving directly into a'97-'04 Corvette T56 6-speed manual trans-axle. With the correct build of the correct 3.8L V6, it could do 60 MPG with the performance of a 1000-HP "super-car", or with the right build of the right 2.0L turbo 4 it could do 80 MPG and still embarrass every production sports car ever. Not only that, either way I could build it right for under $ 10,000. in parts and materials. To build it to Top Gear standards, where driving enthusiasts who falsely claim to be car enthusiasts, would accept it would be easy at $20,000.
If there's a single virgin FB in a museum, anywhere on earth, then the rest can be butchered however their owners like.
The ultimate car, one worthy of a garage all winter every winter, would be a custom-built single seater, open-wheeled, mid-engine driving directly into a'97-'04 Corvette T56 6-speed manual trans-axle. With the correct build of the correct 3.8L V6, it could do 60 MPG with the performance of a 1000-HP "super-car", or with the right build of the right 2.0L turbo 4 it could do 80 MPG and still embarrass every production sports car ever. Not only that, either way I could build it right for under $ 10,000. in parts and materials. To build it to Top Gear standards, where driving enthusiasts who falsely claim to be car enthusiasts, would accept it would be easy at $20,000.
If there's a single virgin FB in a museum, anywhere on earth, then the rest can be butchered however their owners like.
01-09-15, 10:24 AM
#182
^Interesting take with a really interesting vehicle description... you almost described an Atom or some of those open wheeled cars along those lines.
For your next incarnation, if you are in need of a rust free shell (84 gs), let me know. I under estimated the amount of effort for the build I had in mind by vast amounts. That one won't be getting touched for many years at this point. Lots of pics available if interested, some light body work and paint is all it needs.
Great to hear the 13b na is happy. By the way, what do you mean by lung butter? Thanks
For your next incarnation, if you are in need of a rust free shell (84 gs), let me know. I under estimated the amount of effort for the build I had in mind by vast amounts. That one won't be getting touched for many years at this point. Lots of pics available if interested, some light body work and paint is all it needs.
Great to hear the 13b na is happy. By the way, what do you mean by lung butter? Thanks
01-09-15, 10:39 AM
#183
"Lung Butter" is the (kind of nasty) nickname we have for the white sludge that tends to build up in the oil filler neck on these cars, especially if the car goes on lots of short trips in cold weather etc. Moisture builds up in the oil system and the crankcase vent can't keep up so it builds up in the oil filler neck (since it's the highest point for the evaporating water to go).
I suspect this one is getting so much of it because the oil cooler still has crap in it from a previous engine's incorrect vent plumbing. I did the quick fix of drilling a hole in the oil cap and will run the car for a while to see if I can get most of it to escape, I'll also do an oil change soon. There's a ton of threads on here about it, pretty common issue unfortunately.
Edit: I'm sure over time, and if I took this on a nice long drive it would clear itself up, but at this point I want to take some extra precautions and make sure the quality of the oil isn't affected
Hmmm, an 84 GS you say? I've never owned an 84... I may have to take a look.
I suspect this one is getting so much of it because the oil cooler still has crap in it from a previous engine's incorrect vent plumbing. I did the quick fix of drilling a hole in the oil cap and will run the car for a while to see if I can get most of it to escape, I'll also do an oil change soon. There's a ton of threads on here about it, pretty common issue unfortunately.
Edit: I'm sure over time, and if I took this on a nice long drive it would clear itself up, but at this point I want to take some extra precautions and make sure the quality of the oil isn't affected
Hmmm, an 84 GS you say? I've never owned an 84... I may have to take a look.
Last edited by 82transam; 01-09-15 at 10:43 AM.
01-09-15, 09:50 PM
#184
"Lung Butter" is the (kind of nasty) nickname we have for the white sludge that tends to build up in the oil filler neck on these cars, especially if the car goes on lots of short trips in cold weather etc. Moisture builds up in the oil system and the crankcase vent can't keep up so it builds up in the oil filler neck (since it's the highest point for the evaporating water to go).
Glad to hear you've got this car up and running now - driving in the snow is my favorite! [When I don't go too hard and end up in a ditch...hasn't happened yet (knock on wood)]
01-10-15, 11:29 PM
#185
re: lung butter... ahh ha! I always thought that little amount of build up under my oil filler cap was assembly lube from a recent rebuild that was just getting worked out over time. I have my 12a's oil fill tube vented to atmosphere through an oil drip line at the base of the tube where it meets the housing. It always looked just like silicone assembly lube to me when I looked closely...
The 84? PM me your email if you are interested, I have meticulously taken it apart and cataloged everything with name tags (in legible writing). My grand plan for that shell is to take an NA miata roller skate, take the body off, then mount the 84 gs' shell onto the miata rolelrskate. (didn't you mention something like this in one of your other threads?) The end result would be an FB with double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners and a nice flyin miata turbo 4 cylinder, power steering, etc... I think the wheel bases would match up correctly, but sadly the proper work space, tools and overall amount of effort/time are hindering progress. So it sits right now as a stripped down (mind you, cataloged) shell. I also have many parts from an 85 gsl and two engines a 12a and a 13b gsl-se (both untested/unknown). The 84 front end has been converted over to a 78/79 by some previous owner. This actually helped me out since I have a 78/79 kamei style front lip and one of those smoothed out rear bumpers covers as well. All the parts and the shell are in dry storage now (garage and basement). I have a boat load of pics, just ask. From previous conversations, you might have guessed, i've been collecting parts for years The 84 is sunrise red, in need of a respray, with a gray interior (but I also have a nearly complete 85 brown interior as well).
The 84? PM me your email if you are interested, I have meticulously taken it apart and cataloged everything with name tags (in legible writing). My grand plan for that shell is to take an NA miata roller skate, take the body off, then mount the 84 gs' shell onto the miata rolelrskate. (didn't you mention something like this in one of your other threads?) The end result would be an FB with double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners and a nice flyin miata turbo 4 cylinder, power steering, etc... I think the wheel bases would match up correctly, but sadly the proper work space, tools and overall amount of effort/time are hindering progress. So it sits right now as a stripped down (mind you, cataloged) shell. I also have many parts from an 85 gsl and two engines a 12a and a 13b gsl-se (both untested/unknown). The 84 front end has been converted over to a 78/79 by some previous owner. This actually helped me out since I have a 78/79 kamei style front lip and one of those smoothed out rear bumpers covers as well. All the parts and the shell are in dry storage now (garage and basement). I have a boat load of pics, just ask. From previous conversations, you might have guessed, i've been collecting parts for years
The 84 is sunrise red, in need of a respray, with a gray interior (but I also have a nearly complete 85 brown interior as well).
01-12-15, 09:31 AM
#186
^I'll pm you, you're tempting me!
Not much new to report, but I ran this car for a while over the weekend with the vented oil cap and most of the crap seems to have evaporated out of there. I'll change the oil within the next week or so just to make sure it's all good. Also need to take this for inspection within a week too. Otherwise it's basically "done" other than few random things, like that one marker light etc...
A few pics:
Not much new to report, but I ran this car for a while over the weekend with the vented oil cap and most of the crap seems to have evaporated out of there. I'll change the oil within the next week or so just to make sure it's all good. Also need to take this for inspection within a week too. Otherwise it's basically "done" other than few random things, like that one marker light etc...
A few pics:
01-13-15, 10:41 AM
#189
A little off topic, but ... Growing up in western NY we got plenty of snow and my car in high school was an absolute beast in snow - a 74 VW superbeetle. I slammed it sideways into a 6 foot snowpile so hard it was half in and half out of the snow on the side of the road. Rocked it back and forth a couple times throwing it in reverse then first, and back again and I drove right out. Could do donuts like someone had spun a top. Loved it.
Back on topic, Sean that car looks amazing and has come a long way. You do great work and that color choice is fantastic.
Back on topic, Sean that car looks amazing and has come a long way. You do great work and that color choice is fantastic.
01-16-15, 08:57 AM
#194
Testing is this afternoon, I'll know soon enough!
Took it to work today, first time on the highway and it went quite well. Plenty of power, easily maintains 80mph and no issues passing people. A few minor issues have come up, nothing major though - mostly some squeaks and rattles and what not. This engine feels solid as a rock. Got a thumbs up from a middle aged guy in a BMW on the highway too. Always feels good
I've already got a bunch of changes in mind for this, but they'll have to wait a while
Took it to work today, first time on the highway and it went quite well. Plenty of power, easily maintains 80mph and no issues passing people. A few minor issues have come up, nothing major though - mostly some squeaks and rattles and what not. This engine feels solid as a rock. Got a thumbs up from a middle aged guy in a BMW on the highway too. Always feels good
I've already got a bunch of changes in mind for this, but they'll have to wait a while
01-16-15, 02:21 PM
#195
My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
The car looks great, though I personally like the sidestrips installed. Also, your lack of side indicators is bugging me. 
Very cool work on the engine. Makes me want to try something similar once my 12a packs it in. Though, the way it runs and the limited miles I put on the car mean that I should be under 12a power for quite a few years to come.
Very cool work on the engine. Makes me want to try something similar once my 12a packs it in. Though, the way it runs and the limited miles I put on the car mean that I should be under 12a power for quite a few years to come.
01-21-15, 03:20 PM
#196
Yeah I need to go through my spare parts boxes to find that last side marker assembly lol. I have always hated the side moldings, I don't regret removing those
Small update, car passed inspection with no issues. Gotta love T2 engines. As long as the air pump/ACV and cat are present and working they never seem to have any problems passing for me. Put a few miles on it over the weekend and started re installing a stereo in it. Nothing much else to update on this. Kinda burned out on car projects right now. Wish I had a garage, or at least a car port to park them in....
Small update, car passed inspection with no issues. Gotta love T2 engines. As long as the air pump/ACV and cat are present and working they never seem to have any problems passing for me. Put a few miles on it over the weekend and started re installing a stereo in it. Nothing much else to update on this. Kinda burned out on car projects right now. Wish I had a garage, or at least a car port to park them in....
01-22-15, 02:34 AM
#197
Awesome to know that you passed emissions man! I'm so glad we don't have that here... I agree wholeheartedly with the side molding hatred. They're nice for when you accidentally brush the car with something you weren't expecting to (knee, leg, box, whatever) but I'm deleting them on this red project of mine. Marker lights gotta stay though - they're so classic!
Great to know that this build is progressing - hope it continues down that same path!
Great to know that this build is progressing - hope it continues down that same path!
08-28-21, 01:37 AM
#198
acdelco d1906 Nkg 49034
2/13 to 4/14 that's a year and a half. Impressive work. And you inspired me to inspect/undercoat the under carriage. I do it once a year.
You're in northern New Jersey. I lived in flemingon and north princeton. Humidity goes astronomical there. You got that car to pass with NJ's enhanced emissions? Impressive.
You're in northern New Jersey. I lived in flemingon and north princeton. Humidity goes astronomical there. You got that car to pass with NJ's enhanced emissions? Impressive.
08-30-21, 11:08 AM
#199
Thanks for the compliments - it certainly was a lot of work! The car has gone through numerous revisions but is still around - I was actually working on it this weekend. I have been meaning to post updates on this, and my other FB's, but can never seem to find the time to put together a worthwhile post... Maybe one of these days!
I'm about 35-40 minutes north of Flemington - nice area. Thankfully NJ did away with inspection on pre-obd2 cars back in 2016 so it makes it much easier to keep these cars going
I'm about 35-40 minutes north of Flemington - nice area. Thankfully NJ did away with inspection on pre-obd2 cars back in 2016 so it makes it much easier to keep these cars going
08-31-21, 01:14 PM
#200
Senior Member
Looking good....I bet it a fun car with the TII swap.......
Also the color is bad ***....and I like the rear spoiler.....
I wish I could find one like it.....
Good job.....
Also the color is bad ***....and I like the rear spoiler.....
I wish I could find one like it.....
Good job.....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jose A.
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
19
08-27-15 11:41 PM
