This makes me smile 
This makes me smile
Pics from last week:
Race car kit being delivered!
Hideous garage is hideous.
It's not a Lightning, but it carries parts overnighted from Japan just fine!
Unloaded, doing some cleaning.
The doriftu car gets moved out for more workspace.
She's up on stands finally to finish up the teardown.
Stock exhaust vs. Corksport exhaust. Not a bad way to save 30-40lbs!
Cleaned up crossmember a bit. Should have seen how disgusting it was.
Alright, now i have a tech problem.
The front of the car is completely disassembled, all suspension components, hubs, brakes, everything is removed, and came off just fine, since the front end had been rebuilt not even 10k miles ago.
The rear... is another story. It's a somewhat normal MacStrut rear setup. Two control arms and a trailing link on each corner. The trailing links came off without an issue.
The control arms... are not being fun. On the hub end, there's a huge long bolt that goes through both control arms and the hub itself. We got the nut off the end of the bolt, but can't get the bolt out at all. Dead blow hammer, tried to spin the bolt itself with a very bad idea breaker bar contraption that likely put 1000lbs of force on the bolt. Didn't work. Heated the area with a Map gas torch, still no love.
Now... on the subframe end of the control arms, there's another identical bolt. I can knock that one loose without a problem, but it seems the subframe was assembled outside of the car, because the bolts on the subframe end run into the gas tank when i try to take them out.
Basically... it's all making me pretty pissed off. If i could find new (and i mean new) hub spindle knuckle things for both corners, i'd just cut everything off and call it good.
I'm crossing my fingers i can still get these bolts from Mazda so i can just cut the bolts on the subframe end, then cut the arms off from the hub end, then i guess take the hubs somewhere to have the bolt pressed out?
Anyone have any ideas? Have i confused everyone enough? The biggest problem is the bolt on the hub end, i need to get that sucker out somehow.
In other news, dropping off a big load to the powdercoater on Tuesday. If i can just get this rear hub/control arm situation taken care of, then i can have the suspension all back together and bolted up next weekend.
What you need to do is figure out the cheapest part to sacrifice. That is likely the bolts and bushings. If you can cut the head off, you can likely pry the arm away from the knuckle far enough to getr a saw blade in and cutthe bolt off. Once the knuckle is off the car, some heat and very significant beating, with the knuckle firmly supported on an anvil-like thing should get the remains out. On the inner end, if you cut the bolt off, can you put it in the other way? If not, you gotta drop the tank.
Whenever you are dealing with those long bolts, its a matter of figuring out the cheap and easily located thing to destroy.
Streetwiseguy wrote: What you need to do is figure out the cheapest part to sacrifice. That is likely the bolts and bushings. If you can cut the head off, you can likely pry the arm away from the knuckle far enough to getr a saw blade in and cutthe bolt off. Once the knuckle is off the car, some heat and very significant beating, with the knuckle firmly supported on an anvil-like thing should get the remains out. On the inner end, if you cut the bolt off, can you put it in the other way? If not, you gotta drop the tank. Whenever you are dealing with those long bolts, its a matter of figuring out the cheap and easily located thing to destroy.
Yeah, it's either bolts and bushings (i don't need the bushings anyways, going to rodends), or the hubs, really. I can drop the subframe (would rather do that than drop tank) if i need to, to save two of the bolts if i can't get replacements, i would just prefer not to.
The inner end, if i cut the bolt off, i think i can put a replacement in the other way, i just may need to re-engineer the washer setup since i don't think the factory stuff will fit in the cup for my tie brace.
If i can get replacement bolts, the innner/subframe end doesn't worry me in the slightest. 
It's the hub end. I can't get enough space to cut the head of the bolt off, but i can cut the control arm off of it anyways, i'm not re-using them.
So you think beating that bolt out would likely work better than trying to throw it in a shop press?
Well.... i lost the bolt war.
Trying to track down replacement hub assemblies for the rear.
Also nabbed a pair of 3rd gen ZX2 tubular rear trailing links. Sending them back off to Pierce Motorsports to have them rodended and pretty-fied to match the rest of the stuff in the back.
Anyways, now on to another weird development.
Back in.... the very first post it seems, i received a new brake master cylinder from RockAuto.
Not sure what made me do it, but i removed the stock cylinder from the car this past weekend and checked it out. Looks like it's in good condition, somewhat clean, and it's an OEM Ford Tokico part. (Me gusta!) However, since i've never gotten good pedal feel out of this car, it's gotta go.
I grabbed the new one, just to take a look at it. It's entirely different. What the berkeley?
Here's what they sent me:
Here's what i pulled off:
Not. Even. Close.
So now i'm getting confused. I don't even know what the part is that they gave me is for. Maybe an Auto? But it's got the nipple on the reservoir to feed the clutch master cylinder. (Yes, dumb design, i'm not happy about it.)
I also don't think ABS was ever an option for the 93, nor does RockAuto mention anything about ABS.
Sooo.... WTF is going on?
Anyone have a super awesome Ford Parts website that i might be able to track down an OEM Tokico part and pay out the wazoo for it?
I'm gonna throw out a fix for that stuck bolt... Mix ATF with Acetone 1:1 and spray the heck out of it and let it set.... Works Wonders!!!
Email me when you can Ben, I need a few parts from ya and have cash in hand ;)
nice build.
looks like you are driving my Jeep :-)
dansxr2 wrote: I'm gonna throw out a fix for that stuck bolt... Mix ATF with Acetone 1:1 and spray the heck out of it and let it set.... Works Wonders!!! Email me when you can Ben, I need a few parts from ya and have cash in hand ;)
D'oh!
Sorry man, my inbox for some reason thought you were junk. 
I lost the war with the bolt. It did a nice slinky impression and then snapped the threaded end off once presented with 40,000lbs of pressure.
But not before pushing the washer on the other end over the bushing sleeve. 
EricM wrote: nice build. looks like you are driving my Jeep :-)
Heh thanks!
The Jeep will be put to work again this weekend picking up the Celica's new motor.
Because i need another motor in that garage.
That'll put me up to:
1) 1.8 DOHC Mazda BP
2) 1.8 DOHC Mazda K8 V6
3) 2.5 DOHC Mazda KLZE V6
4) 2.0 Toyota 3sgte
5) and some weird hybrid "1.5jz" my buddy has back there.
ARRRRGGGGG.
(Tap tap) Is this thing on?
Anyways, some general updates, and yes, i know i'm slacking on pictures. 4th quarter sucks in my industry.
Steering rack and column is out of the car.
Another layer of paint on the front half is done, looks good.
Wheelwells were all wirebrushed then undercoated.
Rear hubs and modified 3rd gen ZX2 escort trailing arms arrived yesterday, i need to run the arms to the powdercoater so everything matches, then i can start assembling the suspension, wooo!!!!
Picked up a few other things.....
1) CZT 70mm throttle body
2) Gutted and ported "straight neck" intake manifold
3) Outlaw Thermospacers
4) Interprep valve springs
Realized yesterday that i didn't pull the MX3 fusebox and harness off. Oops. So i need to find one of those.
Spent a lot of time talking to my buddy here who knows these motors.... Megasquirt is going to happen shortly after the car runs on stock electronics. He says there's HUGE gains to be made, especially with the parts i have for this motor. He's talking ~240whp n/a on stock bottom end. That would be glorious.
There's another reason Megasquirt is going to be necessary. 
Did somebody say "ITBs?"
Yes. I believe they did.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:
Peep the Kinsler pimpsauce within!
I just sent the seller a non-refundable deposit. Awesome dude that was understanding about monies during the holidays. I'll have them in my grubby little hands next month.
If you've heard of or just plain HEARD "The KLiata," you've heard these very same throttle bodies in action. I don't even care if they give power (and they will... LOADS of it), they sound incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toughTZ9PIw
Kinsler goodness.
My God, it's beautiful.
Who's up for a suspension discussion?
Unpacked my trailing arms today. (Hubs came as well, so she's ready to go back together.)
I guess i didn't understand exactly what was going to be done to these things. See the pictures below.
The end that goes on the hub assembly retains stock bushings. Can anyone think of a reason for this?
Would there be any detrimental effect to making that end into a solid mount?
Just got an email from King6Fab (same guy that did my manual timing belt tensioner), seems the prototype MX3 side mounts are done.
Well, i'm mad right now.
A 1991 Mazda 323 SE just popped up in Louisville for $2000. 79k original miles.
Upon further review, it seems that car is 100-200lbs lighter than the Escort.
So angry.
I don't have $2000 free at the moment, and i don't have space/time to tear down another car and do all the prep i've done to the Escort. I should have pursued finding a 323 harder last year. 
Looks like that'll be a future undertaking. Sigh.
Yea. That 323 looks like a great start, too. A friend linked me to the ad on 502.
Powar wrote: Yea. That 323 looks like a great start, too. A friend linked me to the ad on 502.
Pisses me off so badly.
I even thought about that before i started tearing down the Escort, but they seemed hard to find, and i didn't bother researching them much further. I wish i had. The weight difference (even though it won't be 200lbs in the end) is much larger than i originally thought.
If somebody wants to buy that thing and maybe do something similar to what i'm doing, i'll answer any and all questions, and point you on how to get similar performance for cheaper than what i'm doing. I've already got a laundry list of things i would do differently if i were to do this again. That car would be the ideal starting point for something like this, though. That's the lightest BG chassis car.
maaaaan, this is making me want to do my Escort GT Wagon. I need to come get that motor from you. Just need a wagon to put it in. Know of any?
DukeOfUndersteer wrote: maaaaan, this is making me want to do my Escort GT Wagon. I need to come get that motor from you. Just need a wagon to put it in. Know of any?
LOL!!
I can deliver if you need me to now that you've joined the midwest (or is it Mideast?) crew. I DO have a Cherokee. 
I'm beginning to think that car is being built by cats.
N Sperlo wrote: I'm beginning to think that car is being built by cats.
That would certainly explain the rate of progress over the last 3 months, wouldn't it?
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:DukeOfUndersteer wrote: maaaaan, this is making me want to do my Escort GT Wagon. I need to come get that motor from you. Just need a wagon to put it in. Know of any?LOL!! I can deliver if you need me to now that you've joined the midwest (or is it Mideast?) crew. I DO have a Cherokee.
haha, now a Midwesterner... Yep, with Brad in Ohio now, seems to be plentiful with domestic stuff, so finding a Escort Wagon for cheap wont be a problem
DukeOfUndersteer wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:haha, now a Midwesterner... Yep, with Brad in Ohio now, seems to be plentiful with domestic stuff, so finding a Escort Wagon for cheap wont be a problemDukeOfUndersteer wrote: maaaaan, this is making me want to do my Escort GT Wagon. I need to come get that motor from you. Just need a wagon to put it in. Know of any?LOL!! I can deliver if you need me to now that you've joined the midwest (or is it Mideast?) crew. I DO have a Cherokee.
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