Almost two years!

Wow, sorry it has been almost 2 years since I updated the blog. A lot has happened since getting the stripes on, unfortunately most not very 'picture' worthy.

Drove it a lot the fall of 2017 and summer of 2018. Several car shows, cruises and just having fun. So of course I needed to fix a few things.

Suspension
- removed the sn95 front lower control arms and replaced with correct length fox chassis version.
- this fixed the ride height so I could get her aligned
- the alignment led to the tires rubbing, so I added spacers to the rack.

Engine
- added a PimpX ECU
- added 850 lb/hr injectors
- boosted to over 20 lbs by mistake :)
- ran 10-12 lbs after getting the wastegate replaced

Turbo
- blew up the turbo. Technically it started smoking really badly. A 34 year old turbo, needed to be replaced
- ordered a replacement t3/t4 hybrid

Current state
- new turbo sits 1" or so farther out than the t3, so the downpipe doesn't fit. Tried 3 times to have the exhaust shop 'massage it' but it didn't help. Too many things now hit
- tried to install a FMIC from Stinger, ran into fitment problems
- tried to install a really nice Kevco catch can, but it doesn't fit anywhere

So ...
- waiting on a t4 bracket for the wastegate, once that arrives I'll test fit the turbo/downpipe on the bench
- then remove the downpipe from the turbo and reinstall the turbo, header, water lines, oil lines etc.
- fix the power steering cooler issues with the FMIC
- move the FMIC farther up into the car, it is hanging too low now
- install all the FMIC piping
- install the new catch can (details to come if it fits!)
- get everything working, then tow it to the exhaust shop to fix the downpipe. Risky but it is close and I think I can check everything for leaks before getting it towed.

THEN
- install the gillis valve
- tune for 20 lbs!

I will be doing a write up on the FMIC install and challenges, the t3/t4 hybrid install and challenges and all the challenges building a nice catch can setup. Stay tuned!

Stripes, decals and emblems - now she looks like a Capri

After getting her running correctly in September of 2016, I drove her a few hundred miles, when to a couple of car shows but really wanted to get the stripes, decals and emblems on. This week I was finally able to coordinate with someone to do them!

Christmas presents!

For Christmas I bought myself a few needed parts, included a ported Stinger Lower, a PimpX ECU and 85lb injectors. I was able to install the lower, but this Spring and Summer were pretty stressful so I've not gotten to the PimpX and injectors yet.

3" exhaust

Also while waiting for her to start running right I had a 3" exhaust from the turbo outlet to the tailpipe installed. I was starting to get comments from the neighbors about how low it was with just the downpipe and then a few police officers watched me drive by one day while testing, so I knew I was pushing my luck.

First Car Show - July 2016

During the fun of trying to figure out why she wasn't running well I did drive her to the first car show. It was less than a mile from my house so I risked it. It was a small event so no trophies or anything, but did get a lot of questions about her.

Picture of her leaving.

On the road!

Sorry for so long between updates. A lot has happened, and she's finally running properly(ish).

Through Spring and Summer 2016 I was able to drive her, but she was running pig rich. I tried lots of things, from looking for and fixing a number of vacuum/boost leaks, to changing plugs, O2 sensors and checking every system electrically.

I learned a ton about wiring, the various sensors and the stock computer.

In the end the problem turned out to be the VAM. It passed electrically all the tests so I still don't know why it was the issue, but replacing it she immediately idled correctly and the A/F was back where it should be and she ran much, much better.

Here is the obligatory photo of her not being on jack stands.

Proof she's running

First Start!

Finally!

Seven years and four days after I brought her home she's finally running! I've tried a half dozen times since last September to get her to start, but finally got some advice about how to set the distributor up by the injectors firing/spark from the coil.

After 12+ minutes of break-in at 2500 RPM I put the spout back in and she started up and idled fine a couple of more times. Lots of smoking on the outside of the turbo and downpipe, but that stopped after a few minutes. Good oil pressure too.

Had solid brake pedal, so I guess I bled the brakes right! The fan kicked on, but the temp gauge in the car didn't move so I need to look at that to.

No trying to drive her, I was tempted but since I can't get the initial timing right I didn't want to break anything.

Video