Longest. Buildup. Ever. High Comp 16v 7AGE
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:04 pm
Decided to share this on a more active forum, I have just copied and pasted most of my updates and left out a lot of replies, if there are some comments that seem odd it's due to some of the conversation being omitted.
I probably should have started this build thread about 3 years ago but hard times and lack of money brought on severe loss of motivation, but now I'm back and going hard in the paint.
A little bit of back story is required first I believe. I picked up the car back in 2008 about a year after my best friend passed away. The car was his and it had just been sitting around most of the time and it made me sad to think it would never get to a level of badassery that he wanted, so I picked it up. Shortly after purchasing the car I started throwing money at it to get it respectable when I got hit hard with layoffs and lost everything. Right on queue it spun a bearing, this was very bad news since it would be my daily for the better part of a year. I got a new engine swapped in before they repo'd the truck only to find out it had bad rings, however, it was able to stay reliable until I got something newer.
Fast forward to 2012 and things are finally coming together, I've got a better job and I'm finally able to throw money and time at the trusty 86. Picked up an engine from McKenney got it shoehorned in 2 days before moving back to Dallas and it has all started falling into place.
I'm just going to list off all the things I've done so far and add pictures if I've got them and I'll try to do a better job of keeping it updated as I go from this point forward.
Pulled the engine.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/tH7ktpgl.jpg)
Before and after of hood cleaning, when I pulled the engine oil was blowing out of the dipstick every time I let off the gas.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/sX4OwbIl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/ATNhkJll.jpg)
Valve covers when they came back from getting powder coated, from the picture it looks like we used a sharpie to do it haha.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/HeLqfcJl.jpg)
First start!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/BZhSYfcl.jpg)
Run Free +35mm flares the day they showed up.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/zAABnAjl.jpg)
New rubber.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/6WpYdc4l.jpg)
Diamond Racing 15x10 +0 next to the Celi-supras.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/n68XUBel.jpg)
JDM bumper lights, wing lights, eyelids
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/nPhaKRHl.jpg)
T3 STS installed
TRD 272 cams showed up!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/a2x53Yrl.jpg)
Flares and body kit fabbed up and test fitted.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/q8WgqTyl.jpg)
Run Free kit from the front, whole car supported by a lone PB Buster can.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/yLSAx1fl.jpg)
Flares looking mandatory at this point.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/kANsrOFl.jpg)
Old EGR block-off solution vs KSD Engineering's solution. (Yes, that's a Mt. Dew can for a gasket)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/FrJtg0xl.jpg)
My homie Mitchell getting ready to cut the first fender, I was nervous as ****.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/BlK4E8zl.jpg)
Just a little post cut hammering, just need to do a bit of welding now.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/znmma1C.jpg)
Manual rack put assembled and ready to be installed, just hoping I got the correct tie-rods.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/SfBZ7dGl.jpg)
That's all I got for right now but I have a 7 day weekend coming up so I will post more then. Also, please check out my post in the 16v Tech section I can't seem to find an answer on what to do after I installed a IACV block-off plate. Thanks!
July 1st, 2013
Got a bit of work done this weekend, I don't really want to post pics since I'm ashamed of our welds.
We shaved the rear wiper motor, rear plate lights, antenna and windshield sprayers and we welded the inner & outer fenders together in the rear where we had cut for the flares. I also started to remove the front suspension so I can swap out the rack, LCA's and Coils.
I had told myself that if I removed the suspension before the new coils showed up something would happen and low and behold if it didn't do just that. Two hours after pulling the entire front suspension out of the car the apartment above the garage started pouring water all over everything, I wasn't too worried about water but I am concerned with the ceiling falling down on the car. Still no word if they've figured out the issue.
I will have more updates starting next weekend since I have 7 off again, really hoping to get more done.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that when we started sanding down the passenger side rear fender we discovered a ton of bondo, this was quite upsetting since we had no idea it had been wrecked or had any body work done. Whomever did the work took their time because you couldn't tell until we starting cutting in, really hoping there aren't any more surprises like that.
July 5th, 2013
New LCA's installed.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/iZ4Qr55l.jpg)
Old i-shaft out, new i-shaft ready to go in.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/PZ1cP1Jl.jpg)
tapped the new i-shaft in slowly and bolted her up.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/XLaw1UAl.jpg)
Manual Rack done![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/qZph41Fl.jpg)
I will post some more pics later next week when we get the new coils in and start doing some sanding and body work, I might also post up some pics of all the shitty welds on everything we shaved. Everyone have a kick ass weekend!
July 11th, 2013
Made it over to the garage today to snap a few pics.
Rear wiper location welded up and ready for bodywork. You can also see the spots where the clear coat started flaking off all over the car.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/qIw4Ii4l.jpg)
Driver side fender post weld, it really turned out well.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/KtgGhyql.jpg)
Rear plate lights welded up and ready for bodywork, I've got a really cool idea for putting hidden LED lights for the rear plate.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/oa3bylil.jpg)
Stainless brake lines were supposed to be delivered today but the USPS decided it wasn't necessary to even attempt to bring it to my door and just left a tag in my mailbox for pickup, also coilovers show to be delivered tomorrow. Should get some nice updates Tues-Wed of next week when I'm off.
July 12th, 2013
Coilovers arrived.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/FVzXlFAl.jpg)
July 14th, 2013
Shitty welds ahoy!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/Qq6F1hNl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/7H3thvJl.jpg)
July 24th, 2013
Prothane kit showed up today finally, will be putting the coilovers on this weekend!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/TpnMo8dl.jpg)
While I was sleeping today 2 buddies of mine surprised me by doing some sanding on the car, they got the entire front clip done with the limited supplies they had. I should be able to knock the rest out this weekend as well and hopefully get some primer laid down. Then I just have to figure out how to take care of this paint situation.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/HF7TZgIl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/5vHowuIl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/Vd3Xe9cl.jpg)
July 26th, 2013
Got most of all of the body sanded today, still have to hit the bodykit and we laid down some bondo on the few dents in the paint. I also go the front coils in but forget we needed a puller to get the knuckles off the old LCA's. We plan on putting it down on the ground tomorrow and I'll post pics of how it looks then from a wider view!
Passenger side Coils/stainless brake lines installed.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/9mbtQYCl.jpg)
Driver side Coils/Stainless brake lines installed.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/ZfY2ZVXl.jpg)
Rear of the car post bondo....
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/0yW1PXml.jpg)
Friend notated all the dents etc with a marker after the first sand, I laughed when I found this dent.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/P72UI9Hl.jpg)
We also got some bushings installed but it was too dark to really see them in the pics so I left it out. Disassembling the old calipers/rotors to get to the lugs and swap them out with LS400 lugs was a huge pain in the ass, you can see the lugs in one of the shots.
Early day tomorrow to get the rest done, I'm going to drink some more with some friends then pass out.
Sept 23, 2013
Finished the brake lines today and got the brake system flushed and while in the process of putting the new studs in the rear I smashed the F-bomb out of my finger!
Now I have a new problem. After tinkering with the TPS, idle control screw and distributor I was finally able to get her to idle at 750 without dying after a few seconds but now I have no power until 2k rpm and when I say no power I mean it wouldn't back over a 1 inch lip at the entrance of my garage, any ideas? Also, the idle control screw is out quite a ways.
As promised here is a vid and a picture outside the garage. I have not touched the suspension height in anyway so it was driven out as it came from the factory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... YBLlYwphS4
![Image](http://i44.tinypic.com/2u8hv6g.jpg)
Sept 24th, 2013
Figured it out, looks like the crank pulley had moved on me while up the belt and moved 5 degrees off TDC, it's now running much better I just need to dial in the idle!.
Car, bodykit, skirts and flares are all now sanded and awaiting primer. I'm getting excited!
![Image](http://i42.tinypic.com/2dsfxwm.jpg)
Oct 5th, 2013
I think I'm going to go with the red that's on the Hyundai Genesis, I saw one at the mall the other day and I just could not take my eyes off of it.
Started laying down primer tonight but I forgot the newspaper for the windows so we will finish up in the morning. Car will be fully primed tomorrow.
http://i.imgur.com/wcndRazl.jpg
Oct 6th, 2013
The car is finally primer-ed and man does it feel good. We have to wet sand out some runs but other than that things went really well today.
Really looking forward to getting it all finished up so I can drive it, we are really close! Now enough of my yacking here are some pics!
The flares freshly drilled with a fresh coat of primer.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/IGCSJcAl.jpg)
Front and Rear bumpers drying.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/uVwU1S8l.jpg)
Front shot of the car after laying down the primer.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/81nHrWRl.jpg)
Front side shot.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/Ac3j8jjl.jpg)
All the red on the front will be sprayed once I get in there and clean it up.
Nov 14th, 2013
Finally ordered some bash bars this week, they should be here next week sometime.
Got the front end painted black so it won't look bad when when the front bumper is on, we also found a major fuel leak when I started it up to drive around the apartment complex(and fixed it). bled the brakes some more and got them feeling nice and firm when they are applied. As of now it's up to my friend to lay down one more coat of primer and wet sand it to perfection and it's road ready!
As I was driving it around the complex I noticed that it has almost no power since installing the 272 cams, I'm going to check timing one more time and if that doesn't present an issue I'm going to need someone's help to figure out what the hell is going on.
Now for a picture of the front.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/9zf45Pwl.jpg)
Dec 4th, 2013
Got the whole thing wet sanded last night and it's now ready for the last coat of primer IF my paint guy get's off in time otherwise we will have to wait til it warms up a bit before we can spray it.
I've been trying to figure out how to keep the 15x10's on the front and I think I can adjust the caster enough that it will allow me to run them for the time being, we will have to see how it works.
Checked timing on the engine yesterday just to make sure and it's dead on, played around a bit with the distributor and TPS to see if I could get it to run better and it still seems very hesitant. The only thing that seemed to change how it ran was the screw on the air flow sensor seen in this picture. My question is what is this called and where can I find information on how to dial it in?
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/AV7bqJgl.jpg)
I probably should have started this build thread about 3 years ago but hard times and lack of money brought on severe loss of motivation, but now I'm back and going hard in the paint.
A little bit of back story is required first I believe. I picked up the car back in 2008 about a year after my best friend passed away. The car was his and it had just been sitting around most of the time and it made me sad to think it would never get to a level of badassery that he wanted, so I picked it up. Shortly after purchasing the car I started throwing money at it to get it respectable when I got hit hard with layoffs and lost everything. Right on queue it spun a bearing, this was very bad news since it would be my daily for the better part of a year. I got a new engine swapped in before they repo'd the truck only to find out it had bad rings, however, it was able to stay reliable until I got something newer.
Fast forward to 2012 and things are finally coming together, I've got a better job and I'm finally able to throw money and time at the trusty 86. Picked up an engine from McKenney got it shoehorned in 2 days before moving back to Dallas and it has all started falling into place.
I'm just going to list off all the things I've done so far and add pictures if I've got them and I'll try to do a better job of keeping it updated as I go from this point forward.
Pulled the engine.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/tH7ktpgl.jpg)
Before and after of hood cleaning, when I pulled the engine oil was blowing out of the dipstick every time I let off the gas.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/sX4OwbIl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/ATNhkJll.jpg)
Valve covers when they came back from getting powder coated, from the picture it looks like we used a sharpie to do it haha.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/HeLqfcJl.jpg)
First start!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/BZhSYfcl.jpg)
Run Free +35mm flares the day they showed up.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/zAABnAjl.jpg)
New rubber.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/6WpYdc4l.jpg)
Diamond Racing 15x10 +0 next to the Celi-supras.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/n68XUBel.jpg)
JDM bumper lights, wing lights, eyelids
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/nPhaKRHl.jpg)
T3 STS installed
TRD 272 cams showed up!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/a2x53Yrl.jpg)
Flares and body kit fabbed up and test fitted.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/q8WgqTyl.jpg)
Run Free kit from the front, whole car supported by a lone PB Buster can.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/yLSAx1fl.jpg)
Flares looking mandatory at this point.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/kANsrOFl.jpg)
Old EGR block-off solution vs KSD Engineering's solution. (Yes, that's a Mt. Dew can for a gasket)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/FrJtg0xl.jpg)
My homie Mitchell getting ready to cut the first fender, I was nervous as ****.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/BlK4E8zl.jpg)
Just a little post cut hammering, just need to do a bit of welding now.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/znmma1C.jpg)
Manual rack put assembled and ready to be installed, just hoping I got the correct tie-rods.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/SfBZ7dGl.jpg)
That's all I got for right now but I have a 7 day weekend coming up so I will post more then. Also, please check out my post in the 16v Tech section I can't seem to find an answer on what to do after I installed a IACV block-off plate. Thanks!
July 1st, 2013
Got a bit of work done this weekend, I don't really want to post pics since I'm ashamed of our welds.
We shaved the rear wiper motor, rear plate lights, antenna and windshield sprayers and we welded the inner & outer fenders together in the rear where we had cut for the flares. I also started to remove the front suspension so I can swap out the rack, LCA's and Coils.
I had told myself that if I removed the suspension before the new coils showed up something would happen and low and behold if it didn't do just that. Two hours after pulling the entire front suspension out of the car the apartment above the garage started pouring water all over everything, I wasn't too worried about water but I am concerned with the ceiling falling down on the car. Still no word if they've figured out the issue.
I will have more updates starting next weekend since I have 7 off again, really hoping to get more done.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that when we started sanding down the passenger side rear fender we discovered a ton of bondo, this was quite upsetting since we had no idea it had been wrecked or had any body work done. Whomever did the work took their time because you couldn't tell until we starting cutting in, really hoping there aren't any more surprises like that.
July 5th, 2013
New LCA's installed.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/iZ4Qr55l.jpg)
Old i-shaft out, new i-shaft ready to go in.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/PZ1cP1Jl.jpg)
tapped the new i-shaft in slowly and bolted her up.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/XLaw1UAl.jpg)
Manual Rack done
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/qZph41Fl.jpg)
I will post some more pics later next week when we get the new coils in and start doing some sanding and body work, I might also post up some pics of all the shitty welds on everything we shaved. Everyone have a kick ass weekend!
July 11th, 2013
Made it over to the garage today to snap a few pics.
Rear wiper location welded up and ready for bodywork. You can also see the spots where the clear coat started flaking off all over the car.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/qIw4Ii4l.jpg)
Driver side fender post weld, it really turned out well.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/KtgGhyql.jpg)
Rear plate lights welded up and ready for bodywork, I've got a really cool idea for putting hidden LED lights for the rear plate.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/oa3bylil.jpg)
Stainless brake lines were supposed to be delivered today but the USPS decided it wasn't necessary to even attempt to bring it to my door and just left a tag in my mailbox for pickup, also coilovers show to be delivered tomorrow. Should get some nice updates Tues-Wed of next week when I'm off.
July 12th, 2013
Coilovers arrived.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/FVzXlFAl.jpg)
July 14th, 2013
Shitty welds ahoy!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/Qq6F1hNl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/7H3thvJl.jpg)
July 24th, 2013
Prothane kit showed up today finally, will be putting the coilovers on this weekend!
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/TpnMo8dl.jpg)
While I was sleeping today 2 buddies of mine surprised me by doing some sanding on the car, they got the entire front clip done with the limited supplies they had. I should be able to knock the rest out this weekend as well and hopefully get some primer laid down. Then I just have to figure out how to take care of this paint situation.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/HF7TZgIl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/5vHowuIl.jpg)
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/Vd3Xe9cl.jpg)
July 26th, 2013
Got most of all of the body sanded today, still have to hit the bodykit and we laid down some bondo on the few dents in the paint. I also go the front coils in but forget we needed a puller to get the knuckles off the old LCA's. We plan on putting it down on the ground tomorrow and I'll post pics of how it looks then from a wider view!
Passenger side Coils/stainless brake lines installed.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/9mbtQYCl.jpg)
Driver side Coils/Stainless brake lines installed.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/ZfY2ZVXl.jpg)
Rear of the car post bondo....
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/0yW1PXml.jpg)
Friend notated all the dents etc with a marker after the first sand, I laughed when I found this dent.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/P72UI9Hl.jpg)
We also got some bushings installed but it was too dark to really see them in the pics so I left it out. Disassembling the old calipers/rotors to get to the lugs and swap them out with LS400 lugs was a huge pain in the ass, you can see the lugs in one of the shots.
Early day tomorrow to get the rest done, I'm going to drink some more with some friends then pass out.
Sept 23, 2013
Finished the brake lines today and got the brake system flushed and while in the process of putting the new studs in the rear I smashed the F-bomb out of my finger!
Now I have a new problem. After tinkering with the TPS, idle control screw and distributor I was finally able to get her to idle at 750 without dying after a few seconds but now I have no power until 2k rpm and when I say no power I mean it wouldn't back over a 1 inch lip at the entrance of my garage, any ideas? Also, the idle control screw is out quite a ways.
As promised here is a vid and a picture outside the garage. I have not touched the suspension height in anyway so it was driven out as it came from the factory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... YBLlYwphS4
![Image](http://i44.tinypic.com/2u8hv6g.jpg)
Sept 24th, 2013
Figured it out, looks like the crank pulley had moved on me while up the belt and moved 5 degrees off TDC, it's now running much better I just need to dial in the idle!.
Car, bodykit, skirts and flares are all now sanded and awaiting primer. I'm getting excited!
![Image](http://i42.tinypic.com/2dsfxwm.jpg)
Oct 5th, 2013
I think I'm going to go with the red that's on the Hyundai Genesis, I saw one at the mall the other day and I just could not take my eyes off of it.
Started laying down primer tonight but I forgot the newspaper for the windows so we will finish up in the morning. Car will be fully primed tomorrow.
http://i.imgur.com/wcndRazl.jpg
Oct 6th, 2013
The car is finally primer-ed and man does it feel good. We have to wet sand out some runs but other than that things went really well today.
Really looking forward to getting it all finished up so I can drive it, we are really close! Now enough of my yacking here are some pics!
The flares freshly drilled with a fresh coat of primer.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/IGCSJcAl.jpg)
Front and Rear bumpers drying.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/uVwU1S8l.jpg)
Front shot of the car after laying down the primer.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/81nHrWRl.jpg)
Front side shot.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/Ac3j8jjl.jpg)
All the red on the front will be sprayed once I get in there and clean it up.
Nov 14th, 2013
Finally ordered some bash bars this week, they should be here next week sometime.
Got the front end painted black so it won't look bad when when the front bumper is on, we also found a major fuel leak when I started it up to drive around the apartment complex(and fixed it). bled the brakes some more and got them feeling nice and firm when they are applied. As of now it's up to my friend to lay down one more coat of primer and wet sand it to perfection and it's road ready!
As I was driving it around the complex I noticed that it has almost no power since installing the 272 cams, I'm going to check timing one more time and if that doesn't present an issue I'm going to need someone's help to figure out what the hell is going on.
Now for a picture of the front.
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/9zf45Pwl.jpg)
Dec 4th, 2013
Got the whole thing wet sanded last night and it's now ready for the last coat of primer IF my paint guy get's off in time otherwise we will have to wait til it warms up a bit before we can spray it.
I've been trying to figure out how to keep the 15x10's on the front and I think I can adjust the caster enough that it will allow me to run them for the time being, we will have to see how it works.
Checked timing on the engine yesterday just to make sure and it's dead on, played around a bit with the distributor and TPS to see if I could get it to run better and it still seems very hesitant. The only thing that seemed to change how it ran was the screw on the air flow sensor seen in this picture. My question is what is this called and where can I find information on how to dial it in?
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/AV7bqJgl.jpg)