99StockGT Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Picked it up early last year, plans are to rebuild and race. When purchased she barely ran having sat for nearly 2 years. The previous owner had worked on it several times but never managed to get it running properly. Having drained all the fluids from her, got her cranked up and moved to my garage where the story continues..What will the end result be? http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMAG0152.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangsn95gt Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Love these things for some reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwohio Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 If you have any question or want to order custom parts, just ask for Chris. Tell him Kale sent you over. https://www.facebook.com/mc2racing?ref=ts&fref=ts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHIEF Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Always had a weird liking for these cars too. That 2.3 is a great platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig71188 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Love these things for some reason Must be a defective gene somewhere.... I've had three over the years - still think they are cool... Now if only we got the Cosworth AWD Sierra that Europe got.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Definitely going to be an interesting project. It's just at that right cusp of old school/computerized. Chris and I are already talking, the community for these cars is pretty tight and oddly very Ohio based. There is a LOT of potential in the platform, only limits are time and money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwohio Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Definitely going to be an interesting project. It's just at that right cusp of old school/computerized. Chris and I are already talking, the community for these cars is pretty tight and oddly very Ohio based. There is a LOT of potential in the platform, only limits are time and money http://www.nopcommerce.com/images/thumbs/0001173.jpeg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 All good builds start with some homework. Also managed to pick up a full factory service manual. (Not pictured here) http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMAG0151.jpg After draining all the fluids and taking her around the block she decided to die and not recrank. After much cursing and standing around in the cold we discovered the problem. http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMAG0167.jpg http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMAG0166.jpg The process begins with figuring out what the previous owners have done, and fixing their redneck work. Wiring is a mess, veaks in vacuum lines, cracked headers, improper timing, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattvr4 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Will follow this. I had a 85 that was in damn near perfect condition, well until the motor exploded. I strangely miss it and look for one for sale from time to time. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMAG0235.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stihlboy Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Pick up a third yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan218 Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Always wanted one of these cars. Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_claytor Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Nice project Always wanted one. If I had a big check book I would love to do a ecoboost swap in one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Pick up a third yet? Maaaaybe Just haven't gotten them together for a group photo yet. Spent about 20 hours this weekend under the newest addition to the team replacing rear axels, shocks, springs, swaybars... German built fords rust just as much as American built fords...so needless to say after almost 30 years there are a few frozen bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Newest member of the family http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMG_20140212_123855_945.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Update sans pictures...engine work is all finishing off. Ended up having to upgrade the stock 65A alternator to something a little more muscley in order to maintain spark at the high revs. Piping all done for the intercooler set up and nicely hidden away. Ran her down the road and an old vibration came back... Unfortunately when the vibration came back it was right before the carrier bearing blew up So, new Carrier bearing goes in today and the process continues... Amazing how a car you got on the cheap can cost 3x its value in parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Alright SO...new carrier bearing in and car buttoned back up. Currently running on an LA2 ECM out of a thunderbird turbo coupe. With the various frankenstein parts from all sorts of different 2.3 cars there are a few electrical issues and programming that need to be worked out but she's on the road! We are running a bit rich throughout the entire band and have an odd idle issue which is part of the computer problems which will be worked out but she should be ready to do some driving this weekend! http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/IMG_20140328_100929_836.jpg http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc415/cbusphotoaustin/Dragon/b8196fb0-a776-4e64-8419-9287aaac89d0.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Working through the issues. Still fighting the cold idle problem but that is something I can deal with at this point. Blew out the manifold to turbo gasket under boost the other day so had to replace and reseal with some copper gasket and the felpro part from the store. Leak there seems to be resolved. Now we are fighting some power issues between 3 and 6000 under heavy boost she seems to either losing fuel or air and we get a poof of smoke out the pipe. AFR does bounce around a bit in the higher revs so now we are battling this little challenge. Project continues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Well what a productive week! Went through all vacuum lines replacing as we went, all clamps and such replaced as well as t-fittings. Still have a bit of a leak somewhere which is throwing off the idle however she is MUCH happier. Pulled and replaced plugs, went to a slightly hotter plug as she seems to be running rich and hoping to compensate for a bit of that. Replumbed in a manual boost controller and turned her down to about 12lbs for diag purposes, took it out and we are feeling much happier. Still running into a breakup in the higher rev range so swapped in a Motorcraft ignition control and we are seeing much much better response and power through the rev range. Upon further homework these motors apparently through ghost knock codes when they see larger than stock amounts of air flow....which is certainly a problem when dealing with a larger turbo and higher boost. So.... worked our way around THAT issue and took her out...WHOLE different beast! Runs happily up to 6500 with no knock, AFR stays well inside of the safe zone and she's back to being fun to drive! Did a quick oil change to pull the old stuff out, though only 300 or so miles on that oil with all the sputter/missing/etc I thought it best to start fresh. Drove her to work today and everything seems to be moving in the right direction to start bumping up the boost a little here and there to see where Happy / Fun / Safe intersect.. Stay Tuned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybe Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 More photos please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 More photos please Agreed, this is an awesome project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I feel the hair on the back of my head growing down towards my shoulders every time I order more parts for this thing...at which point is enough enough? New walbro fuel pump incoming... so far 20lbs sustained with no break ups or problems all the way to 6500, AFR staying comfortable in the rich/stoich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1647545493 Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 subscribed. You're making me want to mod my 87 TurboCoupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboRust Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 unplug the knock sensor it will not save the motor and just sends false knock. a ranger roller cam does wonders for $50 get your fuel pump and a kirban afpr(@43psi before vacuum line attached..i.e. base pressure) on there before running boost like that too much. and then increase plenum volume.. turbo motors want it to be as close to 1:1 with displacement as possible..stock is 30% this will get it to 80ish% look into a ported turbocoupe intake http://www.stinger-performance.com/Pics/RotatedIntake1.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I guess at this point I should post the list of Mods on the car. It's just a tiny bit above stock but I trust you all to keep my secret. Ignition : Autolite APP104 plugs ACCEL 300+ Ignition BWD C212P Dist Cap BWD D188P Rotor Repinned LA2 computer from 88 t-bird turbo coupe Motorcraft Ignition Wires Fuel : 42 LB Injectors Hypertech Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator Drivetain: Ford 2.3 Pilot Bearing MS Clutch Duel Friction clutch Rabido T5 w/ short throw shifter Air: Big VAM w/ 76MM intake Turbonetics T3/T4E/SPR Hybrid Turbo "S-V/STG III/ 48 A/R DRY/DYN/Polished Throttle Body Adapter Kit Larger Lightning Throttle Body Mustang SVO Intake manifold ported and polished Internals: Ford 2.3L Race Master x 4 APR Head Stud kit Cam Kit M6252A230(Clean and Magnaflux Cylinder Head. Install Bron-El Valve Guides, 4Cyl. Head. Serdi 3-Angle Valve Job, OHC 4 Cyl. Head W/ Cam Assembly. Mill 4 Cyl Head W/ Valve Job. Install Hardened Exhaust seats. Clyinder head porting.) Head Studs Exhaust: Ported E3 Log header OverBoosted 3" XR4Ti Exhaust System OverBoosted 3" High Flow Catalytic Converter APR Turbo studs Misc: EFI Fuel Pressure Gauge Kit Auto Meter Boost Gauge Auto Meter AFR Manual boost controller set @ 20lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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