My Poor little FD :)

[David Jerome]

Figured I would start one of these threads to document some of the progress on my fd. It is sad that my old computer went down with all my pictures of the car when I first bought it and the shape it was in then.

Back story:

January-Feb 07: I had searched for a personal fd for some time with my requirements being that it had to be either White, Black or Montego Blue with all black interior. I found this car on Autotrader and by its description is was a Montego Blue Base model with Black interior, Automatic and in overall good condition. I called and spoke to the seller, a man in his mid 50s and explained the situation and that the only thing I care about was the condition of the paint. Nothing else really mattered to me. He said the body was in good shape and judging by the pics on Autotrader I decided to go ahead and buy the car site unseen. I have done this numerous times over the years but wasnt ready for the suprise I found.

The car showed up with the only two panels of the car not needing paint or body work being the two doors. Called the seller and his response was something to the like of "well nothing either of us can really do about it at this point":toetap05: Oh well life goes on, I cant complain about the luck I have had with fds over the years so I dont get too upset:) (I wanted to kill him at the time).

I started the car and started to drive it down the road, got about 1 mile before it just randomly cuts off and leaves me stranded. It is the first time ever, a fd has left me stranded(I should have noticed the foreshadowing then) :). Tow the car back to the house and start messing with it only to realize this thing had more leaks/issues than our government. I get frustrated with the whole situation as I looked forward to using it as a daily driver for a couple months before beginning the project. I just throw a car cover over it and let it sit a couple months.

April/May 07. I then proceeded to think I was going to build an all out/ no excuse track car. (Little did I know I would get the erge to propose to my girlfriend of two years the following November and boy did that change plans.) I removed the original drivetrain (92k on everything) and decided to sell most of the stock black interior to help fund the project as it is always in high demand. I proceeded to buy a 99 spec front end, Evo-R sleek headlights with HIDs, Big Brake Kit, r-85 single kit, Cermet A Housings, Pettit Fender Flares, Feed Side Skirts, Racing Seats and a ton of other junk that in the end would never get used. Over the summer I was purchasing about 1 fd a month(before the market took a poo on its self) along with working on other fds so it kept me busy most the time and I had no time for my personal car.

July 07. Car gets repainted montego blue with all stock body parts in place.

August-October I stayed busy taking vacations with the girlfriend, attending SpeedForSale.com events and the Nopi Nationals along with attending every UT football game possible. I only really had time to work on the cars that I buy and resell because they are priority.

Early November- I spend about 3-4 days working on the fd not remembering the shambles I had left it in the last time I had worked on it(Interior in pieces and body parts needing reinstalled after paint). Run across typical issues with the car as anyone does putting one back together. Get it mostly completed before driving up to Delaware to buy another fd. Get back home to finish up the project and realize there are some issues I just dont have time to deal with while I have other fds that are a priority. I get frustrated with how much money is wrapped up in the project and just start selling everything off as I am starting to look for engagement rings. I end up proposing in November, and have since learned how damn expensive weddings are and mine is still a year away.


Countless engine rebuilds built and sold, numerous customer cars and cars I have bought and sold have passed thru over this time. Here we are 7 months later and all I have done is continue to steal parts off my personal fd to put on other fds. I sold most of the big performance parts and plan to run on stock twins for a while and just get the damn thing running again. I am still waiting on a couple parts to come in before I build my engine hopefully later this week but likely sometime next week.

Here are a couple pics in its current state. 4 Point Fd specific roll bar installed, 5 speed conversion completed, Missing front bumper, Black hood, and the most balla rims you have ever seen on a fd in history.

[David Jerome]

I have some 3 piece 17x8 and 17x9 wheels to go on the car this week, front bumper in route, new slotted rotors, 3mm atkins seals going into the engine, Power FC and commander, 4 850cc injectors, stock twins in Non-Seq form, No AC, NO Powersteering. No interior behind the front seats, No IC/water meth injection only. Plan to run in at about 14-16lbs on the stock twins and hopefully have the car around 2550lbs or less. We will see how it all turns out over the next month or so.

As usual something always slows down progress on this car, I have a couple more fds coming in right now, plus starting a new job next week. Hopefully it will be finished by the middle of July, if not, everyone look for a really good deal on a fd in the for sale section.

[My5ABaby]

Damn David, want to put a little more work into that? :p

Nice work so far. Looks like it will (or is) come around nicely. :icon_tup:

[David Jerome]

Damn David, want to put a little more work into that? :p

Nice work so far. Looks like it will (or is) come around nicely. :icon_tup:

I have never had a fd be this much of a pain in the ass, and I have owned a whole lot of them. It is fitting that it is my personal car, just going to make the finished product that much sweeter in the end. Or that much more pleasurable when I roll it off a cliff:dunno: :)

[My5ABaby]

I have never had a fd be this much of a pain in the ass, and I have owned a whole lot of them. It is fitting that it is my personal car, just going to make the finished product that much sweeter in the end. Or that much more pleasurable when I roll it off a cliff:dunno: :)
Just make sure you have full coverage that includes accidental 100ft drops. :rofl:

[FirstRotaryExp]

Hey David, just think had this been an FC like Kevin and I suggested, hell I know you got offered first dibs on a vert, you woulda already had a DD, and whats this....one that wouldnt be so...."needy" like a marriage and women and...stuff

[David Jerome]

Hey David, just think had this been an FC like Kevin and I suggested, hell I know you got offered first dibs on a vert, you woulda already had a DD, and whats this....one that wouldnt be so...."needy" like a marriage and women and...stuff

Problem is if I get an fc I wont be happy until it looks like Kevin's. I have tried buying his wheels about 50 times but he has no part of it. I imagine I will own an fc by the end of the year.

[Brent]

You know those wheels are ballin... you can't get rid of them David! I hope you get it finished man, I really do. I know I had my fair share of struggle with mine and you helped me out alot there at the end. You putting the 99spec front on it?

[David Jerome]

You know those wheels are ballin... you can't get rid of them David! I hope you get it finished man, I really do. I know I had my fair share of struggle with mine and you helped me out alot there at the end. You putting the 99spec front on it?

Glad to see you are still alive and well, I havent seen you post much lately on either forum.

I bought a 93 front end a couple weeks back and right afterwards bought another fd that came with a 99 front end. I am undecided on what I will go with to be honest, probably the 93 as I want the car to look basically stock except for the wheels. Hopefully will have some more updates by next weekend.

Stay safe over there.:patriot:

[Eatmyclutch]

I smell a battery relocation coming along. Nice starter.

[David Jerome]

Yea, I will be mounting it right next to the pass side strut tower. I want the engine bay as simple as possible. I considered going with an electric water pump but I think I will drive the car too often to deal with the headache those can bring.

[Brent]

Glad to see you are still alive and well, I havent seen you post much lately on either forum.

I bought a 93 front end a couple weeks back and right afterwards bought another fd that came with a 99 front end. I am undecided on what I will go with to be honest, probably the 93 as I want the car to look basically stock except for the wheels. Hopefully will have some more updates by next weekend.

Stay safe over there.:patriot:

Yeah, they keep me pretty busy over here. My vote is still going for the 99spec front end... it's just a more updated, stock look :icon_tup:. I almost called you the other day to see if you wanted to go in on an FD I ended up buying. As much as I hate to say it, I'm prob. going to end up parting it out... which I have never done to a good running FD. The market sucks these days... I know I don't have to tell you though.

[David Jerome]

Yeah, they keep me pretty busy over here. My vote is still going for the 99spec front end... it's just a more updated, stock look :icon_tup:. I almost called you the other day to see if you wanted to go in on an FD I ended up buying. As much as I hate to say it, I'm prob. going to end up parting it out... which I have never done to a good running FD. The market sucks these days... I know I don't have to tell you though.

Shoot me the details on it I might need some parts. :) Also are you parting it all the way to the chassis, I am considering buying an fd that I am going to be doing the same to, it is sad really.

David

[afterburn27]

Looks good David.

Our stories are eerily similar, except that I haven't given up on the track car theme yet. Everything else though, lol bodywork, previous owners, PITA FD, engagement ring, etc., etc.

Oh yeah, nice salad shooters ;)

[My5ABaby]

So it's got a fresh paint job on it? As an Autopian I demand close ups! :D

[David Jerome]

So it's got a fresh paint job on it? As an Autopian I demand close ups! :D

The paint job was fresh about 9-10 months ago, however it has either been garaged or covered ever since and not driven. I will get detailed pics when teh front bumper and new wheels are installed. Should be next weekend. If a miracle takes place teh car might be running then also, Im not betting on it though with the new job.

[David Jerome]

Funny how time flies, another month gone by and all I have done is order my apex seals and halfway install my front bumper :(

[David Jerome]

Funny how time flies, another month gone by and all I have done is order my apex seals and halfway install my front bumper :(

I put the new wheels on, however, still no progress on actually getting it running. Not enough time in the day.:nopity:

[Brent]

Noooooo!!!! Please tell me you kept the other one :D Those look good. What's the run down on them?

[Herblenny]

I like those rims.. Not bad!

[David Jerome]

Noooooo!!!! Please tell me you kept the other one :D Those look good. What's the run down on them?

Landers actually found them and was going to put them on his FC but he ended up buying a different set of wheels and the price on these were too good to pass. They are 17x8 and 17x9 2 piece forged wheels. They are made by a company called intercast which I had never heard of before.

[Brent]

Stop bullshitting David and post up your progress. Don't give me the "I'm too busy getting married" business :D

[David Jerome]

Slight update but nothing major. I have finally found the elusive 17x8 borbet type t I have been searching for, for over 3 years now. So I will be changing the wheels out and selling these. If anyone is interested, I will be selling them without the tires and asking $650.00 plus shipping. I doubt you will find a better deal on 17x8 and 17x9 2 piece wheels.

[Brent]

haha. you know... I just saw a set on nashville craigslist earlier and was going to send you a message.

[David Jerome]

haha. you know... I just saw a set on nashville craigslist earlier and was going to send you a message.

Those are the ones I bought, I just needed 1 for the front. I am going to ahve to use a lug adapter but it is worth it at this point. I love those wheels.

[David Jerome]

2 years later it runs :) More details and pics over then next coming weeks. Poor car, I forgot how much stuff I had stolen off the car to make other cars run :rofl:

[dregg100]

woot. dgrr? this will be your first in a 7 right? lol

[RotaryRoadRage]

does it have pedal's yet ? lol

[David Jerome]

woot. dgrr? this will be your first in a 7 right? lol

It wont make the trip, it doesnt have headlights or a matching set of wheels and also has a ton of little issues that need addressed.

[REVIT93RX7]

David, keep up the faith it is worth it in the end.

[David Jerome]

does it have pedal's yet ? lol

Yes, and I paid a premium for them :banghead: :cuss:

[Brent]

Glad to hear it David!!! Look forward to seeing your monster this summer.

[David Jerome]

Glad to hear it David!!! Look forward to seeing your monster this summer.

I dont know how much of a monster it will be until some time after the wedding :) Looks like I will see what I can do with the stock twins and some AI. :)

[SPICcnmFD]

What AI you looking at?? I think about to get one for my car, I'm just not sure which one yet.

[David Jerome]

Well, likely the cheapest one I can find as I am not really using it for tuning the car but just for added safety. Probably a cheap and simple single stage setup to help keep the temps in check. If you want I could probably order us two at a time and save some cash. :)

[SPICcnmFD]

Cool cheapers always better. I was mainly thinking of Coolingmists cheap one. It's only $200 and I can use my washer fluid tank for the tank. I just want it for a little safety factor also I've tune it without it, but will feel better about turning it up where I want with it. If I want more it's appears to be easily upgradable.

[David Jerome]

Baalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllinnnnnnnnn :rofl:

[RotaryRoadRage]

Yes, and I paid a premium for them :banghead: :cuss:


ouch.. i had to bleed for mine.. car look's good.. atleast it's all the same color with it look's like maybe some old school neeper's on the front ? lol

[sk8world]

I will give you .32 cents for the front wheels....

[Brent]

David, what happened to the borbet's? Still needing to get the spacers? Looks good though man. Judging by how high it's sitting, I'm guessing you haven't driven it that much?

[dregg100]

those rims are off the chain! ill trade you the wheels in my sig for those! lol

about AI, i have had the same coolingmist kit on two different cars for a couple years with no issues. mine is the progressive kit though.

[David Jerome]

I will give you .32 cents for the front wheels....

I think you are overpaying :rofl: The other front wheel is a yellow spare :leaving:

[David Jerome]

David, what happened to the borbet's? Still needing to get the spacers? Looks good though man. Judging by how high it's sitting, I'm guessing you haven't driven it that much?

I havent picked the front wheels up yet that I bought from the guy in nashville 8 months ago:) Hopefully he still has them as I have paid for them. I still need to order the adapter also.

The car has been driven less than a mile, until I get some decent matching wheels on there I dont want to drive it. I have a set of tires coming in for stock rims so I can roll around on that for awhile. I have a feeling I will be dropping the trans soon as I dont think I can handle the lightweight flywheel:banghead:

[RotaryRoadRage]

better than having eclipse wheel's.. but then again your car wasn't raped and thrown in a ditch for dead..LOL is the inside tan or black ?

[David Jerome]

Whats left is black. The car has a 4 point cage, door panels, driver seat and dash, and most of the main carpet. Nothing else :)

[David Jerome]

Woke up about 7:30 A.M. and went to get the new/used tires mounted on some stock rims so I could have a full set of matching wheels/tires to drive on. Got back and changed them out in between painted some engine parts for a customers rebuild. Fire the car up and begin to drive down the road and the car goes into limp mode(I am still using the auto computer even though the car is swapped.) Turned around and headed back to the garage.

Pulled the codes and the first code that registered was #5 which I knew from memory was knock sensor, I continued to read the other codes just for laughs. The auto ecu does not like all the stuff I deleted. :)

Switch out the knock sensor and went down the road for hte second time that day, the car ran a little pissy at first but after 2-3 miles in 3rd gear it was smooth sailing. I put about a total of 15 miles on it today, took it up to 8lbs a couple times and it pulled great(keep in mind I have let this car idle about 4-5 hours already for those wondering about break in).

I dont condone my actions on a fresh rebuild without a break in but if you knew the parts used to build the engine in my car I could care less what happens to them, and I can rebuild it for next to nothing.

Oh well, It was just nice to really get to drive the car for the first time in about two years. Not so nice to realize all the stuff I stole off the car to fix other cars. In the coming months the plans are as follows:

Install a stock flywheel, the lightweight shit isnt for me :)
Install the R1 seats
Get the 99 spec front end and feed hood painted and installed
Install MOMO steering wheel
Install auto trans speed sensor so I have some working gauges.
Delete ABS
Once all the above is done I am shooting to run some 7 sec passes in the 1/8th on the stock ecu and street tires just for shits and giggles. Likely in the fall it will be time for a big single etc and some 6 sec 1/8th mile times.

[Brent]

Glad to hear you got to drive her around a little. She's been all dressed up and waiting on that date you promised her for some time :D Look forward to you bringing it out to the track once everything settles down. Something about you getting married in less than a week? :rofl: Expect your FD to spontaneously combust when it finds out she isn't the only one.

[RotaryRoadRage]

come on now.. you ain't gotta lie to us...

[David Jerome]

Glad to hear you got to drive her around a little. She's been all dressed up and waiting on that date you promised her for some time :D Look forward to you bringing it out to the track once everything settles down. Something about you getting married in less than a week? :rofl: Expect your FD to spontaneously combust when it finds out she isn't the only one.

I made a promise to myself that car would be drivable before the wedding, I shouldnt have really spent time on it yesterday but it had to get done. I had it sitting in front of the house when the fiance pulled in, she just said, "oh great, now you are spending time on that thing" :) She hates my cars which makes me happy.

I hope to do some events in the fall, the car has a long way to go though before being ready. Im shooting for late July mid August before I make any public appearances.

[My5ABaby]

I made a promise to myself that car would be drivable before the wedding, I shouldnt have really spent time on it yesterday but it had to get done. I had it sitting in front of the house when the fiance pulled in, she just said, "oh great, now you are spending time on that thing" :) She hates my cars which makes me happy.

I hope to do some events in the fall, the car has a long way to go though before being ready. Im shooting for late July mid August before I make any public appearances.
I just see working on my car as a safe and ethical way to "cheat". My girlfriend knows she's not the only one in my life and she has to accept that. It does get tricky when I spend 78234x more money on my car than girlfriend... :rofl:

[David Jerome]

Well the car has been running for quite a while but I just havent had time to finish everything up that needs completed. I have put about 200 miles or so on it and even actually drove it to work today. In this short amount of time I have found numerous things that need attention and realized even though a stripped down car is not the most pleasant ride, it is a lot of fun for a 10lb stock twin car when you mash the gas. Hopefully over the next couple months Ill find time to start tuning and get the boost up around 16-17lbs.