Monkman33's Long and Slow "Process"

[Monkman33]

[Monkman33]

these are the EGT thermocouples I am using the the sensor connection.



Here is the reference picture I used to plan out my locations: I forget the source (sorry, my bad)



And getting it all done:

[GySgtFrank]

Love the car. Good work, should be a lot of fun when you get it running again.

[Monkman33]

[Monkman33]

I finally got back to work a little bit ago and was able to start purchasing parts for the FD again so here is the new pile of goodies:
ACT HD Pressure Plate w/ SS Disk. ACT Pro-Lite Flywheel. Innovate TC4 and LC1. Adaptronic e1280s.





flywheel installed:



IRP informed me that they installed a new pilot bearing, but I didn't do a good job of keeping it from getting dirty and there was some noticeable dirt/grime in it from sitting near the open end of my garage on a couple windy days. I just didn't think to cover that spot with tape. So I opted to pop in a new one and seal it up this time.

[Monkman33]

Clutch disk and pressure plate installed. This is absolutely a CAKE job when the engine is on a stand and you can have it facing upwards. WAY easier than underneath the car. But I guess that is true for almost any engine work. I think I just noticed it more on the pressure plate/clutch job specifically.



Got some more misc pieces for the fuel system from FFE.



Here is the FFE 4 injector rail for the excessive manifold in its development:

[Monkman33]

FFE Rails:



Adaptronic e1280s with long flying lead harness:



Innovate TC4 and LC1:



And for the current progress on the interior:

Got the seats and bins removed:



Dash removed:

[Monkman33]

Had to remove the AC to get the evaporator and heater core out. I'm not cutting any corners on this carpet install. I don't want to run the risk of any sagging or non-oem level of quality. Plus, it will be a good time to refurbish the foam seals in all of these components.



Everything out:



This is the Tfent Carpet that will be going in. I have had this in its box for years. I am very lucky that rodents didn't get to it at some point, especially considering it spent a year or more in a storage unit.

[Monkman33]

My stepfather and family wanted to help out with the car in some way and when I told him I was going to order some black leather seat skins, he said he would rather take them down to a local guy here in the Tri-Cities to get them redone for me. He had his truck interior done by this shop and said they wouldn't disappoint. I was beyond grateful for the financial help and the fact that they are supportive in this build as they know how long I have been researching and working on this car.

Seats before: (not terrible, but not good either)

[Monkman33]

Here is the embroidery on the headrests: This was done by Short Dog Embroidery, another local small business here in Tri-Cities:





And here is the shop the seats went to: Antonio is the owner. He used to work for Bud who started the shop and then bought the business from him when Bud retired. His son is the one who did my seats. I even dropped off the new seatbelt straps for the seats and they installed those too.

[Monkman33]

And here are the seats!









RedlineGoods did these up to match: Console cover, shift boot and E brake boot:

[Monkman33]

That's it for now. Once I get more progress completed I will post up some more. TTT, I'm hoping I can still pick your brain for the bulkhead connector advice at the firewall. :-)

[WE3RX7]

The seats turned out really nice! It's difficult to find a good upholstery shop in my area... be grateful you had those guys!

Looking forward to the rest of the build.

[Monkman33]

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

The seats turned out really nice! It's difficult to find a good upholstery shop in my area... be grateful you had those guys!

Looking forward to the rest of the build.

Thanks! I am waiting on my turbos to come back. They are currently at BNR to get the upgraded compressor wheel, and then they are going to Turblown to do their abraidable seal coating on the inside of the compressors (similar to the concept in the 99 spec). Bryan at BNR has told me that this will limit the peak power as that extra space helps the compressor make a bit more top end flow, however, the tighter clearance should help spool and make a more efficient midrange powerband. Perfect! That is exactly what I am looking for.

Once the turbos are back, I can test fit the whole setup with the xcessive lim and ra omp adapter with the mikuni omp. Lots of "maybe it'll fit" going on here at the moment.

[Monkman33]

So, after sitting in its packaging for years, I sent my RedLineGoods center console cover back to them to re-stitch it with silver thread to match the seats. And decided that it would be a good time to do the install.

Quick overview:
If you can get someone to help you... do it. An extra set of hands was a definite must!
Dont let leather sit for years and then expect it to unfold without some residual markings left.
Be patient. My lines didn't end up exactly how I wanted them because I got into a hurry by the end of the second night. (technically third)
I now know why I would pay a professional shop to do this.


The first night was removing the stock covering... which was in perfect shape, and I am an idiot in hindsight. I should have just bought one in crappy shape and sold this one for a profit. But, you live and learn. (probably not in my case) I left the stock foam layer to give the leather a bit of the "cushy" feel. Then I stretched the leather so both holes lined up and put the grommets back in to hold it in place. I left it like this overnight to allow the leather to settle out a bit.



Here it is stripped down. Still kicking my self for tearing apart a mint OEM one.



Leather stretched over and left to sit for a night.



The stuff I used to stick the new one on. Its pretty good stuff. Paint it on, let it dry, sticks to itself like crazy! It takes multiple layers on the backside of the leather to make it stick right. But once it's on... not chance it's coming off.



left the grommets in and just rolled the leather back to make sure it started exactly where I wanted it to.