The UnNamed Wagon's build thread - Let it begin! Work in Progress

[XFi]

Work in Progress, a definate understatement!

This thread is to document the EcoModding of the UnNamed Wagon.
This is the 'build thread' and not the 'contest thread'.

See link for 'contest thread' (Contest runs through the end of Feb '08):
'Win $100.00 in Free Gas! Design Contest: Ecomod my Ride' http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=246


Here is the Car: 1997 Ford Escort 5spd SW


A low mileage (18K) parts car was purchased (from Ebay) for the engine and various other parts:


First things First...I want to get a fresh PA State Inspection and Emissions Certification on the vehicle prior to modification. Looking over the vehicle (before taking it to the garage), I saw a few items and attended to them:

Emergency/Handbrake Cables Frozen - Replaced with new.
Tires worn out - Replaced with used alloys and tires from parts car.
Rear Coils Springs Broken - Replaced with complete strut assy from parts car.


These item are now completed. After the New Year, I will register the vehicle and take it into my local garage to get the Insp. and Emiss.

I also started (not finished yet) the vehicle on a diet and removed almost 100lbs from the vehicle. No longer has the (rear) seat, seatbelts, paneling, carpeting, spare and various hardware/brackets. Above items weighed in at 97.2lbs.



I have also already removed the engine/trans from the parts car and have it stored for future use. I will utilize the current engine until I have the trans 'built'. When I install the new trans, I will install the low mileage engine.



This is the first of many posts I will try to keep it updated with pics along the way.

Let it begin!

[MetroMPG]

Woohoo! Very exciting. Subscribed.

[AndrewJ]

cool, can't wait to see what you come up with.

[SVOboy]

Word up! Nice wip...it's too bad you already bought that other car...I wanted to pop a civic vx or some other such engine into my entry,

[XFi]

Happy New Year!

Got a chance to do some minor items today...
Replaced the hood latch
Removed, Charged, Cleaned and Replaced Battery

I also had time to remove the low mileage front strut assemblies from the parts car and am going to order and install Lowering Springs for them. I am planning on only installing the front lowering springs as to give the car a very slight 'rake'.


2" drop - Like these...

[MetroMPG]

Why not lower both ends? You reduce frontal area that way. You may actually increase it slightly with a front drop.

[SVOboy]

Indeed, I would vote for lowering both ends about the same amount. You don't want to mess up your handling either.

Will you be installing aftermarket struts (shocks?) to match the drop?

[Coyote X]

Woohoo another project thread! we need more people posting build logs on here They are cool to read and get ideas from.

[XFi]

I see your point in regards to the frontal area, but is there any benefit (under vehicle air flow) of having the vehicle slightly raked?


-------------------------------------

The rear springs and struts that I just installed were from my parts sedan. The sedan's springs are softer and rated at 200lbs less than the wagons. The vehicle should be sitting slightly lower in the rear than with the factory wagon springs.

I had a couple escort wagons previously, and in the one I had both front and rear lowering springs installed (set). It seemed to be lower in the back (sag) than the front. I would think that having the vehicle (even slightly) lower in the back, than the front, would be very detrimental to air flow...well, they were cheapo springs...

--------------------------------------

Thanks for the tip, I didn't consider that it wouldn't decrease (and maybe increase) my frontal area. I will install the fronts first and if it isn't even, I will also install the rears.

[XFi]

Originally Posted by Coyote X

Woohoo another project thread! we need more people posting build logs on here They are cool to read and get ideas from.

Absolutely! I'm following yours also!
Mine is not quite as drastic...yet!

[XFi]

Well, I had the UnNamed wagon in for PA State Inspection and Emmissions. It passed the 'smog' fine and is stickered. The only thing that the mechanic failed it for on inspection was rusted rear brake lines. I will have to buy a flare and tube/line bender kit and get after that this weekend. I will take it back after the work is done to get the inspection sticker.

While it was in the shop, I had them evacuate the A/C system (decided to be enviromentally friendly ) since I am going to be removing it.

[SVOboy]

I've forgotten, is your garage heated? I'm jealous!

[XFi]

My garage is now a 4th bedroom, but my parents garage is less than 5 minutes from my house. It is not heated, except when I break out the kerosene or electric space heaters. We were talking about insulating it and heating it, but it is only 2-3 months out of the year that it is this cold.

[XFi]

Just got back from picking up two 4x8' sheets of 1/8" clear acrylic. Had to break out my to'YO'ta, for a truck with 232k, it starts up everytime!

I plan on replacing the side door windows, rear 1/4 windows and rear windows with this. If...I mean, when I 'chop' the back end and taper it into a boat tail, I will have to redo this. But I want to get the drivetrain completed and installed prior to the body work.



Also removed the rear brake lines from the parts car. Very little corrosion on them, and sure beats having to purchase, cut and bend all of them.



Slowly, but surely.

[XFi]

Yesterday, I finished installing the rear brake lines and dropped it off at the garage.

Today, I picked it up and it now has the 01/09 Inspection and Emissions Stickers on it! Yay!

Today, I also ordered the Megan lowering springs from Ebay. These will give a 2" drop in the front and 1.75"-2" in the rear.

Going to start looking around for a '97 up 5spd trans to modify. That way the vehicle will not be 'down' for so long. I am planning on replacing the engine and trans as a unit at the same time. Plus, if I remove and install with-in a few days of each other, I may actually remember where all the wires and other attachments go.

I have already purchased a 'Pony/Fuel Saver' Transaxle from a 1st Generation Escort. This is not a direct replacement and will not work in my 3rd Gen Escort (or 2nd for that matter) without a lot of modification. I'm hoping the trans shop will be able to utilize/modify the 2.85 final drive ratio with the newer trans. I don't know exactly which way I am heading with the trans, but want to keep my options open.

[SVOboy]

Sounds like some pretty good progress. Buying junk is always the best work for winter weather?

[MetroMPG]

Congrats on the successful inspection!

Originally Posted by XFi

I have already purchased a 'Pony/Fuel Saver' Transaxle from a 1st Generation Escort. This is not a direct replacement and will not work in my 3rd Gen Escort (or 2nd for that matter) without a lot of modification. I'm hoping the trans shop will be able to utilize/modify the 2.85 final drive ratio with the newer trans. I don't know exactly which way I am heading with the trans, but want to keep my options open.

Do you have it on good advice that you're going to be able to use that final drive? Or are you blazing new trails here for the benefit of other Escort owners to follow?

[XFi]

Blindly stumbling forward!

[XFi]

Just posting some related links for my benefit and 'easy access'...


http://www.escortfocus.com/html/mileage_build-up.html
http://www.escortfocus.com

http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Forums

http://zxtuner.com/main.sc

http://mypeoplepc.com/members/tleone/gears/

http://www.car-part.com/

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12...to-the-winner/

http://forums.focaljet.com/

http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=583

[XFi]

http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthrea...ted=1#post5003

Brett's cap gave me a possible option for an aero rear/roofline for the UnNamed Wagon.

Boat tail with functional transformable cargo hold anyone?

Time to go play around with photoshop....