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

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
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/hp8yiuxiamf2.jpg

A low mileage (18K) parts car was purchased (from Ebay) for the engine and various other parts:
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/573c8fxeaez1.jpg

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.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/3abvsvqu76ew.jpg

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.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/erwoa8nulv3t.jpg
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/lf7mdbqt2px5.jpg

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.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/djpg4wcbext5.jpg
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20071230/1r76ejmcpac1.jpg

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

Let it begin! :thumbup:

Woohoo! Very exciting. Subscribed.

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

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, :)

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'.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080101/abj1zmb9x278.jpg

2" drop - Like these...
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080101/46xlt4k0juj0.jpg

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

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?

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

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...:o

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

1/8" Plexiglass purchased to replace windows
 

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! :o

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.

http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080105/3abtyatcufxb.jpg

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.

http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080105/5izlx5u3tkka.jpg

Slowly, but surely.

Update
 

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! :D 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. :o

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.

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

Congrats on the successful inspection!

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?

:cool:Blindly stumbling forward!

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

http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080111/5s2wvgqlmhwf.jpg
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080111/5wbnf0g4l6xv.jpg
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?:D

Time to go play around with photoshop....

Indeed! That's clever for both cargo and aero.

Doing the Limbo
 

Been away for work in the Pittsburgh and West Virginia area. Got back Yesterday. I have limited access to the net using my phone while traveling. Anyway...

My springs had arrived while I was away. I borrowed a strut spring compressor (tool loaner program) from AutoZone and I was able to install all four of them today. Here are some poor quality pics. The springs lowered the car approx 2". The ride quality isn't that bad at all for lowering springs. I would definately recommend the Megan Springs....a good value and decent ride. Here is where I purchased mine from: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110089826322

How Low Can You Go?
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080119/kcz1iaeev9v7.jpg
Installing the springs...
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080119/sol91q04r4lu.jpg
Definately sits lower!
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080119/eraty9se80kj.jpg
Mini tune-up in store for tommorow :)

Looks nice, :)

How much were those springs, again?

$90 plus shipping. They were the least expensive set I could find.

Not too bad, na.

Nothing too exciting today...mini tune up done (except fuel filter). I also installed a shorter drive belt when I removed the A/C compressor today.

Manual Steering Rack!
 

Today, I found a manual rack from a 1991 Escort Pony. They only had these for a couple of years with the base models. I purchased it with the needed steering knuckle/joint. Yeah! :D
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080122/7x29li8y8szt.jpg

I had to drive to Philly today for work and decided to take the UnNamed Wagon. Before I even arrived at my destination, the battery light came on intermitently. On the way home it stayed on constantly. So, this afternoon I replaced the alternator. Here is a pic of my work area today. Can you guess where I stood?
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080122/7duduj7d13lp.jpg
If you said directly between the two space heaters, you are correct! :p

Kooka la ****sa.....my mods are nothing compared to you guys! Congrats for paving the way. And a successful sticker taping day!

XFi, my garage used to be uninsulated like yours until I dropped a few bucks at Homer's. Glass insulation made a HUGE difference and was cheap and easy to install! :thumbup:

New Sneakers
 

Got back from a trip for work yesterday and taking today off. Raining something fierce here, but still went to the U-Pull it yard. I found some 14 x 5" 2nd Generation Escort LX 7 spoke alloys with like new tires on them....I Couldn't Resist :o.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080201/i4govlosh3zo.jpg
This wheel/tire combo does not weigh any less (32.8lbs each), but is a half inch thinner than my 14 x 5.5" rims and almost all of that 1/2 inch is saved in track width. This will give me some good usable tires (plus the tires are a little skinnier too) until I spring for some lightweight rims, plus will help give me a little more room for the wheel skirts. I kinda like the look of them too.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080201/i6djxbmthpmv.jpg

Exhaust Suggestions?
On a side note: my tailpipe fell off of the muffler today and It sounds like an aftermarket coffee can racing muffler now. :eek: I gotta do something about that! Any suggestions on exhaust modification? Is stock the best for low end torque or should I go bigger. Also thinking about a header, will this help increase efficiency at low rpms or am I just throwing my money away?...anyone have any suggestions?

Actually smaller diameter is better for low end torque, but I think you knew that already.

Great work so far. Best of luck. One note, though. You might want to save your glass, since I don't believe PA insp will pass with your replacements.:(

Good Point...Thanks;)

UnNamed Wagon No Longer UnNamed!
 

Brief Update:

If you followed the competition thread, you already have been introduced to 'Kermit'! :D

Kermit is now officially pulled off the road for modifications. I purchased another 97 Escort 5spd as a runner and swapped the insurance off of Kermit.

Kermit is sitting over next to my Parents garage. I'm getting ready to dig in!

Next order of business is figuring out the transaxle gearing/modification.

Sat. I am driving to NY to pick up some extra parts including: Extra Engine with some porting work on the head, two 5spd manual transaxles, MSD Coil, MagnaFlow Exhaust System, Performance Clutch and other parts.

They are from this car...:thumbup:
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080312/ct6qt6v8ic35.jpg
That now looks like this...:eek:...after a racing incident that included contact with a curb, then a pole.
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080312/zvrm9lnlw1op.jpg

Haven't spent much time with Kermit recently, but I thought I would update.
I purchased this 1991 Ford Escort Wagon...
http://www.imageno.com/thumbs/20080330/0rd8eieofq0k.jpg
...for the brakes/rotors/calipers/wheels etc. With this set up, I will be able to fit 13" VX Rims (or other lightweight alternative). I am going to swap the brake systems then resell it. Plan to do the swap by next weekend (or at least before the title comes back) so I can resell quickly.

Work has been demanding lately but should ease up soon to give me some quality 'Kermit' time to put on all the parts I have been collecting :o.

Work in Progress?
 

Have not heard any updates about 'Kermit'.

Have you given up on it or did you reach some point where you could not continue?

Work No Longer in Progress
 

:(

Due to various reasons, including my short attention span, Kermit and I had a 'falling out'. He since has moved out and taken his title with him.

Consoling myself with our broken friendship, and trying not to slip into a depressed state...I have been spending my time with the Xspire. We are building our own new memories together and hopefully (if my work schedule allows) will be attending Ecohio meet. http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ther-3891.html

Stuff happens. Coming up with the mods list was an interesting exercise anyway.

Bummer!