Sedat's Glacial speed build thread.

[sedat]

I picked up this guy just over two weeks ago for less than a grand. its a 1991 GL 5 speed with a/c and power steering. It had 135K when i bought it. I've put 2200 miles on it since then.

I built a rally-ish festiva a couple of years ago and it was a blast. This time I'm going to build another but with out all the chopping and cutting I did to the other.

Then theres the engine swap. I'm outing the b3 and installing a BP as well as keeping the A/C. The engine is scheduled to go in this March. The suspension work probably May. I'll probably be putting the later ford ranger headlights in too. They may be a Megasquirt, EDIS and a supercharger install in the future too, but this is not the only project that I have on the table.
There will be -NO- firewall bashing either.

On to the pictures!


HA. You can see where I hit a KIA a week ago. Look for the crack in the grille.


I put a cover over the driver's seat so that I would not ruin it.
I have a EGT console for it that will be installed soon. the EGT domelight is done.



I'm aware that I'll loose a little power with this manifold. I'll be throwing a supercharger at it most likely anyway.

and the new power plant.



there are several more at the photobucket site.

[crazyrog17]

Super cool. There's something about a stock white Festiva, especially optioned out, that is awesome. I say you keep AC and PS, just upgrade the motor and do nothing else to it.

Good luck with your build and keep us posted (with lots and lots and lots of pictures)!

[sedat]

that thought Has crossed my mind, to just drop the BP in and leave it be.

[93babyblue]

very nice...i would also leave the options...PS is rare..nice looking festy though

[bravekozak]

Do you have factory tinted glass?

[gestiva]

Do you have factory tinted glass?

Looks to be factory... Too light for someone to have wanted it that light.

I have seen this car in person, Several times and it is really nice!
And I have driven it and the PS is AWESOME! I cant wait to get it!
Also, I realized on the way home while following him from GA
that Festys are faster than a stock 98 4banger ford ranger!

Im sure between me and John we will take tons of pix during the BP install!


BTW John... The ideas we were thinking about with lowering and raising the festy might be here soon
I just ordered some of the "cheap" coilover sleeves and believe that if
we flip them upside down we can achieve 3-4" lift!
Along with the aspire struts/camber bolts, aspire LCAs, and dropping the cradle with inch spacers, We will maintain all factory caster/camber with out binding any of the steering!

[sedat]

No Tint on this one. The one I sold to Gestiva had factory tint. Looked like someone smoked a carton worth of ciggys inside it.

Maplight was installed about a week ago, I'll get pictures in the morning. I did a boring brake job tonight and started the install of the EGT center console. More mundane tasks like installing the TB onto the intake plenum.


Another requirement is to be able to revert the car to 100% stock if needed, the build will be based with that in mind.

I hate the power steering too. Its neat in town but you get on the freeway rip a fart and its allover the road. Its way too touchy. I do mostly highway miles so no, Its coming out. In the 16 ish days I've owned it I've put 2300 miles on it.

[thered56]

Festys are faster than a stock 98 4banger ford ranger!

I've owned a 4 banger Ranger and I hear you on this! haha

I haven't driven a Festiva with P/S but I can't see any need for it in a stock Festiva. I'm of the mind that if it's gonna rob a smidgen of power, and you can get on without it, go without it. haha Some cars are no good to drive without P/S, but something as small and light as a Festiva? Forget about it!

Nice car btw! Looking forward to see the build transpire!

[gestiva]

You forgot to add that when you installed the escort dome light you
sprayed WD40 in the switch and now it comes on when you open the door!

[sedat]

I'd like to say that but in reality I just cleaned the contacts in the switch by hand.

[gestiva]

Here is pix of your engine on the stand... Closer to install everyday

[sedat]

so thats what the front looks like. LOL. I'll be picking up more crap when i get back from GA.

[sedat]

Had much of nothing go on tonight.

I started with hunting down a few leaks and lifter ticking issues. Doesnt look too bad if you ask me.


Then came the replacement of the annoying resonator



Gestiva and I had some left over bits from lowering his car. We decided to try and use his old front springs on the rear of my festy. the rear sags since I haul a few hundred pounds of tools anyway. what is there to loose?



Friggin leaks.


This was the outcome:
No tools or rear plastics:

buncho tools and rear plastics:



we stuffed a jack under the front to make it sit level.


The final project of the night was repacking the rear wheelbearings. I also foundout I need new rear wheelbearings.

It handles better too

[gestiva]

Does it seem to run better with quieter exhaust????
I barely heard you leaving my house!!!
Dont forget to take pix tomorrow in the day light...

[gestiva]

^^^We also need to take a few pix of your car, the green machine, and the blue monster(aka the BP car) all lined up to show,
stock,cheap coilovers, and jacked up....