Gomez's ULTIMATE build thread Lots of pics

[xaero_81]

There aren't enough pictures of the car in this thread. ;-)

Edit: Wow, impeccable timing.

[Gomez]

The engine bay still has dirt and undercoating. It will get cleaned up of course. Plus the wiring will be minimized and tucked after the car is up and running.

























.755 5th gear set (thanks azgtx) ready for install. Also have a .717 set coming from Jake in the form of another tranny. That'll probably be better given the amount of HP planned.





I know they are just Daisy wheels but will be pretty cool after some powder coating and a little machining. I am pumped about these.








MSII also from Jake. plus the small laptop that will find its way into the car in the form of a mount on the pass side of the center console. Tune while at red lights or whatever. No tuning while driving cause that would be illegal. lol





New (not reman'ed) set of the very large EMPI G-series axles. They have just been sitting in a car outside for a long while. They will also get the powder coating treatment.





'05 Rio knuckles ready for new rotors, bearings and later on powder coating too.





just for comparisons sake. Festiva vs. XR2 (top)





99% of the dirt seen in the fender wells was from me getting the car into the garage from the driveway. Jake and I trailered it home from Eastern PA in full snow storm with salt everywhere. I hated it since in 21+ years it was the first time the car had seen anything like it. I felt bad for it the whole way. LOL

[Gomez]

^ Thanks man, I am always looking for stuff. At this point the I have most everything I am looking for. BUT the part I am having the hardest time finding is a white "variable" intermittent wiper are w/o the cruise button. But one with the button I can make work. I would be in your debt if you can come up with one in great shape.

[shadetree]

Going to be nice ! Def need to come see this ! Let me know if your looking for anything , I'll search my area .

[Gomez]

FM9 was the original goal, BUT with this acquired BP from Jake it is looking like FM8 and Fall Ohiostiva might be possible. Wife got a new job with a VERY healthy raise and I am due for a healthy raise in 3 months. The possibility is really seeming possible. lol

Still planning on Rear Turbo and I do plan on getting a GTX intake. My goal is to actually listen to Charlie as much as possible. I wanna move the engine as far forward as possible but not make it look stupid either. I also don't want an extreme axle angle either. Both will be considered. After lunch I will take some pics of the stuff and work done to it already. No fabrication yet, only teardown and some pics of the new car.

[Flyin4stroke]

Did he ditch the turbo?

[zoom zoom]

I think he's planning on mounting the engine and tranny as far forward as the exhaust manifold will allow so it probably won't be an issue either way!

[Flyin4stroke]

Hopefully you got a turbo intake manifold so you don't have to touch the firewall.

[kumalaba]

cant wait to see the car @ fm8!!!!

[Gomez]

This thing is beautiful. Absolutely immaculate...

I still say you need a plexiglass bulletproof spinning box to put it in when your not driving it!


Had a great time tonite and so did my boy, we'll have to get together this summer and do it again! Thank your wife for the pizza it was delicious!

I have to thank the old lady that had it first and her nephew that only put another 450 miles on it in the 5 yrs or so that he owned it. There really something to be said about working on a 20 yr old new car as opposed to working on a 20 yr old old car. LOL

I will say that some form of Plexiglas or something of the sort is in the works. But I will divulge that info later this summer. Jake!!!! lips zipped. lol

You and your boy are welcome anytime. I too had a great time spending my Sat afternoon with a couple Festiva buddies. Jake88maro and Zoom Zoom.

Next time looks like Sat or Sun the 22nd or the 23rd. ANYBODY that can read this is also welcome to come hang out and have a few beers on me. PM me for and address. I'm feeling an engine mount day possibly. We'll see.

I plan on gutting the broken g series I have to mock up some sweet mounts. With the fresh BP now in my possession the build has taken an interesting turn. I will post up some pics in the morning of what was accomplished today by Matt, Jake, and I. And will also post some pics of ALL of the new goodies I got too. AND I will try and put together some of the new bigger and better plans.

[zoom zoom]

^the smell was NEW CAR SCENT!! Even after a lot of the car has been taken apart it still has the new car smell! You can't fake that with car fresheners after the carpet is pulled back, the mats will tell the tale of water from shoes but that doesn't exist in this car. Totally fresh top to bottom inside and out I helped remove the downpipe bolts and didn't break a single stud!!!!! That's never happened, even on my own cars less than a thousand miles later a stud is broken or stripped....

This thing is beautiful. Absolutely immaculate. I thought for sure at the least the rubber washers on the crossmember would be dryrotted, or the exhaust hangers would be dry'd out, but they look like they were installed yesterday. Heck even the tie rod end boots were intact!!!! The Doors and hatch have a really good solid open and closed pronunciation and take very little effort. The rear view mirror is solid and stiff, the brake and gas lines are shiney and all the nuts thread on fully by hand!!! I didn't see a single nut that was even sunburned! Who knew the factory lug bolts were actually painted silver?!?!?!!!

I could go on but I don't have time, just imagine the cleanest Festiva you can, it's 20x better than that, and so are the parts going back into it!

Amazing find Bryant! I'm just glad it's in a good home where it will get the attention it deserves. I still say you need a plexiglass bulletproof spinning box to put it in when your not driving it!


Had a great time tonite and so did my boy, we'll have to get together this summer and do it again! Thank your wife for the pizza it was delicious!

[Flyin4stroke]

I was wondering what that smell was...

[shadetree]

I smell bpt .

[zoom zoom]

Lol I'll c u guys around 5/5:30 I wanna know what this is about...

[Gomez]

Yep lol plans do change. It's gonna be all good later today and when it's all said and done.