Episode 121. A New Hope

[Advancedynamix]

I originally looked at using the Capri sub frame, but for some reason I gave up. Maybe I gave up too soon. Great work!

[reddragon]

Started looking at the wiring today, stripped all the harnesses from the donor Capri. Thought I'd try and use the Capri instrument cluster, but it didn't quite fit.

Removed the dashboard from 121




Chop a bit out out there



Cut to the left



Cut to the right



Now it fits



Just need to trim about 20mm off, and reshape (widen) the inside edges of the front surround piece.

[reyestuninggarag]

Man that actually looks good!

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[reddragon]

Cheers mate, looks even better with the front surround fitted! Only issue with it is, with it being such a tight squeeze to fit it attaches via the back of dashboard. So to remove the cluster, the dash has to be removed. I've just painted the dash, but should have it all back together later today so will take a few more pics.

Have also been working on fitting the powered mirrors off the 1998 DW 121, will provide details/pics when that's done.

[reyestuninggarag]

Cheers mate, looks even better with the front surround fitted! Only issue with it is, with it being such a tight squeeze to fit it attaches via the back of dashboard. So to remove the cluster, the dash has to be removed. I've just painted the dash, but should have it all back together later today so will take a few more pics.

Have also been working on fitting the powered mirrors off the 1998 DW 121, will provide details/pics when that's done.

Well that kinda sucks. But its diffrent and its worth it imho. It looks fantastic mate!

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[reddragon]

Here's the dash with surround fitted

[reyestuninggarag]

Here's the dash with surround fitted

What a beaut! Looks awesome! What a complete gauge cluster that is!

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[Twistiva]

Holy crap! I would kill for a set of those joystick-movable mirrors shown on the first Festiva in the ad. I've wanted that option for decades but never knew any Festys/121s came with that. Sweeeeet!

BTW, nice find! Good luck to you in your build!

[reddragon]

How many kills for a set of these ones?



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[reddragon]

Quick update, motor back in and have started with the rewire.



Have been seeing quite a few pictures posted of these neat, wire tucked engine bays, so I am giving it a go. No one ever looks under the dash, so will jam most of it under there!



Pretty much a complete wiring swap from the capri, with engine and ecu harnesses stripped back, nipped and tucked. If I decide to megasquirt (or similar) later on, I wont have to mess around too much with the wiring.

Here's a link to the capri wiring diagram I'm using.

I have printed it onto 6 x A3 pages and stuck them together end to end. It is actually quite easy to follow.

Also, I decided the intake needed to sit a bit lower (mounting it front right of first engine bay picture) , so I chopped the bottom off it, spun it round 180 degrees so the thicker part sits down on the frame rail. Tacked it back on with the mig, and will seal the join with sikaflex 291.

[reddragon]

Haven't updated this in a while.

Engine bay is almost full now! Most of wiring is done, radiator installed, intake plumbing etc.





Got a bit sidetracked though, decided to remove windscreen, cowl panel. To tidy it up under there, and make sure there will be no leaks.

















Should have some more pics and updates over the next few days. All the parts for advanced suspension arrived this week, looking forward to installing them

[justinhw]

how does water that gets into the cowl area drain?

[reddragon]

See in the last 2 pictures, the semi circular shape at each end, down low next to the firewall. It goes out through there.

Problem is, after a while leafs, sticks, dirt etc gets trapped in there and it starts blocking up. Then, it stays moist and starts to rust.

[justinhw]

can you access those to clean it without taking the cowl off? can you go through the fender or something?

[reddragon]

You can access them by removing the fender. Also, can remove wiper motor, and there's a small access panel on the opposite side of engine bay.