Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Concealer404's KLZEscort thread

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Concealer404's KLZEscort thread

    Alrighty. No pics right now, i'll get them up this week.

    Back story:

    When i met girlfriend, she was driving a Taurus. It was epic crap, and we wanted to get her into something better, as well as better on gas. We happened to be out driving, and saw a red EGT in a parking lot with a "FOR SALE" sign on it. Stopped and looked, they wanted $1100 for it. It looked pretty clean, the clear coat was peeling. (DUH.)

    If i must be honest at this point, i should have ignored the car and looked for something else. But, the girlfriend said it was "cute" and that she wanted it.

    Arranged with the seller a time to look at it in depth. Ran ok, but smoked like crazy. (A re-occuring theme, i'd find.) Long story short, the seller was a scumbag, but i still bought it anyways like an idiot. For $700. We thought it had 58k miles on it. Oh, did i mention that it didn't have 3rd or 4th gear? Thought it may have been a dropped shifter or a failed mount.

    A couple weeks later, after the following had been done:

    New transmission
    New springs and struts
    New front brakes
    New intake tube
    Full tuneup.
    New clutch slave cylinder

    And a laundry list of other little things, it was finally driven, and it drove ok. Way more power than i was expecting, but it still smoked like crazy. We ignored it.

    Pulled up a carfax on it. Turns out that when we bought it, it had 258k miles on it. AWESOME.

    I'll skip to the good parts.

    Current mods
    Current mods
    Leaky exhaust
    Tokico HP struts
    Megan Racing springs
    Pierce Motorsports front 4 point tie bar
    Energy Suspension bushings
    Energy Suspension mount inserts
    Josh_LX delrin endlinks
    Pacesetter adjustable STS
    MX3 rear tie bar
    MX3 front and rear strut tower bars
    MX3 leather shift boot
    MX3 shifter console
    Protege lower console
    Black MX3 carpet
    Clear corners
    MX3 black weatherstripping
    MX3 black lower dash
    ****ty Kenwood head unit
    Kicker 6.5" front speakers powered by an old school Punch160 amp


    Now it has over 280k miles on it, and it still has plenty of power, but it's starting to show it's age in many ways. The transmission is crunchy in 2nd and 5th. The front suspension hardware won't hold torque, and loosens on it's own. The smoking is getting worse. All four strut mounts are shot. The brake system needs an overhaul.

    I bought a complete low mileage head in thought that i was going to rebuild the motor, bump the compression a bit, and that she would just enjoy that. Then i found out how cheap it would be to boost it. Then i found out that FE3 swaps aren't that hard. Then SHE HEARD A KLZE.

    And that's what she wanted. What girlfriend wants, she gets. She also seems to be jealous of how much fun i have at Autox events, so she wants to do that, too. In her Escort.

    I've already purchased a 94 MX3 GS (with 80k miles ) for a donor.

    I'm going to be upfront here and say that she could have picked many easier, cheaper, and better platforms to compete in SMS class with, and that i'm not in love with this thing. (I'm a Toyota guy, don't hold it against me.) But, this could be fun.

    Here's the preliminary read-out of what's to come:

    Motor/drivetrain
    KLZE (All KL31)
    King6fab timing belt tensioner
    DE retainers
    Interprep springs
    Straight neck intake manifold
    MX3 trans
    MFactory LSD
    Fidanza 9lb flywheel
    South Bend TZ Stage 2 clutch
    Filled mounts (Anyone know if there's AWR parts that work?)
    Headers
    Intake
    2.5" exhaust
    Underdrive pulley

    Suspension/Steering
    Pierce Motorsports tubular control arms w/ rodends. ALL OF THEM.
    Pierce Motorsports front 4pt tie bar
    Pierce Motorsports 2-point rear tie bar
    Ultra Racing rear strut bar
    Cusco front strut bar
    Erik Bacon custom front and rear sway bars
    Josh_LX Delrin endlinks
    Cusco camber plates
    Ground Control coilovers
    Koni Yellows
    MX3 steering rack (possibly depowered, will need input)

    Brakes
    Centric Premium rotors
    Porterfield R4S pads
    Corksport Stainless braided lines
    New calipers all around
    New master cylinder

    Exterior
    NEW PAINT JOB. She wants dark-ish grey with purple flake.
    Shaved EGT grill
    3-piece rear EGT wing
    Re-do the tint
    Konig C-Sharp 16x7 wheels
    Solar Wing (maybe?)
    CF hood (down the road)
    CF hatch (down the road)

    Interior
    Everything listed above + the following
    Gut and tuck the rear
    Finish converting all front trim to black
    Nice steering wheel of some sort
    Corbeau FX1 Pro Microsuede (pair)
    Crow 5-point 3" black harnesses
    Wideband/Oil Pressure/Water temp gauges
    Facelift MX3 dash (down the road)



    This will be a car that is in no danger of winning championships or anything, but it should be locally competitive. The two current top dogs in SCCA SMS class locally are both DC2 integras. One is a yellow Type R, and the other is K20-powered, so it'll be dicing it up with them, and my Celica once it finally comes out of hibernation again. It's not going to be any danger to the celica (but don't tell her that ) but it should be in line with the Integras. The only REAL advantage they have is the ability to fit more tire than us. But they do weigh quite a bit more.

    Anyways, input is welcome on anything with question marks or comments, or anything at all for that matter. We aren't really looking for massive power here. A KLZE should motivate this thing pretty well in any form.

    My big question right now stems from the brakes. I'll be buying that stuff very soon, and i'd like to move to something bigger if possible. (But also not looking to spend thousands of dollars, either.) Has anyone swapped over an entire MX3 setup? The parts car has a better "feel" than this thing.

    Also: Subframe bushings. Are there aftermarket parts available?
    Last edited by concealer404; 04-20-2012, 03:28 PM.

    #2
    Awesome! Sub'n for sure. Good luck! Let me know if you need any parts, I also have a GS parts car as I was planning the same swap for my GT!

    Definitely De-power the GS rack, You will not regret it. Thats what I have in my wagon, and I will be doing the same to the GT soon.

    I have a spare set of Leather MX3's, they aren't perfect... But they are pretty good (minus the Pass side bottom, which has a large crack.) You pay shipping for the seats I would swap you for the Pierce 4pt front bar... since you are thinking of going with the UR anyway?

    Also, don't forget to swap the rear TTL's, and the front LCA's to widen the stance...
    Current:
    68 Torino GT Fastback
    86 MR2
    91 F150
    94 Escort Wagon BP swap
    99 Escort Wagon BP swap
    00 Miata LS
    08 Arrow AX8
    14 Mazda5

    Comment


      #3
      I agree about swapping the rear ttls.

      If you order awr mounts order the rear mx3 one and probe front. I've heard from mx3 guys the front mx3 awr mount doesn't fit right. Only thing you'll have to do is drill the holes a little bigger in the crossmember for them to fit
      1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
      1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
      2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
      2010 VW routon

      Originally posted by jay
      .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

      Comment


        #4
        I think i'm good on parts. My "parts car" made a 750 mile trip back from picking it up, ran and drove like it was brand new. (As it should, with only 80k miles on it.) The only reason we aren't just using that is that it's rusty as hell on the driver's side.

        What's the effort like on the rack depowered? My girlfriend is like... 5'5", 110lbs. She didn't like driving my MX6 (which wasn't really depowered correctly, and weighs about 500lbs more with some ridiculously heavy wheels), so i'm a little worried about that.

        I'd take you up on the MX3 seat offer, but she won't. Anything that goes on this car will be perfect. I appreciate it, though.

        I'm not going to swap over to the MX3 lcas and TTLs. I'm already going to be dealing with tire clearance issues with the 225/45-15 Hankook RS3s that we'll be using, and a wide track isn't REALLY quite so important for autox use. However, if someone can convince me otherwise, and i'd still be able to get those tires under an escort, i could be persuaded. The other hitch is that i just installed the ES bushings about 5,000 miles ago, and don't feel like doing it again.

        Thanks for sub'n, though! Audience of one at least!

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Turpro View Post
          I agree about swapping the rear ttls.

          If you order awr mounts order the rear mx3 one and probe front. I've heard from mx3 guys the front mx3 awr mount doesn't fit right. Only thing you'll have to do is drill the holes a little bigger in the crossmember for them to fit
          Explain that to me... What does swapping those do, exactly? My worry is that because the escort has that stupid flat top rear fenderwell, that if i push everything out anymore, i won't be able to get my tires to clear.

          I'm assuming you're talking about swapping the entire rear over? I might be ok with the rear if it'll work, but i'm not messing with the front, since the MX3 stuff is pretty rusty.

          I didn't see an MX3 rear mount on AWR's site. Am i missing something?

          Oh, and Chris, did i get the front setup list correct? (What we talked about on the phone?)

          Comment


            #6
            My GF doesn't mind Driving mine. She is just about the same build.
            Current:
            68 Torino GT Fastback
            86 MR2
            91 F150
            94 Escort Wagon BP swap
            99 Escort Wagon BP swap
            00 Miata LS
            08 Arrow AX8
            14 Mazda5

            Comment


              #7
              **** forgot about the wheel wells of the egt g nevermoind about the rear
              1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
              1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
              2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
              2010 VW routon

              Originally posted by jay
              .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Turpro View Post
                **** forgot about the wheel wells of the egt g nevermoind about the rear
                I'm ok with rolling fenders, i've got access to an Eastwood tool, i just don't want to hack the back up at this stage. That'll be later when she grows into the car and wants to move to straight up SM and run some gigantic slicks.

                Comment


                  #9
                  cant wait to see some pictures! this will be nice!


                  '88 323 sedan, K-swapped..

                  '03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege - miss it so much..

                  '01 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins - 323 hauler

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by DeeAOne View Post
                    cant wait to see some pictures! this will be nice!
                    There's some on the FEOA link at the bottom of the first post. The car looks like dog **** right now. It's "red" which means that it's pink, red, and has leprosy in the form of clear coat peeling from everywhere. And it has 91-92 EGT wheels rattlecanned black. And badly. Tucking tire on all 4 corners, though.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I want to see what the 225/45 will look like on a 7" wide wheel. If it does not ballon over the wheel like some I have seen, then I may consider this for my next set of tires.
                      92 Mazda MX3 GS> For sale, $1750 OBO
                      94 Escort wagon--BP swap coming, VF10 Turbo, COP, EVO ECU, 03 ZX2 front end conversion
                      "Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable"
                      EV14 330cc@3Bar injector kits available.
                      EV14 GT500 injector kits available for the BP. 610cc@3Bar.
                      EV14 925cc@3Bar injector kits available
                      BP Forged H beam rods available now
                      KL Forged H beam rods available now
                      K8/KF Forged H beam rods awaiting test fit
                      FS Forged H beam rods
                      awaiting test fit
                      F2 Forged H beam rods awaiting test fit
                      FE3 Forged H beam rods coming soon
                      Mitsubishi 3.8 MIVEC rods coming soon
                      Aluminum CAS/Distributor caps
                      BP oil jet eliminators
                      EV14 fuel rail spacers
                      More stuff coming soon.......

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by 300zxrb26dett View Post
                        I want to see what the 225/45 will look like on a 7" wide wheel. If it does not ballon over the wheel like some I have seen, then I may consider this for my next set of tires.
                        Depends on the tire.

                        I ran a 215/45-16 on a 16x6.5" wheel on my Celica before i got my current 245/45-16 on 16x8" setup, and it wasn't ballooned at all. (neither is the current)

                        You have to get a tire worth a ****, though, and the sidewall does play a part. A 225/55 will balloon. A 225/45 won't.

                        I can dig up a pic of 215/45 on a 6.5" if you want?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Sure i would like to see it. I saw a pic of a DSM with some 225/45's on a 7" wheel and they looked balloned on it, so thats why i was wondering. Right now I have some Hankook K106's and I like them, but I dont think they make them anymore and dont even make them in that size anyway.
                          92 Mazda MX3 GS> For sale, $1750 OBO
                          94 Escort wagon--BP swap coming, VF10 Turbo, COP, EVO ECU, 03 ZX2 front end conversion
                          "Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable"
                          EV14 330cc@3Bar injector kits available.
                          EV14 GT500 injector kits available for the BP. 610cc@3Bar.
                          EV14 925cc@3Bar injector kits available
                          BP Forged H beam rods available now
                          KL Forged H beam rods available now
                          K8/KF Forged H beam rods awaiting test fit
                          FS Forged H beam rods
                          awaiting test fit
                          F2 Forged H beam rods awaiting test fit
                          FE3 Forged H beam rods coming soon
                          Mitsubishi 3.8 MIVEC rods coming soon
                          Aluminum CAS/Distributor caps
                          BP oil jet eliminators
                          EV14 fuel rail spacers
                          More stuff coming soon.......

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by 300zxrb26dett View Post
                            Sure i would like to see it. I saw a pic of a DSM with some 225/45's on a 7" wheel and they looked balloned on it, so thats why i was wondering. Right now I have some Hankook K106's and I like them, but I dont think they make them anymore and dont even make them in that size anyway.
                            Unfortunately, Hankook has really screwed "the little guy." I used to/and still do run RS2s on the Celica, but they (nor do anyone else, really) make the size i need anymore.

                            You can get the RS3s in 15s, or 17s.

                            Unfortunately... at least 2 of my cars run 16s, and i'm not going bigger, or smaller.

                            Anyways, here's a pic:

                            Comment


                              #15
                              what you guys mean by balloon? lol
                              like the tire stick out further than the wheels?
                              Anyone knows what 9K rpm feels like? I do



                              93 Mercury Tracer SW
                              99 Honda Accord 4DR 'VIP' status
                              01 Honda S2000 Future Boost

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X