2-4-00

I had an influx of capital so I am proceeding with project "enough".  I ordered my Electromotive TECII from Allan Moore today, as well as Wiseco pistons and Crower rods.  Allen is a distributor of these and many other race parts.  The pistons will take approx 4-6 weeks due to them being a custom piece so my hopes of being ready by Bradenton in March are out.  

The pistons are custom due to the higher pin height to fit the 5.7 rod but will put the piston approx .020 down in the bore to lower compression.  

The rods are Crower 5.7 rods from Race Engineering that are machined to 2.3 width and bearing diameter. 

I decided to build the motor and put it in my black 87 hatch so I can spend my time on the chassis, paint, bodywork, interior, and wiring of my Capri.  This way I can be driving and tuning the combo while I build a lighter race chassis.  

2-7-00

Tore apart my short block today.  The motor came from an 83 Turbo Coupe but the motor was in great shape on the inside.  There was no sludge in the pan, the crosshatch was still in the bores, and the crank shows no wear at all.  Took the motor to Allan Moore's so we can get started on the machine work.  Also took head from 89 Ranger which is 8 spark plug.  I will use the stock cam for now since I will probably end up driving the car regularly.  

2-14-00

I went to a local junk yard today and found the holy grail.  A bell housing to mate a c-4 to a 2.3 motor.  I was about ready to go with a t-5 against my better judgment because I couldn't find a bell, but I finally found the bellhousing I needed to do the project right.  I needed the converter too but the guy wouldn't sell the converter without the tranny so I bought both for $100.  Not a bad deal. 

2-15-00

Back to Allan Moore's to machine the head for larger valve springs.  I also came to the conclusion that my turbo will be too big for the project (not sure there was such a thing).  It is a Turbonetics T-64, I traded it to my best friend for a T4/T3 Hybrid which will work much better. 

2-18-00

I dropped off my converter today to have an anti-balloon plate installed and to have the stator machined to allow higher and quicker stall. It will run about $150, not bad considering this should be enough converter to run 10's.   I got a price on a tranny rebuild, they want $250 including Rabestos clutches.  Plus an extra $40 for heavy duty sprag.   I'll do this to avoid tearing the tranny out of the car later if something breaks.

2-22-00

I went to Allen's today and got a good bit accomplished.  I deburred the block and crank and took lots of pictures of my progress to this point.  My TECII finally arrived as well so I got to play with that some. 

2-23-00

I built the bracket to hold the TECII to the chassis.  It will go where the factory airbox/air meter goes on the right side in front of the fenderwell.  I made a neat little aluminum plate that will bolt to the frame rail flat so it will be out of the way and near no heat. 

3-5-00