Multiplying Projects
Posted by Mad Scientist on May 4, 2008
My projects are multiplying like bunny rabbits. I now have 4 project cars at my house, one of which is getting no attention at all. We have two Datsun Fairlady 240z’s, a Datsun Fairlady 260z, and a 1989 Honda CRX. All are legal, all are titled, but only one runs. Here’s a quick recap:
Red 240z:
This is my 540z project, with a ‘57 283 Chevy v8 in a ‘73 Datsun Fairlady 240z. I’ve been solving many of the other problems with it, one at a time. This is considered the ‘daily driver’ of the house, and has treated me pretty well thus far.
I still have a bunch of work to do:
- Rivet down the bouncing gas tank
- New Tires
- New rear springs
- Proper ignition wiring (it has a fuse box now, at least!)
- Proper Alternator wiring
- New Steering wheel
Orange 240z:
This is a new member of the family (arrived yesterday via a truly awesome guy from Napa) and looks to be in great condition, considering it’s missing an engine. This will be getting the 351w Ford v8 in the coming month(s).
For now, it’s the non-functional inspiration of the house. We like the way it looks very much. Note the expression on the new owner’s face (we generally refer to that as ‘love’).
You can also see the motorcycles and the Green Monster in this shot.
(Mostly) Green 260z:
This required a little body work, and still has the stock engine in it. It was going to be the recipient of the 351w Ford v8 but taking the old motor out wasn’t looking fun, and the Orange one came along at just the right time. This is going to become our ‘parts’ car, then sold off (either to become a SOLO racer, a new project for someone, or a restore car (we still have most of the original parts, like the carbs and carb rebuild kits, not to mention the engine).
If anybody’s interested in purchasing this, we’re in the Vallejo area and are very negotiable on price.
89 CRX DX:
This is the biggest, most ambitious project we’ve got. Converting a FWD car over to RWD and putting a 13b into it. Right now it sits, halfway gutted, on the street. Once the Datsun-Ford is done and running, the CRX will be pulled into the garage for its heart transplant. Until then, it lurks in the shadows, watching and biding its time.
May 15, 2008 at 7:22 am
ok so check this out…me and my mom were out looking for a car for me to drive around, and we found a crx in indiana for local sale! Its sick its a 1991 Si, its white with the original blue and red stripe on the side of car. Its all stock (which is hard to find around here) and amazingly was very well taken care of (it was an older couple who used it for small driving purpose like grocery shopping once a week) its just got a small amount of rust on the rgiht front quarter panel and some in the back left wheel hole…other than that is in great condition, only 78,000 original miles on the ORIGINAL MOTOR…how sick is that?
there selling for $2500 and i talked them down to $2150
=)
=)
=)
May 15, 2008 at 7:25 am
“”amount of rust on the rgiht front quarter panel and some in the back left wheel hole…”"
im an idiot it should be rust in the back right quarter panel and some in front left wheel hole …
sorry..
tell me what ya think..
May 16, 2008 at 11:05 am
Spencer,
What a killer find! Get some pictures and link them! I’m really interested to see this, and I’ll do a writeup on how to properly remove quarter panel rust in the near future (it’s about half finished at this point).
May 16, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Thanks…yea definatelly its down in bloomington (about a 45 minute drive from where i live) and im plannming on going down sunday or monday to get some pictures…and test drive it again…
ill definatelly keep you posted
=)
May 19, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I didn’t write this one up myself, but here’s a good ‘quick fix’ for rust issues:
Car Maintenance 101 Rust Removal
May 25, 2008 at 6:29 pm
ok so heres what went down with that CRX i was talking about a few weeks ago, we checked it out and the timing belt was bad. Which is a pain to fix and semi costly…in addition tires tred were going out, and the radiator was leeking fluid in an invisible spot. Since my mother is ganna pay for a quater, (yes .25 of the cost …so its pretty cool that shes putting money into it for me =) she loves me) but then comes the bad part where she wants me to get a perfect car, and ANYTHING BUT a crx but thats what my dreams been forever and plus there good on gas which is an added bonus. So i guess i wont be getting that car, which is a bummer because i was really excited about getting a hatch…
I WANT A CRX SOOOO BADDD
May 28, 2008 at 7:24 am
You should get an FC RX7, then. Or a Porche 944 (turbo?). Or even a Datsun, if you can find one in your area. Those should all be affordable, and have the potential to mop the floor with nearly any CRX. Otherwise, cough up the other 25% and buy a nice CRX.
May 29, 2008 at 5:30 pm
ya…im kinda planning on just saving up a few more pay checks and buying that one…
any chance you got some old projects that need to get rid of?
ya i was definatelly just looking at the old RX7’s i dont really like the late 90’s ones and the brand new RX8’s look pretty nice but they dont got alot of power at all and handling aint to good either…least for the price you pay. But the old RX7’s like the 86-92 are kinda sparking my mind and there pretty cheap to buy and still look decent.
But then again
i gotta get my hatch craving out man
=]
plus i really needa get one soon to cause
1) im outa school now and its summer and i got to much time on my hands..even with work
2) next year im doin an automotive school so i get a whole workshop to myself…
so im just keepin my eyes open for a stock CRX..
itll come to me one day..
i hope.
May 29, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Well, I have a project I could part with, but unless you’re willing to come out to the San Francisco area, I can’t really help with getting it to ya. Take your time, make sure you get the RIGHT car for you. You may also want to look at the Toyota MR2, which is pretty cheap and just a great car all-around. Stock for stock, an MR2 is a faster car than a CRX and has more potential overall (the CRX has more engine options, but the MR2 is a MR platform). The choice is yours, just make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Set a budget, say you have exactly X amount of money to spend (my first CRX was $2k, and I stayed within that). Add up all the upgrades you intend to do, and plan it in phases. Dig in, and pay attention to the advice your seniors offer up. You may even want to make friends with some hot rodders. They tend to have a more open mind and are willing to consider more different things for a project car.