I bought my "Pinto Project 1" in 1995. I did a V-8 Swap to it, I wasn't very happy with all the "Custom" stuff I had to make. I had a "Near Death Experience" in 2002 then after all of my surgeries I used the Car as my "Theropy". So I pulled the V-8 out and went with a 2.3 Turbo motor out of an '88' Turbo Coupe. I did the Whole Merkur Wiring Harness Swap to it, T-5 Tranny, 8" rear and so on. After the Third year of Driving it (with the 2.3 Turbo) pretty much Daily and Racing it almost every Wendsday (Grudge Night at the local Track) the Body had flexed just too much. So much it was hard to close the doors. I atribute that to the original owner driving it through a couple of Winters.
I then decided to buy another '80' Wagon and take everything off of the Crusing Wagon, I'm in the Process of putting it all on my "New" Wagon. I had to do alot of stuff to the "Deluxe Wagon" such as, Convert the Interior to Black (with Sports Option), put the Cage out of my first one in, Tie the Frame Rails, put the Suspensions in (all Polyurethane bushing with an 8" Rear), the whole Drive Train had to be swaped and much more. One good thing about doing this trasformation is I could re-do everything I didn't like about the first project! In a sense, I'm doing this "Project Pinto 2" so much cleaner than my first. The problem is, I went "Pinto-less" all last summer not to mention I didn't make ONE pass down the Track. Racing is like Drugs, it is so hard to just stop! Withdrawl symptoms, the Need for Speed you get the picture! ;D Well I started to do the real Transformation (except the Interior, Nov. '05') in March of '06'. That is with taking the Winters off, due to the Temperatures here in Ohio!
I just recently finished the Wiring on the Car, hiding as much as I can because that was one of my dissapointments on the last Project. I still have a ways to go BUT I'm seeing the Light at the end of the Tunnel, it might be a Train Headlight but it's still "The Light"! ;D
I'll post a link here and when you click on it, on the right side near the top there is a "Back" and "Next" tab. If you click on the "Back" tab that will take you through the process, pretty much. I "tried" to post pics on the order of "Completion" but it isn't excatlly in order. I even have a pic of "Project Pinto 1" in there. It was at the first Car Show I entered it in, I even took First Place in my Class (with Project Pinto 1).
Tell me what you think!
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/turbowagonman/?action=view¤t=Deluxe_Wagon_as_Bought.jpg
turbowagonman
I forgot to mention in my earlier post that when I do repaint this Wagon i'm going to install the Cruising Pannels again. I'm goint to weld and smooth them so it will look very nice. When I do the repaint I'm sticing with the Med. Red with a Ghost Flame. It will look very cool!
Anyways I got my Front Chin Spoiler on my car last weekend. I had to make the mounting brackets for this one so I now have Spoiler Bracket Templates to make up the Brackets for anyone who needs them. Here are some updated pics. The Spoiler adds so much to the car.
turbowagonman
2 More Pics.
turbowagonman
After the Chin Spoiler was installed I moved onto installing the HUGE Intercooler.
Here are some pics. Tell me what you think.
turbowagonman
2 more pics.
and 2 more
and 2 more
Last 2.
I have alot more on my photobucket site, here is the link. Click on the back Picture to go through them in order.
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/turbowagonman/?action=view¤t=P1020816.jpg
Looking good turbowagonman! Took a quick peek at your gallery (shh, I'm supposedly working). I'll take a closer look when I have time. I just started a thread today on my conversion (#1 ;) ) and am planning on doing similar things that you have done.
Later.
Quote from: DragonWagon on May 31, 2007, 08:13:28 PM
Looking good turbowagonman! Took a quick peek at your gallery (shh, I'm supposedly working). I'll take a closer look when I have time. I just started a thread today on my conversion (#1 ;) ) and am planning on doing similar things that you have done.
Later.
Thanks!
I like your idea of pc'ing the block.
Any questions hit me with a pm!
turbowagonman
Well I did the final IC install today. I Sand Blasted & Clear Coated the Tanks and Polished the Top surface.
Tell me what you think.
turbowagonman
2 more pics.
Nice neat looking installation. I was considering a similar FMIC installation and was wondering how you hold the hood down. Does the 1980 hood latch clear the IC? On my 72, it looks it would interfere.
I am going to hold the hood down with Locking Hood Pins.
I got them from ebay. The seller was real quick on shipping them, they weren't priced to bad either $12.98 shipped. Here is the link, theres still some left, they're Mr. Gasket brand.
Shawn
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280101447538&rd=1&rd=1
ON MY FIRST V/8 CONVERSION I RAN THOSE HOOD PINS.
I LIKED THE FACT THAT THEY WERE FLUSH. AFTER A SAT.
OF CLEANING AND WAXING--- BEER RUN ---DID'NT NOTICE
THEY WERE NOT TURNED AND LOCKED---ONE HOOD,WINDSHEILD
AND DENTED ROOF AND COWL LATER. I USED THEM AGAIN, BUT
ALWAYS HAD THAT ONE BAD MEMORY. THEY DO LOOK GREAT.
BILL
To fit the T-5 Transmission I had to "Extend" the Tranny tunnel. Here are some pics of the "Seal" I made.
turbowagonman
Well my Interior is almost installed.....FINALLY.
The car is starting to come together nicely, sweeeeet! ;)
I only have a couple of things and the Interior will be complete. They are as follows:
1. Install a Headliner and associated Trim
2. Dye and Install Door panels
3. Install my MP3/CD player and Rear Speakers
Check out my photobucket site and you will se some of the "Trick Stuff" I did during the Instalation of the Dash.
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l262/turbowagonman/?action=view¤t=5-6-2007-16.jpg
turbowagonman