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The Pandemic Update:

After the COP conversation, I felt that the engine looked a bit unfinished. So, back in December, Quinn from SpeedHero and I started another collaboration; an OEM style spark...

In the meantime, Warren put out an APB for anyone wanting their headers ceramic coated through his company JSF Coatings. It's definitely something I've wanted ever since I ditched the 30 year old OEM...

Now that the basics are sorted out, let's blip the throttle a bit and see what happens:




https://youtu.be/zzLPK9Rkrr0


Sounds good, but the throttle feels quite sticky. It's stiff and...

Fan Off:

https://youtu.be/I-Qo5X4Y-wo


Everything's A-OK.

So the electric fans needed to be tested.


Fan on:

https://youtu.be/nsFb5_iPhmM


Turns on!

The base map that Battle Garage gave us seems about 10-15% rich at idle, which I guess is a good margin of safety. It's enough to get the car started, check the basic items that can cost you time and...

Then some other things were checked:

-Bleeding the coolant
-Fully grounding the electric fans as they'll be controlled by the ECU from now on. The former setup had a temperature switch....

So before the car was started, the basics were checked:

-New spark plugs
-95 Octane pump gas
-Good grounds
-Rebuilt alternator
-Check the battery level
-Checking the mechanical timing, etc.

Step 4: Tuning

It's been a while since I last posted because Covid happened and there's been a lineup at BC Works. I guess that means they do good work.

Anyway, Warren was thinking ahead and...

Step 3: It lives!

-Battery connected and charged: Check!

-Grounds secured: Check!

-Harness connected to all plugs and sensors: Check!

-ECU connected: Check!

Step 2: Driveshaft

Warren has an impressive collection of crusty old shafts. Which one of these princesses will fit the glass shoe?
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Our Cinderella is an auto 3TC ('80-'83)...

Step 1: Shifter

C’s short shifter in place
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See how they run…see how they run..

https://youtu.be/Id1Fh8ayCFE

CHAPTER 5: FINAL STEPS

Step 1: Shifter
Step 2: Driveshaft
Step 3: It lives!
Step 4: Tuning

Step 8: Intake filtration

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Can't run an engine without a proper air filter. A simple temporary solution with a more elegant idea in mind for later...

Step 7: Clutch hydraulics

Not that interesting of a step, but a necessary one.

Rebuilding the slave master.
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New clutch soft line.
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Step 6: Wiring

The new ECU harness is set up for a GTS, but as my baby was born an SR5, we had to move a couple pins to match.
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We had also piggy backed a new pin and plug for the...

The exhaust routes outside the steering column. We haven’t modified the location of the steering column, therefore, we should have no problems using an exhaust designed for a LHD AE86.

You’re...

Hi Dave. Thanks a lot. Which clearance issues? Any AE86 header fits.

Step 5: Steering column adjustments

Once the engine was back in, we still felt that there was too little space between the steering column and starter. As you can see, there's a possibility the...

Step 4: Baby gets a new ECU

Now that the engine is out, we thought it a good time to install the Haltech ECU and harness we got from Battle Garage.

Coil on plug (COP) conversion with SQ COP...

Step 3: Engine Refresh

The engine is still low mileage, hovering at around 80,000km, but taking cues from the aerospace industry, it’s not just kilometres, but also time that decides when...

Step 2: Set up the fuel system

The ‘temporary” rubber fuel send line was replaced with a proper metal line.
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All rubber hoses and clamps in the entire system were replaced.
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...

Chapter 2: Light Refreshments

While none of this chapter was essential for the J160 swap, we thought it was necessary to address some of the minor tweaks and repairs that have been on my mind. We...

After testing the first generation Team M Factory 5th gear and speaking with Patrick from the company, I understood that the noise was coming from the way the gears were cut. Their gear was...

Step 4: Clutch and Flywheel

A little more time has passed, and now the car is back inside for its final stages of the project. I've updated the finishing steps, so you can scroll back up to enjoy...