superhead's super-slow wagovan build

superhead91

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yup, it's the pictures. The pics of the wheels before didn't look too bad, that's why I didn't see much difference. Same with mine, really. They were faded and a little rust spotted, so painted them flat black. MY pics look the same as well. Actually have been thinking of painting my steelies white (have a white 4 door 99)
I thought about white but I like the black now that it looks good.





Here is a little motivation if it hasn't already been posted. Matt Johnston and Luke Wilcox, been following these guys rally career way back before it was a career.

Wagon Attack
Wagon Attack 2

http://wagonattack.com/
I've seen his videos, but I didn't know he had a website. Thanks I'll check it out. I'd love to get an RT wagon as well.
 

superhead91

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Finally going to get the rust fixed and cv axle replaced today. Next time you see the wagon the paint scheme will be a little different.

Also, I found out yesterday that I got a better job. Junior business intelligence database developer. Hopefully the build will speed up a little now since I'll be making a decent bit more money.
 


superhead91

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Thanks! I wouldn't mind having another wagon myself, this time an RT. Maybe in the future, because I'd like my next project to be an LS swapped FC RX-7.
 


AlaskaB16

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+ $1brazillion dollars on the swap. I'm partial to the FD though. LOVE those cars (HATE the rotary). As for the RT... Eh... I was hung up on that too when I had my two wagons. One RT, one non. The problem, in my opinion, is that the RT system isn't really all that awesome. It's not like it's full time AWD which kinda blows. Then if you want to upgrade to the K24 AWD system like I was going to do (currently have a garage full of K parts to make that swap happen), you're limited on the power you can put down because of the drivetrain... Plus it's balls heavy and you're not as quick.. blah blah blah...

I don't know. For me, i was going to do the AWD K swap wagon "just because". But now that i'm heading south and will never see snow/ice again, I would prefer to keep it FWD and boost for more power.... Who knows. It may never happen. I was SOOOOOO close this time and now that I don't have to deal with limited options anymore like I do in the middle of nowhere AK, I don't know anymore. There are many other cars i've always wanted to own for a while. Like a swapped FD or swapped BMW E30 :thumbs up
 

superhead91

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Yeah I probably wouldn't try and swap an RT. The DX wagon is a lot easier to swap since you don't have to worry about the 4WD drivetrain. I'm thinking about either swapping in a better D series or maybe a B series. K would be nice, but they're not easy to swap into an EF chassis.
 

AlaskaB16

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Not true! Well... Not as easy as a drop in and go D replacement I guess LOL Besides, a little extra work puts hair on your chest!
 

TokyoSkies

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+ $1brazillion dollars on the swap. I'm partial to the FD though. LOVE those cars (HATE the rotary). As for the RT... Eh... I was hung up on that too when I had my two wagons. One RT, one non. The problem, in my opinion, is that the RT system isn't really all that awesome. It's not like it's full time AWD which kinda blows. Then if you want to upgrade to the K24 AWD system like I was going to do (currently have a garage full of K parts to make that swap happen), you're limited on the power you can put down because of the drivetrain... Plus it's balls heavy and you're not as quick.. blah blah blah...

I don't know. For me, i was going to do the AWD K swap wagon "just because". But now that i'm heading south and will never see snow/ice again, I would prefer to keep it FWD and boost for more power.... Who knows. It may never happen. I was SOOOOOO close this time and now that I don't have to deal with limited options anymore like I do in the middle of nowhere AK, I don't know anymore. There are many other cars i've always wanted to own for a while. Like a swapped FD or swapped BMW E30 :thumbs up
I've always wanted an RX-7. I was more interested in the ever-coveted late-90's models, though.

Pick up an EK chassis, preferably CX (lightest!), and swap that K series into it. Gut the b***h out, make it a track car! You have most everything aside from boost components. It would likely cost you (aside from finding a decent rolling chassis out here, which is a b***h) less than $2k from here on it. EKK2 mounts to put the swap a bit lower and line it up with the axles/put the oil pan at a driveable height, leaves room on the exhaust manifold side for a nice manifold, gives you room for an RB intake manifold. If I had the additional funds, I would be doing that to my EJ8. Who knows, I still might. Doubtful though lol.

Yeah I probably wouldn't try and swap an RT. The DX wagon is a lot easier to swap since you don't have to worry about the 4WD drivetrain. I'm thinking about either swapping in a better D series or maybe a B series. K would be nice, but they're not easy to swap into an EF chassis.
B swaps in the DX non RT models are really popular. There used to be a decent wagovan scene in San Diego about 8 years back, but those dudes got out, had families etc. I saw a puke green slammed wagovan running a b18c on boost. It was pretty rad!

Not true! Well... Not as easy as a drop in and go D replacement I guess LOL Besides, a little extra work puts hair on your chest!
Good point! Someone ended up doing an AWD K-swapped wagovan recently, and Bisimoto sponsored it I think. He was boosting, making 450whp on the stock RT drivetrain. It apparently has been holding up!

EDIT: I think this *might* be it, but I recall it being powder blue:
AWD K24 Turbo Wagovan
 

superhead91

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So CV axle got replaced, rust was removed, and paint was taken care of yesterday. I'll post some pics tonight. I'm thinking about going ahead and putting some coilovers on my amazon card so I can be low for IA which I'm planning on attending this year.
 

superhead91

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Picture time.

First, a pic of the rust we were taking care of.



Step 1, sanding





Next was bondo and primer





He had some 14" beauty rings from the wheels that came with his liftback Celica, and let me have them if they'd fit. Test fitting one. He also gave me some Motegi center caps, so I have Motegi steelies now lol.



Final pics







As you can see I wasn't sure that just black from the trim down would look good, so I decided to do more of a Beagle two-tone thing and paint the fenders as well. I think it turned out pretty good for a cheap rattle can job. It's not perfect, but it was cheap and the main purpose was to stop the rust. Also, it's so nice not having a clicking CV joint. Coilovers are on the way, so that will be what comes next.

Opinions on paint?
 

superhead91

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Yesterday I had a day off, so I decided to plastidip my trim and bumpers. I finished after dark so I don't have any pics yet. My coilovers are coming today so I'll post pics of drop and trim later today. So pumped about finally lowering this thing!
 

AlaskaB16

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Can't wait to see pics! Love your wagon. Coilovers are the one thing i've always cheaped out on and just went with drop springs. Some day maybe i'll have a car I actually plan to own for more than a few months and drop some real money in it. Until then, i'll just watch you do it :thumbs up
 

superhead91

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Well stay tuned, because money permitting, the wagon will be around for a while and I've got big plans for it.
 

superhead91

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Sorry for the delay on pics. I kept getting home too late to take pics in good light.

First up, coilovers.



Pics before installation







Right after install at the height they shipped



Then after driving on the height they came at for a day I lowered it some more









I would lower it some more, but I wanna get some wider wheels first, and I don't really wanna ruin my OEM mudflaps. I might try and find another pair of mudflaps that I won't care about ruining.
 

AlaskaB16

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Too hard to see what the drop is like because of the black fenders. Why didn't you go this route like the pic you posted on page 17? 90/10 or 80/20 is a good mix IMO. What you have here is like 50/50 dang near. What made you decide to go over the fenders too? Not hating, just curious. You know I love your wagon :thumbs up


 

superhead91

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I went for it because the JDM Beagle two tone paint scheme went over the fenders like that, so I thought it might have a more OEM feel to it.



That's an OEM paint scheme.
 

AlaskaB16

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Oh right... I remember seeing those pics. Ehh... If you dig it then that's all that matters! FIST BUMPS OF FURRY! POW! =)
 


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