Found My 87 Coupe - So It Begins

[almostordinary]

Finally got the time to register the car, and with it being LA I needed to go to smog...

I knew I was at best 50/50 for passing as everything has been cobbled together.

.... I failed.



But I was able to register the car and get a 30day permit to legally have it on the road.

Also gave me a good reason to go to a 911 speed shop in town and chat w the tech again, last time we chatted I was just eying this car.

Going to take it in next week to get the tune sorted.

Turning the page to today.

I've felt that the car was always on and off power since the initial shakedown and the more I've learned the car, the more I could tell something was amiss.

Put on the Fabspeed bypass and didn't install the O2 sensor, so I could hear the cylinders firing clearer with the massive leak.

Turned out that cylinders 5 & 2 would sometimes be in power and sometimes not.

I whipped out my Noid light and tested all the injectors and they came on w/o fault.

Decided to test the plug wires again and they all were great.



Then went ahead and used a thermal gun and let the car run, turned it off, tested temps.... low and behold 5 and 2 would sometimes register and other times they wouldn't.

I took all the plugs out and then it hit me that the boots were making ok connections to the plugs, these are brand new Behr wires... guess the build quality has taken a step back..

I crimped them a bit tighter and used dielectric grease on all the connections, fired the car up and it sound amazing!

Took it for a test run and drove into the sunset... first time on all 6 cylinders!






Going to wrap up the interior next, get the new steering wheel bushing installed and paint/clearcoat the rear decklid as well as the new rear lower valence.

Need to source the rocker panel skirt hardware and get that on next.

So excited to take this out on a nice long cruise this weekend!

More to come.
-Ian

[Anjizkit]

Oh interesting. Can you tell me what thermal gun did u use? Or was it just heat the car, jack it up and measure all the cylinders.

I have never checked but my car was driven my a really expenses Porsche only mechanic of good reputation so he would know if anything f was amiss. So that’s my hope that’s it’s all good.


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[RobFrost]

Great thread, wonderful build.

I don't know if you ever found that g50 with an lsd you were looking for but my 88 g50 on 9 inch rears corners like a dream, breaks away and drifts predictably with no lsd.

Also, re the heat... I have backdated heat and it works a charm.

I only read half of this thread so far so you may have these covered already.

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by Anjizkit

Oh interesting. Can you tell me what thermal gun did u use? Or was it just heat the car, jack it up and measure all the cylinders.

I have never checked but my car was driven my a really expenses Porsche only mechanic of good reputation so he would know if anything f was amiss. So that’s my hope that’s it’s all good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I bought a cheap one from Harbor Freight. Just turned the car on, let it idle for a minute or so then tested by aiming at the exhaust flange. I would see temps that were almost 100-150 degrees cooler when the cylinders 2 & 5 weren't firing.

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by RobFrost

Great thread, wonderful build.

I don't know if you ever found that g50 with an lsd you were looking for but my 88 g50 on 9 inch rears corners like a dream, breaks away and drifts predictably with no lsd.

Also, re the heat... I have backdated heat and it works a charm.

I only read half of this thread so far so you may have these covered already.

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

Thank you!

Nope no LSD, yet... going to add a Wavetec lsd maybe sometime next year, but for now I am super happy.

As far as heat, i've done a mild delete I may add seat warmers, but the car will likely have no heat in its future. AC on the other hand will be coming early next year for a planned PCH drive up to Canada.

[Anjizkit]

Originally Posted by almostordinary

I bought a cheap one from Harbor Freight. Just turned the car on, let it idle for a minute or so then tested by aiming at the exhaust flange. I would see temps that were almost 100-150 degrees cooler when the cylinders 2 & 5 weren't firing.

Thanks. Doing it this weekend.


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[aoncurly]

Hey, that's where I take my 911SC to get smogged in Pasadena! I've only failed once years ago and I'm convinced I had old gas with Techron in it. Obviously, you have some other issues, but make sure your gas is fresh also. Good luck!

[grb008]

Ac I am running all new Griffith stuff and it’s working up to 92 and humid. I didn’t add an extra condenser and fan so that would make it even better.

[almostordinary]

Had a fun weekend w the car, despite failing smog. I put the fabspeed test pipe on and cruised around a little with it.

Attended my first car meet with the car, and met a lot of cool people and had some great conversations over the work I've done.... can't wait to attend more. Sadly I didn't take one picture as I spent most of the morning chatting.

Taking the car in this afternoon to get some AF readings and hopefully made legal in CA's eyes.

Just got a nifty Optima battery tie down delivered probably the best $40 I've spent.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/113326603837

Had to make a quick run to AutoZone to pick up a longer ground wire, went 2gauge and this one had terminal covers which were a bonus.







Would highly recommend this $40 hold down tray for anyone with an Optima battery, mine is the 34R and has worked great thus far.

-Ian

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by aoncurly

Hey, that's where I take my 911SC to get smogged in Pasadena! I've only failed once years ago and I'm convinced I had old gas with Techron in it. Obviously, you have some other issues, but make sure your gas is fresh also. Good luck!

Thank you! Hoping to get this sorted by EOD today.

[almostordinary]

Yesterday was one of those days that will stick with you and know you've found the right partners for the next phases of a build that's getting a bit out of even my comfort zone.

I've been talking with Tyson over at Pro Motorsports for about 10months now, a friend's production company is next door and when I finally decided the route I was taking my build I went over, introduced myself and really got along with Tyson.

Fast forward to last week when I failed smog, I was in the neighborhood and caught up with Tyson, showed him the build and just got really techy with the projects he and Brad had on their plate.

I made an appointment w Brad to come through to help w my smog situation.

Tyson and I got to chatting and I mentioned that my oil pressure light has been staying on, but I thought it may have been a grounding issue.

Tyson jumped in the driver's seat cranked it over and had immediate concern, then he walked me over to a few engines and walked me through every possibility it could be outside of wiring (which when he looked at the engine components knew it was not the issue)

After some deductive reasoning he asked if I'd recently dropped the oil with the wrong drain plug... and I did!

I unplugged the oil pressure relief valve (figure A), with the plunger, spring and guide.



It all fell into the oil pan, and I thought I put it all back together, but I missed the top plunger.

He took me to his whiteboard and drew up how the valve works and what was likely happening.

Tyson immediately moved some things around and got my car in the air. Dropped the plug and found out that I didn't replace the actual plunger.



He had one laying around from a previous build, and he put it on, filled the oil lost, we cranked it up and it immediately read pressure.



Got the car safely back home, ordered more oil and a new filter and will assess.

I've been driving the car tamely, not even getting past 3-4k mostly, so hoping aside from a little wear things will be ok.

I'll say this much, I will definitely be a life long patron of Pro Motorsports with the attention that was given to the situation by Tyson and Brad.

-Ian

[nospiners]

Wow ... Consider yourself very lucky !!!

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by nospiners

Wow ... Consider yourself very lucky !!!

Trust me... I couldn't sleep last night. Such a small oversight could have put this build on the shelf for longer than I can think to imagine. I don't know how long it would have taken me to regain traction if I grenaded this motor right out the gate.

[almostordinary]

Just got the car back last night from a four corner balance + alignment, new ER sway bar mounts, eibach rear sway bar, front sway bar bushings and bumpsteer kit install....

Woke up this morning at 6a to play in the clouds in Angels Crest Highway.... it's a whole new car!









Big thanks to Tyson and Brad at Pro Motorsports in Burbank!

-Ian

[almostordinary]

having this car on the road has been a game changer! I've taken my wife and friends (one at a time of course) on some epic local to LA roadtrips and have been getting tons of thumbs ups from other p-car owners and car enthusiasts alike.

I've only taken it to one show, and had a blast. Lately just been spending time upgrading things as directing projects are about to pick back up.

Quick impromptu pitstop in Venice for a street fair.


New 8" Pyle subwoofer installed, along with the Blaupunkt SqR 46. This subwoofer is amazing! I paired it with new Polk Audio speakers on the shelf and am still running the 5.25" door speakers that came with the car.


Had a little help from our older great dane Atlas, she approved the upgrades.



After celebrating 12months of ownership (basically building) on Saturday I finally had time to clean and organize the garage, starting with some new wall art.




Now time to get the car prepped for a wrap, decided I don't want to have a car I've worked this long for go down for 2-3 months to get a respray. I'll be showing the color next week, but for now I've been spending time wetsanding the primered spots and taking the car apart... the front bumper was a lot more work than I saw on the few decent videos I could find online... may just be an 87+ thing.








All exciting things to come.

Final Parts on the way:
- Fabspeed Supercup Exhaust
- Lakewell new dash (black vinyl)

With the wrap and these above parts I am calling my phase one vision complete.

Toying with the idea of having a monthly BBQ at our house in SilverLake to meet more of the local 911 owners and build a stronger community in the area. I see at least 1-2 a day, albeit that Sublime is right around the corner.... if any actually reads this far down, shoot me a DM or give a shout on my IG car account : @almostordinary_motors would love to get a group of folks together to hang outside of the normal spots.

-Ian

[AlBackus36]

Love the wheel chocks. Keep going! Excited to see what color you pick out for the wrap.

[almostordinary]

Been a fun couple of weeks.

Finally pulled the trigger and got the cart professionally wrapped. And tended to a slew of outstanding side-quest projects.

Disassembled everything for the wrap
- Door handles
- Flag mirrors
- Bumper/Valence
- Hood logo
- Headlights
- Bellows (bought four new ones)
- Misc trim
- Rear tails



Decided to get it wrapped in 3M Satin Vampire Red.



This color plays with light a lot, so still need to get a proper shot in the sun.

Really happy with the transformation.

In the teardown I found that the front lower spoiler had a stripped vertical bolt.

Drilled out all the filler for the bolt and used some JB Weld and a hanger bolt to replace the damaged one. A new hardware kit from PP and it fit like new. M6x40mm hanger bolts from Amazon did the trick.












Replaced the inner door skins on both doors as well as some new 5.25" kicker speakers for the doors... the sound system is actually amazing now.



All the aux pieces that could be taken off were removed for the wrap.



Finally installed an oil cooler duct that I bought a while back, kept the theme going and had it wrapped as well.



Took two full days to get things back... have a snafu w the power mirrors.. the 87 wiring is so different than everything I can find online. And I need to figure out the headlight / turn signal wiring... they are canceling each other out.

[almostordinary]

Love the car in dusk lighting.. planning a drive to Malibu tomorrow to get full day light pics.






Still waiting for my SuperCup exhaust to arrive so I can put the rear lower valence on to complete the look... kind of on the fence regarding the sideskirts... what do y'all think?

Also have an odd leak in my lower Elephant Racing finned hardline... seems it's leaking at the rear bend-point.

More to come.

-Ian

[Libeck]

Wait a minute, that's not gray. Glad to get that off my chest.

Satin Vampire Red. I like it. Bold. Hell, it's a fun color to say. I expect you'll be saying it lots based on recurring massive attention draw.

The skirts? I think the G-body needs the skirts. The front and rear valence leave me looking for a continuation between the wheel wells.

Beautiful car, great build thread. Would love to bbq but am about 14 hours away.

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by Libeck

Wait a minute, that's not gray. Glad to get that off my chest.

Satin Vampire Red. I like it. Bold. Hell, it's a fun color to say. I expect you'll be saying it lots based on recurring massive attention draw.

The skirts? I think the G-body needs the skirts. The front and rear valence leave me looking for a continuation between the wheel wells.

Beautiful car, great build thread. Would love to bbq but am about 14 hours away.

Thank you! Grey would have been fun, but my wife and I agreed that something closer to red would be great to hold us over until we paint the car.

I've got to drill the skirt holes, since the new rockers don't have the holes pre-drilled.

Here's a walk around from my drive up the PCH through Malibu this morning.



After a nice night drive yesterday, I definitely need to do a lighting upgrade... even if just LEDs, the stock bulbs are not really ideal for LA.

-Ian