natallica Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hey guys, decided to start a build thread for my new dream car project. I was lucky enough to stumble on a car that I wanted to buy a few years ago but didn't have the cash. Now that I have the means, I can't wait to tear into it. Virtually rust free ( a small bit of cancer in the rear fender wells) 89 Fiji shell with stock G54B and tons of stock parts History "Greatest Hits"Previously owned by "illjill". The motor and auto trans were pulled to do a 2JZ swap, moved away and abandoned/sold the project."Ron Burgundy" bought the car, wanted to rebuild and reinstall the G54B but do a 5spd swap, and abandoned the project after buying a boatload of parts and selling the auto tranny and all accompanying parts. I'm currently trying to sell the superfluous parts to fund the restoration of the G54B with my G-Pop 16G and some Lowershores Braided lines, with a slightly modded Auto trans (complete rebuild with MikeMeyerhoff's Kevlar bands and I'd love to obtain a stage 1 valve body mod ). It will be the car I've always wanted! Pics and some stories will follow!!! Thanks for looking guys, hopefully I can keep this updated.Here's few pics from when "illjill" owned it: http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/Conquest_07.pnghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/Conquest_08.pnghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/autoxquest2.pnghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/Conquest_02.png Here's a few pics from when "Ron Burgandy" owned it: http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/2012-12-16_14-34-01_95.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/2012-12-16_14-34-19_647.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/IMG_20101023_153128.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/IMAG0375.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoFab Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Here's to seeing many more posts on this thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Quest Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Car looks like a great start. Im sure you'll do it some good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted January 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Pics of her when she arrived home back on 1-12-2013. http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03211.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03212.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03213.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03218.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03219.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03224.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03225.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03223.jpg -N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoFab Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Dude N8 is that your garage? I'm jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted January 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Dude N8 is that your garage? I'm jealous!Thanks man, it's my father-in-laws, I helped him build it and tell him he needs more tools, so he buys 'em ...and I spend more time in it than he does.He want's to rebuild his 390 in his 63.5 Galaxie 500XL soon and we're renovating the last bay with drop ceiling/new walls/cabinets... and hopefully "more heat!". -N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FijiPhil Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Looks like a great start N8! Im sure this is gonna come out just as nice as your red one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Great score good luck on the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Finally got a chance to dismantle the engine and get a parts list together to get her prepped for rebuilding.... and lookie what I found! http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03390_zps7f833b03.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03391_zps4152e739.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03392_zpsca17ca9c.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03394_zpsb19a4dac.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03395_zps41b15deb.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03396_zpsbb548f9c.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03401_zps85036a06.jpghttp://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/DSC03402_zps6ed4d02f.jpg -N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86silverstarion Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 That's funny, I picked up my Fiji with the head gasket blown in the same exact place... Go ahead and count on that head being cracked. Good find though and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted July 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 (edited) Today I took a new block (partially rebuilt by previous owner) that I bought 'unused' from a member. He suggested when making the purchase that he wasn't 100% sure at what stage the PO was at so it may help to check bearing clearances and such before proceeding on the build. I went to plastigage the mains and caps on the crank, and upon dis-assembly, found this (anyone else notice): http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03662_zpse8eb5e19.jpg Thank goodness I didn't just assume it was OK. Once I fixed the problem I gauged and torqued to spec, I proceeded to fix up the block and get it ready to insert the rods and pistons (hopefully tomorrow) http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03668_zps6a93a075.jpg http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03670_zpsf2a2a1f4.jpg -N8 Edited July 5, 2013 by natallica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNon345s Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Where the main bearings flip flopped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Yup! I thought something was awry when I checked it, then I noticed there would be no oil fed to them, so I double checked Dad's "rebuild how to" and that confirmed it...thanks for the advice on double checking...saved my butt! -N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Major problem avoided nice save. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slydogg Posted July 7, 2013 Report Share Posted July 7, 2013 anyone spot a bearing optical illusion ? sweet ride nate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_crandall Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 I sold Ron a lot of the manual swap parts, why didn't he finish it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 I'm not sure, i guess he (like many others) lost momentum in the project and chose to bail on it. Seemed like a nice kid though, even though there were some fibs flyin' about the car. -N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoFab Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/DSC03670_zpsf2a2a1f4.jpg -N8 Ooooooooh...pretty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 (edited) Just wait...it's gonna get a lot prettier! ...now if I can just get it to run properly -N8 Edited July 9, 2013 by natallica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_crandall Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 I'm not sure, i guess he (like many others) lost momentum in the project and chose to bail on it. Seemed like a nice kid though, even though there were some fibs flyin' about the car. -N8 Yeah we've all seen that a time or two I've almost given up on mine a few times but I've kept with it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natallica Posted November 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Automatic is finally completed Woo Hoo. I just couldn't get enough time, all at once, but in all truth it should've only took around 2 days.Aside from a few little things, this was a piece of cake (once you have the right parts ) Anyone thinking about it, try it... it looks worse than it really is.Exedy Frictions total overhaul, new steels, seals, o-rings etc.Kevlar Bands (courtesy of MikeMeyerhoff)BaltTsi - Stage II VB ModIf all goes well, this thing should be sweet!!!! http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/89%20Auto%20Tranny%20rebuild/DSC04054_zpscc25acd8.jpg http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/89%20Auto%20Tranny%20rebuild/DSC04062_zps001681e3.jpg http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/89%20Auto%20Tranny%20rebuild/DSC03985_zps6f29e5fa.jpg http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff408/n8tallica1/1989%20Fiji%20Blue%20Conquest%20TSi/89%20Auto%20Tranny%20rebuild/DSC03974_zps6b60a245.jpg -N8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoFab Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Oooooh that's purdy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 I guess if ya know what your doing but that sure looks nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Wow that looks brand new! Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOMINUS Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 so sweetvery nice work buddy..can you please how much power can this auto handle with the modification you have made?keep up the good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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