91DX- Ground Up Build MPFI SWAP completed!!
spede18
Wagonist
Here is my 91 DX which has a stock JDM D15B motor with a 4 speed manual transmission.
It is my daily driver.
At moment it is riding on ebay coil over sleeves with ebay coils up front and cut springs in back.
I just replaced the rear struts with a pair of monroe #71238 they were completely shot when I got the wagon.
It is also burning oil at the moment approximately 1qrt every 500-600 miles which I am pretty sure is due to bad valve seals.
You can see in the picture oil is coming out the headers onto the front of the block.
I plan to fix this ASAP, at moment driving it and checking oil regularly.
Has brand new spark plug wires, dizzy, master and slave cylinder.
One of the previous owners had painted it with primer black but used like 3 different types so the paint job is pretty bad but can't really tell in the rain looks ok so I took the pictures while wet makes it look much better then when dry.
It is my daily driver.
At moment it is riding on ebay coil over sleeves with ebay coils up front and cut springs in back.
I just replaced the rear struts with a pair of monroe #71238 they were completely shot when I got the wagon.
It is also burning oil at the moment approximately 1qrt every 500-600 miles which I am pretty sure is due to bad valve seals.
You can see in the picture oil is coming out the headers onto the front of the block.
I plan to fix this ASAP, at moment driving it and checking oil regularly.
Has brand new spark plug wires, dizzy, master and slave cylinder.
One of the previous owners had painted it with primer black but used like 3 different types so the paint job is pretty bad but can't really tell in the rain looks ok so I took the pictures while wet makes it look much better then when dry.
Comments
glad to see yet ANOTHER PDX wagon reppin!!
Got some plans over the next couple weeks for a few things I am working on stay tuned...
Keep me posted gotta get the parts first.
i will. i know i work the next like nine days straight, but im sure we could get it done one evening..yank the head off and bring it inside...i'll talk to my buddy tomorrow.
I just sold my other car so this is only one I got now so if it dies or is down then I'm SOL.
First pic of some stuff I worked on:
Here is photo of what the front trans mount looked like when I got it with bolts holding it in place from breaking.
Replaced it with a new one.
Also thanks to the site figured out what these 2 little fuses were for and that they should be connected to the battery so seat belts would work!
They were a bit corroded but sprayed some corrosion X on them and cleaned right up and was ready to go love this stuff use it on everything from penetrating oil to corrosion cleaning and preventative if you have never used it definitely recommend trying some its the best! Will fix electrical components you thought were dead and bring them back to life again.
Attached and working great!
The radiator decided it wanted to crap out on me so had to replace it with a new one.
I have been having temp gauge issues since I got the wagon on looked at the wire to the sensor and it was loose so pushed it on all the way and working much better now!
Here is a pic of the ECT sensor which I think has been causing me havok lately!
The wagon started to not want to start when it warmed up and looking into it further the wires are completely shredded and holding on by one thread.
Pretty sure this is what was causing it to not want to start when warmed up. Had to give it gas to get it going and would take about a minute to run properly and run fine otherwise.
While working on trying to fix it they broke at the base and obvioulsy threw a code when that happened so figured I would drive it
I picked up a new sensor over the weekend and got a new connector from local picknpull so plan to swap them out tomorrow.
Last but not least I picked up a complete z6 head and intake manifold for $150 today so plan to swap out the dpfi for mpfi down the road but figured couldnt pass up on the deal!! I will post some pics of them tomorrow when working on everything.
One on the left is first plug closest to the dizzy and the one on right is second one down and the other 2 looked similar to the one on the right.
Had a bit of a brown hue to them but was surprised didn't look worse. Obviously confirmed burning oil like I didn;t know already adding in half quart or more per week!
I am still hesitant to drive it to far at the moment don't want it to die on me so I am going to do a little more testing and take it for a cruise tomorrow evening to see how its running and make sure everything is ok. Burning oil is one thing but want to be sure I am not burning coolant or having a head gasket problem.
The original color was the pewter grey metallic But I think someone painted it a different oem color over the years because it actually looks more blue then grey. Now it's the shotty black primer which I have some plans to deal with over next few months once get motor stuff sorted out. Most likely thinking something close to original color but got something else a little different in mind.
Been researching and figuring out best way to go about the process.
Lots of info and want to make sure if I do it it's done right so have as few issues as possible.
I'm definitely going to do the mpfi swap but still debating the head swap.
I really wish I found a y8 head so could have stayed obd0 with everything seams would have been a lot easier to me?? But still could go that route if I wanted.
Any thoughts on the entire mini me swap would be appreciated!
After having the starting issues I have been checking coolant frequently and having to top it off a little every few days.
there has been a lot of smoke when starting the wagon no matter if it was cold or warm had to give it gas to get it going.
Checked the dipstick today after starting it and getting it to idle and could see moisture on the dipstick. If I check it after a few minutes no moisture or water is present so this tells me the leak is small and most likely only getting worse it has been progressive I think due to the fact that the old radiator was not getting proper pressure and the new one is that the system is working better and now causing a slow leak somewhere I assume in the head gasket.
looks like the head will need to be rebuilt and all gaskets done ASAP so I can continue to drive the wagon. hoping to be able to do this in the next couple weeks!
Stay tuned will post pics along the way.
Mainly want to get the mpfi hooked up and get wagon back to running solid.
When is your harness suppose to get there I def could use some help on which connectors I need and anything else I am not aware of at the moment!
No problem on that!
Let me know what you don't have I'm headed to the yard tomorrow to see what I can find.
I to am planning to run obd1 injectors since I already have them.
I assuming You are planning to chip the OBD0 ecu?
Run 1 wire vtec off the ecu and a/c relay?
Where you getting the chip from?
Just to make sure I understand what your making is the connector for the ecu with xtra wires and switched around to accommodate the mpfi?
I still need to find the other connectors for the dizzy, and fuel injectors.
Yeah trying to get it running properly knew it needed some love when I got it.
Guess it was ready to let me know it was time.
Not quit ready for the full mini me swap but it's an option.
I'm going to pop off the valve cover this weekend and see what the timing belt looks like.
If its ok then plan to just replace the gaskets and get it to stop leaking for now and add the mpfi and run it like that for a while. Then collect the few xtra parts I need to do the head swap and then when ready do that upgrade. Unless it needs a timing belt now then I'll probably do it all at once makes more sense like you said. Just don't have the fund right now for the xtra components.
Chipped ecu
Adjustable cam
Timing belt
Z6 or y8 head gasket
Possibly water pump
Parts to rebuild the z6 head
Pretty sure that should be what I need...
GSR Rims (Referred to as Snowflake or Starfish)
Need to get some tires for these they came with studds 3 of which were in good shape 1 is bad
Throttle cable from an AWD Wagon & obd1 injector clips
Subaru Roof Rack that I will need to narrow to make fit (sitting on roof as mock up)
Complete z6 manifold which I cleaned out today with an entire can of brake cleaner and throttle body cleaner.
Before cleaning.
Looks like it wasn;t that bad though only a little bit of moisture on the spark plug holes and as you could see the valve cover.
The actual valves and head didn't have any.
So definitely confirmed need to take head off and do the head and other gaskets!!
Got this in the mail today!
Si dizzy
Not much else I need to get the mpfi swap going.
Some spare time would be nice!
No rush appreciate it.
I am not going to get the the complete mini me swap for a while so whenever you can get to it will be great!
just want to get the head gasket fixed and do the mpfi for now and run it like that so I can collect some more parts for the mini me.