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My $650 budget s130 build


OldAndyAndTheSea

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Thanks, yeah, this one is pretty rusty. Luckily I've got nothing better to do in my spare time during the winter. I'm excited to daily drive the car in the spring. It should scratch my itch to drive a Z, as it's been a couple years since I've had one going on the road now.

 

Thanks again for the encouragement. I appreciate it.

 

 

 

 

Today I went out to buy...

"Seam sealer"  :lol:

3.50 a tube. I bought two. Have used one. $7.00

IMG_20140316_200531912_zpswz4whg0o.jpg
 

Here's some pictures of today's patch o rama. Using up every last bit of scrap I can manage. It's kinda funny.

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IMG_20140316_132653135_zpshwuappif.jpg

IMG_20140316_183955135_zpsj5cx3a3o.jpg


Then after a little seam sealer was applied and allowed to do it's thing. I got to put together the passenger interior, sans door jam trim pieces.

It's a nice change from the last couple days.

IMG_20140316_205344810_zpslgwltioa.jpg

IMG_20140316_210422936_zpsifsfpee6.jpg

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Tomorrow, I start the driver's side. That'll begin the final stretch! exciting!

Days worked on project to date: 19

Total money spent on project to date: $800 (+$7)

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Haha, thanks, that's the point of this build. Spend NO money, while using up the sheetmetal scraps, and spare parts I have laying around the garage collecting dust.

 

The only downside to this build is that if people see this project BEFORE they see my 240z project. I don't want people to think this is how I SERIOUSLY work on a project car, haha.

 

 

I'm about to head back out and work some more. Updates will surely follow.

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Didn't get to work out in the garage very long tonight. Put an hour in or so.

 

Laying in the chopped strand mat, confirming size.

 

IMG_20140320_220341441_zpstmgkzqgt.jpg

 

 

And some polyester resin later...Somewhere mid laminating. Tons of air. Again, we're talkin' quality here :P

 

IMG_20140320_224707950_zpsqv6n9l9x.jpg

 

Tomorrow I paint the floor and continue with the last few remaining spots left to patch up.

 

I feel the hard stuff is now behind me.

 

 

 

Days worked on project to date: 23

 

Total money spend on project to date: $800

Edited by OldAndyAndTheSea
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May I ask, why the fiberglass? I thought fiber was a cheap way to make the floors hold shape when they are rusted through, and you put in so much effort repairing them.

 

 

A couple reasons.

 

First being, I had the resin, and polyester resin is ALWAYS in a state of curing, so I needed to use it.

 

Second being an attempt to seal out the moisture from the top down. Seam sealer on the underside will do the same for the reciprocal.

 

Plus I figured it couldn't hurt.

 

It's defintiely not for strength. That's in the repair. This is mainly to keep the water from my shoes off the metal below.

 

 

So far today..

 

Got home from work. Went out, prepped, and painted the floor. Bottom is sealed.

 

 

IMG_20140321_181702580_zpsklewbfcg.jpg

 

IMG_20140321_181718234_zpsuhxk6u3w.jpg

 

 

Grabbing a bite to eat, then heading back out.

 

It's the weekend. It's car time!

Edited by OldAndyAndTheSea
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Tonight I worked on the driver's carpet a little bit.

I fixed most of the holes, obviously the color doesn't match, but it's at least nice so you can see what areas needed to be repaired. I'll decide whether or not I paint the carpet afterwards.

The process:

-Back patch the areas with fabric tape (Gorilla tape, and even duct tape work well enough)
-Using a razor blade, shave matching colored carpet from a healthy area of the car.
-Dab of super glue into the repair area. Shortly followed with application of the razor blade carpet shavings. Applied by tapping.

It's fun.

Here are the pictures.  

Before:

IMG_20140321_212356220_zps2ewr2lv5.jpg

IMG_20140321_213114432_zpsdgfjvblq.jpg

IMG_20140321_213704921_zpsssnbvc3w.jpg

IMG_20140321_213452736_zpszkcvgpna.jpg



IMG_20140321_214908453_zps3erzabph.jpg

IMG_20140321_214916609_zpsoraaovq8.jpg

IMG_20140321_221410787_zps0j13gvko.jpg




As you can see, if the carpet you're patching isn't all stained and junk, you can make some pretty gnarly tears virtually disappear.

We'll see if I can get it to clean up. Either way. No holes trumps holes any day of the week. Progress!




Days worked on project to date: 24

Total money spent on project to date: $800

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Thanks! Good luck with your floors. I'm REALLY glad mine are behind me now.

 

 

Patch-Fest 2014 has officially come to an end!

 

The car is as closed up, and strong, as I care to make it.

Here's what I got done today:

-Finished welding, painted, and seam sealed the driver's wheel well.

-Some more random body work

-Driver's interior mocked back in place (mainly so I could just sit in it, play with my new floors a bit, haha)

-Fender placed back on the car. Some teaser shots for myself. And the car now. Same angle as always.

IMG_20140322_125509590_zpsdkbab0aw.jpg

 

IMG_20140322_165010249_zpsvj2wmoe7.jpg

IMG_20140322_185819978_zpspyeq6hfp.jpg

IMG_20140322_214120343_HDR_zpsxqkkdzvf.j

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IMG_20140322_221752065_zpss885mmf8.jpg

IMG_20140322_221918063_zpsqukislu3.jpg


Tomorrow, after some errands, I will begin cutting the exhaust, and once again start working the body....... FINALLY!

Days worked on project to date: 25

Total money spent on project to date: $800

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Exhaust!!!!

Okay so here's the layout.

Downpipe ---> 2.5"-3" adapter ---> 3" pipe --> Dynomax straight through muffler


The geometry of the bends is actually pretty complex. So that's where I started. The pipe not only bends, but also twists as it has to be routed over top of the rear end, and subsequent cross members. Hopefully the pictures do better explaining.

I will also have to make this a 2 or a 3 piece exhaust due to those bends. So I'll have to either make, or source out some 3"-3" ID couplers.



I'll say this though......It's really nice doing some clean fabrication work. Such a relaxing change from rusty garbage repair. I'm having a ton of fun building this.

Here's what I've accomplished so far.


IMG_20140323_171702450_zpsf0gj6w1j.jpg

IMG_20140323_175817079_zpseke8c3bk.jpg

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IMG_20140323_184947186_HDR_zpsnrlpgmrd.j

IMG_20140323_184939049_HDR_zpsvo7a2h2u.j


First section.

IMG_20140323_185012889_zpsv0xzxkwq.jpg

Coupler will go here.

IMG_20140323_185006826_zpstkvco9at.jpg

All bendy twisty over rear end suspension stuff.

IMG_20140323_184959879_zpsqcuxobom.jpg



I'm all fueled up with some potato leek soup.

It's time for round two. More tonight...
 

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I have pretty much finished the first half of the exhaust. Tomorrow I start the second half.

Luckily I am able to make the exhaust a 2 piece, instead of my original 3 piece thinking. So instead of a coupler, where I mentioned before, I was able to butt them together instead. Much easier to manage now.

I'm happy with the fitment at this point. The welds are a little scraggly, but they aren't bad. Overall, pretty satisfied. A fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, I certainly enjoyed myself.

Hopefully the pictures show that.

IMG_20140323_204815293_zpsvrfkoir9.jpg

IMG_20140323_204831305_zpsp92t6ara.jpg

IMG_20140323_204836534_zpszqfybpv8.jpg

IMG_20140323_205914128_HDR_zpsxiegotxb.j

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IMG_20140323_213700560_zpsvirhx0hk.jpg

IMG_20140323_213721759_HDR_zpsxq2eurxy.j




Finally you can start to see how I am routing the piping in the car. And the required bends needed to do so.

Welcome to the underside of the car. My Hell.

IMG_20140323_214101497_zpstfki2btd.jpg

IMG_20140323_214037997_zpsavyy4dy1.jpg

IMG_20140323_214203632_HDR_zpsni6irfrb.j

I have a couple bends left. Then it's exhaust hanger time. I'll hopefully be 90% done by the end of the day tomorrow.

After work, of course. Until then...


Days worked on project to date: 26

Total money spent on project to date: $800

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I spent more money on the car today..Fifteen all mighty dollars.

Bought a 2.5" exhaust clamp, for where the adapter meets the existing downpipe midpipe, and one 3"-3" ID coupler to accommodate removal.

Here are the assorted pictures of the rear section fabrication, fitment, and random geometry angles.

IMG_20140324_230302143_zpsjkoxhmel.jpg

IMG_20140324_230321149_zps5b1nmabb.jpg

IMG_20140324_230415969_zpshtss9gmu.jpg

IMG_20140325_243752044_zpstzbhugx0.jpg


























































And oh yeah. How could I forget ;)

Enjoy the sounds of my 145 dollar 3" exhaust system. Taken during warm up. Car is around 1500 rpms at the start of the video for reference.




(Don't mind the slight stumbles etc, the car hasn't been started in 4 months, and it's 20 degrees outside. It needs to be driven.)

Go back to page one for the link to the exhaust note when I first bought the car. Compare and decide if this is an improvement.

Well, despite working until 1am, tonight was a GOOD night. I go to bed smelling of exhaust fumes.

I welcome the aroma.


Total days worked on project to date: 27

Total money spent on project to date: $815 +15 Edited by OldAndyAndTheSea
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Thanks! I'm loving this build more and more each day. Especially now since I'm done cutting out rust. Haha,

 

I couldn't be more excited.

 

 

 

I didn't work tonight, but I did sit in the car; just playing around shifting through gears making racecar sounds. Same thing I used to do when I was 8 in my first rotted out z.

That said, I am buying paint tomorrow. I'll call my paint guy up in the morning and see if he can mix me up 2 quarts of L225 basecoat.

Then, the final bodywork stage starts tomorrow evening. Making it straight-ish should take a couple decent days of work. Despite being rusty, luckily the metal was pretty straight, so at least I have that going for me. :)



How I am going to paint the car.

-Fenders, hood, doors and hatch will be sprayed off the car, most likely 2 pieces at a time a day, at work, after hours.

-I'll then spray the jams, and unibody in my garage.

-This process will most likely take the better part of a week. Once desired body work is achieved. Add in the variable of temperature in my garage for the unibody spray, and it may prove to be a challenge.


Tomorrow I start to make it straight and make it smooth. And with any luck I'll have some paint to swirl around and take pictures of.

Stay tuned.

Edited by OldAndyAndTheSea
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Boy is it frigid out there tonight. It'll be sub-zero before the night is through...

Tomorrow though, the temperature is supposed to hit the low to mid 40's. And I have the day off.

I'll be picking up my paint. Jupiter Gray made the paint computer freak out, so we tried Anthracite (L469) instead, and it worked.  

Then upon my return, I will be body workin' all remaining day into the evening.

Tonight, I did a little prep, so it's just a couple less things I have to do tomorrow.

IMG_20140326_204518871_zpsf2jryobw.jpg


Like welding the side molding trim holes, and the fender emblem holes.


IMG_20140326_210403001_zpsoxdb9pml.jpg

IMG_20140326_213110749_zpsuqqzjx50.jpg


And I began going through my accumulated paint from various jobs over the years.


IMG_20140326_213326327_zpsoqvejr9t.jpg


I've discovered that I have a little over 2 quarts of clear, and the appropriate hardener. Which I am ecstatic about, because this means the cost of painting the whole car will be the cost of those two quarts of paint I buy tomorrow (Around 65 dollars) haha.

-Cheapest paint job I've ever done.

Gotta love multiple quarter-half full clearcoat cans!


Days worked on project to date: 28
Total money spend on project to date: $815

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Thanks, I'm pleased, it's really nice for what it is.

 

And yeah, the downpipe, and midpipe are the OEM versions.

 

I didn't want to take the engine apart, so I chopped the old midpipe at a straight section, and I tossed an extra 2.5"-3" ID adapter to run the 3"

 

Luckily, at least from what I can tell, there were no, to minimal, exhaust leaks upstream of the new piping. If that changes, I have an extra manifold gasket.

 

Here's one of the pictures when I was first working on the car, pre patch fest.

 

I cut it right where you see the break in the pipe.

 

IMG_20140126_133302568_zpsp7gcnv2k.jpg

 

 

 

IMG_20140311_223333218_zpsiyqf0lvy.jpg

Edited by OldAndyAndTheSea
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