Well, here she is... my NEW project. A 1984 Mercury Capri with a 5.0 and a five speed. This is how she looked when I picked her up. I only bought it because I got a good deal on it. So now I must turn a good deal into a big financial burden, it's the only way I work. I have a plan and will be executing it over the next few months. I will keep this page updated as I progress. So follow along from the beggining as I treat this car to my first BUDGET-BASED overhual!
Because this is a budget based build, I will post what I buy and the cost so others may know what is needed and the approximate cost.
My plan, like most good plans, is SIMPLE. The car has many good parts, some bad, and everything in between. One of the bad parts is an important one...the engine. Its a carbed 5.0. The rings are shot and needs rebuilt. I even had trouble backing it into its spot because I could not see behind the car from all of the smoke.
The engine may be bad, but I have a cost effective remedy.
Its a 5.0 HO out of an '88 Mustang. These motors are a stout little buggers for a mild build-up. And THEY'RE CHEAP!! I picked this one up off of E-Bay for $280 and picked it up myself (shipping costs money). Note, this thing is complete, with distro, intake, exhuast manifolds, all sensors and injectors, even spark plug wires. Buying the complete engine save a little money and headache because you don't need to spend a bunch on finding the little things that weren't included. And if something needs replaced, you can get the core charge refunded for certain things.
I saved a little money by not getting a MAF engine. The MAF engines are better and make more power, but its not worth it to me. Plus, I don't need it because in the future I may put a Megasquirt system in it (when engine mods prove to be too much for the stock Speed Density computer) and M.S. does not use the MAF sensor. While I was picking up the motor, I bought the wiring harness and computer from the same car, which I highly suggest. This ensures that the harness will fit the engine with none of usual nit-picky problems.

To make this EFI motor work in a carb car, some things need to be changed and parts need to be gathered. When its done, I want this engine bay to look as if this motor was born there. I'll use as many factory harnesses, connectors and components as possible, splicing only what I must. I have done the research on what I need and have started gathering them. Hopefully in the next month, it will be in and running.

28 Mar 2005

Well, I bought some wheels today on e-bay. I really like the "pony" style wheel and think it will look good on the Capri. I had been watching these on e-bay and locally for a while now and see them go for over $300, and that's before shipping. That didn't impress me too much and almost gave up on them. Then, I saw these puppies for $200 minus center caps (I now realize how expensive those caps are too). I jumped on 'em. Of course I was lucky and the wheels are only a few hours from home, so again, I'm saving a load on shipping.
After doing some research on different tires and keeping my eye on e-bay tires, I have decided to buy new tires from the Tire Rack. Kuhmo ECSTA 711s get a good rating overall and are priced very affordably. So, I'm sold. I tried to find similar tires cheaper on ebay, but no luck. Tire Rack prices are just unbeatable...the Walmart of tire outlets.

I have been keeping my eye out for a Mustang hatch to put on the Capri. I do not like the bubble-butt look right now. Well, E-bay to the rescue again. I picked up this '83 hatch for $24 and am having a freind bring it to me, so...you guessed it...NO SHIPPING!!! (although I may buy him lunch for the favor). This hatch is not perfect, it does have some rust underneath, but it will be a cheap temporary vaccine the the bubble-butt syndrome.

1 APR 2005
Picked up my muffler for the car today...its a Flowmaster Deltaflow Race Muffler for cars with ground clearance issues. I don't have clearance issues but I like the muffer and got a killer deal. They retail on the flowmaster website for around $380. I got mine for $109 w/ shipping!! I'll install it close after the x-pipe I plan on making and then I may just have side-outlets. I dunno yet, haven't decided. I only want it to be loud enough to get pulled over but not ticketed....I wonder if I can straddle that line?

Well, once I track down some last items for fuel system upgrade, this thing will be up and running. Things are progressing quickly and hopefully I'll have a running car in May!!

1 May 2005

I have made a purchase recently that I am really excited about, but I can't say what it is. Some locals know about this page and I can't give away my advantage on the street.......sorry folks!

COST SO FAR
------------------------------
'84 Merc Capri -------------------$450
'88 5.0 engine--------------------$280
wiring harnesses,
vaccum lines and solenoids,
throttle cable, ign coil----------$200
(4)wheels-------------------------$200
gas to pick up parts so far-------$45
Mustang hatch---------------------$24
Flowmaster------------------------$109
**something good!!**--------------$ ??

THINGS TO COME
---------------------------------
tires----------------------------$265
fuel system upgrade budget-------$100
new starter and solenoid---------$50
O2 sensors-----------------------$100
brake job-----------------------(need to assess current condition)