fabmaster

I bought an '89 hatch last year and have been modifying the interior and stereo but since my tranny has blown I've decided to take the engine bay to a new level. I've been doing a lot of research and pick up on things very quickly but this is still new territory for me. I'm new to engine work but not to custom fabricating of all kinds. Any input during this project is welcome and wanted.

Day one:

Started with this cluttered bay and finished a little cleaner and hopefully labeled well enough.




Day two:

Engine out, tranny off, on the stand, and found the reason the tranny died.






Day three:

I got ALL the wiring out of the engine bay, removed the charcoal filter, fuse box, headlights, and other odds and ends

It went from this......


...to this


I also removed all the HVAC equiptment from inside to make room for tucking and all the wire is now inside. Looks crazy but I will only be using about half of the wiring and everything I need is labeled well.


Day four:

Removed the cables and brake lines and started shaving the fender and removed the mounts from the firewall. I will be tucking the pressure assist also but haven't taken it out yet.




Started welding the holes in the framerail and fender



That's all so far but there is plenty of work left. Once again, any input is welcome.

Crazy_SI_T

looks good so far. keep it up. keep us posted

24TEN

iTrader: (2)

Is that a late version 97-98 240SX headlight conversion on there?

fabmaster

Yes, I think. I know it's a 240 conversion but not sure of the year. It was done when I got the car and done quite poorly so I will have to do some fixing while I'm at it. I love the look of it but just need to clean some things up.

24TEN

iTrader: (2)

There used to be one around my area (San Diego) way way WAAAAY back in the day with that same hood and same front bumper with those lights too (maybe it's the same one?) and I used to think that was soooooo sick back then. Still looks pretty cool to me.

fabmaster

The front bumper was in about 5 pieces when I bought the car an after rebuilding it and then fixing it 3 more times, I see why. The roads around here are too high...LOL

wolfsbain

looks good so far, cant wait to see it as your work progesses

ef_cowboy

that looks bad ***.what is required to do that

fabmaster

The tuck or the front end swap?

Clipsed

iTrader: (2)

Where are you located if you don't mind me asking?

fabmaster

South Haven, Michigan. It's a small town by Lake Michigan on the SW side of the state.

ken9

Look good and that crack look "bad." I like the blue tape style... I use green tape..

B16-CRX

Lookin good. Keep us updated

jxh_28

nice, my sis lives in st joseph mi. i should stop by n chill wit ya.
do u drive without heater core n blower motor?

91 FL Hatchie

yeah i love that front end how and what do u need

EF9panda

probably be using your blue tape technique. good idea.

b18a1da

keep this up man great work and moving fast im doing my 91 integra as well

jordy75

dang dude that front end is boss!

Clipsed

iTrader: (2)

man I was gonna ask if I could take that trans off your hands if you were somewhere in socal.

fabmaster

I started welding in the filler plates on the firewall. I'm having trouble not blowing holes in the stock metal and it's pissing me off. A screw hole ends up a 1 inch weld. Can't get this flux-core mig toned down. I might have to do the gas conversion.



I'm also starting to polish my valve cover. Lots of work left on it. I'm planning on polishing my intake, block, and tranny as well.

k20rex

i would try turning the welder down as low as it will go, also just do tacks so it will not get to hot in one stop, look nice so far, its alot of work if you plan on polishing everything

nsxter

engine tuck so you going to have a rolling shell at shows lol hahaha

fabmaster

Hahaha! That is my thoughts exactly. I'm tucking wires and hoses, not the engine. I have just heard it called that and went with it.

nsxter

you mean wire tuck

fabmaster

I traded my plastic valve cover to a guy for his billet one. He wanted the lighter weight and I wanted the show. It was pretty rough to start wth and had lots of deep scratches. After 2.5 hours of resurfacing and buffing, it's almost done. A couple more rounds of rubbing compound and the light swirls should be gone.