Well, I thought I would kick off the build thread for my wife Rach's EB. This one is not going to be as major as my ED wagon but should give her a better car than she currently has. I actually hate driving it as it stands after driving mine and she is none too happy either.

For now her car is a 92 EB II S Pak with Ghia Seats. We guess it has done around 500,000K and is very very tired. The body is showing a little rust in places but nothing too bad... I think. Currently I have a 93 EBII engine & trans in it but that is showing signs of a bad idea.

I'll get some pics of how it currently stands later in the week. But for now I will tell about what I have planned for it.

First up will be an engine trans replacement. I have the EF/Log manifold'd engine from my ED sitting there with an ED trans on the back ex-Troyman. This combo will be going in as-is until I can source a BBM manifold for it. Also out of my ED wagon is the K frame which will go into this car as all the ball joints are shagged. Also up front will be thermo fans and maybe (at a much later date) a serpentine belt conversion.

After that, the dash will come out and be replaced with an EL XR6 dash and centre console. Into that will go a NL cluster I just bought and the obligatory climate control and trip computer. I will also fit the standard EL ECU I have spare from my EL parts car. Of course, alot of wiring changes are in order for this part of the project and I have an ED Fairmont loom coming my way this week. I will also install the EL GLi door trims to compliment that dash until I can source some Fairmont door cards and power window motors with associated bits. In the roof will be a NL Fairlane dome light that I have had for a while after I paint it grey - it is a cappa one at the moment (anyone who wants to swap a cappa one for a grey one, please do give me a yell )

I would like to install EF/EL carpet and sound proofing if I can some cmes along at a good price- hint hint!

There will be more as funds allow, such as lowered springs etc.

Oh, and if anyone has a STANDARD exhaust system from cat back I would like to know. Currently her system has 2 hotdog mufflers in it and she hates how loud it is. I *think* it is actually bigger then standard but those hotdogs have to go....

So there we have, a precursor to yet another build at RD's place.....

Oh, and I forgot to say she keeps saying she wants a smaller car. I am hoping a rebuilt EB will take her mind off some stupid little 4 cylinder, especially after she sees how good an E series I6 can be
Cheers
RD

Last edited by racedirector on Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:51 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Looking forward to seeing this one unfold mate.
Spewing about the exhaust. I ditched a perfect order standard one only a couple of weeks ago.
If the hotdogs happen to be 2 and a quarter inch Ill put my hand up when you replace the system.
We shall discuss some options tomorrow. I think I might have a few bits and bobs that you may be after............................

Mate, this is going to be sweet. I liked reading your progress on your wagon, so I look forward to reading the progress on this one.

Josh

Thanks guys

Should be interesting and hopefully Rach will be happy with the result. She did comment tonight "I don't want you doing the major rebuild you did on yours"... well I don't have a whole spare car to strip so that won't be happening

EVL098 - bummer about the zorst dude, should have yelled out sooner! Will check out the dogs, I know only 1 is any good and the other has a small hole which I bandaged at the last rego in October. I am not totally sure of the size of the system on the car, when I had it off it looked to be modified (reduced ?) at the cat end so I suspect it may be larger than stock.....

XR (Joshie dude) - thanks for the vote of confidence This one will be alot like BenJ's red EB as there will be a bit of cut-and-shutting on the wiring side like his build. No luxury of entire car wide wiring looms to rely on!

Cheers
RD

It should be good mate, and im sure Ben will help out with some of the wiring If you get stuck.

Josh

Funnily enough I still have the EBs EL dash and modified wiring sitting in the back room, if that is of any use to you. My wife is not interested in me doing the conversion to her ED, so I could be convinced to part with it, the console, carpet and other bits and pieces.

BenJ

Well, well Ben me ole mate, you are just full of surprises these days aren't you

I have committed to buy the EL XR6 dash and the seller has been excellent in my dealings with him so can't back out of that now. But that doesn't stop me being interested (read very!) in what you have, I could always do with a spare EL dash for one reason or another Let chat sometime about this little package...

Ok, plans are set...

This weekend I will do the engine/trans and K frame swap. I need to do a bit of cleanup on the engine so will take off the accessories & manifolds and paint them along with the rocker cover. Once that is in and running to my satisfaction (and Rach's!!!) I will do the interior mods.

I have a few things to still collect for the interior side but have:

EL Dash with EB Fairmont wiring already setup - this is ex BenJ's red EB
EL Console complete - need power window switches.
Carpet
ED Climate Control heater box
4x Power window motors
NL Fairlane dome light - need to paint this one grey, bought a cappa one by mistake!
All interior plastics
EL Futura front door cards (power window version)
NL Fairlane cluster
Full set EB Fairmont Ghia seats - requires cleaning but in good nick
Standard run-of-the-mill headlining - currently has a blue one in it from the old 93 EB I had. * [FILLED]
EF/EL Handbrake * [FILLED]
Standard exhaust system * [FILLED]

Still NEED (includes that from above)
EF/EL Trip computer
EF/EL Climate Control head unit (I have an EF/EL vacuum control unit to replace the ED version on the heater box)
EB/ED Green High Series BEM
EF/EL 4 window Power Window Panel
Fairlane door ajar sensors
Ambient Temp sensor from the grill area
EF/EL Interior door handles, plain is fine.....

On the exterior I have a couple of things already...
ED Fairmont chrome grill - need to paint this white
ED Fairmont boot garnish - need to remove the "ABS" bit but in nice nick.

And will be in need of the following to complete the package
EF/EL side mirrors
EL Door handles
Replacement windscreen

And finally, underneath I will need...
King Springs Low front springs
King Springs Superlow rear springs
EL standard diff (not LSD), disc to disc


Once all the dirty bits are done the body will need some TLC in the form of rust fixes (not too much) and a damn good paint rejuvenation. The paint has been sadly neglected and I am hoping to recover it to a point where we will not need a full respray.

So sit back, tighten your seatbelts and stow your seat tray.... the mods are about to begin

Cheers
RD

Last edited by racedirector on Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:25 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Good stuff, Bring it on RD!

Thats a big list to get through, Ill be watching for your updates.

Josh

Thanks Josh

Yup, its a big list - just enough to keep Rach happy. This arvo she was telling me that I have my car and only usually drive 10k's max a day whereas she travels 30 or 40 in hers, not fair. Her words were "once you have finished I will stop complaining...." - all tongue-in-cheek of course

Cheers
RD

Bloody hell, I can't believe I forgot something in the interior department!

Added to my Needs list:
EF/EL interior door handles! bit hard to open the doors without them

Cheers
RD

Wonder if the BEM out of my ED will be the one your after RD?

Hmmmm, could be.... Then again, we'll find out soon enough when I pull the dash out

Actually, I might as well throw this out there too. Not quite ready for it but hey, it is on the wanted list.... (post above updated )

Wanted:
EL standard diff (not LSD), disc to disc
and maybe an EL K-frame complete....

Cheers
RD

OK, I want to paint Rach's rocker cover. It is a standard late ED cover with the front dimple. What preparation do I need to do to get the paint to stick long term?

The other option is to buy one somebody has already painted but then again, I need to experience these things to gain the knowledge....

Any tips welcome

Cheers
RD