MK2 fiesta fast road car.
Discussion
I mentioned the exhaust a while back, but I've been too shy about my s
t welds 
I have this lovely manifold, as it's listed as conversion one. Turns out you don't actually need a conversion one for my swap.
The coupling I've circled, had leaked from day one. It sits in the channel in the sump, because there isn't a flexy on the MK2. It has become the point of articulation for any engine or exhaust movement. No matter how thight the slip joint is it warps and starts to leak.
The exhaust I have is also abit loose on fitment and need massaging when fitted.
I decided to cut back the manifold and weld in a much nicer collector and further forward so I could fit a Flexi as close to the engine as possible. And then put in a proper v-band so that it actually airtight.
Don't laugh at my weld too much, they are sold and airtight.
I guess you just get used to it but it sounds so much better that before. As the slight blow always made it sound tinny. It also means I don't gas my self if it running while I'm working on it.
Also moved the O2 sensor to a better position, I mis read the disructions originally.
it used to work though.
Sorry I'm st at remembering pictures for you guys. So here's some old ones I found.
It's still practical, Ish. My two favourite things the fiesta and kitesurfing.
These were taken at the bottom of the road from my house. when I got her running on the 1.8 for the first time. Think it was idling on 3 still at the time it I had to drive it.
Doggo helping me with the gaskets bon the original 1.8
Found this in the original 1.0 fuel line, did people really believe ?
My wife would discribe me as walking chaos, I beg to differ! Either stem seals or head gasket on the 1.8.
The 1.0 coming out.
t welds I have this lovely manifold, as it's listed as conversion one. Turns out you don't actually need a conversion one for my swap.
The coupling I've circled, had leaked from day one. It sits in the channel in the sump, because there isn't a flexy on the MK2. It has become the point of articulation for any engine or exhaust movement. No matter how thight the slip joint is it warps and starts to leak.
The exhaust I have is also abit loose on fitment and need massaging when fitted.
I decided to cut back the manifold and weld in a much nicer collector and further forward so I could fit a Flexi as close to the engine as possible. And then put in a proper v-band so that it actually airtight.
Don't laugh at my weld too much, they are sold and airtight.
I guess you just get used to it but it sounds so much better that before. As the slight blow always made it sound tinny. It also means I don't gas my self if it running while I'm working on it.
Also moved the O2 sensor to a better position, I mis read the disructions originally.
it used to work though. Sorry I'm s
t at remembering pictures for you guys. So here's some old ones I found. It's still practical, Ish. My two favourite things the fiesta and kitesurfing.
These were taken at the bottom of the road from my house. when I got her running on the 1.8 for the first time. Think it was idling on 3 still at the time it I had to drive it.
Doggo helping me with the gaskets bon the original 1.8
Found this in the original 1.0 fuel line, did people really believe ?
My wife would discribe me as walking chaos, I beg to differ! Either stem seals or head gasket on the 1.8.
The 1.0 coming out.
I don't even know how to describe how good the car is now. I've only been out for a half hour 'italian tune up' but God it's good, I'll try and get a few more miles and photos over the weekend.
She hooks so hard now, and the short shifter is so direct. Genuinely feels like a bolt action rifle. I've always been a believer in a compliant chassis, especially for a road car being able to move the weight around if really enjoyable, and helps with grip especially on a bumpy b road. I was starting to question it with the fiesta. Although you could rotate the car nicely with trailing throttle. It would quickly became understeer with som power on the exit. Don't get me wrong it was still very very good . But always felt like there was a bit more available. I'd been looking at updated roll bars. However with the diff. She just tightens the line in thottle.
This beauti arrived too! I new the steering column was a jaunty angle in the MK2. But it is a fair bit out. The XR2 wheel is all kinds of weird to make it staight at center. The new angle will take some getting used to but at least it doesn't move around.
Here the B&M quick shift kit, these were aren't made anymore, and don't come up forsale. This is the first I've seen so snapped it up. It's excellent. Makes the already improved puma linkage I was using feel like a wood spoon. I think it probably half the throw of the puma, which was half the throw of the factory one.
Just waiting on the tubular trailing arms and my digital dash.
Cars an absolute weapon, very happy with were shes at.
She hooks so hard now, and the short shifter is so direct. Genuinely feels like a bolt action rifle. I've always been a believer in a compliant chassis, especially for a road car being able to move the weight around if really enjoyable, and helps with grip especially on a bumpy b road. I was starting to question it with the fiesta. Although you could rotate the car nicely with trailing throttle. It would quickly became understeer with som power on the exit. Don't get me wrong it was still very very good . But always felt like there was a bit more available. I'd been looking at updated roll bars. However with the diff. She just tightens the line in thottle.
This beauti arrived too! I new the steering column was a jaunty angle in the MK2. But it is a fair bit out. The XR2 wheel is all kinds of weird to make it staight at center. The new angle will take some getting used to but at least it doesn't move around.
Here the B&M quick shift kit, these were aren't made anymore, and don't come up forsale. This is the first I've seen so snapped it up. It's excellent. Makes the already improved puma linkage I was using feel like a wood spoon. I think it probably half the throw of the puma, which was half the throw of the factory one.
Just waiting on the tubular trailing arms and my digital dash.
Cars an absolute weapon, very happy with were shes at.
mwstewart said:
i need to hire there sales guy, 600 units to the north Yorkshire fire service. snake oil at its finest.
Some little jobs done.
The rear end has always been a bit floaty in fast corners, hopefully these will help. There much stiffer in the car,than the pressed ones.
So the new shifter is great, but it is alittle stiff. I noticed the UJ on the end of the shift rod was locked solid. But as I'd already sold the ford puma linkage in the car I fitted it anyway, just love doing things twice.
So last night I pulled it apart to find out why. As you can see it has tiny ball races in it, which if I'm honest is a piss poor design.
As you'ed expect for a tiny ballrace in an application with very little movement, fairly high load with. alot of shocks it's shattered the inner race. I'm pretty confident this is, somebody else's idea. As the studs are fully threaded. And over length. Also theres no support for the bearings and lots of play on the studs.
I had some handy bronze billet in stock, my first choice would have been acetal. But if I have it way by more.
So I've machined a bronze bush for each side of the UJ. That bolts up thight. And allows the shaft to run on the bronze. There is very little movement. Required, however it does need to be free. Plastic washers are just to take up anyend float.
Works a treat, the changes is now much smoother. But still nige an positive.
The rear end has always been a bit floaty in fast corners, hopefully these will help. There much stiffer in the car,than the pressed ones.
So the new shifter is great, but it is alittle stiff. I noticed the UJ on the end of the shift rod was locked solid. But as I'd already sold the ford puma linkage in the car I fitted it anyway, just love doing things twice.
So last night I pulled it apart to find out why. As you can see it has tiny ball races in it, which if I'm honest is a piss poor design.
As you'ed expect for a tiny ballrace in an application with very little movement, fairly high load with. alot of shocks it's shattered the inner race. I'm pretty confident this is, somebody else's idea. As the studs are fully threaded. And over length. Also theres no support for the bearings and lots of play on the studs.
I had some handy bronze billet in stock, my first choice would have been acetal. But if I have it way by more.
So I've machined a bronze bush for each side of the UJ. That bolts up thight. And allows the shaft to run on the bronze. There is very little movement. Required, however it does need to be free. Plastic washers are just to take up anyend float.
Works a treat, the changes is now much smoother. But still nige an positive.
You guys have probably noticed a theme in my pictures, working on the car it how I unwind after the stress of running my own business though what might be the most difficult situation. This are starting to look up though. Although SWMBO is adamant I need to lay off the sauce.
This gives you an ide of how pissed the steering column is, the prototipo is at a far old angle. I'm kinda used to it now though. And it's is much nicer that one that moves around, very strange how much that effects the feel without you realising what's happening.
My business partner brought a new Abarth 595 last year, he's been moaning that it uncomfortable on a run
and wanting to chan5 it for something else. he's been in Italy the last few days looking at a big project. So I decided to pick him up from Heathrow in the fiesta, help him keep the 595 a little longer 
it's actually a wicked little car. It's quite similar to the fiesta in many ways. It is abit gay though, and he gets absolutely torn to shreds in the pub when he pulls in with all the fake exhaust noises I'll try and get picture. 
I've got so much s
t, I've only just moved in 
Going to try and hit the local cars and coffe on Sunday if I get time.
Have a good weekend
Edited by TheConverted on Friday 14th May 20:29
Sunday was way to miserable to go out. So ticked of some DIY. Then locked myself in the garage, and ripped the dash apart.
Plan is to fit a little digital dash and move the oil pressure and afr into the binnical. One so I can actually see them when it counts. Rather and being behind the dogs head or my wifes knees. And to allow me to have a tacho and speed that's accurate, rather than plus 10-20mph.
I'm going to order another AEM oil pressure gauge on payday, as there kit is decent and then at least those two will match.
Little dash is actually for a motorbike. It's got quite a few features , most of which I'll never use. However it does have a 0-60 and a 60-0 timer ! Which should be reasonably accurate. As I've dialed the speed in to read 1-2 mph over.
Plan is to fit a little digital dash and move the oil pressure and afr into the binnical. One so I can actually see them when it counts. Rather and being behind the dogs head or my wifes knees. And to allow me to have a tacho and speed that's accurate, rather than plus 10-20mph.
I'm going to order another AEM oil pressure gauge on payday, as there kit is decent and then at least those two will match.
Little dash is actually for a motorbike. It's got quite a few features , most of which I'll never use. However it does have a 0-60 and a 60-0 timer ! Which should be reasonably accurate. As I've dialed the speed in to read 1-2 mph over.
little update.
sorry I've been a bit quite the last few months, been really busy with work and not a huge amount of work has needed doing on the car.
I have one of the injection tanks you guys found sat in the garage, a new rotary fuel pump that attaches to the tank. as i've noticed i can run out of pump on a sustained full throttle especially uphill. so i'm just waiting on a few more bits to arrive and some freetime .
Im at a bit of a crossroads with the car, as it does need a tidy up and there's some pretty interesting looking filler in places and a few blisters. which is going to be quite expensive to sort out. i have found a company that makes fiberglass panels with frames in and hinge points rather than aero catches.
so the following bit id like to do to finish the car off.
fibreglass bonnet and boot, possibly doors
Body repairs and paint
repair the seat
longer final drive
ported head and manifold
ITB's and new ECU
the last to should put it in the region of 190bhp. its already pretty lively
at the same time i think the car sells for strong money at the moment as it is . and i do have quite a big itch for one of these two which i could stretch to by the end of august.
E46 M3
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11834568
Alfa 147 GTA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107245...
on the plus side it locksheath classic car clubs meet on thursday so will try and get down if work allows.
sorry I've been a bit quite the last few months, been really busy with work and not a huge amount of work has needed doing on the car.
I have one of the injection tanks you guys found sat in the garage, a new rotary fuel pump that attaches to the tank. as i've noticed i can run out of pump on a sustained full throttle especially uphill. so i'm just waiting on a few more bits to arrive and some freetime .
Im at a bit of a crossroads with the car, as it does need a tidy up and there's some pretty interesting looking filler in places and a few blisters. which is going to be quite expensive to sort out. i have found a company that makes fiberglass panels with frames in and hinge points rather than aero catches.
so the following bit id like to do to finish the car off.
fibreglass bonnet and boot, possibly doors
Body repairs and paint
repair the seat
longer final drive
ported head and manifold
ITB's and new ECU
the last to should put it in the region of 190bhp. its already pretty lively
at the same time i think the car sells for strong money at the moment as it is . and i do have quite a big itch for one of these two which i could stretch to by the end of august.
E46 M3
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11834568
Alfa 147 GTA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107245...
on the plus side it locksheath classic car clubs meet on thursday so will try and get down if work allows.
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