Project winter beater

DSMINMN · 08-06-2012

I realized I hate driving my sister's Dodge Neon w/SRT design package during winter. So I thought about a Colt or Mirage. I looked around but didn't find much. Then one day a friend of mine sent me the ad on Craigslist to this. We went and looked at it that weekend. I picked it up Saturday. The puctures;

I'm not sure what to think of the original owner after having taken these off..

When I started Saturday.

After awhile my friend who was with me started complaining about being tired so I ended it at this.

Yesterday or Sunday night.

In all of it's unfound glory.

At this point I BELIEVE I found the problem..lol

From here I'm not sure what to drop into it as far as an engine. 4g63t, 4g64, whatever the 1.8Ls are; 4g18s? Either way it needs something different.

tehehodi · 08-06-2012

Sweet pickup for a dd. I say 4g63 with a 14b and keep it stock. Itd be a blast to drive in the winter

curt_gendron · 08-06-2012

Looks like a fun little project. Can't wait to see the finished result.

later,
Curt

**goodhart** · 08-06-2012

1.8 is a 4g37.

DSMINMN · 08-06-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodhart

1.8 is a 4g37.

Thank you sir.

DSMINMN · 08-08-2012

I yanked the engine harness and dash out on Monday. Woohoo; not much, I know.

I have to say, after finding all of the hidden bolts; it was one of the easiest dashes I have ever taken out of a car.

Tonight after picking up a few parts for the Talon I stopped off at Fleet Farm and got some of this stuff:

It was the cheapest with a brand name and I have heard of it before. I figured I would give 'er a try. After lightly scrubbing the driver’s side of the engine bay I was surprised at how well it cleaned up. I still think new paint is going to be in order. A few hours of scrubbing might reveal otherwise though; who knows.

I'm pretty sure I will be sticking to the 4g15 for now. The funds to do a 4g63t swap just aren't there considering the prices some people are asking for certain things. Oh well though. I'm sure I'll start a nice slow build on an extra block when the time comes. A person can always swap it over.

DSMINMN · 08-13-2012

BOOM

Stripped the front and cleaned it once. After a few more cleaning sessions I can fix some rust, undercoat a few things, and paint a few things as well.

Progress is progress.

DSMINMN · 08-15-2012

I did some sand blasting to the driver's and passenger's side wheel wells, along with a few spots in the engine bay. This was on Tuesday I believe. The pictures can do the talking.

There are only a few places left to 'blast; finish up on the front, pinch-welds, front corners of rear wheel wells and behind the rear bumper. I still haven't decided if I want to paint the engine bay or not. I just don't feel like stripped the whole thing down.

On another note, I got some purple clear to add a little bit of color to the engine bay. I won't give away what I am doing, not that you are all going to die to find out. lol It should add a nice off-set to the black and white though.

I think that'll be it until the shop slows down. Lately it has been full of my uncle's/cousin's cars. Then I can pull the car out of the shed and get working on it again.

Thanks for looking!

niterydr · 08-16-2012

Should be an interesting project!

**JET** · 08-16-2012

The purple is going to be a Vikings helmet under the hood!

**CornFed2.4** · 08-16-2012

Looks like a similar project. Good luck but, id find a different motor than the 4G15. Junkyards will probably be the only place youll find one and there asking $400-$600.

Doing the 4G63 swap there are alot more added costs than just the motor. Ive been talking alot with mark (tkr) and asking questions on the mirage boards. If you do go that route your gonna need a 1G harness and ecu, patch harness thats $200- $400 alone if you can find them cheap.

I picked a 7 bolt 2.4 up for mine.

**goodhart** · 08-16-2012

Seems like a lot of work for a winter beater!

b00sted_spyder · 08-16-2012

Make sure you get the correct primer for that metalcast paint.

DSMINMN · 08-16-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

The purple is going to be a Vikings helmet under the hood!

Mmm, no. lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by CornFed2.4

Looks like a similar project. Good luck but, id find a different motor than the 4G15. Junkyards will probably be the only place youll find one and there
asking $400-$600.

Doing the 4G63 swap there are alot more added costs than just the motor. Ive been talking alot with mark (tkr) and asking questions on the mirage boards. If you do go that route your gonna need a 1G harness and ecu, patch harness thats $200- $400 alone if you can find them cheap.

I picked a 7 bolt 2.4 up for mine.

I'm not planning on doing the 4g63 swap for the simple fact of cost. I am however acquiring some of the parts to do the swap when I can afford to do it. As far as finding an engine; well, I have. I surely will not be paying $400 for it either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodhart

Seems like a lot of work for a winter beater!

This is simply my opinion but, anything else would be half-assing it. I mean if you have the car this far apart, there's no point in not fixing the rust and cleaning up the engine bay. Idk, maybe it's that I like my stuff clean and done my way. But who knows; I'm a weirdo. Lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by b00sted_spyder

Make sure you get the correct primer for that metalcast paint.

What do you mean primer? I'll be applying it over a silver which will have a self-etching primer beneath it.

timschot · 08-16-2012

Nice work man. Take pride in your stuff, even the beaters.

**scheides** · 08-16-2012

Nice! Put in a 4g63t, it'll be cheap!

DSMINMN · 08-17-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by timschot

Nice work man. Take pride in your stuff, even the beaters.

Thanks! And exactly my point/feelings on the subject.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scheides

Nice! Put in a 4g63t, it'll be cheap!

On who's budget? Lol

123abc · 08-19-2012

Cheap on anyone's budget if you know what you're doing with the motor/car.

Looks like a very fun car to go thrash on. I would also love to see a 4g63t but leave those bike tires on it....lol

DSMINMN · 08-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123abc

Cheap on anyone's budget if you know what you're doing with the motor/car.

Looks like a very fun car to go thrash on. I would also love to see a 4g63t but leave those bike tires on it....lol

I guess it depends how much you make. I don't make much on my bi-weekly check(s). Our lovely tax raise over last year has me clearing about the same amount as last year, yet I'm worKing 20 hours more (in said pay period), than last year.

DSMINMN · 09-05-2012

I just got offered $450 for the shell.. Not sure what I want to do with this from here. Opinions?