Updates on the "Ugly Panda", not the ranger.

[Not All There]

Heres some more updates on the panda!

This was the last rallyx up in New York last month, some really awesome pics taken by some of the other racers and media at the event..
I love this angle, still need to get the fullsize image..
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1430231307_928104f853.jpg?v=0
Some of the really good cameras at the event took the following...
Pics courtesy of PSG

Pics courtesy of Brandon Cheely

Few weeks later I Did some paint work and removed the rust from the rear quarters...

Two weeks ago the swap was finally completed, the Frankenstein 2.5/2.2 is in and running. Thanks to James and Jesse from UC3 for getting it in so quickly for me!

Heres quick video we shot on the highway on the way home, it has a little less lower end than i expected, and a hell of a lot more top end then expected. Either way its a hell of a lot stronger than my 1.8 and its def fun. Nice little flame between gears too.

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k191/NATRacing/NAT Rally Project/?action=view&current=MVI_4244.flv
And some pics of the engine compartment after painting and removing the rust from the shock towers and radiator support. Eventually the whole engine compartment will be painted, but this is all I can do at the moment.

Its def been a busy fall for the suby, more to come. PSG has been designing there prototype GC skidplate on the car, they have gotten alot of work done in designing it but still have a long way to go, you can read more here...

http://psgsti.blogspot.com/2007/10/prototyping-continues.html

As for the rangers, the 94 2wd sold early in the summer. And money is being put aside for the real truck, the black 9 5 ranger. Im so anxious to get working on the 95 again, working on getting a garage set aside just for it along with my buddies truck. If that happens work can start pretty soon.

 

[goldxlt]

looks like fun, i have seen the rallys advertised here in ny now so if i can come by the extra money i would love to try it out

 

[Not All There]

its good somewhat cheap fun.

 

[95offroadx]

looks like fun stuff man! id love to get my ranger in a ralley haha. Just seems to be a blast

 

[Not All There]

rangers and a few jeeps tend to come around every once and a while, do it up!

 

[compleckz]

car is looking great!

i'd really like to get rid of the rust on mine, but i suck at bodywork.. looks like you cut out the rear fenders? are you running stock suspension?

i was thinking of going with OBS springs, i read you can get an extra inch with them.. i end up doing a lot of low speed offroading too with mine (trail scouting pretty much), i could definately use some more body clearance, but i dont wanna go with the forester suspension, as i dont want to run bigger tires, and i still want decent on-road handling..

i just recently put an oem rear diff. protector on mine, and an exedy stage 1 clutch.. (also some stock rs seats, and i gutted the center resonator, it broke actually--so i gutted it and had it rewelded)..

so what are the specs on the motor? dual port 2.2 head on a 2.5 block? what gen block is it? what cam? im just running a stock 2.2 single port, with removed ac.. car is still just the daily driver, but as with most of us, i can't leave anything stock..

keep up the good work!

 

[Not All There]

yea the obs springs will be good for you. For my rust repair we cut alot of the rust out and opened up the wheel wells not only to remove rust, but to allow my rear tires to stuff without scraping the sidewalls.

As for the engine, its a 97 legacy GT 2.5 block (stock internals) with rebuilt 91 2.2 leggy heads and some NGK plugs. I didnt get a chance to throw in any delta cams, but i did throw on a lightweight flywheel, crank pulley, replaced everything that usually breaks and wears out, and am experimenting with a 93 1.8 intake manifold right now. Its a pretty strong little motor. I have no complaints at the moment.The car is also gutted, and all the AC and extra stuff I dont use is removed.

Next step is the cage and new seats.

Yours sounds like a fun little project too, they are great cars, pretty indestructible at times and anything can be done to them. They are like legos.

 

[ZMan]

Definitely looks like fun, car is coming along nicely.

 

[danger88ranger]

i love the flame in between gears