TeamCapri
Tech, Repairs, Upgrades => Capri N/A 89-94 => Topic started by: just2day_93CAPRi on July 22, 2008, 07:20:00 AM
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I have a second '93 that was damaged in the front and I'm considering chopping the front off a salvage car and swapping it. Does anyone have experience trying this at home?
The car runs well but the bumper, lights, hood, radiator support, and front inner walls are toast. However, except for a minor bend out on the front of the the left frame rail, the damage stops before the struts and mostly to the drivers side. The fenders were damaged in the front just enough to make them useless. The radiator and trans cooler barely had any fins pressed in. The only damage to the engine was the headlamp box (metal support) pressed into the radiator overflow bottle (broke) and the air filter box was bent in. The damage is infront of the engine mounts.
I hate to commit this to a parts only car since it was really dialed in before the wreck (as in my wife doesn't drive my latest one now). I have taken the bumper and a fender off just to inspect it. It is actually drivable.
A rough estimate for a shop to do the work was $3500-$4500. NOT. It is a great parts car, but I don't want it sitting around with a cover taking up space. Anyone got any experience, strength and hope to share?
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Can you weld?
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Hey Just2day! Parts car! Gus.
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I haven't tried welding in 32 years... so the answer is yes/maybe with LOTS of parctice on the scraps. The issue there I've already thought of was that I don't own a welder, but figure a light arc would do most of the metal. While a wire welder may be easier, the arc is pretty cheap. Also, I'd have to rent a gas saw to cut off the front at the salvage yard.
Another idea I had was to just cut out the bad stuff and try to fabricate a fiber glass front end making I-don't-what kind of car after attaching replacement fenders and hood.
A parts car is easiest, but since I can't afford to buy a small airplane project (my preference), it would provide me something to zone into.
So, has anyone done a chop/clip?
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Well, pull-a-part got rid of the only Aussie they had, so now I've got more time to decide what I want to do since there is not an available parts car locally yet.
Anyone got one with a smashed back they want to sell. (http://smile.gif)
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Have you got any pictures of the damage?
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Anyone got one with a smashed back they want to sell?
Yep! Make an offer, and let me know when you want to come get it.........
---Russ
Cougar1prod@comcast.net