After the chassis was towed to my house I couldn't help a test drive. On went the dealer plates, and I left smiling down the driveway. The pre-installed electric fans seemed to keep the engine cool, and the headers gave the exhaust a nice tone. Becoming more confident in my purchase I ventured out of my neighborhood. This would be the last time it moved under its own power. Shortly after exiting; the bottom end locked up solid. Luckily the roll back was still at home, and it was towed back to the shop. The build just took on a new direction. That night, out came the engine.
The next day a search for a KA24E bottom end began. A 35,000 mile engine was sourced from a local salvage yard for $250 and brought back to the shop. Both engines were completely disassembled and labeled. The KA24DE crank was scored from a spun bearing, so it and the head were sent out for machining. A mold port and polish was performed on the head, and a complete engine gasket kit, timing kit, and new bottom end bearings were ordered. Next a KA24DE exhaust cam, Q45 TPS, and Q45 Injectors were scavenged from a junk yard. Everything began falling together for a high compression N/A KA24DE build. When the engine is finished being assembled a custom intake manifold will be mated to free up airflow on the intake side of things, and a full 3” catback will be fitted to improve flow out. The power from the engine will be transferred to the rear wheels through a spec stage 3 clutch.
With the engine removed the chassis was transported to Carriage Auto Center in Binghamton NY, where the car could be prepped for paint. Step 1: Gut the car. The interior, windshield, and side glass were removed all removed. Step 2:Bust out the Saws-All. A cut was made cross the roof, and the c-pillars were notched to allow flex. The c-pillars were then pushed down, and tack welded to the seat brackets. The rear section of a Toyota pickup truck was sourced for the sliding glass window, and panels were fabricated to join the window and chassis as one. A Chevrolet Colorado bed was sacrificed to finish off the cargo area of the s-chassis. A knock off GP style kit was force mated with a pig nose front bumper, and the rear of the kit was also cut and bonded to the stock urethane rear bumper. This allowed for more proper fitment. When the final body work is done it will all be sprayed a bright white.
The interior will be sprayed a battle ship grey which will be nicely offset by the stock black paneling cut to fit in the new cabin space. I will be held in place by a set of knockoff recaro reclining racing seats. To compliment the interior will be a custom Coors Light hydraulic handbrake that will allow immediate lockup of the rear wheels.
The car is made lower to the ground by a set of E-motoring coilovers, and 16x8.25 0et XXR 527’s will fill in the wheel wells. For drift wheels a few pair of 15x11 -13 steel wheels have been fabricated, and the rear end has been welded solid for consistency.
When all is said and done, thanks to the help of some friends, as well as a lot of my own personal work the car will be well within budget. More pictures will be added as the build continues. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
... but hey its your project. Im sure the front of your car will be great! 
nahh I better not. Again, super nice job man. Cannot wait to see where this ends up!