Seat Track Beater Project

[Jarred]

Bump back from the dead.

This project took a fair bit of a back seat whilst I got distracted.

Finally got around to getting the car home from storage (thanks Ben) and have set about adding some TLC to get her ready for roadworthy.

Got some poly front control arm bushes going in, picked up some BFI 0.5 engine mounts this morning from Tim at Dubaddiction.
Going to grab a few bits and pieces from GAP, CV boots, tie rods etc. Will also need to replace the front brake hoses for roady.
In the last few months I managed to pick up a couple of gauges too, which should be handy on the track.

Spent yesterday cleaning the car up, pulled the interior out and washed and vaccumed it out, was so filthy before. Will put that back in today.

Have about $1700 bucks left in the budget, not including the awesome wheels I picked up for it. That hopefully should cover the cost of rego, tyres and other bits and pieces.

I'll chuck up some pics later.

[Peter Jones]

I've still got a few parts here for that car. Including a set of r/w stock street tyres that I don't want.

[Jarred]

They would be great. I'll try to pop past this weekend Pete, you'll be around?

[Peter Jones]

Saturday afternoon would be best.

[Jarred]

Thanks Pete, I'll drop a line first.

Some update pics from today.




Carpet is now back in, with the rest of the trim.


Poly bushes, what a PITA. still can't get one arm back in


BFI front and rear 0.5 mounts


yay for cool wheels

[h100vw]

Looking good mate. Those poly bushes are a pain in the ar5e. Get it in horizontal is the key but easier said than done......

Gavin

[Jarred]

Finally got the last pesky control arm back in. With the poly bushes it really does make it a tight fit!

For future reference, I used a combination of rope, wheel bearing grease and a big hammer to get it in!

Took the car for a 30sec drive up the street, the front end feels instantly better, much tighter. With the BFI 0.5 mounts, there is a very noticeable rattle in the cabin at idle! (luckily, becauseracecar) Clutch actuation feels much nicer, and it does feel much tighter/solid when changing gears/revving. Only my intial impressions though!

Have some pretty severe noises rotational noises coming from the front end. I'm hoping it's a wheel bearing and not a stuffed CV.
Going to order a few bits and pieces from GAP asap, incl 4 CV boots and bearings all round. Add some new front brake hoses, and it should be ready for roadworthy.

[Jarred]

Got from parts from GAP around christmas time, and have finally gotten around to getting back into the garage.

Replaced all 4 CV boots and repacked the CV's, bit of a saga, not something I would want to do again in a hurry. Note to self: Always use a brass drift/or hammer, and thread files come in very handy - Thanks Gav!
Just need to tighten the axle nuts when I drop the car back down, and mark the CV boot bolts once they're torqued.

I somehow managed to order the wrong 16V rocker cover. Luckily they one on it was in OK condition so I reused that with some sealant. Throttle body will get cleaned out before the manifold goes back on as well. Might replace the dirty coolant bottle and flush the rad today too if I can find my motivation.

Some pics;

removed


Disassembled


Repacked CV's, new boots and rebuilt.


Buy a triple square socket already!

[Martin]

Awesome project - I'm in the same boat, itching to get onto the track for cost effective fun
Are you going to be racing with a local club - what class?

[Jarred]

Hi Martin,

At this stage, I'm not aiming for any specific class. I'll just be doing entry level track days, 'run-what-you-brung' sort of events, atleast for the first year or so. After that I'll reasses what my goals are, where it'd like to go (ie more competitve, same level, different sort of events etc)

I'll probably sign up to PIARC (Phillip Island) to get my CAMS license, foot in the door etc.