Finally starting on my gt project

[philg]

i Picked up the car today, travelled 6 hrs round trip, i bought it of a rtoc member speebly, i enquired about the car months ago but decided against, combination of needing painting, distance, wrong engine etc.

Anyway he pulled the prima lump out and put the car up for sale as a rolling shell. Left a deposit and here we are.

The car is a white phase 2 on a j plate, i think all the old mots, and folder full of receipts. The car is stripped as he had planed to use it as a track car. So that gave me a chance to have a good neb in the car from inside. I have no plans of refitting trim, plastics etc as my main purpose will be track and Sunday blasts. He advertised the car as a good shell, which is pretty much what it is, all undersealed, its had a bit welding done a new rear quarter on and 2 doors with new hinges. The car basically need a bit tlc and a nice paint job. The c/l works fine and the elec windows have been removed which has also saved me a job.

The car has good brakes and pads all round, 2 new back shocks and a scorpion exhaust.

What i plan to do, i can not decide weather to do a 172 conversion or the 1.7 volvo jobbie, both have there pluses and minuses, so any input would be great. I'm a bit concerned the 2.0 might be a bit heavy up front for doing track days in, i had a good chat with James and have been in contact with both scoff and ashy, so thanks very much guys. The 172 would be the preferred choice, just fining all the bits is a bit of a nightmare.

I have been considering buying a cat c 172, you can pick them up for about 1k, so most the parts i need will be there. Problem is the conversion is alot easier with a phase 1, and they are all getting on a bit now, so would prefer a phase 2 with around 60k miles on it.

What is the best way round to do things basically i want a painted car in and out including engine bay, cage and some new buckets and the the engine conversion, then have a look at the handling, bushes and coilovers.

I presume strip, then paint, then engine and then put it all back together again.

I am looking for some parts so will get a little list going on this tread aswell as in the wanted section.

I will get a few pictures up tomorrow chaps.

phil

[philg]

After a bit of a look round, im going to need a tailgate, looked ok from outside but rusting inside, some rear lights, i take it the campus ones are the same?

I made a start yesterday, headlining out, took the seats and belts out and started the tedious job of chipping all the sound deadening up.

After thats all done going to see i can cut a bit more out of the doors and inside.

I will take some pics today, now the suns out.

phil

[philg]

here are a few pictures, rear bumper, seats and front grill are up for sale, im looking for original parts

[Brigsy]

Looks like a decent base to start off with

[gtmatt]

nice project pal , keep it up

[Ashy]

At last you've got one!! As discussed I thought my 5 was great on the track in NA form when it went round Knockhill and Rockingham

Nice winter project tho, hope you've got a space heater in that garage!

[philg]

At last you've got one!! As discussed I thought my 5 was great on the track in NA form when it went round Knockhill and Rockingham

Nice winter project tho, hope you've got a space heater in that garage!

so under steer was not to much of a problem? I had a chat with james and he said his was terrible on the corners.

The cold does not bother me, i work outside all year round

phil

[Ashy]

so under steer was not to much of a problem? I had a chat with james and he said his was terrible on the corners.

He only did about 10 miles with that engine in tho!

[Ashy]

come round have a drive of mine (when I get it back on the road)

[philg]

come round have a drive of mine (when I get it back on the road)

give me a shout when back on the road

[James5]

He only did about 10 miles with that engine in tho!

so true done just under 300 miles in it and just wasn't for me prob would have been alot better with the willy wide track fitted.

You can convert a phase 2 engine to run as a phase 1 as that is what I did.

Good luck with the project keep the updates and pics flowing

[philg]

dash out today, thanks for the help ashy, after scratching my head and alot of swearing, 2 mins on the phone to ashy and it was out in about 10mins. Fecking top clips , removed the heater matrix to.

So the car is pretty bare now, next job is, a bit of swiss cheesing, remove windows then rubbing it all down ready for priming

[Ashy]

Good crack mate, big screw driver down the vent did the trick then

Glad you're making progress, I'll let you know when I'm up and running again

[philg]

Update, i have all the sound deadening up and the reside it leaves behind, having fun with the grinder on all the little spots of rust on the inside.

Any tips on whats the best way to rub the inside of the car down with all the nooks and crannies?


I also am thinking about cutting the section under the bonnet out i guess its called part of the bulk head, it the part with the bonnet catch. I see alot of guys have done this, will it affect the rigidity of the car up front? I had planned on trying to get a r5 bonnet to fit with the 172 lump by raising the top of the bonnet up 1 inch or so onto bonnet catches just to try and get the engine in. If is a no no i will have to buy a 16v style bonnet

phil

[philg]

Update, i have pretty much got the inside ready, a few little patches are going to get welded. I have rubbed grinded and wire brushed the whole inside, the good paint is all now scuffed to.

Im going to get my por 15 on next so will get some more pics up soon.

One question, im a bit worried that it may be 4-6 weeks before i get the inside painted, i was thinking of putting a coat of primer on just to protect the exposed metal work. Will rattle can primer effect the painting in 2pac, or will it all need rubbed down again?

[Scoff]

primer doesn't really protect against moisture ingress so better to put off any bare-metal stuff until closer the time. It'll be better than nothing though. the rattle primer won't bother 2pack

[philg]

primer doesn't really protect against moisture ingress so better to put off any bare-metal stuff until closer the time. It'll be better than nothing though. the rattle primer won't bother 2pack

Bit late for that now , right get a few tins tomorrow to cover the metal that i have exposed.


cheers scoff

[philg]

update got the cars inside treated with por 15, thanks jrp a little does go a long way . I mainly stuck to the areas that had the rust but i got carried away and decided to put a layer of it on the floor to.

I treat round the rear windows as they were suffering a little to, cut a bit of metal out the doors and tailgate ,and got a quick coat of primer on the roof.

Quick rub down the weekend then a quick lick of primer.

[Brigsy]

Good work matey, prepping interior for paint is a patience tester at best of times!

[rs250nut]

Update, i have pretty much got the inside ready, a few little patches are going to get welded. I have rubbed grinded and wire brushed the whole inside, the good paint is all now scuffed to.

Im going to get my por 15 on next so will get some more pics up soon.

One question, im a bit worried that it may be 4-6 weeks before i get the inside painted, i was thinking of putting a coat of primer on just to protect the exposed metal work. Will rattle can primer effect the painting in 2pac, or will it all need rubbed down again?

You should not be putting normal primer on bare metal, its needs to be an etch primer of some description. Even etch out of a can will do.

[philg]

You should not be putting normal primer on bare metal, its needs to be an etch primer of some description. Even etch out of a can will do.

its etch out of a can i have bought

[philg]

A bit of an update, i bought a full safety devices cage a month or so ago along with a new grill and rear bumper from cgb. Cage is pretty much fitted now.

Plates were welded in then primed, i have also started to rub down under the bonnet. All the body parts are now at work so i can get them all rubbed down when i get a chance.

I started with the bumper today.

Here are a few pictures.

phil

[philg]

more

[philg]

I hopefully have a pair of black corbeau revolutions coming my way, going to get some red 3" omp 4 points to.

I will then plate the mounts and eye bolts and dummy fit the seats.

I can not decide how to paint the cage ie in or out the car, because the dash needs to go back in. I think probably fit the back bit and paint in car, then dash then fit front bars.

I do fancy painting the cage black.

What do you guys think black or white cage?


Phil

[gtmatt]

getting there mate well done keep it up

[TrixNFlix]

Looking realy good phil. Paint the cage black, White and black contrast so well, but then I am biased!

[Brigsy]

Id do the cage white meself, will look good either way though mate

[philg]

Update.

I'm going to re due parts under the bonnet, i forgot the metal ready

Hats of to anyone who does this for a living, I'm getting sick now, still it will be worth it.

[gtmatt]

tell me about , ive been restoring mine for over a year now , wow its hard work

[philg]

tell me about , ive been restoring mine for over a year now , wow its hard work

Don't tell me that, im ready to chuck in the towel now.

phil

[philg]

As always with this car its one step forward and two back.

Got my seats yesterday, dummy fitted to mark for mounts and eye bolt plates, and they don't bloody fit. Gutted

I went for the excel version because i did not want to be shoe horned in, im 6ft and about 12.5 stone, so i will fit the standard, but just fancied a bit of movement. I had tried the excels in a mates car and liked them, never mind.

Also had a crack at rubbing down tailgate, also put clock back to 8 miles

phil

[Brigsy]

How come the seats dont fit mate, too wide? Im sure ive seen a set fitted in a gtt before

[philg]

How come the seats dont fit mate, too wide? Im sure ive seen a set fitted in a gtt before

Yeah to wide, they are the excels and with the cage door bars, they just wont get in. There about 1" to big. The standard seats are 6cm narrower so should be ok.

I think without the cage they would fit fine.

I was gutted, demon tweeks have took them back, even arranged a collection for the return. Tweeks were a little bit more expensive but i got a fair discount buying them with the sides and harnesses.

The service from them has been great, anywhere else and i might have been stuck with them, i suppose you get what you pay for


phil

[philg]

Update.

Got the smaller seats, fit fine . I get in them ok to, they are tight, but there supposed to be.

So next is, weld in some square pipes to put the seat mounts on.

I'm going to cut the old mounts out, so its nice and tidy. I think they are just spot welded in.

Then have a go fitting the doors from the campus i bought.

Should have my Volvo here tomorrow, i will post up some pictures.

Phil

[Woznaldo]

Nice work Phil,coming along nicely .

[philg]

the volvo

its done 66000 miles, should be a good start. According to the guy i bought it off, it has a richmod ecu, t5 injectors, new clutch and a bit more boost.

I guess i wont know till i pull it apart.

Came with a few spares manifold, spare head and a few other bits.


phil

[philg]

I think the arrows will fit to, going to have a check

[philg]

Arrows fit

Had them off 4x100 et35, they need a good refurb, not sure what colour to do them silver, anthracite or gloss black.

What tyre brand should i go for, any recommendations, i know i need a 195/40/16.

I have herd the toyo 888s are the business but what they like in the wet?

I used to like my Goodyear f1s for a good all rounder.

[J8TRO]

Phil,

Don't think you can get the 888's in 195,40,16, i'd like them in 195,45,15 for my Williams wheels but they only go 50's

Toyo do the T1R's in that size

[philg]

Phil,

Don't think you can get the 888's in 195,40,16, i'd like them in 195,45,15 for my Williams wheels but they only go 50's

Toyo do the T1R's in that size

What they like in the wet?


I had some Yokohama's on my old car, great in the dry, crap in the rain, then put on the f1 best of both.

Lets face it we get more rain than sun.


phil

[philg]

Engine came out the car today 5hrs all in, so now to think about rebuilding or not.

I have spoken to a few members on hear and i know the clocks say 66000 miles I'm not to sure. There is a bit of history with the Volvo, but also another set of clocks reading 120000 were left in the boot. There was a spare rocker cover, ecu, head, d-cat with the car, he said they had all come of his mates car, so maybe the other clocks were out of that to.

The car has has t5 injectors they are a burn orange colour, new clutch in to, going to measure but think its a 215ml.

Had the two ecus apart to see what the richmod is, i can not see any changes in there, can anyone shed any light?

phil

[J8TRO]

What they like in the wet?


I had some Yokohama's on my old car, great in the dry, crap in the rain, then put on the f1 best of both.

Lets face it we get more rain than sun.


phil

Phil got to be honest, mine isn't used much in the rain so cant comment, were good at Mallory though in the dry.

Good news on the engine removal, if only it took the same time to put back in!

[philg]

Phil got to be honest, mine isn't used much in the rain so cant comment, were good at Mallory though in the dry.

Good news on the engine removal, if only it took the same time to put back in!

I'm sure i will have this car done this year, hopefully for the summer

[J8TRO]

Positivity will get you through! I want to see it at Mallory, thats the end of the summer, so take it as a challange!

[philg]

Positivity will get you through! I want to see it at Mallory, thats the end of the summer, so take it as a challange!

The challenge will be your c1j keeping up with the b18ft matey


phil

[J8TRO]

Mint....................challenge accepted!

[Brigsy]

Dont bother rebuilding it if it was running ok before removal mate, if it aint broke don't fix it Haz had no probs with them at mega mileage

[philg]

Been cracking on again today, spent the last couple of days rubbing the wax oil off the sills, they felt solid but wanted to check. I had planned on treating them with the por 15 i bough a while back.

Few pictures

[JRP]

secret squirrel

[JRP]

secret squirrel

wrong thread dam 111 1112 hello luis

DAM