jaw

I personally shy away from anything nameless and from china as far as engines are concerned - just too many leaks in QC for my liking. slightly different if they're named and you can look into their background.. just my 2c, I just wouldn't throw my money at them.. that said I guess being non-interference it's not such a risk..

http://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xpf1/891422_1448838192050684_822329219_n.jpg http://photos-a.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfp1/10296990_1447012005536808_97133442_n.jpg This one's my girlfriend's https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1505391_809679965726244_1778580606_n.jpg?oh=a7885f848a900b44b11c4bfc6db7c673&oe=54E7C580&__gda__=1423279919_fb25a652a40bb83a4ff2167ecb57adee

more playing with the interior today and I carpetted the back to give a slightly more OEM feel that I Was after.. Hard to show on photos because of the limited room in the garage to angle photos but I'm *really* happy with it which isn't something I say often when working on a car. Came up really well - still some tweaking to done as far as nip and tucking is concerned, but happy so far - juuust got enough carpet too which is a bonus.. took about an hour and a half whilst watching the apprentice https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p960x960/1932509_10152345107826829_7275231785608095296_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10514444_10152345107506829_9182393622126797206_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/q84/p960x960/1891468_10152345107956829_5832046998195322550_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10295229_10152345108081829_8551736885735918083_o.jpg still got to think about the anchor points and seats aren't fully down so may look wonky.. Intentionally went for charcoal/grey instead of black as it just lightened things up a little in there and contrasts nicely with the seats it was just a case of pick a corner to start on and then hack away with a stanley knife and knead it into position. Will contact adheisive it in a couple of spots in corners etc so it can be ripped out for whatever reason but generally keeps it shape. the carpet has a pretty clingy back anyway thoguh so shouldnt need to. http://photos-d.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10727290_1485794258361467_1636773996_n.jpg http://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10731945_862389060451388_55718486_n.jpg I can't wait to move to a bigger garage to finish the build!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10616111_10152343120061829_5724817353009102334_n.jpg?oh=d8449b887074e00f7a6d2ba51be5165a&oe=54F65E6F&__gda__=1425593721_2ec2abf469cff06fbcfb7852573c7174 another delivery for the rear end.. Wanted to go roll cage but am undecided - It's proving difficult to source a bolt in here, and a roll cage is illegal on the road so if I weld one (a halfie) in then if I get defected theeen it's a nightmare to remove.. Not expecting the rear strut to really do anything, but there ya go.. https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10297621_10152343186166829_6655522998902172768_n.jpg?oh=16fd87e556cbbc7f63e53bc29d8f7590&oe=54D92D49&__gda__=1424868124_b6788c0e632420cc59c0e4b75bf29aa6 Think I'm going to stick with the rear strut for now and as things progress I'll look into a cage.. they don't make it easy... sold a few bits (passenger seat, exhaust, rear trim, seatbelts)

Cheers I actually found a place that could fab up the leather for me here as a skin - so it's a case of glueing, stretching and clamping it myself (or taking it down to the shop but I want to try do as much myself - just to say I have ) If it gets here today/tomorrow I'll hopefully give it a jab over the weekend Not sure if they're making it large enough to fit over the OEM or if I'd need to peel it back and prep the surfaces.

I got them from a local seller over here - he advertises on ebay every now and then - provided the wrong rails but sorted it out easily enough! Ha thats the plan, hopefully it'l be quick enough to dodge the road trains and 'roos Cheers gave some genuine Brides a go, comfort wise they were exactly the same, and general build quality were very similar - owing any hidden quality issues should be fine I more opted for the reps because I didn't know how they'd tie in with the interior, rather waste a grand than three! Not much progress as I'm waiting for my new leather dash to arrive and omp steering wheel. Decided to have a tidy up as it was getting all a bit busy in there. Removed the sliders from the seats and mounted them directly on the rails so they're truly fixed and low. Also got my boss in (Daikei. ALL jap instructions but simple enough.) Turns out, although I have a 3 - spoke airbag wheel, it doesn't seem that it was standard as there was no wiring to the airbag or cruise control - just one spade connector which I can only assume was for the horn, Will investigate more tomorrow, bit of a waste shelling out on an airbag boss.. Tidied the loom up, tied it in to the bar/trim where I could, etc. Decided I'm going to finish off the interior being that I haven't ordered engine parts just yet. All that's left inside: 1) fit leather dash 2) refit dash 3) steering wheel 4) new dials/lighting 5) tablet mounted in double din 6) carpet where back seats were 7) fit rear strut / cage if I source one. Then it'l be full throttle on the engine build come pay day.. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10511254_10152341926726829_8980996460307964543_n.jpg?oh=79548e336a325d458f01bf5aecdf9876&oe=54AB14B2&__gda__=1423342500_7cbc453d709e04ad19e223e6262225ee hopefully should have some more significant progress over the next week!

been ill for the week not to mention rushed off my feet and wanted to feel like I'd made a bit of progress, then a few bits started turning up Bride carbon lomax reps, the cheapest I Could find just to see if I actually liked them first as I was torn between these and something like the recaro sportster. I LOVE the sportsters, but figured a fixed seat looks more supportive.. A friend has them from factory in his clio RS and they're very comfy - but I figure as it's not going to be a road focused machine I don't need to worry about being soft on the arse.. The reps are as comfy as the real deal which I've now tried, only real difference is the padding by the base/leg support not being split - truth be told that's one design feature I hate about brides anyway. they weigh slim to fa and I'm a sucker for carbon fibre.. Paired them up with some G-Force harnesses, FIA approved and generally v happy with them. Nice feeling camlock system, good price, nice and adjustable. and red . Playing about with mount points, the sub box holes are the perfect height but seems like the bolts are a bit on the thin side.. Using the oem rear seatbelt points could be a go, but a) the seatbelt mech points are behind the trim so could mean some fouling of the belt b) the centre belt point means two harnesses off the same bolt which I'd like to avoid from a loading point of view. https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10712406_10152334944346829_3416887761575732473_o.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10005896_10152334945576829_761975722344338105_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/q82/p843x403/10255621_10152334945821829_8636265921429362490_o.jpg Also had another jap arrival in the form of a GSXR for the daily commute https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10697288_10152334944731829_720258301200876178_o.jpg new dash covering should arrive next week. I couldn't find a read carbon fibre facsia and no one around to hydrodip (plus not seen any great results in person yet) so am going to wrap it in carbon for now to set it off nicely against the rest of the interior. like the idea of some racey toggle switches too but no idea what they'd actually control. Hopefully won't need to go gauges and will tackle that with the nexus - otherwise will recycle the heater control spaces as they're now redundant. I also removed the under passenger seat amp and associated wiring today..

I went brides over sportster as they just looked much more supportive - but then I almost want my supra to be uncomfortable and lairy as it'l be on the track mostly. That said, my mate has a '13 (I think) clio RS 200 which comes fitted with the sportsters - and they are a very comfy yet grippy seat - I'd have one in a heartbeat for the road.

cheers bud not sure if it's brave or stupid! But I guess a lot of noise and being covered in sweat will add to the 'sense of occasion' when I jump in it Won't be me daily driver on the plus side, and with a bit of luck it will stop the mrs wanting to take it out too hehe.

More weight saving and stripping going on. Heater matrix out, trying to figure out what electrics I can trim. AC pump, rad and piping now out. Have filled up two wheelie bins, apparantly saving almost 100 kilos from what I've read on a few threads. I should have / still could weigh it all, but I'm very lazy. Removed: rear seats, front seats, heater matrix, ac pump and piping/radiator, rear speaker pods, rear sub pods, boot trim, all heater ducting, arial, tool kit. Added to the fact that the new exhaust will be lighter, as well as the brakes and wheels should mean that I see a good reduction. Bride fixed seats on their way and will arrive during the week which weigh around 10kg a piece. https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p843x403/10682365_10152326351286829_3950520992419412287_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10397287_10152326351586829_4036762861843651306_o.jpg https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/q81/p960x960/1622459_10152326351756829_5698149038683041220_o.jpg https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/q85/p960x960/10714070_10152326351796829_676373554561892211_o.jpg Started to strip the block down. Turbos gone (very little play and seem in good nick other than being in peices), intake manifold gone, electrics stripped, a lot of the anciliaries removed, Cam gears, camshaft out. To go: remove head (my 10mm hex bit actually snapped when undoing with a torque wrench. Bugger. Then the oilpan and crank, then off to have the block steam cleaned and possibly the head too. https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10630654_10152326541626829_8292092275910632925_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10688324_10152326541616829_4119621112390552234_o.jpg The more parts I pull apart the more I appreciate how good a condition it is beneath the skin - my '94 GZ had been a bit molested with subs and lights - and had a lot of deteriorating plastics, broken clips and plastics, starter motor issues, a few coolant pipes that were brittle and little areas of rust. The heat and dry weather must work wonders..

few shots of the interior coming apart... Wanted to try remove the matrix without the crash bar - not going to happen. It wasn't that big an effort to take the bar out though. https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10346606_10152327899036829_3521488894696661592_n.jpg?oh=3ac7de7665f62330475d0418148762f7&oe=54E71A33 https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/1382125_10152327899076829_357922812012724334_n.jpg?oh=07899caf8d8dfe1f7d3b43aed9165d15&oe=54ADB6BC&__gda__=1421178458_258999dae227dec1f93aa0010f846c4e https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/q82/s720x720/559529_10152327899126829_7240424462916269867_n.jpg?oh=b8596e29c769074904729aed0a8b0526&oe=54ABA9A9 https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10477895_10152327899326829_6668561302280607805_n.jpg?oh=30e30b6c9a4b82aa134ceea4ed9f39d7&oe=54EB03CA shiney rad and intercooler..

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/q81/p843x403/10704416_10152322570536829_8482624819271440155_o.jpg https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/q81/p960x960/1962289_10152322570066829_2519813298119551367_o.jpg small bit of progress. 'hmm I might shed a bit of weight' turned into 'fk it, tear everything out'. I'm going to retain the roof liner, pillars and cabin trim so it's still a bit snug with a bit of sound dampning (didn't fancy getting the heat gun out anyway ) Next stop, dash to come out, heater matrix binned then should have nothing but the essentials. Just pushed a wheelie bin full of trim, speaker pods etc out and it weighed a tonne. Should also simple up the engine bay to just the power steering pump and essential wiring left. I have put the feelers out for a cost to cover the dash in Suede / Alcantara - Grey with red thread. Will see what the cost comes back as, anything up to a grand I'm happy but thinking it will be closer to two so may not bother. I also want the dash trim to be carbon but don't like wrap, has to be the real deal so will see what I can find. I'm generally a bit horny when it comes to carbon.

Hey all. Sorry for the constant questions but I have another one! against my better judgement, I've gone a little diet crazy and decided to strip out everything in the car I don't ''need''. Despite the 40 degree days coming I've decided this includes the aircon (and heater) so have all but stripped them out. My question is when it comes back to installing the motor - what do I need to be aware of cooling system wise as far as any blanking/replacement pipes go now that there won't be any heater matrix/aircon included? Is there a list of maybe pipes that need replacing if any? Also if anyone has the part number of the shorter belt that'd be great - am planning to replace the front of the air con pump as bracing hope that makes sense cheers!

sounds like the starter contacts to me. I bought a kit from Toyota for about 20 quid - and then it started first time every time. There's a part number on here somewhere, will see if I have the link saved

Interesting Chris, not heard of maxspeeding - are they generally good from a quality point of view? Hard to tell where the myths of Chinese quality ends and reality begins! Cheers - was one of your posts that pointed me in their direction in the first place I think Not necessarily stuck on those two - just looking for the best option I can find for $850 or thereabouts max (and oem didnt come in so much cheaper at $100 a rod) Engine has a spun bearing so replacing the lot and by the time I get in oem and balance them I'll probably be close to the price anyway I'm thinking.. Have read a few comments that the stock will handle reasonably big bhp, but from a longevity point of view for track work I'm thinking upgrading will just help give a bit of reliability plus like above - if I do decide to go for more power eventually ^ this - a bit of future proofing could be good!

Hey guys, have been searching away but not really found any subsistant reviews. I'm looking at rods for the build, and it seems the best value/money comprimise will come from Brian Crower Sportsman or Eagle rods. BC are supposedly good for up to 200 bhp / piston wiht Eagle being good to 800bhp. I'm aiming at 700bhp - probably sitting at around the 600bhp mark for a good while I would have thought. Any opinions on the above? Carrillo doesnt seem worth the extra $700 to me when I'll be staying at that power level.. The only 'benefit' to either one I've really found in searching is that the eagles appear v light which helps the engine spin up nicely. Not read any bad about either. Will be pairing them with Wiseco pistons and arp rod bolts but am still looking for wrist pins? Cheers

Sorry Chris just saw your message there - I'm actually in Aus now - but would be keen to find out the price on a good crank balanced and shipped over? (can arrange the shipping, have been advised 240 pounds for a bottom end so a crank shouldn't be too brutal)

Interior got stripped out firstly: https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/q85/p960x960/10710484_10152304943636829_325192724568616449_o.jpg and re-spoilered with the oem spoiler. Not sure what I want to replace this with but I'm liking the idea of keeping it matte black/carbon as the colour scheme https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p843x403/1961002_10152304943151829_7741033471118621025_o.jpg The paint isn't as bad as the photos make it look - the car is just filthy. busy couple of evenings means the engine is out pretty drama free.. Tips I learned? The front section - manifold peice is a prick to unbolt. I undid it further down and removed the engine with it on. Clutch and fuel return were also awkward so I removed with them attached and gently moved the lump forwards before removing them. Weren't really any suprises, followed the workshop manual going round removing bits and peices. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/p843x403/10547864_10152317176301829_6520565292232762809_o.jpg Will get the gearbox off tomorrow and have it on the stand and start stripping it down. Block will be steam cleaned and having the crank checked, then will decided if I either replace it, or re-use it. About to order some Manley rods, possibly CP pistons/knockles and ACL bearings for the rods. Has anyone heard of Branners Racing stateside? they have a nice looking balanced crank for sale but tbh I haven't heard anything of them before.. Also going to strip the turbos off and take them for pricing for refurb inc steel wheels. Strip down runs at $125 a turbo refunded if I have any work done or source a new turbo through the company - if it works out cheap enough I might do it as a temporary 'get me on the road till I know what route I'm going'. In other news have ordered some Bride Stradia carbon seats, rear strut and harnesses. I'm thinking of stripping the heater/air con/sound deadening for a bit of weight saving before I bolt in seats - not sure how far to go for the quest of lightness as I still want a car that I can take on the road from time to time - and it does get bloody hot here. I don't know if it's due to the transplant being done relatively recently before I bought the car (it's only got 90k kms on the clock) or what the history of the car is but it's amazingly rust free. Body and components. All bolts have come together with a teeny bit of pursuation and I haven't had to resort to blowtorches and dremels.. The body is rust and dent free, bar a dodgy bit of paint on the front left wing - which I think gets covered by the bumper anyway..

could it be a screwed linkage making it feel as if there's an extra gear maybe? kind of hard to explain, there's 7 distinct 'shifts' so just trying to get my head around what may or may not be fubarred!

Possibly a silly question, but please humour me as I'd like to be sure - what gearbox is this? https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p843x403/1617622_10152317176346829_4376081575486203329_o.jpg The reason I ask - it's supposed to be a w58.. and I thought it looked like a w58.. BUT, it has 6 gears plus a reverse being on the far right/down ie 7 in total.. car hasn't been run since I bought it so only just picked up on it upon dropping the box out and now my brain exploded with confusion.. cheers

and for that reason, I'm out /vbb/images/smilies/bbcode_oops.gif

Can anyone give me a steer on the prices of a well used box in the UK? Have been offered one out of the blue - un looks like it's beein in a mid 90's car going by visuals; but the price seems pretty competitive, about $2.5k less than a new box.. given a rebuild is about $1k (going by a v rough quote I had) it doenst seem a bad price.

That Tractive box is utter gearbox porn! Very nice! probably a bit beyond my needs at this point in time though as tempting as it is! The VVTI flappy paddle boxes - were they a different box altogether or based on the autobox? Or is it like the E46 Getrags where an actuator etc is installed on the 161? Don't have the interest in drag racing so don't need to worry about that - the way the tracks are set up out of the pits you're never going to see a hard start so thats reasurring. Yeah I spose - trying to avoid having to pull the engine again ideally - but if its for the sake of just getting it on the road I might run the 58 into the ground / take it easy and stand by for a brand new gearbox, have the cash at the mo but too much going on to justify $6k on a brand new box when a used one is half that. Possibly may just invest in a used one and have it reconditioned which will still save me a couple of grand.

Ah awesome thanks for that. I have seen a few balanced stock cranks for sale from the states for not a lot of money so I think I'll go that route then rather than try and find a specialist to verify it - will be good for peace of mind - will scrap the crank that comes out and replace all bearings, seals and so on. That's comforting to know, if my ceiling is going to be 700 bhp seems I should be OK from that point of view then - have done a fair bit of looking at other spec sheets people have ended up with and have seen no mention of billets being used; I'll just uprate the conrods and pistons. That's a good point, gives me a bit of freedom in shopping around for parts too I suppose.

I hate that far less than I probably should! Although the more I look at it the less sure of that I am.. The front wheel arch doesn't sit right with the lines of the bonnet..i think the colour scheme lets it down a lot