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So i've finally got the car today after a good few weeks / months of searching. I've already ordered the Kit 2 weeks ago and still have plenty to do before the Kit arrives, but managed to get some work done today and remove some of the front panels, not much help from the little one, but she's enjoying sitting in the little car.
First time i've driven the car and was impressed with how it goes for such a small car, however my plan is to do a good overhaul of the engine, brakes and a good seal underneath before getting any of the new panels on, so you can imagine theres a lot to do so not in a mad rush for the panels, but it's nice that things are starting off well.
I've not got much room in the garage as you can see but enough to do what i need to do one side at a time and worse case the car can get pulled out (Not sure this will happen when the weather turns) so want to get as much done as possible.
Plan is to collect the panels even though it a 10hour round trip, but Chris is going to get the kit on one of his cars so would be great to get some pointers etc as this is my first time doing anything like this before. I'm not bad on the mechanics side but doing body work is another story so i'm sure they'll be plenty of questions to be asked.
Always nice to follow another build, glad to see you went for the MK1 model as these don't seem to have the rust issues in the engine compartment that plagues MK2's.
And personally, the dash design works way better with the kit
P.S. Someone seems to be really excited about the build in the second picture!
Eek already noticed I don't have the front bumper support on my car, guess it's been taken off at some point. Is this a requirement for the new kit or is it ok not to have ?
Thanks Paul for the links. I've been reading through some of the builds over the past few months when I was thinking about what kit to go for.
It's great to get things moving, I feel like I've been waiting months and months to start. Lol.
So got confirmation from Chris that I don't need the front bumper support which is good news.
While the front is of its a good time to really give the engine and engine bay a good going over. It's not the cleanest of engines and I hate getting all caked in oil for no reason so just wrapped the electrics and going to give the engine bay a good clean before I start stripping things down.
Even got delivery of the workshop manual woop woop.
Also just ordered a compression tester and although I think all is ok, I'm going to check as again if anything needs stripping down then nows the time.
Not done much on the car over last few days but made a call to Dan at danST performance engineering regarding their throttle body. Well I just had to order one. Love the look and the sound will be fitting for the car well as good as can be with the stock engine. Hopefully will be ready in 10 days time. Attached a pic of how the engine will look, can't wait. Better crack on I guess still lots to do.
Not done much on the car over last few days but made a call to Dan at danST performance engineering regarding their throttle body. Well I just had to order one. Love the look and the sound will be fitting for the car well as good as can be with the stock engine. Hopefully will be ready in 10 days time. Attached a pic of how the engine will look, can't wait. Better crack on I guess still lots to do.
Not much to update on at the minute. Stripped the front and, just the plastic around the bottom of the window screen to take off and all ready for the front of the kit. Engine was stripped to the block. Needed a new head gasket and although no signs of smoke or water in the oil the gasket did have signs that at some point the car may have overheated. Now the engine bay needs a good clean and paint up is in order which seems a long process but good to see results.
Even got a key ring off the kids for Father's Day today of the GTO so I think I'm getting all the family exited about the project even though the wife has alread said she's a kit car widow. Lol
So still at it with engine but it's coming along, got the carbs on from danST performance engineering and the engine is slowly getting put back together. Lots of re wiring to do but once that's done and the odd few bits to put back together the engine side of it will be done. Even gave the engine bay a clean and sprayed up Hopefully the kit will be ready in the next few weeks but in the meantime I'll be working on stripping the rear end and the hood then onto the suspension and brakes. Pictures of the engine as of now.
Lifting the bonnet will be such a pleasure once the kit is finished
Dave
You could guarantee somebody would want to look under the hood and I would hate to disappoint with an oily rust bucket. It's been well worth it even painting every bolt you can see and I'm sure will make the difference.
I do like the black cam cover and red detail, add that to my list.
I didn't replace the tired out cam cover, just gave a good clean up, sand down and re sprayed with Matt black then after 5 coats and a week of drying hand painted the red wording which was a little painful but again the results made it worthwhile
The Roof is in ok condition, but I've found that although buying spares is great as you can get a good bargain when it comes to selling you don't get much as you would have expected. I've still got most of the parts I've taken off and will list later on and try and get as much back as possible to help fund some of the upgrades.
Just message Chris at Tribute and the kit is ready in a few weeks but I'm on my hols soon so will leave it until I get back and go and make a day out of hiring a van and taking a long trip down. Looking forward to the hols but think I'll miss my little project !
The Roof is in ok condition, but I've found that although buying spares is great as you can get a good bargain when it comes to selling you don't get much as you would have expected. I've still got most of the parts I've taken off and will list later on and try and get as much back as possible to help fund some of the upgrades.
I didn't get much for most of the bits I took off. A few pounds for the lights and plastics, a bit more for the boot and bonnet. From memory the soft top brought me in well over £100.
Well back off from my well deserved break but managed to get more done just before I left. I've rolled out the rear arches which was again straight forward to do, then I started to cleanup and upgrade the braking system replacing with coilovers, brake lines and discs which I'm still on with at the moment but should be completed in the next few weeks. As for the kit I think there's nothing much I can do now until I get the nod that it's ready for collection.
It's here at last typically the last drop. As I don't have much room I just had to plonk it on the car for now, already looks amazing, can't wait to start. Going to be lots of moving the kit on and off the car but I'm sure I'll manage. Will roll the car out and get some better pics.
