Jess' FTO build / questions thread

[DODO``]

Why did they get 0.4mm spark plugs. Factory spec is 0.8mm

uh oh.

[DODO``]

Alright, So something fu*king wonderful wonderful happened today.

Finally open up the head and guess what!? We found the source of the smoke!











F.U.C.K......
Molten metal..?
My mechanic advised this engine is worthless & needs new engine..

Reconditioned engine will cost me 2650 (1999 mivec engine)

Things are getting better and better.. F.M.L!!!!!!!!

argh! I want to jump out the window!!

Almost tempted to sell my ducati and buy one of these three from below.

Spoke to all 3 sellers already and seeing all of them tonight and tomorrow. I just might turn up to the bonfire with FTO afterall!

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-an ... 1107579751
Really rear but its been in a relatively big side accident 1 airbag and no ABS [Test riding it tonight]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/st-ives/ ... 1105968127
2 air bags, ABS with all aero features but NO MIVEC [Test riding it tmw early morning]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... AD-3849161
Already test rode this a month ago. 2 air bags, ABS, no side skirts, no MIVEC. price nego done.!

[dstocks]

The 2 GX's are non mivec, so unless you want one with less power..... All 3 are overpriced.

cheers

DWayne

[DODO``]

The 2 GX's are non mivec, so unless you want one with less power..... All 3 are overpriced.

cheers

DWayne

Yup agreed.

Arrrrggghhh!

[Bennoz]

The washer dropped in the inlet manifold strikes again. Who changed the plugs in it last?

[DODO``]

The washer dropped in the inlet manifold strikes again. Who changed the plugs in it last?

Mr previous owner changed the plugs last.
Excuse my ignorance.. What is washer dropped in the inlet manifold mean?
What's inlet manifold got to do with the plug? Haha

[bjk]

Based on my limited mechanical knowledge, it means something other than air or fuel (a washer) ended up in the engine when the spark plugs were last changed, ergo dead engine.

[DODO``]

Based on my limited mechanical knowledge, it means something other than air or fuel (a washer) ended up in the engine when the spark plugs were last changed, ergo dead engine.

Ahha.. I see I see..
On my way to dstocks now..

[dstocks]

Here you go:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/unanderr ... 1106312979

[Technikhaus]

Ouch, that's got to suck

[DODO``]

Here you go:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/unanderr ... 1106312979

Yea saw this.. I know the guy who's selling this because I've picked up his "the bit". He told me one of the reason he was wrecking the car was because there was too engine work.. yikes!
New 2nd hand engine is already on its way. 1999 120,000km. More pricy but ordered one thu the mechanic.

Found something interesting about the car.. ill update later today.

[DODO``]

First of all it's been short but lovely to have met you on bonfire. It has been well worth the drive:)
heres me playing dstocks simulator




Now.. as for the updates..

As I spend time & money in to this journey (learning about different models, factory options etc) I keep realising that I want the most performance -mivec engine- and ALL the options... such as double airbags, ABS, facelift front bar, fog lights, electric folding mirror, blue seats, post 1998 model (because of glue), side skirts, GPvR wings, 3 dial aircon condtrol..

So basically I want GPvR Aero!

My wife thinks its abso-fu*king-lutely crazy idea.. but very supportive.(mentally. not financially) Most probably because she thinks I'm crazy anyway..

So now that I have a GPvR on an operation table getting its heart transplanted..
I went ahead and purchased this one here.. 1999 GPX manual w 80,000k on the clock! With an intention of using this car as a base to turn it into a GPvR Aero! This GPX has ABS, Side skirts, electric folding mirror, dual airbags, HID, fog lights.. etc

I know some purest will say this car will never really be true GPvR Aero as this car is made and registered from factory to be GPX.

But I'm not that pure.

haha and yes I loose the GPvR title on the paper.. But it means that I can have the car that I dreamed about. Based on the fact that my first car 17 years ago also was GPX, it makes more sense for ME!

So here is to another phase of this journey. Once the GPvR comes out of the workshop I will start replacing parts into my GPX.

Below is the list of things I will be replacing. Please correct me if I'm wrong or add bits needed from the list below in order for me to turn my GPX into (fake) GPvR Aero.

-Rear boot & wing, minus the key barrel
-Strut brace, both front & rear
-Seats
-LSD (need more info.. )
-3 dial aircon control (need more info..)
-dstocks mentioned suspension.. (Are these different too?)


Am I missing out on anything?


After this swap, the real GPvR will be on the market. I am planning to do this up as best I can as well.
I will reinstall all the bits this car is missing (purchased from dstocks, thanks once again) plus the new engine from 1999 model with 120,000km. timing belt, water pump, fuel pump, all new seals, a/c gas refilled, new starter motor, the side skirts and 7 inch USB touch screen head unit with amp & sub. Roof glue will be removed and 12 month rego. sold with factory wheels w new tyres. 3 spoke ones going onto GPX. I might leave the front blue seat on.. it has drivers side airbag and ABS. By the time this car is registered on the road I will end up spending 8grand.. (receipt will be provided) f**king crazy I know. I am willing to lose lot of money when I sell it... So let me know if anyone is interested in buying reliable GPvR!

[bjk]

Interesting idea.

From memory, also different on GPvR are:
- Rear lower control arms (unless the stock facelifts are also reinforced? someone correct me if I'm wrong)
- front and rear sway bar + drop links are different for GPvR up front
- GPvR subframe is different

[dstocks]

Weight reduction (less soundproofing), but thats not really achievable
Manual Climate control (but you are best leaving as fulh climate control as the change would be a pain)

This might help
http://www.completefto.com.au/Default.aspx?aid=454

cheers

Dwayne

[MADFTO]

This is what I know from owing one:

Reinforced lower subframe

Weight reduction
* reduced sound deadening
* manual climate control, ripped straight from a CE lancer/mirage
* no wing mirror motors
* internal rear window antenna

Suspension
* front and rear tower braces (looks like a unbranded cusco part)
* front and rear sway bars
* not sure about shocks and springs, I got coilovers in the early 2000's and I've forgotten how stock version feels, though the above mods would make bum feel comparisons tough.

Front seats.

Can't think of anything else major out of the factory.
I was lucky enough to have an ARC intake on mine when I bought it all those years ago.

[dstocks]

Aerial is on some Version R's (Mine has one).

Sway bars are slightly thicker. Shocks and springs are the same, but the suspension setup is not.

[DODO``]

Holy moly. So its not just few cosmetic things like I've read up on wikipedia!

Thanks guys for the info. I probably wont be changing everything then.. whichever car I use as donor will still need its resale value..

To me, it looks like it will come down as performance vs safety.

[kiz]

Holy moly. So its not just few cosmetic things like I've read up on wikipedia!

Wikipedia will give you cancer if you don't watch out

[bjk]

Gonna be frank, I think you should really just keep the GPvR. All the little things that make a GPX a GPX (or a vR Aero) aren't really that important (like the skirts or folding mirrors or climate control).

To me, if you're that concerned about passenger safety, the FTO is just not really the place to start. But I guess if you're stuck on the FTO, and want the safest one possible as you'd still like to feel comfortable taking your other half or anyone else out in it, I guess the GPX will still suit your requirements.

(also didn't the vR have passenger airbag? Or was that only the Aero?)

[dstocks]

Not all Version R's have passengers airbags. They do all have the Momo drivers side airbag wheel though.