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Mar 23, 2020 23:05:32 GMT
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I am writing this thread as a way of shaming myself into finally getting on with this beasty. Waaaaay back at the start of 2011 I had the great idea of building a car with two friends to compete in the PPC £999 challenge. The idea was genius and between the three of us even had the potential to be finished (just) in time: Get an e30 touring for it's light weight and RWD, add some Saab turbo power for easy power, strip all the interior out for maximum fun and go racing! The dream:  The plan:  The reality:  As is far too often the case with these things a liberal dose of life got in the way. We went to the PPC challenge, but in something that had always had a Saab engine in, great fun but with more than a touch of sadness not to be there in our E30. The car was put to one side. Parties happened, work happened, holidays happened, the house and garage were demolished and re-built, other cars came and went with some staying and adding to the fleet, a baby arrived and now this Lock-down. If this doesn't give me the motivation to get started on it again, nothing will. For almost all of the last nine years the car has stayed inside in the dry with it only being outside for one winter whilst the house was built and for short periods in the summer when the Westfield came to stay. This has, at least, looked after the rust side of the body. It is far from being an immaculate example though - perfect for a track car. In the old garage:  As she currently sits:  Wondering where her garage went:  Wondering whether she was going in the skip:  Contemplating becoming a toboggan:  The new garage being made:      The engine is in. Mounts and sump made and fitted. But a long way off running:  Exhaust is made and fitted:  Loads still to do. Highlights are, in no particular order: Fit custom made wiring loom Fit custom made driveshaft Find and fit fuel and oil lines Mount oil cooler Find and fit an intercooler Get the clutch working with the Omega gearbox Change the springs and shocks Bolt down the seats or find some other ones Change the brakes Raise the bonnet to allow for the taller engine + many many other things along the way. This ain't going to be ready by next week. |
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oooh, I'm in!
very cool idea!....
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Very cool project!
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Current:
1983 Volkswagen 1200 Mexico
2021 Kia Niro Hybrid
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Former:
1989 Volkswagen Jetta
1990 Volkswagen Golf Madison
1996 Volkswagen Golf Wagon Happy Hour
2006 Fiat Panda 100HP
2006 Toyota Avensis Wagon
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Apr 22, 2020 20:14:24 GMT
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Thank you for the interest, should be fun if and when I ever finish it. Apologies that it won't be a quick build!
I made a start this week with the wiring loom, the ECU and sorting out the engine mounts.
First off I sat down with the wiring loom that I had for it with my lovely assistant to work out what wires on the E30 loom I needed to cut into.
I had decided to put the ECU and Saab loom in the space where the E30s blower motor used to sit as it won't be needing that any more. Should package it quite neatly out of the way but easily accessible for future mapping.
As the car had been sitting waiting to be completed for so long the engine mounts that were originally made had got quite a bit of surface rust. While I was getting on with working out the ECU and wiring I took one mount off at a time and treated, primed and painted them.
When both mounts were done I jiggled the engine around and got it sitting perfectly on both mounts for the first time which was very satisfying. Annoyingly I could not find my electrical connectors so had to leave the wiring there for the day and instead got under the car and test fitted the shifter which seems like it should work.
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Jun 28, 2020 20:01:45 GMT
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One of my biggest issues with this project is my short attention span. At the moment I am meant to be finishing the wiring loom. Of course this meant that when some body parts came up for sale several hours away from me I jumped right on them.
They were a bit of a bargain though.. 4 doors, 2 wings, bonnet and bumper in the right colour and pretty good condition for £230.
Finally, my parts tree bears fruit!
Annoyingly I damaged the bonnet and one of the doors on the way home as they had rubbed against each other. Will have to see to how I can tidy those up at some point.
On stripping down the drivers side wing and drivers door I was pleased to see that it was all in pretty good, clean condition.
When I had the door on the first time I put the wing back on and could no longer open the door, very annoying moment.
The wing was very easy to un bolt and bolt. The door, however, was a right ball ache. Getting it on was easy enough but getting it adjusted right took ages until I got the missus in to tighten the bolts while I held the door, went back on right in minutes then! 
The paint isn't absolutely perfect but it's a million times better than the badly painted, dented doors and wing it had before.
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Sept 22, 2020 20:40:21 GMT
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This might be the coolest project on the site. I LOVE it. Keep going dude
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Sept 23, 2020 20:26:35 GMT
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This might be the coolest project on the site. I LOVE it. Keep going dude
Ha! I'm not sure about that but thank you very much for the kind words. I will keep pushing on, it will see a track one day.
Cheers |
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mat88
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 1,542
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Sept 23, 2020 20:44:29 GMT
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Not sure how I've missed this! Cooler than penguin curse word and should upset the purists! Perfect!
Bookmarked
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Sept 23, 2020 21:47:00 GMT
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and should upset the purists! Perfect! Ha, ha. Great minds think alike.... |
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Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
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Sept 24, 2020 5:21:53 GMT
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I love tourings - have had two and still have bits and pieces (uprated m25 ecu with a 'speedtouch' chip in it that I proudly did - I'm terrible at that sort of thing - but it worked!) that I've kept back for when I get another one.
I also have a saab 9-3 engine in my shed too (b204 not the 235 sadly) but that's by the by.
Really like what you're doing with this - keep up the good work and good luck!
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Sept 24, 2020 7:02:50 GMT
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I do like a longroof......
Esp one with a turbo saab engine
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Sept 24, 2020 12:10:29 GMT
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Excited to see how this things comes along, definitely right up my street!
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shin2chin
Part of things
Making curse word cars slightly better
Posts: 820 
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Sept 24, 2020 17:46:27 GMT
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One thing I like more than an E30 is an E30 touring
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1977 PORSCHE 2.0na 924
1974 VW Beetle 1600
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May 12, 2021 20:37:29 GMT
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Evening all. Sorry I missed these posts before. Had been too busy focusing on the other projects. However, lots of big stuff happening real quickly here now.
Not sure how I've missed this! Cooler than penguin curse word and should upset the purists! Perfect! Bookmarked Yes mate. Enjoyed reading yours too. This should certainly upset a couple of fanboys.
I love tourings - have had two and still have bits and pieces (uprated m25 ecu with a 'speedtouch' chip in it that I proudly did - I'm terrible at that sort of thing - but it worked!) that I've kept back for when I get another one. I also have a saab 9-3 engine in my shed too (b204 not the 235 sadly) but that's by the by. Really like what you're doing with this - keep up the good work and good luck! Thanks. I love the shape of the tourings too. There are quite a few people using the B204 for RWD projects too and I know of another e30 touring with one in. They are also really light which is always good. I do like a longroof...... Esp one with a turbo saab engine It should be fun! Certainly surprise a few people. Excited to see how this things comes along, definitely right up my street! Sadly it has not come along for the last 10 years. Next month is going to see big changes to that! One thing I like more than an E30 is an E30 touring There is just something about 90's estates that were so right. The e30 touring, RS2, Carlton and Rover 220 estate were all really nicely designed. Not too heavy, both visually and on the scales. |
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May 12, 2021 21:00:50 GMT
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Right. So this project has sat neglected for far too long. I've now collected all the usual excuses that people give for abandoning projects like this; a long working week, young child, missus, other cars etc.
But it is something I have been super stubborn about it 'getting finished one day' to much p iss taking from mates and missus.
Long story short I have been talking to someone who specializes in Saab based engine conversions, he'd not done an e30 before and was up for the challenge.
So, car was rolled out into the sunshine. Put back together and loaded up with all the parts I had collected over the years. Then, at nearly midnight one rainy evening, a truck turned up. Bound for Newcastle. Further than the e30 had traveled in the last decade. By quite a long way.
Car arrived in Newcastle and was stripped of engine and gearbox within the next two days.
With the engine out it was separated from the gearbox and stripped down. Ready for a fresh rebuild with a few changes to the original spec.
I am pretty gutted not to be doing it myself but time was just never going to be on my side with the other cars taking up all and any free car time I have. Also, this guy is going to hopefully do a much better job than I would ever have done.
Oh. And the upgrade list has grown considerably, got a bit silly too.  |
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May 14, 2021 18:45:39 GMT
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Also bought this which I am waaaay excited about   |
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e30ben
Part of things
Posts: 71
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May 14, 2021 21:47:03 GMT
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Right. So this project has sat neglected for far too long. I've now collected all the usual excuses that people give for abandoning projects like this; a long working week, young child, missus, other cars etc.
But it is something I have been super stubborn about it 'getting finished one day' to much p iss taking from mates and missus.
Long story short I have been talking to someone who specializes in Saab based engine conversions, he'd not done an e30 before and was up for the challenge.
So, car was rolled out into the sunshine. Put back together and loaded up with all the parts I had collected over the years. Then, at nearly midnight one rainy evening, a truck turned up. Bound for Newcastle. Further than the e30 had traveled in the last decade. By quite a long way.
Car arrived in Newcastle and was stripped of engine and gearbox within the next two days.
With the engine out it was separated from the gearbox and stripped down. Ready for a fresh rebuild with a few changes to the original spec.
I am pretty gutted not to be doing it myself but time was just never going to be on my side with the other cars taking up all and any free car time I have. Also, this guy is going to hopefully do a much better job than I would ever have done.
Oh. And the upgrade list has grown considerably, got a bit silly too. Nice read... looks like it’s going rocket fast? |
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May 14, 2021 22:19:12 GMT
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Right. So this project has sat neglected for far too long. I've now collected all the usual excuses that people give for abandoning projects like this; a long working week, young child, missus, other cars etc.
But it is something I have been super stubborn about it 'getting finished one day' to much p iss taking from mates and missus.
Long story short I have been talking to someone who specializes in Saab based engine conversions, he'd not done an e30 before and was up for the challenge.
So, car was rolled out into the sunshine. Put back together and loaded up with all the parts I had collected over the years. Then, at nearly midnight one rainy evening, a truck turned up. Bound for Newcastle. Further than the e30 had traveled in the last decade. By quite a long way.
Car arrived in Newcastle and was stripped of engine and gearbox within the next two days.
With the engine out it was separated from the gearbox and stripped down. Ready for a fresh rebuild with a few changes to the original spec.
I am pretty gutted not to be doing it myself but time was just never going to be on my side with the other cars taking up all and any free car time I have. Also, this guy is going to hopefully do a much better job than I would ever have done.
Oh. And the upgrade list has grown considerably, got a bit silly too. Nice read... looks like it’s going rocket fast? It should be fairly quick. Since heading up to Newcastle an advanced plan for the engine has been put together. Quite a bit further than I had ever planned. Engine will be having a full rebuild. Part of that will involve tougher Volvo valve springs for a higher rev limit. A balance shaft delete. Custom manifold. Skimmed block and heads to match. Those are the basic engine bits. Additional to that we will be adding a GT3071r turbo, Deka 630 injectors, 3 bar map sensor and a bigger 3” downpipe. This along with a decent fuel pump and Intercooler should be heading for 400bhp. We are aiming for close to a ton with the car so 400bhp/ ton is the aim. We have taken the Omega gearbox out as it was not going to be strong enough. New gearbox is an e46 one. Additional to that is a paddle clutch, Saab 9-5 pressure plate, Saab 9-5 flywheel and an adaptor plate to meet it all up. Steering wise a purple tag e46 steering rack is on the way which should lessen the turns lock to lock. I am still looking into the suspension and brakes side of it all. I am hoping for something that keeps me on my toes once done. |
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Last Edit: May 14, 2021 23:11:23 GMT by mrmoonyman: Unnecessary words
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