Stu
Posted a lot
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Hi All, Only got a minute but thought I'd post of up some pics of the car me and my mate bought between us at the weekend. It's going to be our new track / Nurburgring car for next year  This was the previous owner at Cadwell Park on Sat in it:   Then a few pics at my house on Sunday:       More details, spec and future plans later when I've got time - what do you all think?  Cheers Stu |
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Last Edit: Jun 6, 2008 7:23:49 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Nov 12, 2007 12:36:22 GMT
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Cool! I reckon you should strip the thing out and up your power to weight ratio! It looks as if it's had some stuff taken out of the interior already but I reckon you could get brutal with it - two magic trees? Bin one, and run a razor down the middle of the other one. Hey presto! Race-spec air freshener! ;D But seriously, there must be plenty of lightening that could be done without too much of a compromise, although if it's purely a track-day weapon, I'd be inclined to go nuts on it! |
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Nov 12, 2007 16:59:22 GMT
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Nice smaller bumper valver! Great to see it being used on track too ;D
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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J.P
Posted a lot
I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
Posts: 1,175
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Nov 12, 2007 18:22:01 GMT
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Just looks 'right' in the first pic. Hope you have fun it in, especially if your going to the 'Ring!
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VWDan
Part of things
VW Jetta MK1, VW Caravelle 1.9TD, Audi A6 Tdi Avant
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Nov 12, 2007 18:30:43 GMT
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One careful previous owner then.... ;D
More pics and details needed - looks like it'll be fun too.
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If only everything in life was as cool as a retro VW racer.
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Nov 12, 2007 21:46:39 GMT
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Thanks for the replies, particularly BenzBoy - good weight reduction tips on the magic trees! ;D The car doesn't usually have a back seat, parcel shelf etc in it, they are just there as I asked the seller to include any spare bits he had so he boshed them back in for the drive up to mine. I agree that increasing the power to weight is a good plan, to this end I will be removing any excess weight (within reason) and stripping the car further. Might keep the doorcards in though as they weigh very little and give you pockets to put your sweeties in!  The car is currently on 190k miles, with a full engine rebuild about 30k ago so it runs very well. It has a four branch manifold, K&N filter and no PAS, otherwise it's pretty standard. Oh - also has later 16v spec 256mm front brakes, these early 16v's came with smaller 8v size 239mm front discs as standard you see. Our plans involve fitting a 2 litre 16v engine, got an 'ABF' lined up from a Seat... well, it'd be rude not to... the extra torque is very handy at the 'Ring - it's steep in places! Also got some G60/VR6 size (280mm) front brakes lined up, and will be looking at suspension bushes, braided hoses, and all the usual upgrades after that. Does anyone have a bolt in roll cage for one of these, or know where I can get one cheapish? Also - any tips on removing the sunroof mechanism and sealing (welding) the sunroof up neatly appreciated, also thoughts on relocating the battery to the boot, other track prep tips? More pics will follow as things progress. The aim will be a decent track car on a budget... fingers crossed it'll then be driven over and stored at the 'Ring for next 'season' |
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Last Edit: Nov 12, 2007 21:47:43 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Nov 12, 2007 21:54:18 GMT
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Another couple of pics... Cadwell on Saturday again (previous owner driving):  Interesting gearknob:  Four branch manifold - should I heat wrap this when swapping engines? Pro's and con's of wrapping anyone?  Hope you like |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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VWDan
Part of things
VW Jetta MK1, VW Caravelle 1.9TD, Audi A6 Tdi Avant
Posts: 841
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Nov 12, 2007 22:24:20 GMT
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See my Jetta thread where I wrapped my manifold - curse word job but probably worth it (still smells though!)
Plans sound good too.
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If only everything in life was as cool as a retro VW racer.
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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See my Jetta thread where I wrapped my manifold - curse word job but probably worth it (still smells though!) Plans sound good too. Cheers Dan - will have a look at your Jetta thread for info |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Things are coming together nicely with this car now, got a few new parts waiting to go on and me and my mate (co owner of the car) enjoyed stripping the rest of the interior out yesterday. We've removed more or less everything we don't need but left the front seats (obviously), door cards and dash intact. All the stuff that came out weighed a lot! The 2 litre engine has arrived and I'm sending my spare flywheel off for lightening soon. Got a nice big Mocal oil cooler sorted and a set of new silicone coolant hoses. 280mm from brake setup is here too, just need new discs and braided hoses now. I'm going to DIY baffle the sump I think as ready made ones are expensive, might buy a set of baffles off that bloke on ebay that does them for £15 and weld them in to save trial and error making them. Will try and take some pics today as the fun continues and post them up Oh, by the way - the car is already rapid even as a 1.8 and that was with the back seat and all the trim in yesterday... ;D |
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Last Edit: Dec 1, 2007 8:18:40 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Nice ! I assume the "spare " engine is a KR ? Whats the suspension spec old chap ?!? and yes, they are pretty quick as standard aren't they, I seem to remember they put out about 135+bhp ?? 140 in exceptional circumstances ? |
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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I assume the "spare " engine is a KR ? Whats the suspension spec old chap ?!? Hiya - yes, the engine in the car is a KR that was rebuilt a couple of years ago and has done about 30 - 40k since I think - goes really well, particularly after today's 'weight loss' plan... The 1.8 KR will be for sale once the swap is complete if you fancy it. Feels like it's certainly good for the book figure of 139bhp! Suspension - not sure, it's obviously lowered and rather stiff - handles great. Not coilovers though, just the usual springs and dampers Pics of today's stripping session soon... |
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Last Edit: Dec 1, 2007 21:40:38 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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J.P
Posted a lot
I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
Posts: 1,175
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Cool Project, even moreso for planning to take it to the 'Ring.
Save yourself some cash when relocating the battery and get a battery cable from a Mini. They're uber long!
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Save yourself some cash when relocating the battery and get a battery cable from a Mini. They're uber long! Thanks for the tip! Today started by removing this...  This...  and these...  And then we got a bit carried away... this didn't fit me well...  And ended up with a very noisy and rather fast car... like this...    It's certainly starting to look more like a track car! Also fixed lots of little things along the way, removed lots of stuff we didn't need, central locking, pipes, wiring, clips, all trim etc etc and I set the timing correctly... it now flies!  |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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J.P
Posted a lot
I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
Posts: 1,175
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Glad your stripping it out t the max. I think you should go the whole hog and make ti as light as possible since its an out and out track car. Remove the sound deadening, remove that dash! House the clocks on something else. Then if you plan to not use the car in any events such as hillclimbs, get at it with a holesaw and cut out the metal inner skin of the doors boot etc. If you do go this route, get a cage! Getting rid of the heater is debatable. In our climate rain will more than likely steam you up, id keep it. First thing of any expense is polycarb windows. If your worried about noise, buy ear muffs Thats just my view though! |
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Last Edit: Dec 2, 2007 1:35:33 GMT by J.P
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Good suggestions J.P - I'm definitely a convert to reducing weight before increasing the power as this car flies with a pretty standard engine due to the strip out. Today we 'compared' it against my other daily Golf 16v - which I've fitted a 2.0 bottom end in, P&P head, manifold, lightened flywheel and all that gubbins. Admittedly my daily Golf has five doors, full trim, PAS, A/C, electric stuff, boot full of tools and all that, but is also has about 170 odd bhp and there isn't much difference between the two acceleration wise! The red car is going to be a demon with a 2.0 in it! Also, removed the passenger seat - not to save weight but to do this... hardcore track car use...   |
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Last Edit: Dec 2, 2007 21:43:42 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Xmas tree? Instant bhp increase, way more than head rest springs even!
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Small update - took some more stuff out... decided the centre console and door cards were weighing us down... Relocated the cigarette lighter and window switches to the dash so there was no need for the console then...    I also spent a lot of time removing sound deadening (horrible stuff) from the bulkhead behind the dash, in the doors, the inside of the roof, floor etc. Not done it all yet but getting there Mounted a new fire extinguisher too but might have to move it if I get 'angle grinder happy' and remove the rear seat mounting frame metal, we'll see.  Minimalist! ;D Only other bits and bobs are that I've fitted a Mk3 Golf weighted gearshift rod and started cleaning up the larger front brake carriers and calipers, will paint them before fitting with stainless braided hoses and new disk, pads, fluid soon. Next I need to send off the flywheel for lightening and sort some baffles for the sump of the 2 litre engine then we can get on with swapping in the larger engine, not that it feels like it needs any more power really... |
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Last Edit: Jan 15, 2008 8:34:10 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Here's what I got up to at the weekend, been a while - thought it was time for an update! Started with this - standard 1.8 KR, nice and basic - no PAS or A/C to contend with unlike when I did my green Mk2...  Take some bits off to help get the engine out...   Wings look ok, battery tray not too grotty but some of the wiring is a little suspect and needs attention... it is 20 years old I suppose...!   Plumbing and wiring all disconnected, slam pannel etc removed. Loosened engine mounts, scarily some weren't very tight to begin with...!  Not got a photo but at this point came the dread driveshaft removal, well, un-bolting from the gearbox end - I hate this job. Took a while and lots of patience with the right tool to save rouding the heads of any bolts but they come off in the end. Next, apply engine crane with car jacked up under front subframe. As I was working on my own it took a bit of fiddling back and too to get the engine up and out as I couldn't be bothered removing the front bumper and cross beam etc.   I wanted to leave the exhaust manifold attached so un-did at the joint under the car, near the base of the gear stick and carefully brought the engine up and out. It had gone dark at this point, hence the poor pic!  Engine, gearbox and manifold out as one piece and resting on the crane in my garage for dismantling...  Packed up for the day then, that was a Saturday afternoon well spent! |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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