Whats up Folks.
Have been meaning to start a build thread on here for quite a while. Now that im sitting in work with all my work for the day behind me, no time like the present.
The last time I posted here, was a slightly depressing one as my trusty little Miata was wrecked by an idiot in a jeep. However, this seemed to be a blessing in disguise as I was flirting with the idea for a track car for quite a while and didn't have the heart to sell the mazda.
So, I started the almost impossible task of trying to find a cheap(ish) s-body that was either ready-to-drift or one that needed some work. This proved harder than I thought as I am pretty much unknown in the world of Irish drifting, I was having little success. Eventually, a was messaged about a tidy little 180 parked up in Navan. So I called a friend of mine with a tow truck and decided to have a look. I was slightly apprehensive however, as I was (Pretty much still am) clueless about s-bodys.
Luckily enough my friend with the tow truck is a mechanic so he had my back. Turned up and the car was very straight, no rust what so ever, no bends or major damage, all apart from a slightly repaired quarter but I wasn't going to sweat over that as it was always destined for track. Anyways, heres how she sat the day I picked her up.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psctlmzqwx.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psuy217re8.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...pst7rt4lst.jpg
Got her back to her new home in Daniel Wally Waldrons shed to start some minor surgery. That's an exaggeration actually because she was soon shipped over to Pepsterx after we did some work on it to get it ready for track. Petko is one of very few people I would entrust with my car, especially an s-body as I suspect he knows more about an s-body than I ever will. As the car stood, it was pretty much standard, the only thing that was done was the interior was stripped and the diff was welded, even this hicas was still situated in the rear, which suggested that the car was never really drifted (Not very well anyways, maybe that was the cause for the quarter damage). Some essentials were needed to get the car track ready:
- Replace 4 stud hubs with 5 stud hubs all round
- Install Skyline breaks all round and repair kit
- HICAS delete with KABER lockout kit
- Install new KABER tension rods
- Move LCA's to new outer position as I still have standard s13 LCA's
- Modify HICAS power steering pump
- New Downpipe
- New Plugs
- New breather Pipes
- Driftworks Brake lines
- Hydro Install with Driftworks lines
- New DI Motorsport modified Hubs and front subframe (Thanks to Jay and Bob)
- New HKS boost controller (Pretty sure I had unlimited boost before this was installed)
- New Exeedy Stage 2 clutch
- Japspeed Radiator
- Install home-made rail and seat(i made wally this this instead of me welding myself to the floor)
- A general scout of the car to ensure a hassle free day on track(if theres such a thing)
Im pretty sure theres more few bits done but off the top of my head I cant think. As you can see, the majority of the work carried out is essential mechanical and steering work. I have decided to go the route of getting the car in a perfectly mechanical position before I carry out any cosmetic work (not that I don't fight the temptation to buy some big fenders and wings).
At the minute I have 2 Track days under my belt, the first was in torrential rain, which was great to get the feel of the car and actually learn how to drift, the second day however, was not as productive but proved more as a diagnostics day. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to replace my PS pump before I even drove the car which proved troublesome from the get go. Missed two morning session which was very frustrating. Eventually got out on track to which it was after drying out quite a bit. So I was attempting to drift a standard powered sr20det with 10 psi with a boost leak. Not ideal. I was having boost issues throughout the day with a boost pipe blowing off every time I got on boost in 3rd gear. It was decided that the intercooler I was using was too small and designed for god knows what, but certainly not a 180.
At the minute the car is undergoing some more essential work including some more steering modifications and a new intercooler (that works). Hopefully AutoHeroes on the 28th proves the most successful so I can begin to get the car looking how I want it for the IADC (if I get in)
Thanks for reading guys, ill be sure to update when I get more pics and make some more progress. As usual, any criticism/pointers/tips/ideas are greatly welcomed.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfgfbcdtk.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfb9tj1vz.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...pszfscss4b.png
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psryxwn6l4.png
**Regardless of how well I do or don't do in IADC, I will never master uploading photos to this. :P**
