Hey guys there wasn't any section relating to cars and bikes and such so I put this here so if it's wrong I apologize.
Ok then I said I would post this here as some people may find it interesting.
When I started driving I had an old VW polo. I wanted to make it special for me and mod it just the way I would like it, I even researched loads of parts when i was bored at night. After about a year of saving a different car caught my eye, naturally one I couldn't afford but had to have. I saved up for over another year and bought my current car that I have 5 years. I have been slowly doing work on it with some minor set backs but mostly gains so here is a little project log of it so far hope you enjoy.
A few pics to start this thing off, when i first got the car.
Shortly after i got the car it sprung a coolant leak. So had the car gone for a few days while the offending pipe had to be found and replaced. Soon after that i got the car back. A few months after that the clutch slave cylinder sprung a leak. Fixed that and back on the road.
About a month after that the clutch fork snapped leaving me stuck in town late at night, not the most pleasurable experience.
Anyway I got that fixed and was saving to get all the bits i wanted for a good single turbo conversion when the engine wiring loom decided to go caput. I put the car into a reputable garage who shall remain nameless, they said they had a very good auto electrician and could sort it. So 3 months later and me raging at this point I got the car back with minor issues with the car. I was just happy to have the car back so put up with the minor things. In hinde sight not the best idea.
My savings took a dent but soon were back in the right direction.
Xmas 2008 comes and the worst thing has to happen. Engine went in the car. Seriously depressed at this stage and considered selling it numerous times over the next month.
Handed the car out to a guy from irishrotary who is now a friend for an inspection and he confirmed that the engine had thrown a tip. So I took a few days to see if i could afford a rebuild and if I would even do it or just sell as is or do a cheap rebuild and then sell. I finially made my decision and decided I liked the car too much and I'd keep it and rebuild it properly. So I gave Fiachra the green light for the rebuild.
A few weeks later the engine was out and stripped and inspected. The engine had been rebuilt when I bought it but the parts used were not what I wouldd call of rebuild standard. They can be used but to do it right meant replacing or the very least re-lapping them. The cause of the failure was due to the engine using too much oil to lube the tips and the low oil level sensor being broken so the engine went a little low on oil and one sharp corner on hard acceleration meant no oil went to the tips causing them to stick, break and the bearings to break also.
So I got my list of parts which was long and placed my orders. I decided that this would be the right time to change a few bits for better parts ie cooling system and ecu etc. Also as I had so many problems with the car in the past I decided to replace as much of the aux bits and pieces I could afford and source. Things like sensors, intake piping and water pipes etc.
Here is a quick list of all the parts that I got.
New rotor housings x2
New rotor x1
Replaced eccentric shaft
Front side housing
Center side housing
Rear side housing
Full o-ring kit
Full gasket kit
full rebuild kit
New oil pump
New water pump
All vacuum pipes replaced with silicone ones
Check valves replaced with newer better ones from a guy in the states
Engine wiring loom replaced
Dash wiring loom replaced
Engine mounts replaced
Replaced all offending sensors
Replaced sump
Replaced the twin turbos for lower millage ones I got at a bargain
So many other small bits which I will post pics up and show a picture of the mazda invoice too. That makes me sad looking at the total everytime.
Aftermarket bits
Power fc ecu and commander
Koyo rad
V-mount intercooler
Samco intake hoses
Samco radiator hoses
Hks downpipe
Magnaflow resonated midpipe
Apexi n1 cat back
Sard 850 cc injectors x4
Denso upgraded fuel pump
Intake street ported 3mm enlarged
Exceedy single plate clutch not sure which one
Battery relocated to booth
Defi water and boost gauges
Drilled and grooved discs
Hawk hp+ pads front and rear
Stainless steel clutch line
Stainless steel brake lines
New sealed battery for booth
Upgraded brake fluid
Greedy intake elbow
Removed during rebuild
Air pump
Catalytic converter - This car is exempt from emissions testing over here.
Air conditioning
Removed double throttle butterflies
I got the rebuild kit but the water seals had split slightly,they could have been used but better safe then sorry. So had to get new ones off mazda.
Ok then I said I would post this here as some people may find it interesting.
When I started driving I had an old VW polo. I wanted to make it special for me and mod it just the way I would like it, I even researched loads of parts when i was bored at night. After about a year of saving a different car caught my eye, naturally one I couldn't afford but had to have. I saved up for over another year and bought my current car that I have 5 years. I have been slowly doing work on it with some minor set backs but mostly gains so here is a little project log of it so far hope you enjoy.
A few pics to start this thing off, when i first got the car.




Shortly after i got the car it sprung a coolant leak. So had the car gone for a few days while the offending pipe had to be found and replaced. Soon after that i got the car back. A few months after that the clutch slave cylinder sprung a leak. Fixed that and back on the road.
About a month after that the clutch fork snapped leaving me stuck in town late at night, not the most pleasurable experience.
Anyway I got that fixed and was saving to get all the bits i wanted for a good single turbo conversion when the engine wiring loom decided to go caput. I put the car into a reputable garage who shall remain nameless, they said they had a very good auto electrician and could sort it. So 3 months later and me raging at this point I got the car back with minor issues with the car. I was just happy to have the car back so put up with the minor things. In hinde sight not the best idea.
My savings took a dent but soon were back in the right direction.
Xmas 2008 comes and the worst thing has to happen. Engine went in the car. Seriously depressed at this stage and considered selling it numerous times over the next month.
Handed the car out to a guy from irishrotary who is now a friend for an inspection and he confirmed that the engine had thrown a tip. So I took a few days to see if i could afford a rebuild and if I would even do it or just sell as is or do a cheap rebuild and then sell. I finially made my decision and decided I liked the car too much and I'd keep it and rebuild it properly. So I gave Fiachra the green light for the rebuild.
A few weeks later the engine was out and stripped and inspected. The engine had been rebuilt when I bought it but the parts used were not what I wouldd call of rebuild standard. They can be used but to do it right meant replacing or the very least re-lapping them. The cause of the failure was due to the engine using too much oil to lube the tips and the low oil level sensor being broken so the engine went a little low on oil and one sharp corner on hard acceleration meant no oil went to the tips causing them to stick, break and the bearings to break also.
So I got my list of parts which was long and placed my orders. I decided that this would be the right time to change a few bits for better parts ie cooling system and ecu etc. Also as I had so many problems with the car in the past I decided to replace as much of the aux bits and pieces I could afford and source. Things like sensors, intake piping and water pipes etc.
Here is a quick list of all the parts that I got.
New rotor housings x2
New rotor x1
Replaced eccentric shaft
Front side housing
Center side housing
Rear side housing
Full o-ring kit
Full gasket kit
full rebuild kit
New oil pump
New water pump
All vacuum pipes replaced with silicone ones
Check valves replaced with newer better ones from a guy in the states
Engine wiring loom replaced
Dash wiring loom replaced
Engine mounts replaced
Replaced all offending sensors
Replaced sump
Replaced the twin turbos for lower millage ones I got at a bargain
So many other small bits which I will post pics up and show a picture of the mazda invoice too. That makes me sad looking at the total everytime.
Aftermarket bits
Power fc ecu and commander
Koyo rad
V-mount intercooler
Samco intake hoses
Samco radiator hoses
Hks downpipe
Magnaflow resonated midpipe
Apexi n1 cat back
Sard 850 cc injectors x4
Denso upgraded fuel pump
Intake street ported 3mm enlarged
Exceedy single plate clutch not sure which one
Battery relocated to booth
Defi water and boost gauges
Drilled and grooved discs
Hawk hp+ pads front and rear
Stainless steel clutch line
Stainless steel brake lines
New sealed battery for booth
Upgraded brake fluid
Greedy intake elbow
Removed during rebuild
Air pump
Catalytic converter - This car is exempt from emissions testing over here.
Air conditioning
Removed double throttle butterflies
I got the rebuild kit but the water seals had split slightly,they could have been used but better safe then sorry. So had to get new ones off mazda.