Hi from Auckland New Zealand

Hi All

This is my first post on this forum, so just wanted to say hi.

I am currently in the process of purchacing a GTA here in NZ. The car was originally from Hong Kong then sent to the UK where it was modified by a company called Torque Developments. It was then imported to New Zealand.

We are not exactly sure what mods were made to the internals of the motor only that it has been increased to 3 litre and it has been converted to twin turbo (TD04s) with charge coolers.

There are 2 main problems with the car.

1. When the mods we done a piggy back computer was added due to the 3 litre crank altering the timing. This piggy back has been removed and is no longer available. Therefore my plan is rip out the factory computer and fit an after market one, probably a Link.

2. It has a cracked windscreen and there are no new windscreens in NZ. Can anyone help with this. I have noticed a couple of GTAs being wreaked on the forum. Anyone prepared to post one to NZ??

Another potential problem is that it has been sitting idle for about 12 years. Most of this time has been inside so the bodywork seems fine however I am a bit concerned about the engine. Do you think I should strip it down and rebuild it or just change the oil, bring it up to pressure and fire it up and hope for the best??

Great forum by the way, I have picked up a lot of tips and ideas already just reading other threads.

If you have any comments, ideas etc that might help me please feel free.

[stephendell]

due to the 3 litre crank altering the timing

Is the engine oddfire or evenfire in the current set up?

It has a cracked windscreen and there are no new windscreens in NZ

Screens are available new in the UK. So I'm sure someone will be able to ship one to you.

For a windscreen why not e-mail or Phone Colin at Alpine Affaire in Victoria Australia, he may have them avalible, maybe not so far on the shipping side of things... He's cool to talk to and maybe a good contact to have...

He has a mailing list where he sends out info on events etc, maybe get him to put you on it... they have alpine drive days and attend tarmac rallies etc... all good fun

4 Thanet Crt
Ringwood, VIC 3134
AUSTRALIA.
Mon-Fri 8:00am- 5:30pm
Sat 8:00am- 4:30pm
Tel: (03) 9879-1961
Fax: (03) 9879-1403

http://www.alpineaffaire.com.au/
eurocars@alpineaffaire.com.au

[quote="stephendell"]Is the engine oddfire or evenfire in the current set up?/quote]

Im new to V6s so this whole oddfire/evenfire thing is new to me. All I know is that changed from one to the other. So if it was oddfire its now evenfire or visa versa. I think with the 2.5l crank it had split journals but now with the 3l crank it has one piece journals.

I remember Torque Developments did modify at least one GTA in this way - probably your one.

There was a GTA buyers guide in Performance Car magazine years ago (it was an excellent article actually) and they mentioned mods were rare and difficult. The following week in the letters page someone (Martin Easterbrook maybe?) had written in and talked of the mods he'd made to his and also of a very special version being built by Torque Developments - aiming for 400 bhp. The spec was the same I think as yours so.......

Have you tried contacting T D to find out if anyone remembers the details - http://www.tdi-plc.com/

WRT the engine there's nothing flash like silicone coating of the bores to dry out so as long as moisture's not been allowed to cause damage then I'd crank it for a bit and then try to fire it up. Just my opinion, but if it's knackered then it needs a rebuild anyway and you won't cause problems by trying to start it - you'll just make some smoke. If it doesn't need a rebuild then you've saved yourself a load of cash.

So, you have something that was highly tuned 12 years ago, you dont have all the ignition bits and you don't really know too much about the mods and it's been sitting since.

I personally think it's quite a risk to fire it up, I know temptation will be very high though, you don't even know if it was working when it was last used??? Maybe it was stored because it started knocking... or something.

If you can afford to, I would examine the internals first, a rebuild with what you've got. As well as the ECU, for all you know someone may have borrowed the oil pump too???

It sounds like a peach of a set up, can't wait to see some picutres. Good Luck

I'd have a nose at least .At best it'll be new gaskets and bolts ,at worst it'll prevent any further damage .................

Oh yes, and what ever problems you do have...... check your earths !

I'd have a nose at least .At best it'll be new gaskets and bolts ,at worst it'll prevent any further damage .................

I presume gaskets etc are readily available, who would be the best supplier in the UK??

Thanks everyone for you comments, interesting about Torque Developments, yes I will contact them and see it I can find out more.

I will post some photos in a couple of weeks

This is almost a full rebuild kit................I've got a set of new headbolts in the shed if you need them as well .
http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/ ... php?t=1895

[Alpineandy]

Just in case your not already on there, this is a useful place for renault info in yr part of the world : http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/index.php

Be wary of anybody that said the car was 'done' my TD. There was a guy that advertised a GTA a long time ago, said he worked for TD, fitted 'HKS cams, ecu' ( ) which of course don't exist, and was basically a load of bull..

As Simon said, you are working with an unknown. Pull it apart, have a look in side and check whats what. There are lot of cockerel ups in the past by people that thought they knew what they were doing...

My Dad once bought a Fiat V6 block for an engine rebuild, the complete bottom end had been rebuilt. We removed the sump and checked the crank, all the big ends were just finger tight, wow we were glad we checked it.

Well its been a while since I started this thread but I have finally got the car in my shed and engine is stripped down.

Just as well I took you combined advice and pulled it apart as all the water galleries in the heads and around the liners were totally blocked up with gunk, and I mean totally blocked.

Interesting parts inside, Volvo 73mm stroke crank which means 2847cc, Mahle forged pistons, ported heads, very strange clutch, and lot of very new looking parts.

How do you post photos on this forum?

Well its been a while since I started this thread but I have finally got the car in my shed and engine is stripped down.

Just as well I took you combined advice and pulled it apart as all the water galleries in the heads and around the liners were totally blocked up with gunk, and I mean totally blocked.

Interesting parts inside, Volvo 73mm stroke crank which means 2847cc, Mahle forged pistons, ported heads, very strange clutch, and lot of very new looking parts.

How do you post photos on this forum?

Is the crank oddfire, or even fire.?

Remember, oddfire looks even, and evenfire looks odd!