First100 miles:beginning of the end or end of the beginning?

by **gchristofi** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:30 pm

'Dodgy' connector back where it belongs and all is sweet again. :-)

. Mi booooossstt gauge can wait innit bruv.

by **gchristofi** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 8:37 pm

Boost gauge now plumbed in without causing issue, off the recirc valve line. (Thanks Lee)

I managed to confirm the leak into the foot wells was coming from the bottom of the windscreen so decided to seal this up whilst we still have some sunshine. Since they needed removing, was the perfect time to try and clean up the windscreen surrounds that were really letting things down cosmetically... fairly typical after nearly 30 years I suspect...

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These haven't been off for a while, plenty of crud underneath.

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White sealant will dry translucent.

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For comparison, original look and after going over with 2 grades of wet and dry.

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Before and after following a small amount of trim dressing. Big difference and worth the effort.

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Ready? for her first shakedown at Cadwell Park (No haters on the decals.... never had airfix models as a kid :-)

)

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by **gchristofi** » Sun Oct 04, 2015 11:34 am

Happy to report that even after 20 mins hosepipe on the screen and roof, no water is finding its way into the cockpit any more. :-)

Next will try and resolve the vibration over 80mph. Will get front wheels balanced and possibly tracking redone as a start. Does anyone have any info on the standard turbo geometry settings? Or even an idea for a good starting point for front toe given this is mainly for track use?

by **gchristofi** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 1:37 pm

Big day for "Alpie" tomorrow. 1st visit to track to see if enough work has been done for reliable performance. Fingers crossed, wish us luck.

Seems a long time ago this crazy idea began......

IMG_1386 by gchristofi, on Flickr

Yesterday was also a milestone as the previous owner's daughter finally got to have a drive..... Good timing as you never know what's going to happen at Cadwell Park!

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All went well, we even found George's music in the cassette player and it was a slightly emotional journey! :up

by **pgoldsmith** » Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:34 am

My nearside mirror has been slightly loose recently and then yesterday it decided to part company with the door :down

Removed the whole unit off the car and I'd thought I'd share some photos of the 'bits'.

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These are the bits which have broken off - different colour to the main body housing.
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Then the metal C bracket.
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I used a small vice to compress the two end pins (after a night of Plus Gas) and removed the two circlips.

Now I'll buy some two pack plastic compound to fill the void and then self tap.

by **The Saint** » Sat Mar 26, 2016 9:23 pm

Mr Dell has lots of new ones.... but I also may have a secondhand pair at the back of my garage, if you don't want to wait for a new one??? Not sure how good they are as I just put new ones on the GTA when I had it painted... Could take a peek if you need???

by **BIG_MVS** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 9:01 pm

How's Greg getting on? Any update?

by **gchristofi** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 6:45 pm

BIG_MVS wrote:How's Greg getting on? Any update?

Oh, I have been a bit quiet since the end of last year!

Back in October I had a successful outing to Cadwell park and was only let down by a replacement coolant tank off ebay (which I knew might be a week point). Once the original was put back and everything bled correctly, the coolant system has remained solid.... well, it is 100% brand new bar the coolant tank!

So I have a reliable GTA that drives well but I took some time to reflect on the 'track car' plans for Alpie. From an abandoned car in a field to a mostly mechanically restored GTA, she had come a long way in 6 months! A reliable GTA v6 turbo is great fun on the road, good at what it was designed to be, a sporty grand tourer with a boost of fun. Should I really be going further and making rare car into a track weapon?

My budget had already grown way past my planned spend and continuing down the 'track' route would certainly mean.... plus size turbo, new suspension, brakes, stripping interior, blowing and engine / gearbox? etc. all more mega ££££. The further spend would not be likely increase the appeal or value of the car to anyone bar me. It was a tough decision, a bit like giving up on a vision but ultimately a sensible decision I think to leave her as a road car.

(Of course I still needed a track tool so in December, I went back to what I know and starting building one starting with an e46 330, probably why I've been a little distracted and quiet here!)

IMG_4036 by gchristofi, on Flickr

by **BIG_MVS** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 2:59 pm

It's your car but I would agree to leave it as a high days or holidays fast road car.

Thrash the beemer round the track instead there are thousands of those in the off chance you were to bin it :silent

by **simontaylor** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:44 pm

The BMW is just a little bit mundane and less exciting than a GTA.
I find my GTA starts to get rather warm after about 5 or 6 laps around a track.

by **gchristofi** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:13 pm

BIG_MVS wrote:It's your car but I would agree to leave it as a high days or holidays fast road car.

Thrash the beemer round the track instead there are thousands of those in the off chance you were to bin it

That's pretty much my theory too Martin. Sadly I wasn't looking for another high days and holidays car to keep. I have been contemplating putting it on the market but every time I drive her, I decide to keep her a bit longer! If I had another dry garage to store her in, the decision would be simple.

by **gchristofi** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:29 pm

simontaylor wrote:The BMW is just a little bit mundane and less exciting than a GTA.
I find my GTA starts to get rather warm after about 5 or 6 laps around a track.

If both cars were standard and using original bushings / suspension / brakes etc then perhaps.

Much has been modified and upgraded on the BMW. It now goes handles and stops like a go-kart and is 25 seconds quicker around Cadwell Park than the Alpine and on a fractional budget in comparison.

Having said that, I suspect the Bmw will never provide the same turn in or sense of danger / adrenaline as a very well upgraded £££ GTA turbo with the engine somewhere over the rear axle!!

Thankfully, the GTA maintained good temps lap after lap. Not sure this would be so with unrated turbo mind?