77 replies to this topic

[OBEY]

I've been slaving my arse off to meet the xmas deadline to have this finished. Many late nights. My body is bruised and battered. My hands are covered in cuts and dirt.

 

Let's give the UC an LX bumper. I hate rust so I painted the inside with killrust first. Here is the UC iron mounts next to the LX. Very different:

 

 

LX bolts up perfectly fine. But unfortunately they are in the way of the turbo intercooler because they hang low. I decided to make my own that are inverted to allow the intercooler pipe clearance using 4mm steel:

 

 

Now you can see the gap for the intercooler pipe

Edited by OBEY, 13 October 2017 - 02:21 PM.

[OBEY]

Finished LX front end:

 

 

Half time tech tip. I like to clean my rusty parts with household vinegar as I go. Cheap and effective. This is the results from overnight soaking:

 

 

The intercooler also means I can't run the factory bonnet catch so I fished around for a low profile system and found the VW Golf MK5 latch to be slimline and cheap on ebay. Was a very simple modifcation and it feels even nicer to operate than the original one:

 

 

Added the wastegate. Its difficult to bolt everything up now. Need to make sure its loose and gradually tighten the whole system up in sections

 

[Toranamat69]

Loving that engine bay. Nice bonnet latch and infill in front of rad. I want something like that look but I have a few different challenges.

[Holdenbn74]

Love your work bud 👌👍

[OBEY]

Working hard. Need to get all major fabricating work done before 2018 as I will not have enough free time again.

 

I had to remove the engine to fabricate the turbo scavenge pump system. Having the removable bar makes it a dream:

 

The front main crank seal was leaking, so good time to replace it. You need to take the dampener off first. My slipped right off without a puller. Just remove the big bolt. I had a hard time trying to get the seal in using a hammer. I actually damaged it so had to go back to the auto parts store and get another one.Came up with this simple solution by drilling a hole out of a piece of timber and using the same harmonic balancer bolt to push the seal in with equal force:

 

Upgrading the front brakes to the UPC 287mm kit. Read a lot of horror stories on here before I started. I thought that buying a kit would mean hassle free bolt up. Luckily it was!!!!

 

Original brakes:

 

 

The only hassle was having to grind a bit out of the adapter:

 

 

Then it all bolts straight up! Didn't have to swap the drop stud axles back to front either. Checked steering clearance ok too!

 

[OBEY]

Next problem. Where to put all the wiring and computer? Well how about this genius idea. I got the Idea from how computer motherboards are set up.

 

I welding coupling nuts to the firewall:

 

 

Then I got some perforated aluminum sheeting to mount everything on. its also raised 10mm so all the wires are hidden underneath

 

[OBEY]

Gives me the flexibility to add and remove stuff whenever i want.

 

Been trying to figure out how to put a tow point for the front of the car. Didn't like all the solutions posted so I came up with my own. Keep it simple is my moto. Just went to bunnings and got a $2.85 M12 threaded hook and removed the cone nut off the steering rack and replaced it with this:

 

 

Can you see it? Front view:

 

[Shiney005]

The simplest solutions are often the best. I might be a bit worried about the balancer slipping off that easily though.

[Bigfella237]

So long as it's not slopping around on the crank, the bolt and a dab of Loctite will hold it on, but it may flog out the keyway if it's loose enough to rotate under the bolt?

 

You will probably get some oil travelling between the crank and the balancer and flinging itself onto the inside of your fan belt pulleys over time too?

[OBEY]

So long as it's not slopping around on the crank, the bolt and a dab of Loctite will hold it on, but it may flog out the keyway if it's loose enough to rotate under the bolt?

 

You will probably get some oil travelling between the crank and the balancer and flinging itself onto the inside of your fan belt pulleys over time too?

 

It seems secured properly. I also made sure I refit the bolt to the required torque settings. Thanks I will keep an eye on it anyway. Would hate to see it get launched through the radiator!

[Heath]

Nice work.

Neat and simple idea for the tow hook, too. Kudos.

[OBEY]

Got my manifolds ceramic coated. $400

 

Paint time. The HQ in the background was salvaged from a swamp for $17k.

 

 

[Bigfella237]

NICE!

 

Getting to the good part now... bolting things on for the last time!

[HIBERN8]

Looks schmick! Nice colour.

[gtrboyy]

Nice!

 

Got alt bracket kit..their service majorly sucks.

 

What's story on swamp rat? Did shell cost 17k or retrieval mission?

[Heath]

Employing the "not fucking around" technique. Very impressive!

[OBEY]

Nice!

 

Got alt bracket kit..their service majorly sucks.

 

What's story on swamp rat? Did shell cost 17k or retrieval mission?

 

 

The shell cost 17k, the seller retrieved it from a swamp. I didn't meet the owner but it was rusted out. I'm certain she'd never be dug from her grave if it wasn't for the high availability of HQ parts these days. They had a brand new floor and panels ready to go. 

[OBEY]

Employing the "not frOcking around" technique. Very impressive!

 

Well I planned this 20 years ago  and I was sick of making excuses for being broke. I just went fk it, pulling it apart aint going to cost anything... No more excuses let's start! Its all the new skills I'm most proud of. The local auto industry has treated me like a king when I mention its for a Torana. Everyone has gone above and beyond with their products and services to help me.

[OBEY]

A few more pictures of the finished paint work. The painter said Gold and light silvers are the most difficult colours to paint because the metallics can show defects more easily. However he said this colour had no issues and two coats was perfect. Overall I'm very happy with the outcome. One downside is overspray went allover the fuel tank and rear surge tank and I had removed all that previously to paint and polish it. No big deal I'll redo it later.

 

I'm not 100% sure what to do next. An auto upholster said I should put the engine and wiring back in now and leave the interior till last. This way they can work around any mods I have done as well as making sure all the dirty work is done so that the interior has less risk of getting dirty.

 

[OBEY]

Got the car driving for the first time

New leather seats being installed. Vinyl on the other trims.

[OBEY]

Now it looks like a Torana again

 

Sounds good have a listen: https://streamable.com/ysizx

 

I'd like to add a lion badge to the front

[Bigfella237]

Congrats, it does sound good, except what's that fluttery shimery kinda noise at the end, maybe a belt slipping?

 

I bet you can't wait to get it on the road!

[Heath]

^ You're kidding right? Hahahaha

Hope it has a nice dose once it builds up boost.