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My LX hatch project


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#51 _mowie_

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 11:47 AM

That was the original idea, but i've decided against it. The 300zx seats are comfortable, and fold forward better than the hatch seats, but i didnt want it to look pox (do we still use that work).

#52 _mowie_

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 05:05 PM


Engine bay (very dirty)
Attached File  image.jpg   123.79K   6 downloads

Hatch
Attached File  image.jpg   81.94K   5 downloads

Heads and bits

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#53 _greenmachine215_

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 11:45 PM

Aww bout time for an update.... How's about a few more of the car in full?


#54 _mowie_

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 11:58 AM

Hey Marc, Unfortunately thats all that there really is for photos, there are no panels done yet.

In terms of the interior, im using black plush carpet, black velour headlining, chamois seats. Im thinking that i will run black vinyl down the A B and C pillars, and along the tops of the doors, with chamois standard door cards or door cards off something else that i can mod with a chamois highlight.

Covers arrive in the next couple of days.

#55 _jesseconnery_

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 03:47 PM

looking good
can you put up a photo of how the horn are reassembled?
pulled mine apart and took no photos

#56 Mowie

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Posted 30 January 2022 - 08:01 PM

Ok so reviving the old thread. It’s been a very long project, lots of getting interested then losing interest. Now with engine and box done, some new wheels I’m starting to get motivated again.

One of my problems with having a project go so long is I’ve changed direction many times. The one that’s biting me at the moment is I changed from Turbo 350 to turbo 700 but my crossmember is to suit the turbo 350. Pretty sure I can just cut the crossmember spa wise brace and move it aft along the angles. Anyone able to confirm?

e3800014aa725e4346ec0d1204bc671e.jpg



Cheers
Tom


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#57 RIM-010

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Posted 30 January 2022 - 08:50 PM

Nice work mate, welcome back!

If you're going to modify the crossmember you may as well modify it to suit a TKX manual...

#58 Heath

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Posted 31 January 2022 - 08:55 AM

lol, agreed. ITB V8's are absolutely the go, particularly with a third pedal.

 

Welcome back, Tom.

 

Wow, that has been a long time. Keen to see more progress!



#59 Mowie

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Posted 27 May 2025 - 07:20 PM

Ok time for an update. 
 

The torana is now back from the painters. Not without hiccups and far from perfect, but after having it for so long it’s now time to get it on the road and enjoy it.

 

Chasing some advice on front springs. It’s too low at the front and has a heap of rake. It has the blue lowered V8 springs in the front. I think it might come up a bit with a wheel alignment and fixing the camber but think it’s still going to be too low. If anyone can recommend a set of springs that would be appreciated.

 

also have issues with the centre piece of the rear spoiler, but I won’t go into that now.

 

 

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#60 rexy

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Posted 28 May 2025 - 03:19 PM

I gotta say that side view looks very good!

The front looks spot on. 

 

How desperate are you to raise it? Too many local speed bumps?

If anything the rear could go down an inch if the wheels/tyres allowed.

 

Looks aside, if you want to raise it you could start with something like the std low springs that people offer and then slowly trim them until they are spot on.



#61 Mowie

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Posted 28 May 2025 - 09:08 PM

Thanks Rexy, I think it might level out a bit more with some fuel in the tank. My driveway is quite sloped so I might wait to see how it handles that and then make a call to change or not. Rear can definitely come down from where it is.


Pic of the interior below but from a while ago. Chamois on Black.

 

Per the engineers requirements I’ve also had to go to retractable lap sash in the rear seats so when I get a chance I’ll post up a picture of how it worked out (can’t take the credit as I copied someone on here)

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#62 rexy

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Posted 29 May 2025 - 09:32 AM

Like a 50 year old new car.

 

Does it still have the SBC in it that’s in the pics?



#63 LXCHEV

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Posted 29 May 2025 - 09:49 AM

The front does look exceptionally low (the fact that you can only just see sidewall from the side). Ultra low is cool, but flared Torana's do look just as awesome sitting a little bit higher. Depends what your ground clearance is like for things such as exhaust system and front spoiler etc.

 

Are you running original Torana stub axles, or HQ series? (HQ series will result in a small amount of lowering too).

 

Unless you can I.D. the current springs - I'd be tempted to remove them and then take your measurements and compare to what else is available. The King Springs 'A9X' spec front springs generally seem to go well with HQ stub cars.



#64 Mowie

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Posted 29 May 2025 - 06:36 PM

Yep still got the SBC in there Rexy.

LXCHEV it does have the hq stubs and 17x8s, a bit more clearance for the catalytic converter would be good too. Attached File  20250529_122726.jpg   77.52K   7 downloadsAttached File  20250529_122713.jpg   76.68K   9 downloads

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#65 Holdenbn74

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Posted 05 June 2025 - 10:13 AM

Looks mint, agree with getting it on road and enjoy it. Easier to tinker knowing it’s drivable. Could go coil over kit for front to give height adjustment as well. Just a thought anyway, looks awesome 🙌

#66 Heath

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Posted 05 June 2025 - 01:55 PM

The King Springs 'A9X' spec front springs generally seem to go well with HQ stub cars.

Yep, KHFS-15 are the highest spring rate option so they're going to work better than the other King Springs front springs as well in my opinion. That's what I have in mine. Like any front spring, cut to taste of course, I think I lost a little over a full coil, but I'd have cut less off if I had the HQ uprights.



#67 SmacT

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Posted 05 June 2025 - 02:49 PM

I don't have HQ stubs, but the below can give you an idea with Kings Springs.

 

Front, std stubs, 17x9 wheel, 235/45R17

Springs: KHFS14 std height springs, untouched. The P/S sits a little high due to not seating properly in the saddle, which I will fix soon, but D/S is right where I want it with a driver in it.

 

Rear:

60lt droptank (close to full here), 17x10.5 wheels

Springs: KHRL-12 King Springs (lowered, std were too high) and Superpro 8mm spacer. Sits right for me with a tank of fuel, and no scrapey. Airbags are a good option here, but I got what I wanted with the Superpro spacers.

 

Attached File  IMG_7023.jpg   77.75K   5 downloads

 

Your car looks great mate, try to avoid perfection paralysis and get it on the road and do things as you go. I know I am.... Ha ha.



#68 neglectedtorana

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Posted 05 June 2025 - 06:13 PM

Looks good and you're nearly there, keep going and enjoy it.

 

Do you know what springs you have?

I have Kings KHFL-44 and with the LS1 it s a little too tall and when I have time I plan on getting the grinder out and making an adjustment.

 

I did have the low low front springs originally and it looked great but was too low for engineering and I put the standard low in, should have added a spacer to the low low springs and it would have been perfect.

If its too low try a spacer, someone can correct me but I think a spacer gives you double the ride height. Eg: add a 1/2" space and the ride height goes up 1" I think Super Pro have them and surely other manufacturer.



#69 Heath

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Posted 10 June 2025 - 10:50 AM

Yes, there's about a 1:2 velocity ratio on the arm... so if the wheel moves 1", the spring deflects 1/2". Therefore a solid spacer of 1/2" would give you a 1" lift approximately, BUT you can't put a very big spacer in before the top of the spring stops being captive, in the front-end. I made an aluminium spacer for one of my front springs as part of the corner-balancing process but it was only thin, maybe like 4mm from memory.



#70 SHEEL

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Posted 10 June 2025 - 11:36 AM

that engine is SEXY AF!!






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