Chris' 2002 SP20

[ninja-chris]

So I thought I would start one of these worklog things :)

I probably wont have that much to post but every now and then something will change I assume.

For starters:

Just recently purchased this car from a guy on the Gold Coast. Looked pretty nice and I basically fell in love at the test drive :P

I bought it soon after then drove it back to Brisbane.

There were a few 'bugs'... :

There was a crack in the radiator near the filler, but it was 'repaired' for RWC.

The leather Nardi steering wheel was really, really tattered.

The stereo was not working properly (I didn't actually realise this when I bought the car. Wasn't too happy when I found out the next day.).

It really needed a service!

One of the heat shields or something else in the exhaust system vibrates quite annoyingly at around 3500RPM.

http://i.imgur.com/SclWhK4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lynP6cz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mWmdyzb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AzstYb9.jpg

[ninja-chris]

The next day after driving it home from the GC, this happened...

http://i.imgur.com/ZBqyQsn.jpg

Top tip: Plastic 'welds' dont work...

[ninja-chris]

Was originally quoted $250+ for the radiator alone, but I rang around and found a local supplier who had one for $132 with a two year warranty(!).

http://www.autopartsgroup.com.au/all-crash-parts/

That was installed the next day, plus proper 50% coolant (I have a feeling it was just running water lol).

[ninja-chris]

http://i.imgur.com/PLjrpII.jpg

dat sag...

Got some BJII bumper brackets on order though, yay!

[oyeloo]

Looks good Chris! Trust me I said I would have a very boring Mod thread too when I started mine. Its funny how fast it starts to grow and grow the more.

If your looking to keep the stock HU I have the one I pulled out of my car before I got my DVD one still in my garage. It worked before we pulled it out.

P.s. Great move on the bracket front too, Best thing I ever bought!!

[ninja-chris]

Looks good Chris! Trust me I said I would have a very boring Mod thread too when I started mine. Its funny how fast it starts to grow and grow the more.

If your looking to keep the stock HU I have the one I pulled out of my car before I got my DVD one still in my garage. It worked before we pulled it out.

P.s. Great move on the bracket front too, Best thing I ever bought!!

The issues I was having with the stereo were with the front speakers. I replaced both of them, now the drivers side speaker is working but not the passenger one.

I'm really really really hoping its not a break or short in the wiring cause that would be incredibly inconvenient to fix...

For this reason I'm telling myself that it is the head unit that is faulty (or it could just be a dodgy connection to the HU...)

How much do you want for your old stock HU? Might consider it, because I kinda like them.

If I stick with a stock HU I'm going to install an AUX in (either a cable to the glovebox or a jack mounted to the front panel of the HU).

[JDM323]

welcome,did you sort your steering wheel?

[ninja-chris]

welcome,did you sort your steering wheel?

Not really...
I got some black tennis raquet grip and wrapped it around but it doesn't look that great haha.

Looking for an OEM replacement atm.

[JDM323]

you have pm

[ninja-chris]

I replaced the airfilter with a K&N Panel Filter.

http://i.imgur.com/F4ZMFx0.jpg

The old one was really really dirty. I can actually notice a difference when driving!

http://i.imgur.com/YwQO2Nb.jpg

[ninja-chris]

Thoughts on these wheels? They'd need a clean up...

They are 17" Buddy Club P1s

http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/blnc/130225/438r1/7557k0b_20.jpeg

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/forest-lake/wheels-tyres-rims/buddy-club-p1-17-/1014952040

[z100]

Thoughts on these wheels? They'd need a clean up...

They are 17" Buddy Club P1s

Nice wheels, but would they even fit at +32? :confused:

[ninja-chris]

Yeah come to think of it they probably wouldn't... Although I did see someone say +35 is about the max you can go

[Mad Mat]

Yeah come to think of it they probably wouldn't... Although I did see someone say +35 is about the max you can go

All depends on the how u want to use ur car.. They would fit with some wrolled guards and a bit of camber.. :)

[BG1.8sp]

All depends on the how u want to use ur car.. They would fit with some wrolled guards and a bit of camber.. :)

I am 7" + 42 on my buddy clubs. Running an oversized tyre (should be a 40 series... I am using 45) no stretch on the tyres and stock camber. Had to roll the guards out.

On a +32 you would be looking at like a 205 tyre, rolled guards and decent camber.

Or 195, slightly more camber over stock but not much more, and rolled guards.

Either way... It's going to have a slightly "stanced" look.... And IMO those wheels don't suit stance.

[BG1.8sp]

LOL! 17x8 +32.

Goodluck! Lol

Rolled, pumped guards, stretch and camber.


That's an extra 23mm more extended that my P1 SF's

So you will be out if the guards, meaning stretch, roll and camber

[sikwitit]

im on 17X8 +38 and im flush with extra camber from coilovers and camber bolts in the rear with fenders rolled i rub on big bumps but im slammed

[ninja-chris]

WOW its been 40000 years since I've been on here...

I noticed my car making horrible smells after driving (even after short trips). I recognised the problem as a leaky rocker cover seal cos I had the same issues with my excel (yes, I had an excel). It started to get so bad I could actually see the smoke from the oil hitting the manifold from outside the car...

Never really done anything like this before, so I did my research and got all the stuff I needed and set aside a few hours... this is the result:

http://i.imgur.com/oi45bdh.jpg
Ready to go...


http://i.imgur.com/D2kngKn.jpg
mmm, so gross. To my horror, I discovered that nearly all the bolts were barely finger tight O.o


http://i.imgur.com/xwsvbnm.jpg
Cover off.


http://i.imgur.com/7wrUxYQ.jpg
My super amazing engine protection mechanism.


http://i.imgur.com/rfNiipO.jpg
Sexy new blue gasket. It was only $24 pick up from onlineautoparts.com.au!


http://i.imgur.com/JCIjHyz.jpg
Back together after a bit of a degrease.



http://i.imgur.com/IBNyTX8.jpg
Bit of a wipe, looking sexy again ;)



And that took me ~3 hours, but I'd do it a million times faster next time!

[ninja-chris]

I'm looking for some 17" rims. Ideally want some mazda 6 17", but can't really find any close to me. Another thought I had was subaru rims. What do you guys think?

http://www.boostnetwork.com.au/database/crop/4/847/635.25/wheelsandtyres/files/17_quot__Wrx_Alloy_Wheels_With_Good_Tyres_6930121. jpg

[Ice88]

Different stud pattern.

[marcs_sp20]

Wont fit as they are 5x100, whereas Mazdas are 5x114.3

Only the later model STi's are 5x114.3 IIRC

[TheMAN]

did you forget to put some silicone sealant around the cam cap humps of the gasket?

[ninja-chris]

Wont fit as they are 5x100, whereas Mazdas are 5x114.3

Only the later model STi's are 5x114.3 IIRC

Ah OK, good point. Didn't bother to check that and somehow I don't think STi wheels are going to be very affordable :P

[ninja-chris]

did you forget to put some silicone sealant around the cam cap humps of the gasket?

Haha do you mean did I remember? Yes I did put the proper RTV silicone stuff in the corners around the cam humps. There was some there already, so I just replaced it.