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-   -   HMT's daily: '00 BJ Sportive - The xero fux given 323 (http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22341)

HMT 26-07-2018 10:00 PM

HMT's daily: '00 BJ Sportive - The xero fux given 323
 
I thought I might as well show my daily here that I bought last year as a write off. Got it for two reasons: I wanted a pre '01 BJ because of bad rust issues with later years and specifically a '00 Sportive since it came with the JDM Sport20 interieur. With that in mind I looked around for about a year one and off, and this was the best one I could find in terms of rust issues.

Why a BJ in 2017? (the following section is C&P, hence slightly redundant).
Well, I needed a new daily for commute and transport of the offspring as well as the occasional movement of building material.
After buying and selling two Xedos 6 V6s last year (yes, I desperately wanted a V6 in my life), I decided I'd go for the practical compact kinda hot kinda hatch that is the 323F BJ Sportive. I chose the 2000 model year because it combined the JDM interieur with a less rusty shell than the later years. Still, it took me months to track down a suitably candidate and actually the best I could come up with was silver (omg) a beat up unloved thing of ugliness which I acquired for the sum of 250€. I stress again, this was the best i could find including all offers up to 4000€.

http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj001.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj014.jpg

Oh, i should mention that I had to travel about 200 miles one way (twice actually, so a total of 800) to buy it and bring it home two weeks later. Makes sense, right?

I only drove a few miles like this towards a mates garage where i picked up a bunch of parts and ghettofixed the front end a bit.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj015.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj016.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj017.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj018.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj019.jpg

The trip home took about 4 hours due to the worst weather conditions and a somewhat limited top speed because accident damage and dead tires. Still, we made it. Safe to say, my wife was a bit underwhelmed with my purchase ^^
But this was the least rusty 323f BJ I could come up with, that has an engine that's not terribly slow (i.e. no 1.5 or 1.6), has a nice interior and the variable passenger seat and rear bench option, which is really awesome.

The morning after:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj020.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj021.jpg

A few more detail shots.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj022.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj023.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj024.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj025.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj026.jpg

Apart from all the filth, the interior was actually really nice.

Some accident damage:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj027.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj028.jpg

After vacuuming the mess on the inside, I quickly put in a 626 wiper stalk with variable interval control.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj030.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj031.jpg

That's actually very useful in german winters.

After that we found a space for the car where it would stay for a few weeks during repairs.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj032.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj033.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:02 PM

First steps while waiting for spare parts:
new rear wiper
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj034.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj035.jpg

JDM emblem
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj036.jpg

The original remote was completely dead
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj037a.jpg

I could restore the connections on the board and pair the remote with the car again. But i still was lacking a case with buttons
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj037.jpg

The doors were the only parts with rust:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj038.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj039.jpg

The car still sported the original radio!
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj042.jpg

...which was replaced by this. Also added the Touring Computer from a 626
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj045.jpg

Started changing the illumination from green to red (weirdly, the speedo dials already were illuminated red)
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj044.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj047.jpg

Changed the interior air filter
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj048.jpg

And received the new suspension
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj049.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj050.jpg

Ok, after that, i started dismantling the front end
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj051.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj052.jpg

It turned out that there was more damage than I originally anticipated but that's just life...
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj053.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj054.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj055.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj056.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:03 PM

Test fitted a facelift bumper:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj060.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj061.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj062.jpg

Installed the antenna bit from the Mazdaspeed 3
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj065.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj066.jpg

Tried to find out what happens if you pull on the fugly black bumper bits
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj067.jpg

And went through my stored parts to find a set of barely used Fondmetal wheels in 7x15"
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj068.jpg

Next steps:
Getting parts from a donor (including a remote)
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj069.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj070.jpg

Repairing both remotes (as described above)
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj071.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj072.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj073.jpg

Receiving moar parts
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj074.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj075.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:06 PM

Cleaning up the mess behind the fugly black stripe things
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj076.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj077.jpg

Becoming motivated enough to start pulling on the other fugly black stripe things on the car
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj078.jpg
And deciding to put that on hold until i'm able to remove the sticky glue that held them on.

Replaced the front wipers completely
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj079.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj080.jpg

Prepared the suspension
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj081.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj082.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj083.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj084.jpg

The bonnet opener was destroyed by the dealer so i had to replace it.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj085.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj086.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj087.jpg

Used this opportunity to do some rust proofing

http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj088.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj089.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj090.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj091.jpg

Removed some rust on the windscreen frame
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj096.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj097.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj098.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj100.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:07 PM

Also at the sills
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj101.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj102.jpg

And the doors
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj104.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj105.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj106.jpg

And the front fenders and under:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj111.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj112.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj113.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj114.jpg

Replaced the door sills
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj107.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj108.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj109.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj110.jpg

Installed new brakes all around because well...
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj115.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj116.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj117.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj118.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:36 PM

Then had some fun with paint :)
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj120.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj121.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj123.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj124.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj125.jpg

Ok, soon after, i received a "new" bonnet
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj126.jpg

Unfortunately, the paint has seen better days and there was some rust beneath.

Direct comparison
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj127.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj128.jpg

Rusty rust
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj129.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj130.jpg

Treated that as shown before and painted it grey
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj131.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj132.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj133.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj134.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj135.jpg

Test fit, meanwhile, new parts arrived
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj136.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:37 PM

Tried a spinning rubber bit to remove the glue under the side protection things
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj137.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj138.jpg

Worked well. Therefore i removed all the stripes
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj139.jpg

Started changing brakes and suspension
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj140.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj141.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj142.jpg
old vs sexy
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj143.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj144.jpg

http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj145.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj146.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj147.jpg

Implemented some corrosion prevention measures
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj148.jpg

http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj149.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj150.jpg

http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj151.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj152.jpg

Random Pic
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj153.jpg

And got some updated rear lights
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj154.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj155.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:38 PM

Next up, I continued to change the switch illumination from green to red
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj156.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj157.jpg

Sandblasted and painted the strut brace mounts
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj158.jpg

I had two sets of head lights: one with blind covers and one off the donor with "as new" covers but cracked housings from the accident. So swap it is. And black!
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj159.jpg

Dipty dip
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj160.jpg

Winning 's winning
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj161.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj162.jpg

Add more wax!
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj163.jpg

Put new Conti winter tires on the wheels and this:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj164.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj165.jpg

Since i couldnt make the facelifted front bumper fit to the car in a reasonable amount of time, i went back to the donor to get the bumper and a few more bits
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj166.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj167.jpg

Since this bumper had seen at least two accidents and had been repaired as cheaply as possible, I decided to go full #nöfuksgvn
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj168.jpg

Glued the bumper in 9 places with epoxide and added color matching jdm stitches
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj169.jpg

Added EZ lip for additional street cred
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj170.jpg

Also glued the front grille and fog lights - nothing goes to waste :D

Then I pulled the front crossmember back out...
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj171.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj172.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:38 PM

Over all it's ok for this application. I was able to make all parts fit so that you couldnt see the damage from the outside.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj173.jpg

Added new radiator and aircon condenser and dryer.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj174.jpg

Added yellow for light bulbs
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj176.jpg

The engine received fresh coolant and oil, a new battery, coolant hoses and OEM iglition leads. Topped it off with a OEM strut brace, powder coated valve cover, dipped front grille, Corksport finish panel and an AutoExe Carbon Airbox.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj177.jpg
The engine bay was filthy as...

Then cleaned the interior (so dirty!), added wiring for an amplifier and new carpets. Was left with this
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj178.jpg

Finally, the new indicators arrived
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj179.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj180.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj181.jpg

Next up, i covered the holes in the bumpers
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj182.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj183.jpg

Added new spray nozzles
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj184.jpg

Radio and TC working
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj185.jpg

Found covers for the roof trim
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj186.jpg

Added some color in form of stickers
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj187.jpg

Received a large parcel
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj188.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:40 PM

Center console and rear bumper off the BJ2
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj189.jpg

Unfortunately the bumper was damaged. But the rear lip still intact...

Direct comparison of center consoles
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj190.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj191.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj192.jpg

Hand brake lever wouldnt fit the new console, so got one of those as well
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj193.jpg

Now all fits fine. Added some Xedos sound deadening
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj194.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj195.jpg

Much better
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj196.jpg

Almost ready to take over for winter duty
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj197.jpg

Aand got it registered and washed!
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj201.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj198.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj200.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj199.jpg

The front suspension made some weird noises...turned out the aftermarked upper bearings were slightly tighter than oem, rubbing on the spring seats and tensioning the spring when steering, resulting in a "boing" noise. Put the OEM ones back, problem solved.
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj202.jpg

New parcel arrived
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj204.jpg

A dealer option sport exhaust with mazda engraving :)
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj205.jpg

Some evening fun
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj206.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj207.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:41 PM

At new years, a heat wave struck - so i decided to put on the rear lip
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj208.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/bj209.jpg

Added some audio to the front doors
http://www.project-l.com/images/spor...8/tweeters.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/spor...8/frontsys.jpg

Then at cold winter days, the starter motor decided to not reach the flywheel when trying to start the car. After a fey days of keeping a hammer in the car and gently motivating it to work, one evening I manned up and removed the motor for some much needed cleaning
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/feb01.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/feb02.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/feb03.jpg

After that, the starter worked like a charm. It's the little things sometimes.

And more recently i added a new bonnet mat that I got cheaply
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar01.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar02.jpg

So we got snow again
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar05.jpg

I put on summer wheels
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar08.jpg

Changed the thermostat
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar11.jpg

Added gauge rings
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar10.jpg

A set of new rear speakers
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar13.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/mar14.jpg

The car made itself useful transporting heavy materials
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr01.jpg

And finally, I test fitted more Sport20 aero
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr02.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr03.jpg
Fitment is spot on so i will paint them and get more pictures once they're on.

I have to say, with the new wheels, suspension and audio, the car is actually quite fun to drive and still it doesnt hurt if I have to transport stuff or get a little dirt inside. So i guess, for now, it suits me well and gives me the opportunity to look after my other cars whilst they are off the road :)

Transport duty:
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr04.jpg

HMT 26-07-2018 10:41 PM

Redid the front turn signals
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr05.jpg

So this...
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr06.jpg

...became this
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr07.jpg

Much better :)
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr08.jpg

After a quick hand wash (the first one since i got it and probably in the whole life of the car), it looked quite nice
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr09.jpg
Should have been like that from the factory.

Prepped and primed the skirts
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr10.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr11.jpg

Test fit - almost there
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr12.jpg
http://www.project-l.com/images/sport18/2018/apr13.jpg

Most of this happened in October 2017 and a bit during last winter and spring.
The current status is this:
Side skirts are on for a while now and i added a front lip as well:
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9z5OGFLfm...1600/jul01.jpg

More pics can be founr here: https://driving-culture.blogspot.com...for-daily.html

From here on, it will mainly be maintenance and driving since I really prefer working on the BA, BG, NA or MX3...
Still, hope you like the little rescue story :)
Cheers,
Chris

Noble323 27-07-2018 09:19 PM

A lot of work so far :)
But good progress, never seen anyone repair rust like that haha

HMT 31-07-2018 05:09 PM

You mean the doors? That's merely cosmetics and trying to preserve the rest that is left over - not really a repair ^^

Was in the mood for pictures this morning...

https://driving-culture.blogspot.com...o-fux-323.html

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sEf1xsPSd...1600/jul02.jpg


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