Damo's Astina 323 Hatchy!

[mkid]

the V6 are as reliable as the I4
its just more expensive to run, and more expensive to fix if something goes wrong

[mikey_something]

the I4 platform is easier to mod than V6 if im correct?
not that it cant be done... just harder?

[Rupewrecht]

Originally Posted by mikey_something

the I4 platform is easier to mod than V6 if im correct?
not that it cant be done... just harder?

Not really. I4, drop in a BPT. V6, drop in a KL-ZE. Suspension is all the same.

[Cosmo Dude]

Things look difficult on the V6 due to space but having done timing belt and water pump on each I'd say they are 'bout the same.
You need to be a bit more methodicle with the V6. I.E. take off the strut brace, remove the battery, remove the battery tray so you can change the fuel filter easily. Also allow more time to do some things like replacing the rear valve cover gasket 'cos it takes an hour to remove the inlet manifold.

[mkid]

the BP in the BA can use stuff from the MX5 laser and a few cars
the KL can use things from the MX6 and the 626
but i think there is more stuff avaliable for the BP since it was in so many cars
also the B series engine has been around for a while now so more things have been made for it

[SLY 323]

I've noted that there are more overseas aftermarket bits for the V6.

Still making the decision.

[SLY 323]

Okay, so update is that I get to keep the car after writing NRMA a letter.

Unfortunatly, I may not get any more than say $2000 for the car as that is the average price of the car. I have been told by someone from NRMA that I can kick up a stink by sending in print outs of identical cars from carsales.com and their prices and send them to the claims department to let them know, that I will not be able to purchase another car with the amount of money they supply.

So things are looking up, but we'll have to see what they decide to pay me on Monday when the assessor comes around to see the car.

[project.r.racing]

if you get to keep the car, the payout will be less overiously.

market value is $4500 for BAs. dunno where the $2000 came from. unless they were confusing it with a BG.

[SLY 323]

Most definatly it will be less due to me keeping the car. Thats what I find out by how much on monday. Rougly guessing, around $200-$400 if it's any more than that I can fight it and say well no, you can't.

[NaughtyGT]

the I4's are easier to work on due to engine bay room. V6's take up mosty of the bay & can be very difficult to maintain. Especially changing manifolds. But they are in no way unreliable. They are a great engine! I have owned 3 & still drive 1. Due to all aluminium build, DON'T overheat them EVER! The Dizzy's can be expensive & fail due to the heat transfer as it sits at side of the head. They are very punchy/responsive, either the ZE or the DE. They are very reliable & economical. A good one will do 600kms+ on highway. 550kms with combined driving. Still 500 odd if your up it all the time. I used to push the ZE to redline daily. Wouldn't now due to coppers everywhere.

V6 Longevity is better too of course. Should get 350-400kms out of a well serviced one. The one I drive & get up it enough has clocked over to 312k & uses almost nil oil. Runs daily & using 10w40 too. I think 15w50 would be better on an older engine like one in my MX6 but these Jap engines are pretty tolerant of anything you do. Can be tappity but this is due to the quad cams (mega moving parts) & quick start rpm. They rev quite noticeably upon start. Just some info I thought would be useful.

P.S. you don't need to change oil every 5k on a healthy NA engine. Turbo yes due to the oil feeding through the turbo seals (wouldn't want old spent oil going through this) You can add an intermediate filter though. On an older one you may change more regularly to keep contaminants out.

[SLY 323]

Okay, so pretty decided on the V6. I'll sell off the current exhaust setup to get some dollars for a new one. Anyone know if a 5-to-4 Stud conversion on these cars safe? Considering I have great 4 stud rims and I want to keep them, but they obviously don't fit on the V6 5 stud hubs.

I been looking on Youtube, at vids of V6's. O'boy do they sound good

[Rupewrecht]

You could do a straight 5->4 swap, but they you're losing out on much better brakes. And it wouldn't be legal, due to going down in size.

You could get use the V6 knuckles, 4 stud hubs, and get some blank V6 rotors redrilled to 4 stud - then it'd be ok and you're not downgrading

[mkid]

sly id take all the flashy stuff off the car like the seat covers and pedals, pod filter
bring it back to standard as much as you can before the man comes round to check it
you dont want him to give a smaller payout because its modified
the more stock the better

[NaughtyGT]

Good advice! If it looks stock it'll be noted that it is in good resale figures. Modded suggests perhaps you've driven it hard?

[project.r.racing]

he is not selling it. he is geeting it assessed for it's current value. mods = $$$.

[SLY 323]

So does one think I should put the 18s back on?

I have left all of the pedals gear knob and what not on. I have none of the stock bits

Unfortunately, the salvage price (what they can sell it for) comes out of what I get for it.

I find out on Monday what they will give me for it. So the more I make the car look better and make the market value more, the more the salvage price would be.

So I'm stuck in a tie. Probably going to leave it as is and see what happens. I know I need roughly 3gs. I can save up what the difference is between that and what a good V6 323 would cost. Which is looking around the 3.5k mark.

[SLY 323]

Too late now. The assessor has come & gone. Dad spoke to him. Yet to find out what the cars worth.

Have to wait up to a maximum of 10 days.

Let yous all know when that time comes around!

[Demanius]

Glad to hear your ok, far out bull bar nightmare

[NaughtyGT]

Here's hoping buddy

[SLY 323]

Driving to work today in my partner's car.

EVERYONE decided to drive extremely slow today due to the heavy amount of traffic, fair enough, but 40 in an 80 zone...
Everyone just can't keep a good flow, it's stop go stop go stop go.

Also, no one will let you in anymore! It's like "Hey, get to the back of the line buddy." When the time comes that your turn off has come and your still not where your supposed to be, it's too late and you have to take the next turn off and be late for work.

At time's I can be an aggressive driver, I'll usually push my way in and I'll turn off. Leaves the people who try to cut you off and make you late behind you. I'm not saying I cut people off, I try to be as polite as possible when driving, thanking most for who let me in with a nice gesture of sorts. The ones who can't be polite on the roads or can't keep traffic moving are the one's who cause accidents! They're just thinking of themselves. Yeah sometimes I won't let someone in, but if I've seen them weaving in and out of traffic like a twat, I think I'm doing everyone a favor by not doing so.

So I'm late for work today, well so I thought until realizing the clock in the car is 5 minutes fast thank god.

Ah, well there's my rant for the day. I'm just so angry because I missed the maccas turn off
Feel free to swing away and let me know if you think any different. Haha.