tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35643875835447991912024-03-06T00:40:16.594+00:00Adventures in MotoringAdventure, drama, romance and lost tools. All life is here!Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-52005455071176736002020-02-19T13:02:00.001+00:002020-02-19T13:03:32.132+00:00Japan Racing JR29<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had a desire for new wheels, nothing wrong with the old ones, but just fancied the change (like you do). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Long story short, spoke to Driftworks about getting some nice Work wheels. It just was not happening though and there seemed to be a tremendous problem with getting the correct offset. Try a different offset and have all the risk myself? No, I don't think I like the word "risk"!</span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46uCqYAa7pOz1Pm9dOMyJS9-jelO4mfQpMOEvPip_SBiJru7r7IBXyVgFAPoXxNG6DOn16TO3E7JH-SsGlIN5KStrjshiQJpFXjLhBk_cBd2dS9kbpo0QASWBsAynOfTwqt3-DXmOvqtF/s1600/Screenshot_20200122-082528_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="759" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46uCqYAa7pOz1Pm9dOMyJS9-jelO4mfQpMOEvPip_SBiJru7r7IBXyVgFAPoXxNG6DOn16TO3E7JH-SsGlIN5KStrjshiQJpFXjLhBk_cBd2dS9kbpo0QASWBsAynOfTwqt3-DXmOvqtF/s640/Screenshot_20200122-082528_Chrome.jpg" width="302" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Que Japan Racing, a budget wheel manufacturer from Poland (not sure where Japan come into it). They have a clever business model manufacturing for many different brands of car with PCD, offsets, and diameters in many different sizes. I went with a spoke design (similar to a Works wheel). Not only could you have the offset machined but you also can have the PCD of your choosing. These were supplied through <a href="https://www.autoextreme.co.uk/" target="_blank">Auto Extreme</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The downside to having the bolt holes machined is that Japan Racing machine the wheel blank after it has been finished painted so you end up with bare metal bolt holes. It's okay, but not ideal as in my opinion these will not weather as well as a fully finished wheel. </span></span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpTpTvDl1iCcts50A7vQViCIA8nWWHmbWlWnK55pTK3gLGcKsScQ81sjZ3vJQPOysV6wgVmEd1n2uSKD5-aeA52jNoDRWAc_hhsl9zWwO2eweDzqT1wB1ASaM2lqhCWwWqF0llaV96it1/s1600/IMG-20200211-WA0001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpTpTvDl1iCcts50A7vQViCIA8nWWHmbWlWnK55pTK3gLGcKsScQ81sjZ3vJQPOysV6wgVmEd1n2uSKD5-aeA52jNoDRWAc_hhsl9zWwO2eweDzqT1wB1ASaM2lqhCWwWqF0llaV96it1/s320/IMG-20200211-WA0001.jpeg" width="151" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wheels I ordered were flat black, I used the term 'were' as after attaching one to the car it looked wrong and had zero aesthetic impact, also the exposed bolt holes would eventually drive my OCD into overdrive. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8auJS9F8H7U7i_dqevJlIrEmJFN7iQE56NuAY5y7oUsRAX39-_A85Z2iiAtloMCurE40Dw1pIVpJP7eYXm7k29SyYGXC2HXdMaL4ZQjmsyra0aPBn7cNWRVPYzSIhFkE1dpPIjfoSfa2/s1600/IMG-20200211-WA0003.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8auJS9F8H7U7i_dqevJlIrEmJFN7iQE56NuAY5y7oUsRAX39-_A85Z2iiAtloMCurE40Dw1pIVpJP7eYXm7k29SyYGXC2HXdMaL4ZQjmsyra0aPBn7cNWRVPYzSIhFkE1dpPIjfoSfa2/s320/IMG-20200211-WA0003.jpeg" width="151" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7Faa_K4-J5Es3HdtWb9AUl8o4vwDr14jQX1cRLU386MbbjH5KO4ye4qHTDz05JPRHHMH-pGF1LoT37UewrGrCGirYQJXz7sgBfpp1iqx5aHtGK2JtBZF6e9XSHe-V6rnHUG9aUmUsKV_/s1600/IMG-20200210-WA0011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7Faa_K4-J5Es3HdtWb9AUl8o4vwDr14jQX1cRLU386MbbjH5KO4ye4qHTDz05JPRHHMH-pGF1LoT37UewrGrCGirYQJXz7sgBfpp1iqx5aHtGK2JtBZF6e9XSHe-V6rnHUG9aUmUsKV_/s400/IMG-20200210-WA0011.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">JR29 fitted to the car, just wasn't working for me</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By chance, I spoke to a friend of mine on Facebook who has the Work style wheels. These were in (I can't remember what it is called now) GT Silver (I think). This is a black base with silver overlay. Inspired that the wheel could look good, I decided to change colour. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="499" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPiL_XRwPEqSWJDh3ZWDzJoOwqL-pnV7KxTQ_G74LRz8IkNY9OtSdVo4Wt80S1bqGWX9oZbYJazm3rnU_zjg3vUkt8BqwlrEkvg9MYavNqmPa1kqF4R7OuzIL90gjo-nFeJoeT5KdBvhY/s320/received_2462922517260788.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friends Car </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPiL_XRwPEqSWJDh3ZWDzJoOwqL-pnV7KxTQ_G74LRz8IkNY9OtSdVo4Wt80S1bqGWX9oZbYJazm3rnU_zjg3vUkt8BqwlrEkvg9MYavNqmPa1kqF4R7OuzIL90gjo-nFeJoeT5KdBvhY/s1600/received_2462922517260788.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are various mixes based on this theme with names like Hyper Black which in turn is similar to Shadow Chrome etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spoke to the <a href="https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/locations/maidenhead/" target="_blank">Wheel Specialist in Maidenhead</a> and went with Shadow Chrome. They actually turned the wheels around in a couple of days (which took me by surprise!). Their attention to detail is lovely with black weights for balancing etc. The finish is flawless. Basically, my new wheels looked better than new ones (if that makes any sense). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These were finished off with a set of <a href="https://www.tgrmotorsport.com/" target="_blank">TGR Motorsport</a> wheel nuts. Did get some internal drive nuts from Japan Racing, which were serviceable, but uninspired. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQiz3LOsSME8BrJzX3739uaJBlNP4iUdt6TgGahH5BKRMf-HNodceEAGhg6oW83cQXNGUGsaWPPuDUMG88QnW2-GX2hPKAWMMbgsuLgos-HVhc7ZxgDKc6c8adeaV-UM3tFbL3jsDM0Y/s1600/IMG-20200218-WA0002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQiz3LOsSME8BrJzX3739uaJBlNP4iUdt6TgGahH5BKRMf-HNodceEAGhg6oW83cQXNGUGsaWPPuDUMG88QnW2-GX2hPKAWMMbgsuLgos-HVhc7ZxgDKc6c8adeaV-UM3tFbL3jsDM0Y/s640/IMG-20200218-WA0002.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQYgxBmHNpGgjMSPHAow8lkGMHqtDheeXD-synRn1KmEbDaE4NMObYqmfSmdgZT-5MSkjLyzRK9D2enpVUfvrKvC0-_21bQ7n588bW1F1y92Kv9J6J-oCLuonVfHTMRd8hZkLZPdkx8bw/s1600/IMG-20200218-WA0004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQYgxBmHNpGgjMSPHAow8lkGMHqtDheeXD-synRn1KmEbDaE4NMObYqmfSmdgZT-5MSkjLyzRK9D2enpVUfvrKvC0-_21bQ7n588bW1F1y92Kv9J6J-oCLuonVfHTMRd8hZkLZPdkx8bw/s640/IMG-20200218-WA0004.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pRDKCw8bOXGYHj8fCikeP_xIpvLAL7P-fvp7_3J6CKomrdqlumNGpSbscZXl6Outu84-QPHW9Tf7GWJvqZ13tPUt3mC6WDSNjqbYe2_651IbRz-sRvEjuPdIciQ9ANwGm_CWgpUQdxZT/s1600/IMG-20200218-WA0006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pRDKCw8bOXGYHj8fCikeP_xIpvLAL7P-fvp7_3J6CKomrdqlumNGpSbscZXl6Outu84-QPHW9Tf7GWJvqZ13tPUt3mC6WDSNjqbYe2_651IbRz-sRvEjuPdIciQ9ANwGm_CWgpUQdxZT/s640/IMG-20200218-WA0006.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Assorted musings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wheels were very tight on the spigots, it was a real wrestling job to get them on with the nuts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use copper slip when fitting wheels, it will help get them off at a later date. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The PCD holes are tight, especially deep on the front. Internal drive tuner style bolts are a must-have. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wheel sizes with a PCD of 114.3</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">18 x 9.5 et 35 rears </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">18 x 8.5 et 30 fronts</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tyres </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yokohama Advan AD08r </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">265/35 R18 Rears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">235/40 R18 Fronts</span><br />
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-39769261164916272942020-01-31T09:32:00.000+00:002020-01-31T09:33:59.964+00:00Mishimoto R-Line Intercooler Vs Unbranded Bells Auto Services <span style="font-size: large;">Following on from my last post. When my tuner told me that my intercooler was inefficient I admit that I was skeptical. After all, I had a large 4" core intercooler from a respected brand and his proposal to fit something cheaper, unbranded and from China was not sitting well with me at all! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, the fact remained that intake temperatures were holding things back and on the dyno, the car was seeing significant rises. This would obviously have a knock-on effect when using the car, especially on hot sunny days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The intercooler I had chosen (for no other reason than I have one of their radiators and an intercooler is like a radiator? No?) was a Mishimoto R-Line Universal 100mm core in black. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Uyj5k3wMmcTQe_vg3Vz33zUK2PdC7yVnZS5_4uZWd_NwTXwPMOxKWq6ks53iwBppIx_45RftmjrzVcA33SEH6FOvkBFz7Uih_O9-QH9pGEY3C_A64hSLweqVm-qJWcuwTR1H5aiGBQb/s1600/Mishimoto+R+Line+Black.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Uyj5k3wMmcTQe_vg3Vz33zUK2PdC7yVnZS5_4uZWd_NwTXwPMOxKWq6ks53iwBppIx_45RftmjrzVcA33SEH6FOvkBFz7Uih_O9-QH9pGEY3C_A64hSLweqVm-qJWcuwTR1H5aiGBQb/s320/Mishimoto+R+Line+Black.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its description reads as follows: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The Mishimoto R-Line intercooler provides the perfect cooling capacity needed for supercharged and turbo charged vehicles. Constructed of 6061 aircraft-quality aluminium for extreme durability, the Mishimoto R-Line intercooler will efficiently reduce induction air temperatures, while significantly improving engine output. Mishimoto front-mount intercoolers are precision TIG welded, offering an enhanced level of performance. The R-Line intercooler will provide the ideal cooling capacity, while safely increasing horsepower and giving that extra boost that every driver appreciates."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It sounds like it ticks all the right boxes for the average man on the street! Alas, it turned out not to be quite as advertised. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bells Auto Services in Ropley did a dyno run on the Mishimoto and then the replacement intercooler to see how temperatures compared. The results were pretty staggering. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSwXtGSVGpc3eEJTiRtDr5bSB7ErvQ1a5GF8OM30rndUNqhrIr90F2rhZ0rjADfJkctnLJZnPwadc6PzInoHK6S8z1BxBG6asC2WnpMA6dm4eAvUfyO0Rbift8z_eyaMlzdzRU88it5Pt/s1600/Intercooler+comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="908" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSwXtGSVGpc3eEJTiRtDr5bSB7ErvQ1a5GF8OM30rndUNqhrIr90F2rhZ0rjADfJkctnLJZnPwadc6PzInoHK6S8z1BxBG6asC2WnpMA6dm4eAvUfyO0Rbift8z_eyaMlzdzRU88it5Pt/s640/Intercooler+comparison.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see above, the blue line (Temp 1) represents the Mishimoto R-Line, The replacement unbranded intercooler is shown in orange (Temp 2). The Mishimoto not only starts out high but keeps climbing at an exponential rate to 43°C so it is massively inefficient and flys in the face of the advertising blurb. It should also be noted that for this test the bumper was off for the Mishimoto and back on for the replacement. So the Mishimoto had every advantage to shine! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So in short, I brought badly and although it could be said I did not do my research, I can't say I have seen many comparisons on intercooler efficiency, in fact, I don't think that there are that many (probably a bit of a faff to be bolting and unbolting intercoolers). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only change I had made to the replacement intercooler was to have it powder coated in black, not that I believe this helps dissipate heat, I just prefer the stealth look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, in conclusion, I am not saying don't but a Mishimoto Intercooler product at all. Do research your selection carefully though. </span></div>
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-52441761307602620672020-01-30T12:18:00.000+00:002020-01-30T12:25:59.360+00:00Intercoolers - Not all are equal<span style="font-size: large;">Hi and welcome back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Referencing back to the last upgrades that were done on the car (Garrett 3076 gen II) I had a problem with intake temperatures rising. This was obviously affecting the map and meant I wasn't running as efficiently as I could be. My tuners suggested the car be upgraded with a larger 4" core intercooler. This left me confused as I already had one, A Mishimoto Type R no less.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Before I could grab my wallet and order up something expensive my tuner suggested that he has had good results with an unbranded intercooler from China. Now, this did put me off a little but it was quite reasonably priced and would be a straight'ish swap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to also have the intercooler painted black, not because I think for one moment that it helps efficiency but more because it is aesthetically pleasing on the front of a black car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although I do not have the data logs yet (the tuner shall post them up later), the results were actually quite surprising. Approaching peak power intake temps of the Mishimoto was around 43 degrees centigrade. Compare this to the unbranded one which only went as high as 25 degrees. This is some difference not only releasing the potential of the car more freely but will be a bonus on particularly hot days (we do have them in the UK) when the car would be forced to hold itself back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6oNq0bpjzegTyqWLcZKG8bOIynrrPuAuEeLaPuyOQwpy3oAi1UpVWdOeTGHMeNLrAy14cDMxMwdUF5dtadw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I obviously can't say that I am an expert in these things although in this case it certainly looks as though the Mishimoto is not all it claims to be. Physically the intercoolers may be the same dimensions although the unbranded one appears to have more bar and fin construction. Hence greater cooling. Apart from being able to say, Mishimoto = No! I would advise caution when buying and dearer is not always better! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for the outcome? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't complain! </span>Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-35388219070463826782020-01-17T14:42:00.000+00:002020-01-30T12:26:40.164+00:00New Year - Same desire! <span style="font-size: large;">I started out this year and am already at the car thing again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fancy bonnet prop for shows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">New catch can/water bottle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fitted an ATOTO A6 Pro car stereo, Dash Cam and DAB+ receiver.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fixed an issue with the passenger side headlight where one full-beam refused to turn on. Was actually me at fault as one of my soldered joints (was experimenting at the time with heat solder joints) had come apart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am booked in to change the Mishimoto Type R Intercooler for something a bit more efficient.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lastly am looking towards a minor cosmetic change in wheels with a staggered set from Japan Racing JR11's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So although been a little silent (busy with house build) I have not been quite idol about keeping the dream alive!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilncV8LmlKWtFm3-rNsJo2VeGXdCIohpsWGy1M-RN5b1uLDHG3QOPpfa-TXpqddXHkTXQRzHNyHijzThuNKdPn6qUhj8daTjWjqbEUYKbfZdMwsV4ZuPxqSAgjVsZoIJiyOe9hPrdH_1Ao/s1600/IMG_20200101_135512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilncV8LmlKWtFm3-rNsJo2VeGXdCIohpsWGy1M-RN5b1uLDHG3QOPpfa-TXpqddXHkTXQRzHNyHijzThuNKdPn6qUhj8daTjWjqbEUYKbfZdMwsV4ZuPxqSAgjVsZoIJiyOe9hPrdH_1Ao/s320/IMG_20200101_135512.jpg" width="160" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The long shot</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0N8I8H-0LL3ZC6OKpsOVL_byVAfcnN7RW-PsQ-aA_aQTnY8pgzl4QrgISXQzj_OEVfWi20WjhLoCF7xwf-R6X_SRnqarehsix70UrCg5zp2NBkufAShJGd5zjtFGwzaf0Sm6TDMdN71P/s1600/IMG_20200101_135538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0N8I8H-0LL3ZC6OKpsOVL_byVAfcnN7RW-PsQ-aA_aQTnY8pgzl4QrgISXQzj_OEVfWi20WjhLoCF7xwf-R6X_SRnqarehsix70UrCg5zp2NBkufAShJGd5zjtFGwzaf0Sm6TDMdN71P/s320/IMG_20200101_135538.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pesky headlights am an expert on fixing hids now! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuhYkuKRxLDtrzLXlXoQq8bZPc_3bP8VbAeYl4B_5jxm3fyBJKMLPSSLQCZIZqo6C4LcqVycxBILMFjkQZxcOq8CWP9WH6Tl_bpZo8ZVE3UfU_tyQR3jWXQOX6JtveA8r3a72M1zYtITv/s1600/IMG_20191017_183801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuhYkuKRxLDtrzLXlXoQq8bZPc_3bP8VbAeYl4B_5jxm3fyBJKMLPSSLQCZIZqo6C4LcqVycxBILMFjkQZxcOq8CWP9WH6Tl_bpZo8ZVE3UfU_tyQR3jWXQOX6JtveA8r3a72M1zYtITv/s320/IMG_20191017_183801.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good view of the Garrett 3076R Gen 2 with a carbon inlet fitted. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc4uigoRulLTVyiEyntPGEGcJoSt5gGSNR_EKjEUw230zpoNSn7NF0HY_tfhrgw2S5xuBCK_Rp0zgy5SVKrhWza-PnxYtwChZIXLxMh5caPDpiNR2Q6xB2q0C4W3RkOJWwYEztLXMGVsL/s1600/IMG_20191017_183838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc4uigoRulLTVyiEyntPGEGcJoSt5gGSNR_EKjEUw230zpoNSn7NF0HY_tfhrgw2S5xuBCK_Rp0zgy5SVKrhWza-PnxYtwChZIXLxMh5caPDpiNR2Q6xB2q0C4W3RkOJWwYEztLXMGVsL/s320/IMG_20191017_183838.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not being one for stickering I couldn't resist Nengun's badge on the fuse box. Will it stay there? Probably not! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TzntPEkIbKGJKezwaZ4xc9J4OTolk8WxN-0YcsKsS4kFXXr5PSMpNUAWfhlaFjTUjVmfoViGajizQXQMrEUf-VXg08hQ3Xcx0jqPxPh8kRN1Tnww2yt9GXZJzlURlT_LK68JePdoSh_o/s1600/IMG_20191017_184223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TzntPEkIbKGJKezwaZ4xc9J4OTolk8WxN-0YcsKsS4kFXXr5PSMpNUAWfhlaFjTUjVmfoViGajizQXQMrEUf-VXg08hQ3Xcx0jqPxPh8kRN1Tnww2yt9GXZJzlURlT_LK68JePdoSh_o/s320/IMG_20191017_184223.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shipped a DEi turbo blanket in from the USA to the UK. It worked out a lot cheaper than buying here! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLkP8zkeJG2CtiV2sFDZ3KluIbGCd5JqHXaKuAJuQ2FJmLgXKOzQsYRK8UWpDMMc35Oe_09fkjpV1l6JTD4hlqKHaFTZ8CCwUR4jiFdfotCr26JT643nVR-W22NCk5vfQ_X8M-Qb-SaKi/s1600/IMG_20191017_184249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLkP8zkeJG2CtiV2sFDZ3KluIbGCd5JqHXaKuAJuQ2FJmLgXKOzQsYRK8UWpDMMc35Oe_09fkjpV1l6JTD4hlqKHaFTZ8CCwUR4jiFdfotCr26JT643nVR-W22NCk5vfQ_X8M-Qb-SaKi/s320/IMG_20191017_184249.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Had to have the throttle body pipe fabricated to fit around the new catch can. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will try and put some order back into things and get posting again as much has been done. Some of it is actually of interest! I do have to say that the ATOTO A6 is full of win. It is one of the better Android units from China. It is an irony that I rarely play music in the car but for its sat-nav alone it is worth it to me. The unexpected bonus is that it looks really good (that is my opinion) and fits perfectly with a few cheats to get it 'just right'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I'll be back! </span><br />
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-57134219009093438492019-09-25T10:17:00.001+01:002019-09-25T10:17:35.136+01:00Forums are dead? Long live the Forum!Is social media the new, new coming of age?<br />
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Hi everyone, it's been a while since I last shared my infinite pearls of wisdom as I (sometimes foolishly) pick apart my Skyline into a bazzilion unrecognisable bits and then in a rather haphazard way suggest that you all have a go at it on here.<br />
This is in part to do with the fact that there is not an awful lot left of the car for me to improve (vandalise) on. It is pretty much where it needs to be (even if it is having some work right now, that is the end of it I swear!).<br />
I have actually been quite busy with Facebook... Now you may say that social media is the Devils work, that you don't want to be looked at or look at endless pictures of someones dinner, child, right or left wing ideals and even helping to rig US elections. But there is another side to it and three years ago four chaps started a group page the Skyline Owners Forum, with the vague idea that a few people in the UK may enjoy an independent, non sponsored place to post their thoughts. Well it kind of took off and is now hitting at 23k members and has a team of enthusiasts looking after it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/skylineownersforum/</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "gotham htf book"; font-size: 14px;"> </span><div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: gotham htf book;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: gotham htf book;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Lets face it anyone with half a clue can start a Facebook group for whatever they like and quickly build a community of like minded people. Although it is something else again to start a group, keep it active and topical. Just by searching the Skyline name you will find dozens.</b></span></span><br />
<br />Now I am sure that you are all saying this is very commendable, well done and all that (if you have not switched to something much more entertaining by now).<br />
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Groups for Facebook may have started sometime ago. But before smartphones were in everyone's hot little hands and back at that time if you had a passing interest in a Skyline, you would probably have to join one of the forums on the internet. These were strange places where it wasn't always easy to post, especially pictures and other regular users seemed to be in some little private club all of their own. These cliques never to be penetrated by the average man on the street. It never suited forums to have a proper Facebook presence and comments were often discouraged or deleted.<br />
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Every old style forum has its politics, what is allowed, what isn't. The local troll, the local keyboard warrior, that one new user who keeps asking seemingly stupid questions. There will also be a group who feel over moderated.<br />
With Facebook, Groups are run by 'benevolent dictatorships' It isn't always fair but it can just about work. It is almost the wild west of the old style forum in some regards. Alas there is not a 'one fit' solution to groups and there are difficulties in running one. Negatives include (apart from the human condition) limited posting ability (no book writing) and searching out topical items, not to mention Facebook themselves constantly changing how things work!<br />
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It was by chance that I became an Admin early on in proceedings. I thought (quite wrongly) that everyone would be mad for car shows and meets. If I knew the truth of organising these things I would never have done it! There have been many 'bad' times with disgruntled users wanting to do physically impossible things and people who want to humiliate in public. However it can also be amazingly good fun with friendships made indulging in a hobby/way of life! In 2019 at Japfest Silverstone the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/skylineownersforum/about/" target="_blank">Skyline Owners Forum</a> won Best Club Stand. Possibly more significant as a breakthrough from the old style forums and showing that things have now pretty much come full circle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare picture of 'yours truly' </td></tr>
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Where things are going in the future I don't know. A lot of old style forums have already given up either making the transition or just dying a death. There is a new updated platform version of V-Bulletin coming, which old school Administrators/owners are excited about. However it may be a case of too little, too late? Lets face it, even blogging is a dead art now (who wants to read stuff?!?). The advent of Drive Tribe was trumpeted from the rooftops and immediately dropped down deader than flared trousers. Looking at the socials we like fast consumption of 'things', people want to be Instagram hero's or tweeting maniacs and have people who love and adore their photos or 'blip' vert comments.<br />
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I dunno about any thing.<br />
This isn't true...<br />
I know what I like, basically keep doing what you like. If it makes you unhappy, stop doing it.<br />
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-88583765665699271292019-09-25T09:29:00.000+01:002019-09-25T09:29:03.720+01:00Spit and polishWell less spit and more polish please.<br />
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Having changed the Garrett GTX3076r core on the turbo it comes complete with a new front housing. The general finish is shot blast rough matt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c29Zv-arQ2SGgbwiJ68eG4R2nagmfmfJiI0oisZtm9A1gtkpr0aIlIN1KGEwZFWKZ2qS-zxbSAgN1pNyd_YqG6Mf2bQR33FI7Ra_BGohpB0G8ItmBjTZJRWVqcsowCQglRgiKOXEa4O6/s1600/d71f4476-1afa-433a-90cb-a71500c0ffb0_405x385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="405" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c29Zv-arQ2SGgbwiJ68eG4R2nagmfmfJiI0oisZtm9A1gtkpr0aIlIN1KGEwZFWKZ2qS-zxbSAgN1pNyd_YqG6Mf2bQR33FI7Ra_BGohpB0G8ItmBjTZJRWVqcsowCQglRgiKOXEa4O6/s320/d71f4476-1afa-433a-90cb-a71500c0ffb0_405x385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Horsepower: 400 - 750HP<br />
Displacement: 1.8 - 3.0L<br />
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- Gen2 Aerodynamics feature increased horsepower range.<br />
- Improved ported shroud design for surge resistance.<br />
- New compressor housing aesthetics.<br />
- Integrated speed sensor port.<br />
- Standard rotation.<br />
- Compressor side: TRIM 58 A/R 0.60<br />
- Compressor Air Inlet: Hose 4,00" (101.60mm)<br />
- Compressor Air Outlet: Hose 2.00" (50.80mm)<br />
- Turbine side: TRIM 84 A/R 0.82<br />
- Turbine Inlet: T3<br />
- Turbine Outlet: V-band 3.55" (90.20mm)<br />
- Bearing housing: Water and Oil cooled system.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT5tJNxh-_uIYwovRvOQVgIQwytWbjOfr-w7sljBRnOT6ZILPq8GUXOsDo6QlkAlCtAcUShY5hzzGi2RcNGcWczQGY51pT0Lp00fcogkvqOdskS14LOY0eT8pqWt0Gpuwi5jRWE6lmsM7/s1600/IMG_20190923_183945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT5tJNxh-_uIYwovRvOQVgIQwytWbjOfr-w7sljBRnOT6ZILPq8GUXOsDo6QlkAlCtAcUShY5hzzGi2RcNGcWczQGY51pT0Lp00fcogkvqOdskS14LOY0eT8pqWt0Gpuwi5jRWE6lmsM7/s320/IMG_20190923_183945.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turbo in place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpBt3TdYhnXEYH_k3KiLiSVJa1Q4h0tGzg4jJGltBy66qT3dY6WvW-gOKQ2esA8gf4mErltCPi4H6iUe9Wre5nyvdIlOp4eNEI_c8hUv271Dg-ReEEFqEUYFaWvUzuG_EWq29tFjGPVWT/s1600/IMG_20190923_183954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpBt3TdYhnXEYH_k3KiLiSVJa1Q4h0tGzg4jJGltBy66qT3dY6WvW-gOKQ2esA8gf4mErltCPi4H6iUe9Wre5nyvdIlOp4eNEI_c8hUv271Dg-ReEEFqEUYFaWvUzuG_EWq29tFjGPVWT/s320/IMG_20190923_183954.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand blast finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have to confess that this would be more of a vanity project than one of urgent necessity! The photos are taken for my reference, as I have found (often to my cost) that weeks later when you come back to bolting things up, the distant memory does not serve well!<br />
I used to work in the casting industry and a fine blast finish is great, it hides a multitude of sins and casting marks, but it is also a magnet for dirt and crud that is impossible to remove (let alone dirty finger prints!).<br />
<br />
So I had a word with Johnathan @ <a href="http://www.basingstokemetalfinishes.co.uk/services/" target="_blank">Basingstoke Metal Finishers</a> to take a look. Polishing is something I have done before, but for a true quality finish it is always best to speak to the pro's.<br />
<br />
So will be back next week sometime to show how it turned out! The fun will be in trying to bolt the thing back on I suspect!Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-84229444966127340312019-09-23T17:01:00.000+01:002019-09-23T17:01:09.680+01:00Flight of FancyI mean c'mon! There can't be anything left can there?<br />
<br />
I swear my money talks, it mostly says goodbye. Especially when it comes to old cars which have way too much power for their own good. The current trend seems to be more and more these days not to modify a Skyline and leave it as standard as possible. Apparently that is where the value is!<br />
<br />
Yes, yes I wish my car were like that, boring and predictable!<br />
<br />
So what I been at this time? Well will tell you.<br />
<br />
Kept on hearing about the startling results of the Garrett Turbo GTX3076 2nd generation (I have the original). It started out simple, like all I need to do to upgrade my setup is replace the core on my current Garrett. Now not that I need to, but may as well unlock the potential.... Nice cheap mod...<br />
<br />
Actually no, I would also need to upgrade the wategate from a 44mm to a 50mm. This means chopping off the old one and welding on new. Obviously this is to the manifold which also would need to be removed and reattached. Not to mention once the whole is reassembled the car would require mapping.<br />
<br />
Now considering I can't weld or map that adds 'garage services' to the mix.<br />
<br />
Should have said no. In fact I thought, no. But my voice said yeesssss<br />
Not only did it say yes to changing the turbo and wastegate but it also said "hey, lets fit a crank trigger kit as well!"<br />
<br />
Updates coming soon...<br />
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-29398628067638579542019-01-17T10:15:00.002+00:002019-01-22T14:34:27.100+00:00Nose job and bum tuck picture post<h3>
Confucius say, man who runs behind car will get exhausted, but man who runs in front of car will get tired.</h3>
<div>
So anyway following on from my last post, here is the collection of dynamic action shots of car parts in various stages of paint. Naturally it will get added to as the work progresses... unless things go horribly wrong... that's when this post vanishes and we never speak of it again. </div>
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<div>
Gratuitous link and thanks to the following folk - included for reference and delight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.fullyloadedcars.com/" target="_blank">Fully Loaded Cars</a> (Paint Shop) </div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.east-bear.co.jp/shopbrand/004/X/" target="_blank">EastBear sports</a> (Body Kit)</div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.tgrmotorsport.com/shop" target="_blank">TGR Motorsport</a> (Wheel Nuts)<br />
<a href="https://www.efisolutions.com.au/" target="_blank">EFI Solutions</a> (Wing Emblems)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N1 Detail on vent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9uKf2Tgc1tWBXTpsysta32bXpiCauXu56SMt0O7SRbvgkhbq_a51tMytJPYpwQxHyuhvusQGSv2dpc0l3Cx7_N231IP6Sp0riwZnC_KswrRwiaDNjhCv73yatBaREeucUSzuHE7xusVk/s1600/46350770_2124762347575401_419798113625047040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1600" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9uKf2Tgc1tWBXTpsysta32bXpiCauXu56SMt0O7SRbvgkhbq_a51tMytJPYpwQxHyuhvusQGSv2dpc0l3Cx7_N231IP6Sp0riwZnC_KswrRwiaDNjhCv73yatBaREeucUSzuHE7xusVk/s320/46350770_2124762347575401_419798113625047040_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masterpiece Bumper (Fnaarrrr!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuIorireJK7LSPzl5CVjGrMPA7bagBTM8ry_v59YbYEZxPm_8CHfTKwnIQj2M7L1-Rhu8TJqxAHysdg1yyJftyaVMradGNZMrpiwdAWfDmpC_9Np9mJ5B9zuUs5d6wz_jlAIwoqygDS4D/s1600/46449312_302795010331479_3531015974092275712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuIorireJK7LSPzl5CVjGrMPA7bagBTM8ry_v59YbYEZxPm_8CHfTKwnIQj2M7L1-Rhu8TJqxAHysdg1yyJftyaVMradGNZMrpiwdAWfDmpC_9Np9mJ5B9zuUs5d6wz_jlAIwoqygDS4D/s320/46449312_302795010331479_3531015974092275712_n.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumper and splitter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGI6zBH2qD1E-AxGzrXNZwFJy3CVLWemuq7-Iv-MMirFC8YhnqHjtCER1nxVwmXjMUeDKqdfluN9iRvMT7NV_L62Y-6weYr35F6ITXJhkVpDajyeG3dj2KwH7pmeTsoAhajgP4iE4BxmE/s1600/46482264_577206532740281_162672122559201280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1600" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGI6zBH2qD1E-AxGzrXNZwFJy3CVLWemuq7-Iv-MMirFC8YhnqHjtCER1nxVwmXjMUeDKqdfluN9iRvMT7NV_L62Y-6weYr35F6ITXJhkVpDajyeG3dj2KwH7pmeTsoAhajgP4iE4BxmE/s320/46482264_577206532740281_162672122559201280_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winkers ... (snigger)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0S8ISbAp4KHIdqDv7tqvGQqTyYyylL4epMq7SlV5SULVJxknoFUNE1Aw54gpBhM97wxLNL0RunN6-2EAh88Le_ae776N411IOs9_lKNpc6Im-RXs8JUqbmkl7Ln1y5s_DxUHs4FZbhRV/s1600/49603571_2338154079550524_6738696893062184960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0S8ISbAp4KHIdqDv7tqvGQqTyYyylL4epMq7SlV5SULVJxknoFUNE1Aw54gpBhM97wxLNL0RunN6-2EAh88Le_ae776N411IOs9_lKNpc6Im-RXs8JUqbmkl7Ln1y5s_DxUHs4FZbhRV/s320/49603571_2338154079550524_6738696893062184960_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Test Fit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden parts need love too</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXRR-aTS666Qh2am7jRYUCz8Uw20bbWjX3Bvqok99v3L-OsAPCdlwdV4ulIbpXdG1HRsnnBFyT1pgL4QHW8UMUj9KGbF5Ga16pZZ_21JzoYiN0w3QkNyfADOON1Dk4OsKetqS2C3W_T0t/s1600/49291851_2338154149550517_7184349906650267648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXRR-aTS666Qh2am7jRYUCz8Uw20bbWjX3Bvqok99v3L-OsAPCdlwdV4ulIbpXdG1HRsnnBFyT1pgL4QHW8UMUj9KGbF5Ga16pZZ_21JzoYiN0w3QkNyfADOON1Dk4OsKetqS2C3W_T0t/s320/49291851_2338154149550517_7184349906650267648_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side skirt supports and crash bar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front upright for grill/bonnet catch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbReViCY6NeLB_l1WPC2I0GNd_ksXU8NsI2CjNid33e7g9bBvfomB7KYp0duMAJFBV-US49_hBWMQJ6t8SuARWmbp3hUvx8qJAHwd8QuC5BtguKakJgJxgwSXoeVlf2GxJsSVcAKRoN2Mu/s1600/49948854_2339484912750774_8836279467828576256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbReViCY6NeLB_l1WPC2I0GNd_ksXU8NsI2CjNid33e7g9bBvfomB7KYp0duMAJFBV-US49_hBWMQJ6t8SuARWmbp3hUvx8qJAHwd8QuC5BtguKakJgJxgwSXoeVlf2GxJsSVcAKRoN2Mu/s320/49948854_2339484912750774_8836279467828576256_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front splitter</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLqHOSzfLytHgJ33skUGMUIHyg8qzJzkrnh3NnP_MsO8qVZ-YfpFYg_xIxVA6Tmu8RyAS2I39p7eZHCv3rt3PVI0YHris9LLhWqB2ww5lRWDiMF4J98ELLpzG1mC1Pq2x3fOzb-WFVx_A/s1600/49998718_2347159775319901_6180909004999360512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLqHOSzfLytHgJ33skUGMUIHyg8qzJzkrnh3NnP_MsO8qVZ-YfpFYg_xIxVA6Tmu8RyAS2I39p7eZHCv3rt3PVI0YHris9LLhWqB2ww5lRWDiMF4J98ELLpzG1mC1Pq2x3fOzb-WFVx_A/s320/49998718_2347159775319901_6180909004999360512_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intercooler now devoid of stone chips</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNkodG73PCznlsljQDeG_sn5VCFPHv9y459abc-XwlhqqgF15ZzHy8ffZP3prQeeaW22hAoRjbXps1k75660y5sqmFF-Xovi8rWYMvS93CfTXIjpuTVhnsRIeAFAtcydE-APzDWKxVByr/s1600/50248137_2338153796217219_869279910168887296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNkodG73PCznlsljQDeG_sn5VCFPHv9y459abc-XwlhqqgF15ZzHy8ffZP3prQeeaW22hAoRjbXps1k75660y5sqmFF-Xovi8rWYMvS93CfTXIjpuTVhnsRIeAFAtcydE-APzDWKxVByr/s320/50248137_2338153796217219_869279910168887296_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBGkva2A1SaC9RqbQLf3H4UiJNAY1nfPs2eWNX419W34eZHSAilO6mMRACvKEOS3cAif-BCxZ1C9vmNVk17HkvbS9zJYoZAPyceI_2m2zkzKOo0zgpck2FPi32Rw7gLDX_j9cvgawmQw2/s1600/50264312_2339484949417437_5547760714522820608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBGkva2A1SaC9RqbQLf3H4UiJNAY1nfPs2eWNX419W34eZHSAilO6mMRACvKEOS3cAif-BCxZ1C9vmNVk17HkvbS9zJYoZAPyceI_2m2zkzKOo0zgpck2FPi32Rw7gLDX_j9cvgawmQw2/s320/50264312_2339484949417437_5547760714522820608_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primer coat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeUg8O-DUGDI76gE2BZBmW3QhlysCdc5WOicF0m3f8OxmGv-u755h57WLlo9zGjebaQCLnKYxiADS8Vk4qT5H2LTp-cG04OGrYd7MCT-86k8SV7xyN32YCoHPXwBlQxMQK7fY3pAjXQgn/s1600/50459973_2339484996084099_1721485590169387008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeUg8O-DUGDI76gE2BZBmW3QhlysCdc5WOicF0m3f8OxmGv-u755h57WLlo9zGjebaQCLnKYxiADS8Vk4qT5H2LTp-cG04OGrYd7MCT-86k8SV7xyN32YCoHPXwBlQxMQK7fY3pAjXQgn/s320/50459973_2339484996084099_1721485590169387008_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vent work</td></tr>
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There are things in life where you think "I could do that, given the tools and time" well fabricating vents in the fenders is one that given the tools and a lot of time... I reckon I would still be struggling to pass 'go' let alone be on the beach vigorously towelling myself off. As it is my car these photos hold a strange and worrying fascination. I have always advocated hitting things with a hammer, but not usually bodywork!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action shot</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIEolofQCFHbAY8sa05K-J6UuPsFLZzk8BLLIBAkj1m-nOG9ozpH1LYtkZP47CY4VTwca44waJG1yfAXnHgkyr47hyQerTcOjpJdC3ov6ZUdezilpiPN9vRhjlFxss6TBEmqp07F9Uisa/s1600/50119428_2542810505735683_2700846568696709120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIEolofQCFHbAY8sa05K-J6UuPsFLZzk8BLLIBAkj1m-nOG9ozpH1LYtkZP47CY4VTwca44waJG1yfAXnHgkyr47hyQerTcOjpJdC3ov6ZUdezilpiPN9vRhjlFxss6TBEmqp07F9Uisa/s320/50119428_2542810505735683_2700846568696709120_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z7ny0r8VVgeVlV4rTkuCoqtN8Hcvq1hCe-x8CtEV9WcvbEzKVGDNMzrXP0r0_FhzXsEjmSsA5o66xD5nefg1L78izfWgdwOqqFGeMX1fCSw1WezciSTVX7Xpht3h6AiCnRUJGjNvYWO9/s1600/50177541_2339484966084102_2969344658204786688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z7ny0r8VVgeVlV4rTkuCoqtN8Hcvq1hCe-x8CtEV9WcvbEzKVGDNMzrXP0r0_FhzXsEjmSsA5o66xD5nefg1L78izfWgdwOqqFGeMX1fCSw1WezciSTVX7Xpht3h6AiCnRUJGjNvYWO9/s320/50177541_2339484966084102_2969344658204786688_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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You are all encouraged to try this at home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx4t3RT1F1jj6hLuSFo_mQ_EMIXZEKBIulY4LofRq9mJZ4rO4STYJL6KGLoeQMEfnrg5WrghvQ8pnBbQ6Dr4ycmJ98OZAt_aWXntIphaE7kWi-2WLjGvI-8kiqnBCwaGEXqDAv2B6G8cR/s1600/50673261_328634537742322_6988254284169084928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx4t3RT1F1jj6hLuSFo_mQ_EMIXZEKBIulY4LofRq9mJZ4rO4STYJL6KGLoeQMEfnrg5WrghvQ8pnBbQ6Dr4ycmJ98OZAt_aWXntIphaE7kWi-2WLjGvI-8kiqnBCwaGEXqDAv2B6G8cR/s320/50673261_328634537742322_6988254284169084928_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Assorted Musings: If you are compelled to ask 'how much?' then you probably can't afford it. </div>
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If I was clever I would have just brought another pair of wings to have chopped up and kept the others as spares. But then owning the car isn't particularly clever in the first place, so it all balances out.</div>
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Automotive art, is it a thing? Or is that John Lennon's badly painted Rolls Royce?</div>
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18/01/2019 progress pictures<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibThdGqPV9na4pVehzaxxUZKviJDlQrM02sySbjiYDXz6yXF-cSojoN3VZ_2gabmM2T6POisr_TVnUFONAOovCwDUssHqICBNMvYcgXTbMXmF1tPQN262xtWUGbMQafkdz5ciS9QkhzGdE/s1600/50332502_2341021779263754_1169770609769447424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibThdGqPV9na4pVehzaxxUZKviJDlQrM02sySbjiYDXz6yXF-cSojoN3VZ_2gabmM2T6POisr_TVnUFONAOovCwDUssHqICBNMvYcgXTbMXmF1tPQN262xtWUGbMQafkdz5ciS9QkhzGdE/s320/50332502_2341021779263754_1169770609769447424_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Progress on vents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNrFcCTm0B5fXIqj3XkXK0Exe-zhzI6JsKbkZwFlhHp5hPKjgAT0eR6yh-SVRpXBDY2iYCpmXSVbINbOhhr4OW7LStbJYW5IGMuoNGMcA1WfiSV7hXnmzZp6dirOwiGHv-inQ9wSyDLWG/s1600/50557961_2341021792597086_1719939835734523904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNrFcCTm0B5fXIqj3XkXK0Exe-zhzI6JsKbkZwFlhHp5hPKjgAT0eR6yh-SVRpXBDY2iYCpmXSVbINbOhhr4OW7LStbJYW5IGMuoNGMcA1WfiSV7hXnmzZp6dirOwiGHv-inQ9wSyDLWG/s320/50557961_2341021792597086_1719939835734523904_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearer shot of mesh in vents</td></tr>
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21/01/2019<br />
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Parts Order of new GT emblems for fenders. At least I will be back to standard on something. A pair ordered brand new from <a href="https://www.efisolutions.com.au/" target="_blank">EFI Solutions</a> in Australia.<br />
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Steady progress is being made on the vented wings at Fully Loaded Cars and they are starting to look respectable again!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXX0lSR1fsYCQjF3axpBlGId-PpCquBWptE8D6Z8T-nQuzpw4jOGWuZWUXdDbmQqDp3MGlJ_PxZ5O02hEcQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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22/01/2019</div>
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The wings/fenders are moving on at a good pace now and starting to look like wings/fenders again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNesjX6SE4W9pA8n1uUGTIjsSLGlGIDwkx6C-1MXT0H-5yOMSMxsfFm9htDZcpfhZnT8u-439cSDWeoHyH_iFUcrRReuNJYca3rZ5krKZLJvTxM3UoHkRP6IxK39ms-Pdt7kXVaKyQkDK/s1600/49343174_2347392411960024_752939292048752640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNesjX6SE4W9pA8n1uUGTIjsSLGlGIDwkx6C-1MXT0H-5yOMSMxsfFm9htDZcpfhZnT8u-439cSDWeoHyH_iFUcrRReuNJYca3rZ5krKZLJvTxM3UoHkRP6IxK39ms-Pdt7kXVaKyQkDK/s320/49343174_2347392411960024_752939292048752640_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>More assorted musings (I know.. I love to muse)</b></div>
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When is a fender a wing?</div>
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"Back in the day" British designers (yes Britain used to design and manufacture cars, just reference the Austin Allegro) after putting down their HB pencils from designing Spitfires etc. Looked upon the flowing sweeping curves with poetic eyes, finding them to resemble the wings of birds. So in the UK, fenders became wings. </div>
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Meanwhile 'over there' in the USA the designers gave them the name fenders, which reflects their purpose. To stop rubbish being thrown up from the road, fending off the detritus. </div>
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In the UK we still call fenders wings although the meaning has now been lost with them becoming more integrated into a cars overall shape. 1-0 to the USA then. Personally I quite like the word "fender" as it means in an accident we can have "fender benders". However no one in the UK would say that for fear of being adjudged to be an "idiot" or in the USA a "dumb ass". </div>
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The Japanese use the word fender which translated is <em id="yui_3_17_2_1_1548149028417_245" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">fendaa </em></div>
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22/01/2019 (PM)<br />
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-75751398482861967912019-01-16T10:39:00.000+00:002019-01-16T11:40:03.235+00:00Body work - Nose job and bum tuckWelcome back!<br />
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Oh my God, things have been so busy since buying a new house that the car has really taken a back seat, I remember a time when I had a hobby/habit. However they may chain my body to drill bits and paint brushes, but they can't chain my mind! Or in other words, I have been planning in secret and when I say secret it is mainly because I have no friends and my wife isn't interested..<br />
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<b>So confession is good for the soul. Well obviously mine could do with a jolly good tidy up</b>.<br />
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I have no issues with the GTS-25t ECR33 front bumper (also known as KOUKI in Japanese made from 1996 to 1998). It's okay, the indicators in original form were a bit 'hmmm' but I had changed them to a (in my opinion) cooler four door single lens option. Plus I had the front lip or splitter Nissan option which really helped finish the car and was a great (if hard to find) addition.<br />
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Specification 2 GTS cars are hard to find decent fitting parts for, especially on the front of the car. When Nissan gave the car its midlife update for engine and styling, the only areas they changed externally (in a physical can't swap parts way) was the front end. Having a different bumper, lights and bonnet. Nissan moving the car away from GT-R looks and creating a similar but distinctively different car. This was not so great when it came to aftermarket parts and although parts were made it was for a short time and production has long ceased and the spec two is naturally the rarer of the species. So options were limited and although there is a healthy market in the UK for repro parts in fibreglass they are all a little bit "shonky" (a new word for sh*t and wonky).<br />
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So with that in mind I spoke to <b>Eastbear Sports</b> in Japan. They will still manufacture parts to order and after a few mail exchanges of my non existent Japanese and their interesting to decode English. We finally agreed on the "masterpiece" (feels like there should be a fanfare of trumpets whenever I use the word "masterpiece" perhaps you can mentally play one in your heads).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.east-bear.co.jp/shopdetail/004001000010/004/X/page1/recommend/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1023" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tqbINYk78I7HOReEzjbsPbbAKiNvDHTF8enh_NVyTe5xgwkwKNxwF9fBOTzfl-IuFJkgDTf1xeqqME6vLp6LboIA4vhVUd3lzL-NjoYyGtNC9LE5yhSamnvYjxVzkuqp8RJFbFWd44y3/s320/Masterpiece.JPG" title="East Bear Masterpiece" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.east-bear.co.jp/shopdetail/004001000010/004/X/page1/recommend/" target="_blank">Link to Eastbear</a></td></tr>
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Shipping was just out of this world... I mean, expensive and cost more than the bumper. However it was sent via DHL and amazingly efficient (Parcel Force take note! (Parcel Force being a UK delivery firm of ill repute)).<br />
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Anyway.. I got the bumper.<br />
Masterpiece (fnarrrr!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLLonTAA6FR3MhwfimMv9F5a-BmHmRTBvyDTCU_-CyPbL_v6XhYJP_mk4kkGu1viX5x_fxrU0oins2Qr5v1f6k2_Ftl7SxLtKzOGK3RSXKQzDqbdC0fVHIrEuV70sbBPwMwD_WFfGDLtI/s1600/46345838_177081609909524_7116362751903006720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLLonTAA6FR3MhwfimMv9F5a-BmHmRTBvyDTCU_-CyPbL_v6XhYJP_mk4kkGu1viX5x_fxrU0oins2Qr5v1f6k2_Ftl7SxLtKzOGK3RSXKQzDqbdC0fVHIrEuV70sbBPwMwD_WFfGDLtI/s320/46345838_177081609909524_7116362751903006720_n.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N1 vents (no moulded in copy crap)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg_KMZEIJDMNl2tFjPJpx7KquEueYM7TArbLEX_XVn-hvrGIOK4g2EILHh5LVVHlfWpzFkTuC-1c_1X0HslVDprr7_RaxKJv9v0uQc03gjzFK-TLgcav97tBlO1T5xvgwGHrVTn9e_Fjc/s1600/46350770_2124762347575401_419798113625047040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1600" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg_KMZEIJDMNl2tFjPJpx7KquEueYM7TArbLEX_XVn-hvrGIOK4g2EILHh5LVVHlfWpzFkTuC-1c_1X0HslVDprr7_RaxKJv9v0uQc03gjzFK-TLgcav97tBlO1T5xvgwGHrVTn9e_Fjc/s320/46350770_2124762347575401_419798113625047040_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumper and splitter</td></tr>
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As you can see the splitter is a splitter and not some moulded on part (see Vents above)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jAM-U8uOEwW8a3lpuIkfNgy_Z8SBmLsqWU2t46xa76zHXPB8iCuns4VoRH9pIsT7eO8KtlzcGJBInfkndeQnJ9W-lbiZbsgOhy9Hu1OEseCF8vMiQkzHgq43TK8YYmDnAku-aCGjFMxo/s1600/46444602_505350233279939_251668346058047488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1600" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jAM-U8uOEwW8a3lpuIkfNgy_Z8SBmLsqWU2t46xa76zHXPB8iCuns4VoRH9pIsT7eO8KtlzcGJBInfkndeQnJ9W-lbiZbsgOhy9Hu1OEseCF8vMiQkzHgq43TK8YYmDnAku-aCGjFMxo/s320/46444602_505350233279939_251668346058047488_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesh in original Japanese newspaper (now framed and hanging in the toilet)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRX5UPLyF78jKau7t6oyoRNC4P5OSFi8lNRfhonn4bE9boLWEX8LdYaQdv67_iAbhHMfBL5HN5G8XgsNz77KRmXe6P0pp5WIxcC5D2v9kOmDwfB7bW6YQdo8Ckj-6_SYB_BIebnyOV10e/s1600/46449312_302795010331479_3531015974092275712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRX5UPLyF78jKau7t6oyoRNC4P5OSFi8lNRfhonn4bE9boLWEX8LdYaQdv67_iAbhHMfBL5HN5G8XgsNz77KRmXe6P0pp5WIxcC5D2v9kOmDwfB7bW6YQdo8Ckj-6_SYB_BIebnyOV10e/s320/46449312_302795010331479_3531015974092275712_n.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm... Side view!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc3qV3pf1juIg2mDc6iF_QRCw2J7mMTHNwVsn-c7U_MwEtZ5Dd57hR2THokWnvLei2SyV7KrfNyn8RUk7YwM8dv-m-ETzubkFWDZEKr5yAncElr8LjDLaTzzrhAMYKcCpZO-obIo56P2h/s1600/46482264_577206532740281_162672122559201280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1600" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc3qV3pf1juIg2mDc6iF_QRCw2J7mMTHNwVsn-c7U_MwEtZ5Dd57hR2THokWnvLei2SyV7KrfNyn8RUk7YwM8dv-m-ETzubkFWDZEKr5yAncElr8LjDLaTzzrhAMYKcCpZO-obIo56P2h/s320/46482264_577206532740281_162672122559201280_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indicators (otherwise amusingly known as 'winkers'</td></tr>
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There is a box of screws and assorted parts... But you know what screws are... right?<br />
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<h3>
<b><br /></b><b>Other wish list requirements. </b><b>or </b><b>Unnecessary tinkering.</b></h3>
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Always liked vented wings but never liked the shonky (there it is again, were you paying attention earlier?) fitment. Fiberglas parts... nothing wrong with them if made properly, preferably by a skilled artisan and not 'Fred in his shed'.</div>
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So the only way to do vented wings properly is to fabricate them from steel (hang the expense). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAZfmfMAOmMknGRtCIs1gXmgD-gEKvwikR_5JKyOCc7V4iZVg2e-tD4b4wF9PaLUBL8AT6NYvCcE10i48BWLhtKcB7OmYqb2jGZjRpQqmpaYiwz1QjDF-75c7VMkfTDD3dHwm2s2zpiq_/s1600/50119428_2542810505735683_2700846568696709120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAZfmfMAOmMknGRtCIs1gXmgD-gEKvwikR_5JKyOCc7V4iZVg2e-tD4b4wF9PaLUBL8AT6NYvCcE10i48BWLhtKcB7OmYqb2jGZjRpQqmpaYiwz1QjDF-75c7VMkfTDD3dHwm2s2zpiq_/s320/50119428_2542810505735683_2700846568696709120_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QGzHeRkYgaXZHeKOCpn4c8uyDFqlIgmaWnDGfYT7oc9QpXW8Th9Oi9vT0FQK7vq9CaxNfAw2RBzeoF_FcmmwG-gQAssXWz_E2Lfb5YRYyb7GubLb5G3kS6aw3PmtpuJgTt-FMuCAnLMf/s1600/50673261_328634537742322_6988254284169084928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QGzHeRkYgaXZHeKOCpn4c8uyDFqlIgmaWnDGfYT7oc9QpXW8Th9Oi9vT0FQK7vq9CaxNfAw2RBzeoF_FcmmwG-gQAssXWz_E2Lfb5YRYyb7GubLb5G3kS6aw3PmtpuJgTt-FMuCAnLMf/s320/50673261_328634537742322_6988254284169084928_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This work is being carried out at <a href="https://www.fullyloadedcars.com/" target="_blank">Fully Loaded Cars</a> and to use the word "artisan" they are real experts in paint and body work. Personally I think that they are beyond working on old Skylines now and have clients with some amazing cars these days (this isn't a paid promotion but just in case...)</div>
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<h3>
Slam panel</h3>
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Am having the slam panel tidied up. Mine was/is currently wrapped (by me!) and was shocking for being dented, scratched, badly repaired (by me!) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweo3HZUSqjQU0wKtS0s_FDA_3uNhoRi5zK_gGpdB1W48HrhxuEIYZ5yTj17ywji5DhvDV-5JqGK-38m548y73-lyBtqx361Zn5r6uR1fATYhzWWnyegs5NzxwupfgdRXGG217JpYN6txx/s1600/46482183_1157915067710601_8500194377086271488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweo3HZUSqjQU0wKtS0s_FDA_3uNhoRi5zK_gGpdB1W48HrhxuEIYZ5yTj17ywji5DhvDV-5JqGK-38m548y73-lyBtqx361Zn5r6uR1fATYhzWWnyegs5NzxwupfgdRXGG217JpYN6txx/s320/46482183_1157915067710601_8500194377086271488_n.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slam panel in it's current 'look'</td></tr>
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<h3>
Rear boot/trunk</h3>
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I had the car de-locked at the rear, which is great although in the light you could always just about make out a faint outline of the old boot lock. This has obviously become more pronounced as time has ticked by, probably by the filler shrinking. So lets do it again! </div>
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<h3>
Intercooler</h3>
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The black <b>Mishimoto</b> intercooler takes the brunt of stones being flung at it and had a few chips plus... well, it just wasn't painted very well from factory already showing signs of paint flaking from the aluminium. So this will have a blast and paint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEDnwgm3oKd4zvcRm39QWYrCm369zOp4skQw4-_5zZsTotBMCuAvF8UCmVlwAw_ZzF5i6yBfglrxTALIOjOLd_vrWbVm7Wjb8vO2MS61mHacaOuu9KZBX3eJLybtYrwOG-1li0E_zGEjZ/s1600/50546194_275453839816125_2516355372323700736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEDnwgm3oKd4zvcRm39QWYrCm369zOp4skQw4-_5zZsTotBMCuAvF8UCmVlwAw_ZzF5i6yBfglrxTALIOjOLd_vrWbVm7Wjb8vO2MS61mHacaOuu9KZBX3eJLybtYrwOG-1li0E_zGEjZ/s320/50546194_275453839816125_2516355372323700736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<br />Side skirts</h3>
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The metal support structure for my NISMO side skirts was getting rusty as some of the paint/underseal had bee peeled back like a flap. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief_7BWtnSvTNW-w31zaFlzyaS1_YL4MlSPDCi7HeKO-IVW8dg2CKTYNtxz8DhtAKXmraJjrr6VEAKxA-uKmhbsxSINIbSxqplv4xjhZvrq401pDFZ6cm6rLSdUzzQ13vhZnw2ZIhl-FL-/s1600/49864618_314233592548224_6359405771351916544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief_7BWtnSvTNW-w31zaFlzyaS1_YL4MlSPDCi7HeKO-IVW8dg2CKTYNtxz8DhtAKXmraJjrr6VEAKxA-uKmhbsxSINIbSxqplv4xjhZvrq401pDFZ6cm6rLSdUzzQ13vhZnw2ZIhl-FL-/s320/49864618_314233592548224_6359405771351916544_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side skirt supports and bumper bar (details on things no one sees!) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWAkdUQwAOasJEPiOO9Wu88bf1-d4OEpg6H33D8tTeSeNB_eFfbNgCA7KBsT2ZcyNwC756wd96wde0I3gwBB7GbOZLOxIJU0Si6GVRXHumbv6VwNUFhXmgSBdeET_SXFgMh1rMONwrguw/s1600/50236808_2005630969564898_1835744407576379392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWAkdUQwAOasJEPiOO9Wu88bf1-d4OEpg6H33D8tTeSeNB_eFfbNgCA7KBsT2ZcyNwC756wd96wde0I3gwBB7GbOZLOxIJU0Si6GVRXHumbv6VwNUFhXmgSBdeET_SXFgMh1rMONwrguw/s320/50236808_2005630969564898_1835744407576379392_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front grill, bonnet catch support</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBApWHfapeixHXHY8oIoDkAwqpkxH3WbLyaMgdZXE4kl0Jwgpe2hkhXS9W8A1oXUQcSrIIm-CJxQExWkhMNV-9ak469LYkbZeiWE-VbLkA1lOpXCwIeo-J1RFYiRjAFlvxGmUal6dMqvhB/s1600/49946786_223927208555841_4569028441898221568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBApWHfapeixHXHY8oIoDkAwqpkxH3WbLyaMgdZXE4kl0Jwgpe2hkhXS9W8A1oXUQcSrIIm-CJxQExWkhMNV-9ak469LYkbZeiWE-VbLkA1lOpXCwIeo-J1RFYiRjAFlvxGmUal6dMqvhB/s320/49946786_223927208555841_4569028441898221568_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous strip down picture (always scary) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEiGILgcaupPuVn8eFBGq0VboeU-kj-jyoR1tZi-7b_OLNkbKDSMOY1sai6aKKj7V7kh4wSiqK5VXg0MrHK1TKN5sBmM2qLw4r1Yqy87HrPjbtXJM7uBFV9HZSwy_dy7r-KkCzJt9xrTL/s1600/49998718_2347159775319901_6180909004999360512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEiGILgcaupPuVn8eFBGq0VboeU-kj-jyoR1tZi-7b_OLNkbKDSMOY1sai6aKKj7V7kh4wSiqK5VXg0MrHK1TKN5sBmM2qLw4r1Yqy87HrPjbtXJM7uBFV9HZSwy_dy7r-KkCzJt9xrTL/s320/49998718_2347159775319901_6180909004999360512_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flying car that Back to the Future should have had?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Assorted musings</h3>
<div>
Watched a You tube video of a young chap fitting a bumper to his 33. Amusing, bubbly and excited as he was. It makes me wonder if this is the future, why read when you can watch. However as this is my diary of sorts and you are guests in my 'front room' I have decided I have a face made for text...</div>
<div>
I did like his approach, no thought given to indicators, cutting the front crash bar or fitment (he got away with it as well) and it reminded me of the good old days.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A friend said "don't vent the wings, why do you want to do it?" (I paraphrase and remove rude words). To be honest, I have no idea! Why do anything.. Just because I think that they look cool and it is really hard to do? Did consider some Skyline bull shizz at this point and claim that the high power of the car made extra venting for the braking system a must.... brr I need a wash now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>If you really want to ruin your car, modify it.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.fullyloadedcars.com/" target="_blank">Fully Loaded Cars</a> - Making dreams reality. </div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.east-bear.co.jp/" target="_blank">EASTBEAR</a> of quality and trust ! (yeah not sure about that tag lines translation to English)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My thanks and undying admiration go to Mr S. Iwamoto / EASTBEAR SPORTS and Marco Vasconcelos / Fully Loaded Cars</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Coming soon: More progress! </div>
<div>
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<div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-67279575793214323252018-09-27T10:53:00.002+01:002018-10-15T11:18:38.651+01:00It has been a busy year for me personally and whilst still writing the blog most of the posts have been confined to the draft folder, awaiting pictures or project completions.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
<b>So what have I been up to?</b> </h2>
<h3>
Toucan display </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The biggest project this year was fitting a Toucan display to the car. It required a lot more effort than at first thought, I unexpectedly found that I needed to fit oil pressure and temperature sensors. Not only for the Toucan to show the details, but also for the Link ECU to monitor them correctly. I brought into the Link selling razzmatazz, with them blowing the trumpet for all the safety features incorporated and assumed that the Link already monitored these two quite important aspects, well yes it can, but no not without sensors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRGXtD3Ci_428Dcz-uwckiNbwyqlB_7GrQR1Hj1ugtQNqfnl664VHwt_jVRynsOeuywaGbbU5Qyv8WaNgZ_R-q9k3IFqQcU2ts848Di9-xutgYkZVnU7JWUyBDLFPW_p4qgAquWismAY3/s1600/IMG_20180414_115110.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRGXtD3Ci_428Dcz-uwckiNbwyqlB_7GrQR1Hj1ugtQNqfnl664VHwt_jVRynsOeuywaGbbU5Qyv8WaNgZ_R-q9k3IFqQcU2ts848Di9-xutgYkZVnU7JWUyBDLFPW_p4qgAquWismAY3/s320/IMG_20180414_115110.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mqz2KV40xrHTttC5nin9hyphenhyphenM6bh-OT1iE4MpplQ5AURO72TRycvkUoBa3WIm-3pgC5ExcWUCH1yil9Slg8HA0sx7Iqp9HfGvW1L6AYgaI7S4uinvTHw5LYk3Lh5IM1JbmC1lWZ384SWXP/s1600/IMG_20180414_115046.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mqz2KV40xrHTttC5nin9hyphenhyphenM6bh-OT1iE4MpplQ5AURO72TRycvkUoBa3WIm-3pgC5ExcWUCH1yil9Slg8HA0sx7Iqp9HfGvW1L6AYgaI7S4uinvTHw5LYk3Lh5IM1JbmC1lWZ384SWXP/s320/IMG_20180414_115046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Oil Pressure and Temperature sensors</h3>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The advantage of fitting sensors did mean that I could relocate the oil filter, which to say the least being buried under everything else was difficult to get to! The unit now resides at the front of the car with the work being done at Bells Auto Services in Ropley (near Winchester) UK. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bells also helped set up the Toucan (My Link knowledge being little to non existent). A word of warning here though, <span style="color: red;">the Toucan needs an unlocked map to function correctly</span>. A lot of mappers will lock and password protect their maps these days. You need to check with your mapper before purchasing a Toucan or other display. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Traction Coil overs, Differentials and Tyres</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Traction in a 600hp rear wheel drive car can be just a bit of an issue.<br />
Just how do you convert the power and torque into something a bit more useful than spinning wheels? It seemed everything I did just knocked the problem on a step. The car was running standard shocks and Tein springs poly bushed all round.<br />
The Auto diff I had been running (which was great when at 350 hp) had to go, for drifting it would be great but for driving it was a liability. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So the diff ratio was changed to a 4.1 and a Kaaz 1.5 way locking differential fitted. The shocks and springs were changed to MeisterR CRDs and the wheel widths were changed from 8.5 to 9.5 for good measure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3tlZp4SPjW_VvfcdWDR2YjBYQqMZBOGuhdXkjJe371OvPKs_QDCw_CBoIkj5MQvF5QG_iTXf_nsHPbyQV1fDx7r11xgNS7dtmEekL9-UNsy3MsxceAnu8MFO2fbhS-xepfGfzLFiFB4n/s1600/MD07S-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3tlZp4SPjW_VvfcdWDR2YjBYQqMZBOGuhdXkjJe371OvPKs_QDCw_CBoIkj5MQvF5QG_iTXf_nsHPbyQV1fDx7r11xgNS7dtmEekL9-UNsy3MsxceAnu8MFO2fbhS-xepfGfzLFiFB4n/s320/MD07S-600x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MeisterR</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDPMek0r__plHXZUohcbj7hn_aCbMgLn-BXbkKQkIHDueZ9DJ-9zjHpPJNGL2mFRB7MJtriVc6xYZJ680e3qD2XSYz8UdDTS7ShuwoVFvmXLLLK6ZXLXpIo67x1eTgDPipT5XZBUP3oai/s1600/13882176_10154386404034282_6469732117747518882_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDPMek0r__plHXZUohcbj7hn_aCbMgLn-BXbkKQkIHDueZ9DJ-9zjHpPJNGL2mFRB7MJtriVc6xYZJ680e3qD2XSYz8UdDTS7ShuwoVFvmXLLLK6ZXLXpIo67x1eTgDPipT5XZBUP3oai/s320/13882176_10154386404034282_6469732117747518882_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaaz 1.5 way fitted</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKKGnt54t6075_Hp0u-p9ocqCsGId_X7teZ5fk28AZHhhqYt-fxwusgDbCZyAMUPrdHXgm6g03R-t2tGaa4VQ7fkfKYU-SICBSWl2kNOgDKRxSQrlDJ2H1jwFZ0G32HYRtuw-Bt1-vu27/s1600/13902569_10154386403979282_7278237025771752611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKKGnt54t6075_Hp0u-p9ocqCsGId_X7teZ5fk28AZHhhqYt-fxwusgDbCZyAMUPrdHXgm6g03R-t2tGaa4VQ7fkfKYU-SICBSWl2kNOgDKRxSQrlDJ2H1jwFZ0G32HYRtuw-Bt1-vu27/s320/13902569_10154386403979282_7278237025771752611_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Traction was greatly improved although the car was still on 'normal' road going tyres. So I then upgraded these as well to Yokohama Advan AD08r's.<br />
Although buying the exact same size as what was already fitted to the car, the contact between the tyre and the road is a lot squarer (the road going tyres having a chamfered edge) and this meant that the new tyres were rubbing on the wheel arch lip at the rear (who knew!). So this also meant that I either had to have the arches rolled or buy new tyres. I opted for rolling the arches (arch enemy UK). Again I found myself working on something completely different when wrongly assuming it was a straight forward task! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yA0c5RmoJANIhUfp2WZMXVhUcQyL838b2TIU4mweTwW-xTY8SXewvT2cgpgxoXfyXkLTYc3gFUNPijA1EJOH1nc15iY-jgh1k4PTeh7frQ2hBEonaCiQm300toF8Q1kEn3YdkpETx4T7/s1600/30652705_10156312106534282_8345805223511457792_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yA0c5RmoJANIhUfp2WZMXVhUcQyL838b2TIU4mweTwW-xTY8SXewvT2cgpgxoXfyXkLTYc3gFUNPijA1EJOH1nc15iY-jgh1k4PTeh7frQ2hBEonaCiQm300toF8Q1kEn3YdkpETx4T7/s320/30652705_10156312106534282_8345805223511457792_o.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yokohama AD08R</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzaPFRC3ePwzA1avo4xxd46boVv_A2p7NfU4N2t9vp2HM-f1b-HQx_4kHmNhc4H8q_65bqJfcQ8BdGSre9kjbxH8t_cYXnPZDRJmZvCwCRgpyucJWVefJoSiDZcPyDHMD6nDCts03AyHU/s1600/31523268_10156351364374282_6013059222055419904_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzaPFRC3ePwzA1avo4xxd46boVv_A2p7NfU4N2t9vp2HM-f1b-HQx_4kHmNhc4H8q_65bqJfcQ8BdGSre9kjbxH8t_cYXnPZDRJmZvCwCRgpyucJWVefJoSiDZcPyDHMD6nDCts03AyHU/s320/31523268_10156351364374282_6013059222055419904_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheel Arches rolled by 'Arch Enemy'</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
Am confident that wheel spin from this point on is more the fault of the driver (me) rather than anything mechanical that can be added to the car! (in it's current configuration). </div>
<h3>
<br />Associated yearly problems.</h3>
<div>
After a very hot summer in the UK I was finding it alarming to have an alarm, with the engine light flickering after a run and restarting the car.Turns out that this was heat soak in the bay and the Link ECU warning me about ambient temperatures! Solution.. turn up the setting! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Had some issues with the gearbox thrust bearing that got progressively worse. Annoyingly the car still worked fine but now and again the box/clutch would make a terrific grinding noise. Being on the gearbox this would go all the way through the car and rattle my fillings. So had the box removed and the bearing replaced at Bells Auto Services. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Small water leak. Had to replace a Nissan clip on a hose near the cold side inlet. Still have no idea where the hose actually goes or why it is there! On start up the car would leak a little fluid (only on start!) and leave a small puddle on the floor. I had been puzzling over this for ages and having to top up the expansion tank until I caught the culprit at it! I actually had to go to Bells and asked them to take a look. Pressure testing the system they found no leaks, however they changed the clip for me (I couldn't get the darn thing off!) and the problem was solved. Nothing made sense about this, am convinced Bells Autos thought I was making it up and just wanted the attention!<br />
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<h3>
Thanks</h3>
</div>
<div>
It would be a disservice to Richard at Bells Auto Services not to take a moment to thank them not only for their patience with me this year but also the fantastic work and assistance offered to me. Find them on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/bellsautoservices.co.uk/</div>
<h2>
<br />What's next?</h2>
<div>
A Nismo short shifter is winging it's way to my door. </div>
<div>
I am currently looking at changing the front end of the old girl and giving her a face lift in favour of an East Bear Masterpiece front bumper. Communication can be laboured with both parties being fluent in other languages! However at the time of writing I believe they are preparing an invoice, I just hope it is not taking time because the figures are so large! </div>
Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-80971512358819171522017-05-12T10:04:00.000+01:002017-05-12T10:04:29.895+01:00Warning: Like a fiend for nicotine, power figures can be addictive.<br />
<br />
Thought it would be a jolly wheeze to see what the maximum potential of the car would be in it's current form. Okay with a couple more modifications to it's fueling.<br />
<br />
To that end I fitted a bigger 100mm core intercooler (Misimoto R Line) and 450LPH fuel pump (Walbro).<br />
<br />
Both jobs were a pain in the butt to do, Although probably not world ending and certainly do'able at home they were both awkward to get at and both needed 'special' love and attention to detail.<br />
<br />
Intercooler. As a standard generic fit I could just about squeeze this into the front space 'as was' already cut for my old Japspeed intercooler. The fittings being slightly different I did have to drill a couple of holes in the crash bar (after making a bazillion measurements) and fabricating a couple of brackets from some flat Iron bar (they aint going nowhere). Biggest pain was the front bumper, after a trim and refit it wanted just a little more off.. five goes later and job done.<br />
Of course the fitting of the intercooler didn't really help the horns much and having previously made a gorgeous bracket to mount my 'Scooby' horns on. It soon became apparent that they were not looking great being squished by the intercooler (these have since been removed for an alternative horn).<br />
<br />
Fuel Pump: Although aware vaguely that there was a wiring mod, this was not initially done and we soon found out why it is required as the 450 lph pump can't draw enough voltage to pump the fuel.<br />
So just a side note, if you’re installing a current hungry fuel pump I suggest the fuel pump be wired using a relay directly to the battery. The stock wiring and fuel pump controller cannot cope with the new current draw resulting in a drop in voltage causing lack of performance and further issues. Or in my case less HP than when I started!<br />
Here is a good <a href="http://www.trak-life.com/diy-walbro-460l-e85-fuel-pump-installupgrade-nissan-skyline-r33/" target="_blank">link </a>for the actual process of physical fitting.<br />
Here is a good<a href="https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/234796-re-wiring-your-fuel-pump/" target="_blank"> link </a>for the wiring direct feed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbVJwYEzKGcM3w3NJjhnVzL66obiWE6nggsw_o3DElNPASTdtVBvg_2cYVbZ-eT6TKnu6J6G2ABf_kOqf3c4ax0-0V2_k0AMKDwQxPfry7WP2FS-zDj6rD6bfOL1GDaV3lPDslvHPBTSO/s1600/16991559_10155052059949282_8240145096966864183_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbVJwYEzKGcM3w3NJjhnVzL66obiWE6nggsw_o3DElNPASTdtVBvg_2cYVbZ-eT6TKnu6J6G2ABf_kOqf3c4ax0-0V2_k0AMKDwQxPfry7WP2FS-zDj6rD6bfOL1GDaV3lPDslvHPBTSO/s320/16991559_10155052059949282_8240145096966864183_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting Dyno and the last view of the horns!</td></tr>
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<br />
Results: Well things were not exactly running super smooth on mapping the car. There was a boost leak due to a few pennies worth of cable tie. The car then failing to deliver enough fuel and after the wiring modification, the car still refused to deliver enough fuel, with the injectors (850cc Denso's) being at capacity.<br />
Having already eaten up a good chunk of dyno time for practically zero gain and all loss, we upped the fuel pressure. Now we were nicely back on track. However, this meant that the fuel map was no longer any good and the 'tweak' to the map was no longer an option. A full map it was to be then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGymzggNU3RkfP4LlnX1SqlJI7Fp3Ype1ZQr012vYkRV-Cb98V_91FNcpLMzpghmMYvNyKhNzHI1G7CqyTFWlUiTlApLAbp4EhUT3jkcbGiizA4UKANWUcqmF1fmPnmboiwM7mrMOL02V/s1600/MGT+dyno+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGymzggNU3RkfP4LlnX1SqlJI7Fp3Ype1ZQr012vYkRV-Cb98V_91FNcpLMzpghmMYvNyKhNzHI1G7CqyTFWlUiTlApLAbp4EhUT3jkcbGiizA4UKANWUcqmF1fmPnmboiwM7mrMOL02V/s320/MGT+dyno+2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dyno readout taken at hubs</td></tr>
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So all in all a big bill, a lot of work and an actual 12HP more. Although for the increase in torque it was probably worth it (this is what I tell myself). People get so hung up on BHP it actually does not mean a lot when you get past a certain level. Or put as a very simple example: Two engines may have the same torque to pull up a 1 in 4 slope, but if one has more BHP, it will pull the car up the slope faster. Torque is a measure of the force available to accelerate the car.<br /><br />
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-4120868783625878792016-12-07T10:44:00.001+00:002016-12-07T10:56:14.443+00:00Japanese petrol Vs the world!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here in the UK we often speculate about such things as RON levels, who is the best supplier of gas and why can't we be more like Japan who do not seem as encumbered by green issues like the rest of us. We all know that Japanese petrol is 99 RON (if not 101) and made by the great petrol Gods of mount speedy. Well lets take my perspective and get a British low down on any Skyline Owners second home.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate busy petrol stations! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the US and UK, whether or not there is a difference at all is actually up for debate. The general idea with cheap petrol in England, at least, is that it's used to attract customers to what is usually a supermarket (remember all the petrol stations we used to have?). In Japan, the cheap petrol is from "unnamed" standalone stations (i.e. not the big players like Shell etc). There doesn't seem to be any solid proof that anyone's gas is better or worse than anyone elses. However much like in the UK would you put an unknown in your tank? It is pretty universal in the UK that no one buys BP for instance and even though one hears many claims as to why, no one actually can definitely prove its terribly bad. Equally no one can prove Shell or Tesco are really good</span>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0V3f917O885HbuZMllXfd_LBXtibmxHM68fGlWU448y0osn4yHv3KrSzwnKT-aoNOWdNJLt206HNKeHgq_NAyKHxVlH1ss2RjKEUzKA_KVkgDuMbUI0HjrMNSRzNHjTsQYb5AlFC_pt9/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0V3f917O885HbuZMllXfd_LBXtibmxHM68fGlWU448y0osn4yHv3KrSzwnKT-aoNOWdNJLt206HNKeHgq_NAyKHxVlH1ss2RjKEUzKA_KVkgDuMbUI0HjrMNSRzNHjTsQYb5AlFC_pt9/s320/c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day we will all be looking for a socket to plug in?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You've probably heard of the Japanese gas station attendants and their ridiculous over-courtesy. It's true, but there are also self-service stands which will save a couple of yen per litre. These stand out with the セルフ (serufu) sign. So, for the cheapest fuel find a city relatively close to a port (at least without mountains in the way) and go self-service.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The universal language of petrol cars</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">It's possible to also save a few yen with store discount cards, so when on holidays in Japan snap one up if you see them at your local Eneos or Cosmo etc.Now it this all sounds depressingly familiar consider those that do not live in the city it's much more expensive to fill your tank there than in other places. in the mountains, Petrol tankers aren't allowed to drive through tunnels because of the potentially devastating results of an accident, so to get to cities they need to do some massive detours. This results in an almost 10% markup.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqJewacAGYoDfiyvItMugSg1dUkKydeT94cOLa1lJAQM6enM9Zd7mjV4VauZRKyBdmBdH1PZsQzZNJZAkXx6XgRhdSS9bb4R69HLPteFFuPD6cMvRaJLgxL9FAEgK-pcaLz7manU1JA9G/s1600/f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqJewacAGYoDfiyvItMugSg1dUkKydeT94cOLa1lJAQM6enM9Zd7mjV4VauZRKyBdmBdH1PZsQzZNJZAkXx6XgRhdSS9bb4R69HLPteFFuPD6cMvRaJLgxL9FAEgK-pcaLz7manU1JA9G/s320/f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admit it, we have all been here! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">The current price of fuel in Japan sits at 120 to 124 yen per liter (about £0.88) compare that to the UK at £1.20+ for a high RON, so with purely this in mind I am starting to think that there is a bonus attached to Japanese petrol, the price!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"></span></span>Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-16443007809926173102016-12-05T11:16:00.000+00:002016-12-05T11:16:07.574+00:00TAKING A SPIN THROUGH DRIVETRIBESeasons Greetings to all!<br />
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The blog has been getting a little dusty, not that I have not been being industrious in my imaginings, but more due to efforts being focused elsewhere. There was a lot of froth and hoo'ha being directed at a motoring television show called the Grand Tour, here (and abroad) a resurrection (at least in presenters) of the BBC show Top Gear. A further off shoot of this new show is a new social media platform called Drive Tribe. As an 'admin' on Facebook's Skyline Owners Forum I felt compelled to investigate this new media and create a presence. Well as an early VIP and creator of a 'tribe' now I have dipped my electronic toe into the water I can say, it's okay. Bit pointless, but okay. Here is my review!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgmZTsy-rIzoAAg-5nB7V1IIXzefPVPt8fu6oe90FTIwef5f69GrB2h8wAnbaLZB7BgwSXT8n0zIsBUmoeV_3g22HgIflbNzPwKgNJaw_uOdgcEnupIlYZQhEkrloh-Ue4uL4oil24Wmk/s1600/monster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgmZTsy-rIzoAAg-5nB7V1IIXzefPVPt8fu6oe90FTIwef5f69GrB2h8wAnbaLZB7BgwSXT8n0zIsBUmoeV_3g22HgIflbNzPwKgNJaw_uOdgcEnupIlYZQhEkrloh-Ue4uL4oil24Wmk/s320/monster.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's that coming over the hill?</td></tr>
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Drive Tribe... A digital media platform for petrol heads. You join, you make a tribe, you hope others will join.<br />
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Digital media platform Drivetribe has completed a USD5.5 million Series A funding round led by Breyer Capital with additional participation by Atomico and other individual investors.</blockquote>
We know that quite probably Drive Tribe was not simply invented "just for us petrol heads" (even though that is the claim) and someone needs to get paid. In fact it is headed up by a chap called Ernesto Schmitt. German Schmitt was named as one of the richest young entrepreneurs in the UK by The Guardian in 2000, with the newspaper putting his net worth at £17 million ($22.5 million). As for Amazon, they are said to be relaxed about Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May setting up what could be seen as a rival motoring brand to "The Grand Tour." All I wonder is where does the payoff come from?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmH1Kt7MjeHTmgfi7adpnTfVs4D2D2xBcZZUQO3rSDmk3SLGk7K4dX3DeJRoIyJ-_x5B4qjcEr7035to3jac5yDqe8TPeWgHqm9Y9Bep0P3cm_UUyRy5GBO7eCLSmD9YzV3HL_EOJUzm4/s1600/focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmH1Kt7MjeHTmgfi7adpnTfVs4D2D2xBcZZUQO3rSDmk3SLGk7K4dX3DeJRoIyJ-_x5B4qjcEr7035to3jac5yDqe8TPeWgHqm9Y9Bep0P3cm_UUyRy5GBO7eCLSmD9YzV3HL_EOJUzm4/s320/focus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cunningly artistic point.</td></tr>
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What is to keep you the reader coming back? The whole premise does seem to rely quite heavily on the main protagonists (Clarkson, Hammond and May) keeping on posting. Am sure this is great for fluffy motoring gentle banter (you guys.. sheesh) of "I don't like motorbikes, to shall I stick some stripes on my car and lets not forget the classic 'gentleman's area' gags".<br />
But surely that is the point isn't it? It is a case of, they are 'celebrity'. I can't for one moment imagine that the readers will be at all excited about my individual thoughts on BGW's or what Fred has done to his car. However perhaps you would all get excited on the paint code of Nissan KH3 and if it is described as Super Black or Obsidian.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb93HNJL-WTDI8hA4tnPjv8p-skofAv6YfGN_9UM5nt61jO5Wn0-cI-IrgRVbgPDVS7bGYO59S1drB-c7M1DVVT54qdysIFo525DO-HcuU4SqxwGtQOKtXb28Ng1O1tFdlnyCF2w_F-fTt/s1600/toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb93HNJL-WTDI8hA4tnPjv8p-skofAv6YfGN_9UM5nt61jO5Wn0-cI-IrgRVbgPDVS7bGYO59S1drB-c7M1DVVT54qdysIFo525DO-HcuU4SqxwGtQOKtXb28Ng1O1tFdlnyCF2w_F-fTt/s320/toy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random car shots... Keep em coming</td></tr>
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<br />Currently the posts I am seeing are a large majority of Instagram style posts. A photo of a car. This is marvelous especially if you want to show off your pride and joy. However isn't that Instagram?... "No, no" they cry, "here you can see everything in a tribe, you know, like Facebook?"<br />
Umm... Of course it does not help that (this being a democracy) everyone can make a tribe (competition is good) although does dilute the content somewhat and simply encourage more photo's. Also the fact that this tribal system is being set up as an adversary type of system does not help anyone. Drive Tribe themselves are sending out messages like this:<br />
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"Your Tribe is roaring along, your Tribe members are flocking in and you’re busy creating awesome new stories. Fist bump the person nearest to you: life is good. What if we could make it great? Introducing the Super Heavyweight TRIBE Competition. We’re talking about a unique prize: a creative collaboration between you and the guys. Yes. Really. In early 2017, you could be working alongside them to produce a video, co-author an article or create something that no one has ever done before. So how do you win?</blockquote>
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Here’s what we’re looking for:</blockquote>
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Grow your Tribe faster than anyone else by adding more new members to your Tribe</blockquote>
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Rack up a mountain of bumps and shares by posting the sort of content that has your members bumping until their fingers cramp. We’re talking about really blowing their socks off with stuff that inspires, excites and provokes them to the point of distraction.</blockquote>
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The two best ways to do this?</blockquote>
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Post your Tribe page link using "Share & Promote" on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, email</blockquote>
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Create and share eye-poppingly good stuff that spreads far and wide across the internet"</blockquote>
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Fist bump? Marketing 101 right there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONvka-mb0pxtbYL-C1UivZ-NW2ot11SMxPLvfNMVxStJdEKyhhEqbA3N3OEbGsE9z4qILFak4SzaxM3nL0h4p_9v3cc1D4RCwFc6joFlR_JK2tA7gtZ0NknGKymFnaW9Kvs0ELGjHPL3C/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONvka-mb0pxtbYL-C1UivZ-NW2ot11SMxPLvfNMVxStJdEKyhhEqbA3N3OEbGsE9z4qILFak4SzaxM3nL0h4p_9v3cc1D4RCwFc6joFlR_JK2tA7gtZ0NknGKymFnaW9Kvs0ELGjHPL3C/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaay.</td></tr>
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Nothing wrong with spamming the world to drive visitors here is there? Posting a load of individual photo's and getting people to bump them? Or reducing your article to a "Quote" and calling it an article. Add to that the imbalance of how Drive Tribe was initially set up, where some groups were sent early invites and others not, where if you get a mention from Hammond you are guaranteed a bazillion followers overnight. Who would want to be a 'Tribe Leader' anyway. Personally I can think of nothing worse than being a legend in my own mind and (like the current UK government) I defaulted to a position of power and respect without actually having a clue what I was on about.<br />
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So following the money: Scouring the internet (so you don't have to) the plan is to offer paid and native advertising across the site and presumably across Facebook. There's no doubt this could be a potentially very powerful tool for the automotive sector. Knowing what types of content users are engaging with, alongside all their Facebook data, will surely mean that manufacturers could easily find a valuable target audience here. They could create their own content, too, if DriveTribe eventually allows for official manufacturer accounts. I must admit at first I thought that there must be some agreement with Facebook as that was the required login path.<br />
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I don't know about the rest of the members there, but I do seem to be getting a lot of sexy followers... Just what I and the world needs a new way to have porn shoved into our collective face!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVCB9CFEGKdDlpv6a1dWz5agrfOngN8F4iIt_FpT-SM89hgkaToAFoZSLGblRDSrtPpIX642AiPYrcNlhxnAW18RibsNwon5X_ArF1fmwKJU1f3z48h3GfUBY54_lhxM16suZm1TDsZwH/s1600/sexy+anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVCB9CFEGKdDlpv6a1dWz5agrfOngN8F4iIt_FpT-SM89hgkaToAFoZSLGblRDSrtPpIX642AiPYrcNlhxnAW18RibsNwon5X_ArF1fmwKJU1f3z48h3GfUBY54_lhxM16suZm1TDsZwH/s320/sexy+anna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a time and place for your bottom young lady. </td></tr>
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DRIVETRIBE also have a powerful algorithm that only directs content that you are interested in. Does it work? No, not at all. I'm not sure I have ever been interested in Italian super-cars, Mini's or whatever else is trending at the moment! I would consider myself as the absence of a trend (although Skylines seem to be hot at the moment now finally legal in the USA). <br />
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DriveTribe, is it a force of good that will take over the world or just a pile of dingos kidneys?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yuksmgjOmXc4WqBp-YlkVVlh8CpnszSxVqaLF02jpQh1s8Buy94DtsKhOFl3L4GuKXLy8oUDKraJjrKZQXcmybl5khjVV2t33NgEdKzFdDjjFKNSDp_W7uyBKhAmK3gLemYlVid0PJZ4/s1600/Clarkson+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yuksmgjOmXc4WqBp-YlkVVlh8CpnszSxVqaLF02jpQh1s8Buy94DtsKhOFl3L4GuKXLy8oUDKraJjrKZQXcmybl5khjVV2t33NgEdKzFdDjjFKNSDp_W7uyBKhAmK3gLemYlVid0PJZ4/s320/Clarkson+pie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clarkson pie in face? Check out security mans dance moves! </td></tr>
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-22159614736608325352016-09-21T14:18:00.003+01:002016-09-21T14:57:27.642+01:00Replacement Gaiters or "go on, feel my leather"Positively a long time ago my car started out life as a Automatic, this was slow and not the mid life crisis cure that I was looking for at all. The auto box consigned to the bin and a reassuringly expensive reconditioned box bolted in its place. I would not say that the change went well as am on my second gearbox and third clutch now. However with an Xtreme Twin Plate and box with R34 internals from <a href="http://garage-d.com/" target="_blank">Garage D</a> at least I am at that happy place (for now).<br />
<br />
The only trouble with changing from auto to manual is that the interior plastics are second hand. Well this is fine if they are like new (which Spec 2's usually are). The Spec ones and GTRs of a certain age, usually come with a rubber coating which is horrible to the touch and usually scratched, so no wonder they changed it.<br />
<br />
Its the gaiters that presented me with my most recent wish to change... Improve upon.<br />
A while back I sent of my Momo option wheel to have it recovered by <a href="http://royalsteeringwheels.com/" target="_blank">Royal Steering Wheels</a> in Smooth leather, Blue 1318 & Grey 415 stitching. This was great, in fact better than I could have hoped. The only thing? Well didn't match the other leather did it!<br />
<br />
So went back to <a href="http://royalsteeringwheels.com/" target="_blank">Royal Steering Wheels</a> and got them to make the rest and cover my Nismo shift whilst they were at it.<br />
<br />
Obviously I never thought it through really, as obviously the hand brake handle is still black. But what the hell I can learn to live with the most minor of things... I hope!<br />
<br />
This is of course the most expensive way that you can change these items and you have to send a pattern of the part so they can wreck it for making the new ones! Compare this to buying a leather gaiter set on eBay will set you back anywhere from £7 to £10 (not much) whereas this way? £50.. BANG! But it is just another little detail which makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.<br />
<br />
However one added bonus is that rather than say I have leather gaiters or custom gaiters... I can say, mine are 'bespoke' custom gaiters.<br />
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X Cross stitching goes a bit odd but it is mostly there.</h4>
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Came without pop stud so had to add that to my repartee! </h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
Overall view of interior (the wire hanging is for my black box camera)</h4>
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-29046526591853729822016-09-15T11:54:00.000+01:002016-09-15T11:57:33.913+01:00R33 Projector Lights<h2>
Roundup Lights.</h2>
<h3>
Been blogging less and driving a lot more, this kept me away from the keyboard but not out of the garage! Time for a catch up; let’s do the painful stuff first.</h3>
<h3>
Lighting the way. </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TqxA3RaOhQ8bIiM61q-pI3cxw7yfB_xHbqjmhE0sB2qdB0CCYRTC8Y0BAWLKXodBLAHoFTQ03vaaD473g-SyRHGD2pcKwiHDkm7bi-vKOo1fKilUC0_2yvVAQncRcDWnFcJnYm6qJu9V/s1600/FB_IMG_1469879281901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TqxA3RaOhQ8bIiM61q-pI3cxw7yfB_xHbqjmhE0sB2qdB0CCYRTC8Y0BAWLKXodBLAHoFTQ03vaaD473g-SyRHGD2pcKwiHDkm7bi-vKOo1fKilUC0_2yvVAQncRcDWnFcJnYm6qJu9V/s320/FB_IMG_1469879281901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anyone with a GTST spec 2 will know that the standard lights are not exactly the best, using reflector lenses and tiny little H1 bulbs, the driving experience at night can be called “romantic by candlelight”. Of course this isn’t the end of the world and you do get used to it. However there are areas that can be improved upon here and I like to think that seeing where you are going is always going to be a good thing. Many drivers choose to go down the HID (High Intensity Discharge) route. Choosing 6000k bulbs (most kits come like that now), the effect is great but does have the drawback of blinding other road users due to the reflectors. Unlike the later model, Spec one GTST’s also can be pretty dazzling, but on a lesser more acceptable scale, due to the different housings. Personally I am of the school that blinding other drivers is a bad thing, of course one other major drawback to not having a ‘cut off’ on the beam is that it is illegal and a MOT fail (MOT is the Ministry of Transport road worthiness test here in the UK).<br />
So I could go back to standard or do something else… Well where is the fun in being standard? So it had to be something else didn’t it!<br />
<br />
<br />
So I spoke to a business called Headlight Retro Fits, agreed a price and sent them a pristine set of Spec 2 headlights. The idea was to have projectors fitted, these units bolt in place into the existing reflectors, the units have actuators inside them which allow them to dip, cutting off the beam. The upside being that you have good light and do not blind the other oncoming traffic. Typically the conversion did not go well and although this is long after the event, I unfortunately had to strip the lights down and rebuild them. One unit was particularly faulty, the case had been warped so didn’t fit the car well, one bulb was constantly playing up and there was dust in the case. On stripping the case it became evident that they had blundered on this one already as when compared to the driver’s side, the sealant was practically non-existent when removing the lens. On taking the projector out I could see that unlike the other units they had drilled the hole for the wiring in a bad position, so the wires were pinched, a continuity test showed that there was a bad wire and all became clear. The experience was not great if I am honest, the plastic case came back with the top clip broken that they had tried (badly) to repair and I suspect that this is where most of the plastic bits came from that were inside the lens (which were attracted to the inside of the lens). So in all good heart I would NOT recommend using these guys! <br />
<br />
So what seemed like a good idea turned into a bit of a bodge, 10 out of 10 for the idea but 0 out of 10 for execution? What to do then, as I was back at square one.<br />
<br />
Luckily as I had my old spare set I could either put these back in or do something with them. As one of my new projector cases was warped and didn’t fit correctly, I decided to strip old and new down and rebuild from scratch. As it turns out this risky strategy seems to have paid off!<br />
<h4>
<br />Removing lenses: </h4>
I have heard various about the best way to get a lens off, mostly about sticking them into an oven and prising the lens with a screwdriver. I didn’t much fancy this as it chews up the casing. I simply used a heat gun, starting on the bottom (not seen side) of the lights the lens put up a fight, but it wasn’t too bad. The lenses are glued in place with a black mastic that becomes malleable when hot, the worst part of the whole process was cleaning out the gunk afterwards. This was a laborious task of heating it up a bit and using a small screwdriver to scrape it out.<br />
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<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU3YDoq2M5jY_pcTBbrkQPRbsk53zOJextDc0c5tFz-bzaNOuSzbraQFMs_v1DuJX87oGnj1rGX8hwuR6Hk-Ju6ou5kN17OGZJxXdEApWnCNEuzuNq4OZgndAH7g5Fm0JlFHvQ2Dz8A4X/s1600/FB_IMG_1472650052289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU3YDoq2M5jY_pcTBbrkQPRbsk53zOJextDc0c5tFz-bzaNOuSzbraQFMs_v1DuJX87oGnj1rGX8hwuR6Hk-Ju6ou5kN17OGZJxXdEApWnCNEuzuNq4OZgndAH7g5Fm0JlFHvQ2Dz8A4X/s320/FB_IMG_1472650052289.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just an example of the gunk removal</td></tr>
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<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Fitting the projectors: </h4>
Not all that hard to do and I’m not going to go into massive detail. The basics are that you need to remove the existing bulb housing or reflector. You need to grind off some of the fittings on the back of the reflector housing, you need to drill a small hole for the wiring. The projector unit then simply bolts into place. Reattach the reflector in the light housing and you are done. Options here are to paint the reflector black (as we are no longer using reflected light).<br />
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<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clamped back together</td></tr>
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</h4>
HID kit: There are quite a few of these commercially available now. Mine are branded NHK although there are plenty of others out there. What I do like about the kits is that you wire the light units directly to 12V and there is an additional control box that plumbs into the existing loom to control the dip beam function.<br />
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<h4>
</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8Wnwt8Hsq8Gz30o0EFLFSkzEru0qgjhgVgc90kGBvtJ5Wk_imII1sSFvRscX0RPxmcFkh4qi2GGVp7LnSCYxNWfGAxQElzRQj-NSqYQjjYKvsR6WWdiiIJaLoUQK99e0jeNW9k_uTfDQ/s1600/1473619495446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8Wnwt8Hsq8Gz30o0EFLFSkzEru0qgjhgVgc90kGBvtJ5Wk_imII1sSFvRscX0RPxmcFkh4qi2GGVp7LnSCYxNWfGAxQElzRQj-NSqYQjjYKvsR6WWdiiIJaLoUQK99e0jeNW9k_uTfDQ/s320/1473619495446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The camera makes them look brighter! </td></tr>
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<h4>
Choices: </h4>
As you may have gathered, the projector light units dip beam and Skylines technically have four lights (2x full and 2x dip). You could just do one light unit and have full beam on both. You could probably just fit a HID and have it on dip with full beam working normally. Or you could go mad and replace all of them.. Like me!<br />
Admittedly I went the extra mile with LED side lights and Halo’s fitted simply wired to side lights. However the choice is all individual and up to your tastes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvjMogO0X4jiZYa6t99A26sb7rT2mj-BDWq6RutW39_NS96bkzT5Gy_ikQtUnW417KV1CnVzK3BTwSj342RV1IvcHSwzZUxpUsLnM5W4byAKzfYg7gtjVVWtM3Pvqyc4UqQV4E-jVtzg8/s1600/IMG_20160727_183321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvjMogO0X4jiZYa6t99A26sb7rT2mj-BDWq6RutW39_NS96bkzT5Gy_ikQtUnW417KV1CnVzK3BTwSj342RV1IvcHSwzZUxpUsLnM5W4byAKzfYg7gtjVVWtM3Pvqyc4UqQV4E-jVtzg8/s320/IMG_20160727_183321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spec 1 (left) has standard lenses </td></tr>
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<h4>
Lesson learned: </h4>
I went with the Pro’s because well, basically I didn’t fancy doing it myself, the very fact that I ended up doing just that is a big “told ya so” to me. I guess that alarm bells should have rung much earlier in the game (they even have misspellings on their web site). However the only conversion I had seen that they had done, was on a GTR and then had only done one lens per light unit on that.<br />
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-48931595127635079332016-05-19T10:19:00.001+01:002016-05-25T10:28:01.978+01:00R33 Rear Fog LightsThere was a time before I started recording my thoughts and musings (Sometimes even tidbits of information that actually are useful (but only by accident)). Forums were much bigger back in the day but now social media 'is where it is at'.<br />
Not got Facebook? Then your stranger than me! The only problem I find with Facebook is that people answer with half the information, it could be that they are on their phone, but answers like "buy some diodes" just ain't going to cut it.<br />
<br />
Whilst I am on my hobby horse, will gallop it around a bit.. People, if your drunk or just plain stupid, don't post!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I saw a few questions popping up about rear fog lights on a R33 (this is a British orientated thing, "cor blimey Guv' it's a real pea souper") Ahem.. Anyway.. In the UK we have to have a bright rear fog light... for when it's errm foggy oddly enough. True, it's one of those strange items that seemingly few people actually know how to actually use, a magical switch that once turned on never gets turned off (a real pleasure to drive behind). As a legal requirement all imported Skylines have to have them. Usually as part of the SVA test (<a href="http://www.crendon-cars.co.uk/sva.html" target="_blank">Single Vehicle Approval</a>) a cheap lens is bolted to the back of the car.<br />
<br />
Not that there is anything wrong with this as such, but it does look a little odd. When I first had my car I physically removed it and would bolt it back on when it came time to MOT. However hardly a permanent fix and a bit of a pain in the butt remembering where I had left it.<br />
There are options for a more permanent solution, these include simply wiring a switch to your reversing light and painting the bulb red, or wiring to the inner brake lights so that they come on at the flick of a switch.<br />
Obviously painting a bulb and loosing a reversing light is far too simple and just not cricket. So lets look at the other more complex and satisfying version. Doing this modification does not affect how the brake lights function (you still have all four). It is also the more aesthetically pleasing, does not interfere with any other function or look out of place.<br />
<br />
Ok my blathering is over, onto the main course...<br />
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<h4>
Skyling R33 GTS - GTR Rear Fog Light Guide. </h4>
<br />
You will need<br />
4 x 1N5400 3A Silicon Rectifiers (<a href="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/1n5400-3a-silicon-rectifier-ql81c" target="_blank">Maplins part</a>) at £0.59 each<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPaw5fHlflos7L5NKR3NUP9M8WJb8faouvFu_ValeUHPWpmgfl1Zbdv_DI7BAfe2hzMr4VWXnytRx-lm_NSQGa_WgiiWij3hpL-eNL2iChoSY78v2P9lyHmm2upGqo3fe4MWDS2vsC7b2/s1600/1n5400-3a-silicon-rectifier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPaw5fHlflos7L5NKR3NUP9M8WJb8faouvFu_ValeUHPWpmgfl1Zbdv_DI7BAfe2hzMr4VWXnytRx-lm_NSQGa_WgiiWij3hpL-eNL2iChoSY78v2P9lyHmm2upGqo3fe4MWDS2vsC7b2/s1600/1n5400-3a-silicon-rectifier.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1n5400 diode</td></tr>
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Solder or blue crimp connectors (and a decent crimper)<br />
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A screwdriver (to stab your hands with)<br />
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I am not going to be all clever with wiring diagrams, those are for people that want the rest of the world to see how jolly clever they are.<br />
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Instead I shall delight you with the basics on how it is actually done. With thanks to D.O.A. who originally shared this information.<br />
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Remove trim, you should be able to work this out yourself. However be careful when pulling out the plastic surround around the latch area as it is fragile and will crack. there are two push clips located centrally each side of the latch and they don't let go easily (you have been warned). Everything else you should be able to cope with. <br />
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So get hold of your diodes, you will need two for each side (remember we are wiring both inner brake lights, you could do one.. but that would be pants). Assuming you are using crimp connectors, crimp one end of two diodes into a connector making sure that the silver band on the diode is closest to the connector ( If you get it round the wrong way it will not work as the diode is a one way 'valve' which electricity flows). Crimp two more connectors on to the other ends of the diode ( These will be the feeds in ).<br />
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Now we can connect the wires to the diodes. On the car, cut the green/yellow brake light wire to the inner brake light making sure you leave a good length to play with . Connect the green /yellow wire coming from the light bulb holder to the crimp with both diodes in it , Then connect the other end of the cut green/yellow wire to one of the diodes ( This will power up the brake light as per normal). You will be left with one more connection to diode to be made, this is the feed from the fog light switch. For this you will need to run a joining wire from the left hand light unit to the right and then on up through the car to the dash (if you don't already have a switch wired).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HBraBVpm6DYk4chS5aAclghRZlknAgel0WMDAg8D5Og0VDgIlAs-LbKTa4XUecVVwihefiqmTPDGt_Tk50H_TPcgd_1z9WAdEr-f1iZw5lDYEafltc1GNOOy1Y_widwZlqjJx84ruPNJ/s1600/wiring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HBraBVpm6DYk4chS5aAclghRZlknAgel0WMDAg8D5Og0VDgIlAs-LbKTa4XUecVVwihefiqmTPDGt_Tk50H_TPcgd_1z9WAdEr-f1iZw5lDYEafltc1GNOOy1Y_widwZlqjJx84ruPNJ/s320/wiring.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autographs are extra</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you need a switch in the dash, make sure its a '<a href="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/rectangular-12v-rocker-switch-illuminated-red-n84jz" target="_blank">tell tale</a>' (one that lights up to say it is on) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">All
you need to do is find a good 12v feed to power up the switch and connect it to
the power in pin, connect the wire you have run through the car from the rear
clusters to the power out pin then run a wire from a good ground up to the
earth pin on the back of the switch.</span></span><br />
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-7991600498784875442016-05-04T10:46:00.000+01:002017-02-08T09:16:40.523+00:00GTST Bonnet Dampers - Lifters <b><span style="color: red;">UPDATE: The bonnet lifters need the ram extensions removing (see TOP PRESS below). However this will complicate things as the ball fittings in the end of the lifters (that you still need) are M8 threads and not M6. This means you will have to obtain some more ball fittings. It is not the end of the world (just a bit of a pain). In the UK and Europe they can be obtained <a href="http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts/end-fixings/ball-sockets/m6/g2-stainless-steel-ball-socket" target="_blank">here</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">STOP PRESS! These kits do come with ram extensions. Do not fit these, if they are fitted remove them and throw in bin! The fitting of rams with the extensions in place will increase the angle of bonnet too much, this will put strain on the bonnet or ram causing either a broken ram or bent bonnet. I was unaware that some packs shipped with these already fitted in place on the ram (they simply unscrew). </span></b><br />
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DO NOT FIT TO RAMS! GOT IT?</div>
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<span style="color: orange;">Latest update: This post certainly caused a stir in the world of Skyline's I must say. Here are the facts now the post has been in the wild for a few weeks. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">These kits do work on R34 GTT's as well as 33's, the kits are unsuitable for GTR's, they do lift and hold steel bonnets on both 33's and 34's without a problem. People with bonnet raisers (the bonnets lifted at the rear style) can use the extensions as the increase in angle is cancelled by the spacers on the back of the bonnet (although I personally would still not recommend it). </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">It is fun to see the post take on it's own life in social media, although I have come across one wag attempting to profit from fitting these lifters, posting on Facebook, they claimed they had come up with bonnet lifters. I assume the plan was to simply sell the kits on for a profit. The world is full of people, some good, some less so. </span><br />
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<u><b>Original posting</b></u></div>
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The mind bogglingly big lump of metal that it is the R33 Bonnet for the GTS range, is probably one of the most chopped about and changed items on the modifying scene. However it does not matter if you have a steel, carbon or FRP version without doubt the biggest pain in the posterior and easiest way of loosing 'cool' points, is the lifting of the bonnet and the rickety old bonnet stay.<br />
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There are kits available for the GTR (at hugely expensive prices) but nothing for the forgotten and often maligned GTS.<br />
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No, for our ownership we have the lovely bonnet stay that we erect like a tent pole every time we want to poke about in the engine bay. Numerous are the times I have personally wacked my head, bumped it or even watched it fall out in a gust of wind!<br />
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One of the things (among many) I could never understand is just why Nissan chose to manufacture this magnificent 'stick' out of their trade mark 'instant rust' material. Many are the cars with magnificent engine bays and manky old rusty or badly painted bonnet stays (which is why I had mine chromed.... but then I would....).<br />
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I think that ever since owning mine I have been looking to fit lifters (dampers). Maybe try a GTR one out... Although the fenders on a GTR are slightly different which messes up the brackets so it just wouldn't work.<br />
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Brackets... Brackets are the problem here. Figure that out and you are well on the way, trouble is I could never be focused enough to figure it out.<br />
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I did get there in the end though and armed with the basic idea, sizes and sketches was about to set out to find someone to fabricate the hinge brackets for me.<br />
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However at this point I changed direction and decided to see what the automotive world had to offer. Was there something bespoke that I could use out there?<br />
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As it turned out, there was!<br />
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I purchased a kit for (of all things) a Sus-Tec kit for a Honda Civic (<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUS-TEC-Front-Hood-Bonnet-Gas-Strut-Damper-Lift-Kit-for-HONDA-Civic-EG-1992-1995/151679783694?_trksid=p3693.c100102.m2452&_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140212121249%26meid%3Dc9f25811a088489a9bcdd6e187f1e4e3%26pid%3D100102%26" target="_blank">eBay Link</a>) at a cheap price of just £32 including post.<br />
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Que the pictures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH7mAaI3Gw1aeXUuvPok0h_Pbj3qS6UIyRUmhVi41aN0XToxcDd0Vp2mZkKKerk3iPW8gEk2NU_WhHp14wtLVuRKmNFfp9JzWyfC_mGEFhuJf96vwry8OSHNgNGBXCbXVMfqa6QlgATEp/s1600/IMG-20160424-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH7mAaI3Gw1aeXUuvPok0h_Pbj3qS6UIyRUmhVi41aN0XToxcDd0Vp2mZkKKerk3iPW8gEk2NU_WhHp14wtLVuRKmNFfp9JzWyfC_mGEFhuJf96vwry8OSHNgNGBXCbXVMfqa6QlgATEp/s320/IMG-20160424-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The standard look</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-U6kOENfRh1EMuFI0gRx0z2KQwcZsbXzxxxbiFkpqipfYwSVlfvKHToeq2JKYbx4pc_Z_2jVNG4qSf4yD7oA7O3H6iiH4kKLVw-vRtUxpPrZzwcymDrvbpPhzpYpDGHhsej7i6PPf5p6/s1600/IMG-20160430-WA0002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-U6kOENfRh1EMuFI0gRx0z2KQwcZsbXzxxxbiFkpqipfYwSVlfvKHToeq2JKYbx4pc_Z_2jVNG4qSf4yD7oA7O3H6iiH4kKLVw-vRtUxpPrZzwcymDrvbpPhzpYpDGHhsej7i6PPf5p6/s320/IMG-20160430-WA0002.jpeg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front View with gas strut installed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirbffuIPcw9L3neBQSgYy7A3gsRVtmUtLAVpWX6bFnHgI8csZ8vey1kPD8UAbKJtzrlR96hf8cme_osiG0I5A2T5cVd_Ej7JwiVF-4AzdiIMPSlgp4IJHLhOyFDG5pp0D9yokDPQnUDcu/s1600/received_10154152795329282.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirbffuIPcw9L3neBQSgYy7A3gsRVtmUtLAVpWX6bFnHgI8csZ8vey1kPD8UAbKJtzrlR96hf8cme_osiG0I5A2T5cVd_Ej7JwiVF-4AzdiIMPSlgp4IJHLhOyFDG5pp0D9yokDPQnUDcu/s320/received_10154152795329282.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side View (apologies for sun)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyvNXFY3LZeBuwA_0jJ_b2QSR1fmRMOmdtqYDmzHS3nmmWVKz1DsBV7eIe6lSPuPl5Q2AeqKyPYcsDqFi9TnmuarHF7I_JLFRAKmbjkzaVE9SYr6KH9pQrIT79FNVxHBWXERmI4sn0__s/s1600/SUSTECBonnetLifterforHondaCivicEG_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyvNXFY3LZeBuwA_0jJ_b2QSR1fmRMOmdtqYDmzHS3nmmWVKz1DsBV7eIe6lSPuPl5Q2AeqKyPYcsDqFi9TnmuarHF7I_JLFRAKmbjkzaVE9SYr6KH9pQrIT79FNVxHBWXERmI4sn0__s/s320/SUSTECBonnetLifterforHondaCivicEG_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advert</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ugIRcvho1-An3L3TULCl6fAeLb4KwoDXaNB7rmYoACsJKuPLKL-85HVtJ6eOaUQteM3p27Cqfkozn7P_YWdGPbpvBOlj1p_y3nK9mMhbmj9KQjQc0LlyWyR_23pqVAerFjMPsk36LOJq/s1600/SUSTECBonnetLifterforHondaCivicEG_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ugIRcvho1-An3L3TULCl6fAeLb4KwoDXaNB7rmYoACsJKuPLKL-85HVtJ6eOaUQteM3p27Cqfkozn7P_YWdGPbpvBOlj1p_y3nK9mMhbmj9KQjQc0LlyWyR_23pqVAerFjMPsk36LOJq/s320/SUSTECBonnetLifterforHondaCivicEG_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WEflSp5c4rJaA_yLobfH1YFZjiNAoMLx15HuZTAAF2E7ay7hFoz5Qts3_0e8FuaLEON2eil2cK1lzm8KABxpF1bmSYjxbxVpiBGissIvRpk27vGLJcklKpQuGs38fHAG50ShAkg2e26N/s1600/SUSTECBonnetLifterforHondaCivicEG_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WEflSp5c4rJaA_yLobfH1YFZjiNAoMLx15HuZTAAF2E7ay7hFoz5Qts3_0e8FuaLEON2eil2cK1lzm8KABxpF1bmSYjxbxVpiBGissIvRpk27vGLJcklKpQuGs38fHAG50ShAkg2e26N/s320/SUSTECBonnetLifterforHondaCivicEG_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You will see from the second picture I decided that the plain struts with 'SUS-TEC' written on them just would not do. It would not be hard to remove the lettering and have them plain, substitute your own letters, paint or wrap them. </div>
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Although my bonnet is made from Hybrid carbon, these have also been tested on steel and work better than my own (which is probably a bit light).</div>
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The kit comes with two struts, two M6 threaded ball ends to fit in the wing and two brackets for the hinges. The balls are held in place with pins that push through and clip onto the ball holder. </div>
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Ideally I would like to have seen a bracket that could be secured by both the bolt holes, although this does work 'as is' perhaps some enterprising soul out there will latch onto this and knock something up.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">There you are, secret shared. The rest is up to you! </span></div>
Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-83869633122445964852016-04-11T09:55:00.000+01:002016-04-11T09:55:59.830+01:00I got the gear...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yaay the gearbox is "crunchy" in fourth.. It will be okay, it is nothing, just my driving style... </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Had been telling myself this since last summer and had adapted quite well to trying to slip the car into fourth gear. I mean, I had brought a reconditioned box when changing from Auto to Manual and never really ragged it hard. Turns out that the reconditioned box was probably never much good really, I can't even put this down to experience as thought I was doing the right thing at the time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway hindsight would be a wonderful thing.. and other cliches</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the search was on for a good reliable gearbox. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Initially Google being my friend I searched against the possibility of fitting a Z33 350Z box or similar, something like a Supra box. It soon became apparent that this is not a popular mod due to cost and difficulties in doing it. Even getting a competent garage involved would still have a learning curve attached and be costly. I just didn't need that aggravation in my life. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Budget was also a pressing consideration, especially now I had completely blown it on the engine rebuild. So with this in mind I acquired a replacement 33 box reconditioned with R34 GTT Neo Internals, the idea being that the synchros are a lot bigger than that of a standard R33 thus making it a stronger box. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before you all rush out and buy R34 gearboxes don't forget that the GTT uses a pull type clutch and the R33 uses a push, so you can't just bolt a 34 gear box and be done with it. so unless you want to replace the clutch or replace the bell housing or find a way to rearrange the slave cylinder and fork. then it wont work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Bedo3XC6CPN9V0SF2PnDFillaCttoGPsbTtVxewd_x9IPugrG4tyQuyDfIjXpSHHOBeXDtouw_6JXolKsBy3wYwdYtfOQV5Jbuy9mXfQcJSPhxXwlX9wK4emxKiKQ73kSfEcwnf3PSEJ/s1600/IMG_20160409_100137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Bedo3XC6CPN9V0SF2PnDFillaCttoGPsbTtVxewd_x9IPugrG4tyQuyDfIjXpSHHOBeXDtouw_6JXolKsBy3wYwdYtfOQV5Jbuy9mXfQcJSPhxXwlX9wK4emxKiKQ73kSfEcwnf3PSEJ/s320/IMG_20160409_100137.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As fond as I am of crawling around with the gearbox pressed against my nose, this for me was a job for the professionals and I booked the car into MGT Motorsport. Is amazing how quickly they set about the job and it felt like no time before the new box was being man handled into place. There was a slight hold up with the bolt holes for the starter motor as the backplate having come from an auto was a pain to line up. In the end the holes were elongated and the problem went away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The oil drain plug from the old gearbox was very spiky with metal particles attached to the magnet and the oil itself was nasty with metal wear. So if anything it was at that point that I was happy I decided to change boxes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the new oily stuff, I had thought to use Redline MT 90 although after chatting to the guys decided to change over to Redline heavy shock proof. This has a viscosity of 75W250 but a fluid friction like 75W90, initial thoughts are positive on it, although it does take a while to warm up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it's early days, although can say that the old gearbox was a bit pants, maybe always was a bit rubbish actually and the new one has already changed my driving experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also have a new feature in my back garden in the shape of the old gearbox (just in case I need a rebuild). </span><br />
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-50907823425928420912016-03-09T14:06:00.001+00:002016-03-09T14:06:44.882+00:00It rained flowers when the music began..Ms Skyline sings "Il dolce suono," an aria from the opera Lucia de Lammermoor. It is one of the most difficult arias because of its length, its soaring arpeggios, and the high F above high C.<br />
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They say the Devil has the best tunes. Well I don't know about old Lagartija Nick, but this angel has been keeping a little something tucked away under one of her wings.<br />
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So lets just sit back, relax, turn the volume to max and chill with your new favorite singer Ms Skyline, straight from the Jap car sub culture, enjoy her soft lows and screaming highs.<br />
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So get ready for a massive concussion of rock and roll with Ms Skyline with the MGT section accompaniment on piano.<br />
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Thanks are due on this occasion to Mark putting his head in the deafening jaws of the shark to record this moment to posterity.<br />
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-31397013091428005532016-03-07T11:08:00.000+00:002016-03-07T11:08:13.597+00:00Assembly is the reverse of installation - Left overs and a start up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Post after post of major works and dreamy excellence, just like the building of Lego one part slotting into the next, in almost perfect in design. </div>
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Naturally this isn't so and there are a few items that caused some small difficulty along the way. </div>
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<a href="http://mgtmotorsport.com/home" target="_blank">MGT</a> are not big fans of the <a href="https://plazmaman.com/" target="_blank">Plazmaman</a> inlet complaining about the restricted access once it is in place. Which could explain why the previous outfit Drift Street Imports left bolts off. One of the other things which didn't get put back on last time was the undertray. I somehow didn't think it would go back on this time either, as now have the RIPs extended sump, although Mark at MGT was messaging me the other day, saying he was cutting lumps out of it so it would fit! </div>
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I think I will need a new turbo blanket, judging by the look of the other it appears a bit mishapen now and as I think they effectively 'bake' into place am not sure it is a reusable item. </div>
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Below: This is the gearbox backplate. This needed some work as was 'clattering' against the new clutch. MGT thought that it seemed odd as some of the holes were elongated. However the car did start out as an Automatic and this would have been changed many moons ago. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNh0PrIEq3tTPmdNGiow0n651n1Tzm5NzgpgEuKGWzqdBuF4BYRUVlUgiOT2tbfbSb61KGBd7qppFqGRrOJthS8omJz6VNxOkqwfSehA8me0reaRsYzqjCgP1-qf1KunhGrABoMa8cJF3/s1600/IMG-20160305-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNh0PrIEq3tTPmdNGiow0n651n1Tzm5NzgpgEuKGWzqdBuF4BYRUVlUgiOT2tbfbSb61KGBd7qppFqGRrOJthS8omJz6VNxOkqwfSehA8me0reaRsYzqjCgP1-qf1KunhGrABoMa8cJF3/s320/IMG-20160305-WA0003.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Below: This is an image of the right hand boost pipe from throttle body. The clamp isn't really working there and it offers a potential for boost leaks. This pipe is being replaced. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3TPZ0cmoT8iDNn_leqmQd6ZKYKCVaAemlaJnK5ppKS1iDi53b35oCiIzS982kAt36rAwWxRKJavqTpHjpyRW5XsGdKtwdtBjVVPiVASI3UkErpwARa5AVQHqRPvNca5SXblul27vVo07/s1600/IMG-20160304-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3TPZ0cmoT8iDNn_leqmQd6ZKYKCVaAemlaJnK5ppKS1iDi53b35oCiIzS982kAt36rAwWxRKJavqTpHjpyRW5XsGdKtwdtBjVVPiVASI3UkErpwARa5AVQHqRPvNca5SXblul27vVo07/s320/IMG-20160304-WA0007.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Below: <a href="http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lc2.php" target="_blank">Innovate LC-2 Wideband</a> Sensor installed. </div>
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If like me you ask, what exactly is a wideband? Broadly speaking there are two different types of O2 sensor available, wideband and narrowband. Both sensors have their place in tuning an engine, narrowband sensors are designed to be used in conjunction with a catalytic converter.</div>
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In brief a catalytic converter works on a saturate/starve principal where the fuel injection system saturates the converter then starves the converter, i.e. it runs rich of 14.7:1 (saturate) then lean of 14.7:1 (starve) and as such a narrowband O2 sensor only reads rich of 14.7:1 or lean of 14.7:1.</div>
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Narrowband O2 sensor are unable to determine exactly how rich or exactly how lean the engine is running making it useless for full power engine calibration (as under full power we need to run the engine much richer that 14.7:1 so we don’t melt pistons!).</div>
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A wideband O2 sensor on the other hand is designed to read a much broader spectrum of air to fuel ratios which makes it the ideal tool for engine calibration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAbJYVzT1kLo8ap7shm_5yCwIewseT6ctmeq9iWsJoVCPiAd5fNM2a1JAztktUQUBn1hF5N8Q8qGGHYfZzRf3BzYi6NV7YFrthu6o5n4kbijLSxzEXDSAu0i_oHXyKUwkdmesVLbqjuCy/s1600/IMG-20160304-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAbJYVzT1kLo8ap7shm_5yCwIewseT6ctmeq9iWsJoVCPiAd5fNM2a1JAztktUQUBn1hF5N8Q8qGGHYfZzRf3BzYi6NV7YFrthu6o5n4kbijLSxzEXDSAu0i_oHXyKUwkdmesVLbqjuCy/s320/IMG-20160304-WA0005.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Below: One of the best ECU's available now. Sure there are others but this is pretty proven technology, mapped in the right hands can be highly effective and benefits from built in safety features. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu0SKBuYbpO7rH8ZiX2GXl2C3zJ1A1UHvp0SOPeCMt5u6aUHwM0nHTX8-nivhyg0TaR4HMWE9rnZQWSx5-iowPaDozAjjupkhjxXmdPKnf21bc3v6w2-vcEaO4GW3yHPn0AzhTy7mPsO7/s1600/IMG-20160304-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu0SKBuYbpO7rH8ZiX2GXl2C3zJ1A1UHvp0SOPeCMt5u6aUHwM0nHTX8-nivhyg0TaR4HMWE9rnZQWSx5-iowPaDozAjjupkhjxXmdPKnf21bc3v6w2-vcEaO4GW3yHPn0AzhTy7mPsO7/s320/IMG-20160304-WA0009.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.linkecu.com/" target="_blank">Link G4</a> only comes as a circuit board and needs to utilize the original ecu case. As I had an <a href="http://www.apexi-usa.com/store/power-fc-1993-1998-nissan-skyline-gts-t-r33.html" target="_blank">Apexi Power FC</a> which is still a desirable choice for upto 500 HP (so desirable) I had to dig out my old Automatic ECU (Mapped at <a href="http://www.bellsautoservices.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bells auto</a>) which I originally had mapped to 320HP at the fly! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnktLTn9N0gIrF4Sf8NEmsU2vIuGHplILDTARNie1se-ePNVgqHxYSsFgG790GxD2KtpIcIOkgcnY_q9fnEzzqH6RHKZ8rzE6PyA91PtBCLrPyqP_I_EPt_9dt4CC02FuDkrbyT9KQ-H85/s1600/IMG-20160305-WA0008.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnktLTn9N0gIrF4Sf8NEmsU2vIuGHplILDTARNie1se-ePNVgqHxYSsFgG790GxD2KtpIcIOkgcnY_q9fnEzzqH6RHKZ8rzE6PyA91PtBCLrPyqP_I_EPt_9dt4CC02FuDkrbyT9KQ-H85/s320/IMG-20160305-WA0008.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1UPBLzOpNDJG55fbc3FOZRA2N7ten-4dyb3T_tSRV-5ChiWeCmPQVJqRMYP-2S-yTGxLiBz4ciG42vqCmpoJ1mkOG0vLpIN1nl8UUP2Px0RQW7zi6QpNhmPHL-8dT8upMwGBhCJz-qEy/s1600/IMG-20160304-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1UPBLzOpNDJG55fbc3FOZRA2N7ten-4dyb3T_tSRV-5ChiWeCmPQVJqRMYP-2S-yTGxLiBz4ciG42vqCmpoJ1mkOG0vLpIN1nl8UUP2Px0RQW7zi6QpNhmPHL-8dT8upMwGBhCJz-qEy/s320/IMG-20160304-WA0010.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Below: A picture of everything finally coming together. I could not resist this picture and sneaked it onto my Facebook page. Soon regretted it with the all the questions. People just do not understand 'art'. Although maybe I should understand the Facebook isn't private and it feels so ugly boasting. Am in this for me not the applause. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi5JSFgtZZ7S5K48CnW5bdh6M5op5UUn5seyOTvjcFM0bMOUcdHd-_R1SmJCqSS4IDGgtdRyilmcVUqRCjSy73IwS8vJYpOcY4rLpcljlQBnjD9NDkJRQ5qkJfBaJoys1NCgzS4UXjNgg/s1600/IMG-20160305-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi5JSFgtZZ7S5K48CnW5bdh6M5op5UUn5seyOTvjcFM0bMOUcdHd-_R1SmJCqSS4IDGgtdRyilmcVUqRCjSy73IwS8vJYpOcY4rLpcljlQBnjD9NDkJRQ5qkJfBaJoys1NCgzS4UXjNgg/s320/IMG-20160305-WA0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below: I would like to say this is the first fire up, it is actually the second (see rattling back plate). From here the next chapter starts. </div>
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Thanks go to MGT Motorsport for the photos and constant technical explanations. </div>
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-7274411596327800962016-03-04T09:13:00.001+00:002016-03-04T11:50:54.870+00:00Ms Skyline's Evil Clutches.. There can be no escape for the horses! The rebuild continues apace at MGT and the engine is temptingly close to installation. Apparently there are minor small complications where my attention to detail is not the same as anyone else's. I couldn't possibly comment without probably upsetting the whole world.<br />
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Anyway. The clutch (always useful) is in. This is a <a href="http://www.xtremeclutch.com.au/en" target="_blank">Xtreme</a> 230 mm organic sprung twin plate clutch, all the way from Australia (where huge chunks of Ms Skyline are from)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrkV8eHkCNbJ2jhmL4dqWhW73G-p5xaZAfG7R9s655pHzqXoGax3-mpc_ZQK-faRYKR8K_fiBrYDaVRWMIY5Z1-M45hflPXAZNrlMd32eMjBHeptwYtPssvqHKcA6MdI8NSg4Rvh_Lexc/s1600/IMG-20160229-WA0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrkV8eHkCNbJ2jhmL4dqWhW73G-p5xaZAfG7R9s655pHzqXoGax3-mpc_ZQK-faRYKR8K_fiBrYDaVRWMIY5Z1-M45hflPXAZNrlMd32eMjBHeptwYtPssvqHKcA6MdI8NSg4Rvh_Lexc/s320/IMG-20160229-WA0022.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Clutch plates, The rest of the photo's show in order of installation. As a twin plate you get to see everything.. twice! But I have included all of the pictures as a fitting memorial to the new clutch that will (hopefully) not be seen again for a long time. </div>
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A twin disc works by effectly doubling the amount of frictional area used when connecting the engine to the drivetrain, which doubles the amount of grip from the engine to the transmission (Same theory applies when people choose to use wider tires and rims, they want a bigger "contact patch" with the road). There are many ways a clutch can be designed to increase grip from the engine to the transmission, increasing the frictional area is only one them. Multi disc clutch setups are favorable (despite their high price) because they offer more grip without neccessarily increasing the clamping load of the pressure plate (which is very bad for the crankshaft).</div>
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On a regular single disc setup, the friction disc rubs on the flywheel's face, and on the pressure plate's face (two fricitional surfaces). The frictional disc itself is connected to the transmission via the input shaft, and the flywheel and pressure plate are bolted together (they are connected to the engine via the crankshaft).</div>
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On a twin disc setup, there is a center plate which rotates with the flywheel (effectly this center plate is an extension of the flywheel). You can consider this plate to be a second flywheel. Sandwiched in between the two flywheels is the first friction disc. On the other side of of this center plate, there is the second friction disc. After the the second friction disc comes the face of the pressure plate. Here is the order:</div>
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flywheel -> friction disc 1 -> center plate -> friction disc 2 -> pressure plate</div>
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This makes for a total 4 frictional faces (flywheel, two sides for the center plate, and the pressure plate). This is DOUBLE the amount of frictional surface area than a single disc setup.</div>
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To visualize how this kind of setup works, you have to keep in mind what is attached to what. There are only two rotating bodies here (think to yourself "engine speed" & "drivetrain speed"). The first body is the a splined input shaft from the transmission that is connected to the two friction discs (the friction discs spin with the transmission). The two friction discs spin together because they are both connected to the transmission's input shaft. The second body is the flywheel, center plate, and pressure plate which are all bolted to each other and spin together in unison with the engine's crankshaft. Any difference in rotational speeds between these two rotating bodies happens when the clutch pedal is depressed down (when the clutch disengaged) or if the clutch is slipping under power.</div>
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So clutch all mounted up and now time to 'insert' engine here</div>
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An engine is no good without a gear box</div>
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And below, the end of a days work.</div>
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All pictures kindly supplied from <a href="http://mgtmotorsport.com/page/skylines" target="_blank">MGT Motorsport</a></div>
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-87177591791440078012016-02-29T14:18:00.000+00:002016-02-29T15:31:43.604+00:00Engine build up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now the all the parts are here the car is going back together. Although as it is the 24th February it is not an ideal time to call an anniversary! </div>
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Having the super shiny <a href="http://www.ripsracing.com/" target="_blank">sump</a> fitted at <a href="http://mgtmotorsport.com/home" target="_blank">MGT Motorsport</a> is a major lurch in the right direction though. </div>
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A bead of the sticky stuff</div>
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And on she goes (never to come off I hope). </div>
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MGT certainly do not hang around</div>
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<a href="http://www.ricwood.com/aboutus.html" target="_blank">Ric Woods</a> Machined head with Tomie Pom cams in place</div>
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Looks more like an engine (as I know it) every minute. </div>
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Much shining N1 goodness on show here</div>
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Even as I type pictures keep flowing in..</div>
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Custom made and red <a href="http://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/" target="_blank">crackle coated</a> front cover back on</div>
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6 Boost Exhaust Manifold welded back up</div>
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Should help keep everything in place and no leaks! </div>
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Mark at MGT gave me a slight telling off for the cap head bolts holding the covers on (he wants everything 'correct' which is nice). The Nissan ones have a flange etc. so tighten up with equal force and although am sure these are lovely. Ms Skyline does like the odd sparkle and it looks like they did tighten up okay.</div>
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-88298745286132237862016-02-26T13:33:00.000+00:002016-02-26T14:01:12.909+00:00Cylinder Head PortingSometimes in an effort to understand things it helps me to write them down. Which kind of sums up the whole of the blog and a general lack of my listening to people! For instance there are things I will never understand, such as why is it that so many UK Nissan GTR drivers are such porky pigs?<br />
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One thing that I was keen to do but didn't really know why, was to get the cylinder head ported and flowed. I mean how can porting make such a difference to output?<br />
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Cylinder head porting refers to the process of modifying the intake and exhaust ports on the engine to improve the quality and quantity of air flow. As manufactured heads would not have the attention to detail that porting offers due to manufacturing constraints. Porting gives that attention and brings the engine to much higher levels of efficiency. The porting process is greatly responsible for the high power output.<br />
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Imagine the air around us, we breath it but do we feel it "as light as air" which is to say it has no substance as we move slowly through it. However engines operating at high speed need to force and suck air, pulling it in and spitting it out again, so in this instance, air becomes unwieldy, sticky and heavy.<br />
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Pumping air at high speed is a major problem and bottle neck, so head porting helps to eradicate this.<br />
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My head was CNC machined on behalf of <a href="http://mgtmotorsport.com/home" target="_blank">MGT Motorsport</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mgt-Motorsport-Ltd-169356063179181/?fref=ts" target="_blank">(or on facebook)</a> at <a href="http://www.ricwood.com/facilities.html" target="_blank">Ric Wood Motorsport</a> who specialise in design, development and build of race winning engines and components.<br />
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All of the pictures below are 'after' shots. When enlarged the quality shines out.<br />
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A small video of a cylinder head in action.</div>
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The whole process was proving to be the Achilles heel of the project at one point. MGT's usual machine shop being too busy and wanting a long lead time. Fortunately Ric Wood Motorsport stepped in and saved the day, although also rather unfortunately at a cost to the budget. </div>
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Ideally I should have purchased a second hand head last Summer and just sent it up to MGT but getting work done wouldn't be the same without a healthy dose of stress. </div>
Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-5635915775711716642016-02-25T12:31:00.003+00:002016-02-25T15:12:35.630+00:00Hydro-graphic dipping<br />
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I have looked at this in the past, even had a go at it myself <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrographics_(printing)" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Hydrographics</span></a> or HydroGraphics, also known as immersion printing, water transfer printing, water transfer imaging, hydro dipping or cubic printing, is a method of applying printed designs to three-dimensional surfaces. The hydrographic process can be used on metal, plastic, glass, hard woods, and various other materials.<br />
It really has come on in recent times though, the most famous supplier in the UK being<span style="color: yellow;"> <a href="http://www.wickedcoatings.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Wicked Coatings.</span></a></span> They seem to work out a bit more expensive than others although I can't fault their workmanship.<br />
Just a quick post to show a steering column shroud that a friend of mine has recently had done.<br />
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Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564387583544799191.post-16120838632667037592016-02-25T11:03:00.000+00:002016-02-25T11:04:56.935+00:00The Key to her heartMany owners I know have a key to their car (obviously) and no spare! They know that they should get a spare, but haven't got around to it. Of course this will only prove a bit of a stumbling block when they lose their only key!<br />
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For all of you out there (in the UK at least). Go get a key, even the worst shop will be able to supply you with a new key that works (more or less). R33 keys for both models are, due to the glory of a shared parts bin, the same as Micra keys.<br />
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Naturally I already have four copies, the original two plus two more. However these keys are so, well how can I put it... Boring!<br />
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Key types:</h4>
I had seen a brand called 'Royal' plus a couple of others that just dripped with Japanese bad taste. Absolutely loved them. There is the obligatory GTR branded key and everything in between.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlIOrjM6Px8VFHDH4LlS-UvZqozRWkLJd9vll9wVYXt9-GcK1PSCObYOLmEaQdj7RQdqv_DuDycKsAFDRVA07NLjiMqESWxrVse1B-OSllVk7BzZvPvm2IaeKNnMSEmUaT2gC2u3bgq1P/s1600/GTR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlIOrjM6Px8VFHDH4LlS-UvZqozRWkLJd9vll9wVYXt9-GcK1PSCObYOLmEaQdj7RQdqv_DuDycKsAFDRVA07NLjiMqESWxrVse1B-OSllVk7BzZvPvm2IaeKNnMSEmUaT2gC2u3bgq1P/s320/GTR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above: Typical R33 key with GTR logo. This is probably the most widely available key for Skylines, although I always thought it a shame that they only 'do' a GTR version, when you stop and think it is actually quite fitting for the 'brought not built brigade' to have these. A key like this costs around 7k yen (£45)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssqbZhTeDnJTU9N1PFt8KZttOGUQVlCui96OeCTMlkxfaiG4EgS4MSQkjAMaZ47lv2KIvpKge-tmVEZy6MSmLJ7MQXAsEKscw61rf5E_6sry4V0NhnGIsEFI3JMhvb903S6YjKqiCvH1l/s1600/nismo+22k+key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssqbZhTeDnJTU9N1PFt8KZttOGUQVlCui96OeCTMlkxfaiG4EgS4MSQkjAMaZ47lv2KIvpKge-tmVEZy6MSmLJ7MQXAsEKscw61rf5E_6sry4V0NhnGIsEFI3JMhvb903S6YjKqiCvH1l/s320/nismo+22k+key.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above: Still keeping with Nissan's official keys we have that mighty Nismo logo, exactly the same key though but a different price tag, at time of writing this is 22k yen (£140) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_wzJ35ISW3MbSnk0LTbl1eNlUPhr5UXarMr86JT1UZL4jKKLxy1dI2cJuOSeUvyakfLEOKh_lQiqYtc3eqinrFRyV3v5QVMxv7AHT5So7qoy_LnKk-VQGpQEhNq8FuSMkHYg3SbBWBBX/s1600/400R+500k+key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_wzJ35ISW3MbSnk0LTbl1eNlUPhr5UXarMr86JT1UZL4jKKLxy1dI2cJuOSeUvyakfLEOKh_lQiqYtc3eqinrFRyV3v5QVMxv7AHT5So7qoy_LnKk-VQGpQEhNq8FuSMkHYg3SbBWBBX/s320/400R+500k+key.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above: Nismo? Is that the best you can do?? Here is the mighty 400R key in all its glory.. Yes identical to the two before it but this weighs in at a whopping 500k yen. Yes that's 500,000 to you! Around £3200 in UK pounds or US$4452.60 </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMJ0nqTOTzFxkupfVW6VqMXIU95IwWrNGiTDKxliDJJvgtNy-QozUSmbdfhGqY8qBuVKPliffhFBvyOJbeaVyBZiN87hEAnculDeRt0hUOeM3aAcyLmxl1RT8AdemA0w2lQES7238MygX/s1600/Gloria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMJ0nqTOTzFxkupfVW6VqMXIU95IwWrNGiTDKxliDJJvgtNy-QozUSmbdfhGqY8qBuVKPliffhFBvyOJbeaVyBZiN87hEAnculDeRt0hUOeM3aAcyLmxl1RT8AdemA0w2lQES7238MygX/s320/Gloria.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above: A bit of fun, Japanese fashion keys. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JSaYYBJRSykQOTqQWm-rtSdXGTNwQ4xwYrkJeT2pLVKcWC-GzZdXH-Qk3wekmFQh-wQv7kxpe0nnBQymd0SpvnG_ofzAhTfgrCmFARsOp_YIjU2yz2pdDKQSpVxnEKYvyhAFt9cZrmkp/s1600/Blue+Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JSaYYBJRSykQOTqQWm-rtSdXGTNwQ4xwYrkJeT2pLVKcWC-GzZdXH-Qk3wekmFQh-wQv7kxpe0nnBQymd0SpvnG_ofzAhTfgrCmFARsOp_YIjU2yz2pdDKQSpVxnEKYvyhAFt9cZrmkp/s320/Blue+Skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above: and why not?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW970sA352p3fAHLeRNIF-Oc5qd266VVHykF4Py_buuqqB5L6OIGZnUXIrz0emdXFj7PmSkzcnfv6I-uC9j5TrZA7bkxbnjI5vSMoX7fjcuYZilIgFDuJ1sKdH9LB_UJB4D5u9S3ZCb_vl/s1600/small+top+skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW970sA352p3fAHLeRNIF-Oc5qd266VVHykF4Py_buuqqB5L6OIGZnUXIrz0emdXFj7PmSkzcnfv6I-uC9j5TrZA7bkxbnjI5vSMoX7fjcuYZilIgFDuJ1sKdH9LB_UJB4D5u9S3ZCb_vl/s320/small+top+skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I especially like the way they say 'for Skyline' am assuming in case you forget. This one is a handy small size to reduce trouser bulge?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u3C01zSmdGEYv9cu2f7627iDEcmMyrn5kV8W8zWz8tJErHacRZaEoZ5ciXLYbFnvXdW15mRK1oPmar0hVSA5aUKRstsBM19i5lQvFqPc4rR5gB5jlUsnnko7vsYfiuxkaYOyMEGKKMXm/s1600/Nissan+Motor+%2527old%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u3C01zSmdGEYv9cu2f7627iDEcmMyrn5kV8W8zWz8tJErHacRZaEoZ5ciXLYbFnvXdW15mRK1oPmar0hVSA5aUKRstsBM19i5lQvFqPc4rR5gB5jlUsnnko7vsYfiuxkaYOyMEGKKMXm/s320/Nissan+Motor+%2527old%2527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above: one of my favorites, Has a lovely retro feel to it. </div>
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Above: This is my choice. Made from titanium it is strange to the touch and light as a feather! At 4k yen £25 it was reasonable. Although Japanese auctions do have a tendency to rocket on final figures once all the charges have been taken into account and this was closer to £40 by the time I was done. </div>
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Getting keys cut in the UK.</h4>
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This can be more of a pain than you might think. Many major chains on the high street will not entertain cutting a blank supplied, stating that the cut key could snap in the ignition for which they would be liable. So they point blank refuse to do it. However I have heard exceptions to this.</div>
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You can usually get your local key cutter to have a look at doing it though. It is just a question of shopping around.</div>
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There are a few methods of key cutting as well. The majority using the old key as a master, following the contours and cutting directly, others laser scan and cut. </div>
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Talking to my key maker he said that Nissan keys are a pain (to him) as they move about in the jig. I think this is due to both sides being cut (see picture) which can cause some difficulty once one side is done. I have on the other hand heard from a key cutter saying this is nonsense. </div>
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What I do know is, you do not want to be spending lots on a key only for it not to work!</div>
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So I had my key cut and... it didn't work. However comparing and the application of a file and yes the ignition turned, a little more work on the grooves and all the doors unlocked. So am happy that I now have what may not be the most unusual key in the world. One that is a little different from the rest.</div>
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<br />Karlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646925346299583812noreply@blogger.com0