I haven't bought them yet. Is there any you'd recommend?

I've been loitering on frost automotive website looking at all the rust related products. A quick tot up and I'm into about £300 of this gel and that paint.

Im still convinced the only way out of the rust problem is an acid dip and zinc coat but it would just take too long and cost fast too much to justify it.

I would recommend speaking to Joe at FCSS, I saw his rebuilt rear sub. on Facebook. I think he can supply kits - I expect they are more expensive than the OB but you don`t want to do the job twice.

I have an acid based converter for the worst areas but of course you must then use water and scour out the pores. I still don`t know how I will tackle problems within a box section for example.

I have been looking here.

http://www.rust.co.uk/system-selection-start-here/c32739/

Thanks for that link. I stumbled on something similar before and couldn't find it again.

Sorry to see your corrosion may be worse than mine, but then I have both sides to do.

Also, on your car the problem is more toward the front end, mine towards the back.

Your car does not appear to have the foam I found in mine.
I haven`t checked the other side that well as yet - it might be worse!

I did find that foam inside the chassis members around tha area. It seems to act like a large sponge holding the water against the metal for longer.
I also go on the theory rust is always much worse than it looks. Going deeper and further than you can see.
It was the main reason why I wanted to acid dip the shell.

I keep changing my mind every five minutes, I'll do more, I'll do less. I want it back on the road ASAP, but I don't want to do it half arsed.
I can seriously see me getting another one to run while I do this one.

I'll see how I feel later on in the day........

So, have you made your mind up yet?

Was the foam just surrounding the subframe mount?
Do we think the foam is for damping vibration from the sub. or for lessening movement in the panel sandwich in that area?

Acid dip would be a great way to go, or all over blast as Dax had done. Definitely need 2nd coupe though.

I have taken to acid dipping the small brackets from the back of car which look like I found them in the sea. Two days later they are shiny bare metal. Been stuck on one bolt for the same period of time.
Going to remove complete assembly now as fed up of the wait.

Your persistence is admirable Jon, I picked up a "electric windy gun" from machine mart. £60 odd quid and quite capable too, a smidge on the large side and rather heavy but does a cracking job of stubborn bolts / crank pulley bolts.

I'm trying not to think about making decisions this week, I spent last night painting my "engine building room" floor, and thinking I wouldn't mind an audi A6 biturbo for mincing around in while I finish the coupe.
That way I get the comfort, towing capability and the turbo push that's missing in my life.

Another impulse buy.


I bought this for 150 quid from eBay.
Test til October and a fun fiat to Chuck around while I 20vt the Marea.

It's clear that the Brava has been neglected. Not one stamp in the service book and used five litres of coolant by the time id got it home.
So it looks like the Brava will now be looking after the coupe running gear while I sort the coupe shell.

A quick Google reveals that nobody appears to have done the 20vt conversion in a Brava.
I think it looks prettier than the Marea and it's almost 100kg lighter.
Now I have four fiats, 3 on the drive and one in the garage.

It's an affliction.

Sounds awesome Steve. Can you get them to take some before and after pictures.

As the car is being dipped are you considering changing the colour?

Yes I'll be documenting the whole process. I'm staying with the original colour. It's my fave

Alot of work so far, keep it coming! Like the seats.

Took me ages to find a complete set. The drivers seat needs to be completely reupholstered. But those front seats might not make it to the end. I got the set cheap enough to just use the rears and the door and rear quarter panels.
I've got some massive plans for this car and it will take a while to get done.

Just been reading the progress on PH.
I don`t suppose you look in here anymore?
As for the car...OMG and look forward to hearing it!

Link

A not for the purististic Coupe

I do look here. Was a little scared to update this and upset the purists among you .

It's coming along nicely. I'll update with some videos of how the v8 is doing when it's running some boost.

Awesome!
Can`t wait.
Upset some purists, you know it makes sense.

ps I posted the link because I was literally deluged with PMs from owners of bog standard, rusty green coops who were desperate for some inspiration.

pps Sorry, i`ve stopped taking my meds. again

I'd been toying with the idea since I first got my coupe.
I knew which engine I wanted so I went out and bought a big Lexus land yacht. But I kinda liked it so ended up running it for the year, then sailing (pun intended) straight through another test in July

So I figured since I was using it as a daily I might as well start developing the engine.

So here is a quick spec the coupe will be.

Beautiful Fiat coupe 20vt body with LE kit. Possibly pulled rear arches but not too noticeable I'm hoping.

Power.
Lexus 4.0 32 valve V8 running twin GT35 sized turbos remote mounted.
Engine mounted so far back routine maintenance will require removal, but handling comes before access.
Power conservative 500bhp with 700bhp potential in the future.
Transmission, standard Lexus slush box until I've sold a kidney to fund the manual conversion kit.

Front suspension
Mazda MX5 front subframe, double wishbone set up using Lexus Bilstein dampers, custom springs.
Mazda RX7 hubs, Lexus 310mm discs & 4 pots.

Rear suspension
Lexus LS400 complete rear end with modified supra bits, supra auto LSD, many poly bushes
Lexus Bilstein dampers, custom springs, Lexus 305mm rear brake set up

Chassis.
Fiat coupe heavily modified bulkhead / chassis legs / floor / rear pan.
Reinforced coupe dash support bar mounted 200mm further back.
Modified Mazda MX5 transmission tunnel, bulkhead, rear deck and fuel tank set up.

Ideas for body work.
Bonnet to incorporate front bumper and be a bolt on affair. Possibly remade in GRP.
Custom chassis reinforcement with a central roll over bar.

There is much to do and I'm having lots of fun with the Lexus, despite its titanic size and tonnage it can pull 60 in a shade under 7 seconds and thunder on to an indicated 160mph before the private road ran out.

Being an auto it also has very long legs and can do 110 in third like the coupe. It doesn't do badly at all considering it's only putting out 260bhp

When I've finished the rear mount turbo I'm hoping to see about 360bhp in low boost single turbo trim.
I have another Lexus V8 in the garage waiting for a head stud conversion. And this will be the plant that's going to be 500bhp.

More updates soon.

Im still here, just.The V8 conversion is still going ahead and ive been working on the other donor car in readiness for the big coupe cut.
The Lexus hasn't moved on a lot since i was using it to pull my trailer and track car around although the turbo is now mounted.
Ive recently bought an Alfa 159 2.4jtdm so been having fun with that, moved house and managed to house all my projects.
I also still have my marea 2.4jtd but I'm not sure what to do with that yet.
Still living the dream and I'll update the project