NissanSteves speed red 20vt discussion thread

Good work!!!

Nice color your coop!

The rust shown in the boot area will have eaten through more than you think i would remove the wheel arch liners and have a good inspection before you undertake too much elce. I have a feeling you will have to cut a good few bits out and put some plates in. It rusts like buggery in that spot the metal is SO thin and the holes that the wheel arch liner clips into are a perfect starting place for the tin worm that eat this section.

Yeah I've taken a grinder to that area since that pic.
I doubt there will be many coupes that aren't going there.

The seam is covered with factory sealant which may look fairly well intact, but will almost certainly have let water attack it over the years and I'm willing to wager that rust will be eating away under the seams of the tidiest of coupes by now.

The plan is to take it off the road in July and spend a good nine months sorting the shell out.
A full bare shell rebuild along a similar tac to Dax's project.

In the mean time i'll need somewhere to "store" the Running gear.
I'm thinking a Marea weekend would be a good place to keep it till the shell is back to its former glory

I picked up my new "running gear storage container" today








97 R plate Marea 1.6
Only 48k miles. It drives like new!
The bodywork is not as good as the photos make it look and its awful inside but it's a good vessel to develop the coupe engine while coupe shell has a year long sabbatical for restoration.

Fun times.

It's got a lot of warning lights on, though!

I like your thinking!

I'm going to get a tow bar for it so I'll be able to take the coupe bodyshell to fro.
After a quick clean and hover out (can't get rid of fag smell) it hasn't come up too bad.

Tiny 14" steely's and 175 70 rubber don't help the handling but I can change all that (Dr evil laugh)

So far I've got an exhaust blow to fix, a sticky caliper slider and new discs and pads to fit. Then hopefully it should fly through a test in June.
I already have a complete engine loom ready to fit along with associated ecus.
So as soon as the engine comes out of the coupe I'll swap it into the marea.
Along with front and rear subframes brakes and suspension (more evil laughing)

I need 20 valves and forced induction in my life. And I think this is the prefect way to do it.
Id have preferred an estate version but this was the right price and literally up the road from me.

The coupe will be off the road for up to a year getting the shell fully sorted.
I needed a car in the interim
I needed somewhere to keep the running gear without it being in the way our losing important bits.
I needed something that will tow
a trailer.
I needed something that would get all our luggage into when we go away on holiday.

There, all the justification required lol.
It ticks all my boxes.

It seems you are doing a massive ground up refurbishment to keep and seem to be quite happy to spend money on the car so i would suggest getting a 6 speed gearbox if you can as its much nicer to use IMO even though it wont be total original to your model of coop.

It's something I've not looked into really. If it can handle the power and torque of over 300lbft I'll consider it.

Are you putting the gt28rs on the Marea Steve?

it will be when I've got the new engine built up. I'll just be putting the current stock engine in for now. But should still be entertaining in a boring looking saloon car.
The original turbo looks to be in good shape still. Zero play in the shaft.
But it is just starting to show the first glimmer that the seals are on the way out.
But its good going for the miles its done.

Good luck with the swap. You'll need just about everything from the coupe such as the wiring, brakes, etc. I started something very similar with a 1400 Bravo.

I've got a complete engine loom for a 20vt plus ecu's etc.
When you say started, did you get it done?

I've read conflicting reports about the wiring. Some saying there's loads of splicing and others saying it's plug and play.

It would have been ideal to start with a 5 pot marea but this one came up super cheap and five mins away.

The coupe has been off the Road the past two weeks due to manifold issues and a machine shop that cannot be arsed to do jobs for "the average guy" so I'm lucky to have the marea.
But it's so slow.

Still waiting. It's my brother's car and he slowly lost interest and bought a HGT. Nothing married up on the wiring. We got as far as sorting the engine bay wiring. But we literally took the loom from one and placed it into the other. If I recall also the master cylinders wouldn't fit, or the gear stick tray that bolts underneath.

Totally doable, but you'll end up rebodying the Coupè.

Looking at the marea underneath and the boot floor is mint!
And with the rear wheels off it looks like the reason is like t0m0
puts forward, there's no wheel arch liner on the marea.
So there's no holes for the clips. So rust doesn't start there.

I'd think that you could cut out repair sections from good mareas or bravos. I think bravos were made until 2001?

Hmm a push bike?

Lol, jk, nice work , sounds like it should be fun!

Well the swap is almost upon us. The marea needed a brake flexi to cure the binding brake.
I did the discs and pads and found they weren't very old. Sliders free, so assumed the caliper. Sure enough the piston refused to push back, but I could turn it.
undid the bleed nipple and it pushed back with ease.

Due to the warped disc, it had worn the lower arm front bush so I just replaced both arms.
Exhaust just needed a clean and a new clamp.

I still can't believe how absurdly mint this car is underneath.
It's almost a shame to pull the little 1.6 engine out.

But enough of that nostalgia rubbish I want to see over three hundred ponies pushing the nose wide!

Hopefully it should be an interesting sleeper bar the 20v alloys and five cylinder wail.
Not many people want to risk their egos against the coop, but this, this will be much more fun.

Looking for a witty remark to put on the rear window?

Recent pic wearing the coupes shoes. Albeit with boots too big.

I shall be fitting 205 / 40s on them and maybe refurb them dark anthracite so they don't catch the eye too much.

It will also be 35mm lowered on fccs springs and new coupe dampers.
I'm thinking of plastidipping it a dark red or black as in the metal it looks brown and the mrs and daughter keep saying its brown. I can't win.

So Steve, is this marea getting the 20v turbo treatment? And the coupe is still going?
I don't think I've seen a 20v turbo marea since 2007, it's been a while

The coupe is tucked up in the workshop now, waiting to be relieved of it's running gear. Then stripped to a bare naked shell to be breathed on and brought up to as best condition as can be.
Then it will be rebuilt and used only on sunny days.

The marea will be having most of the coupes running gear while it's off the road.
I'm going on holiday at the weekend, so when I get back the project(s) shall begin in earnest!
The marea will probably end up a stripped out track toy when The coupe is back on the road.

Iconic-looking sound-system you've got hanging up at the back there...

Civic type R

Seems like forever since I've been able to do anything. I've been slowly stripping the car, labelling things and bagging bits up then putting them jib a safe place that I'm sure to forget.
Most of the interior is out and I've started removing the wiring loom from the back working forwards.




The mrs started a new business venture in May which has taken all of our time and money.
After a few months on the breadline and me working my ass off we're finally seeing the benefits.
So next on the to do list is start buying all the bits to rebuild the engine.

Best of luck with your project Steve, I bet you are back on the road before I am.
How do you have the space for all the bits - my son can`t even get into his bedroom now as exhaust system blocking the doorway. Stuff on bed too right this minute!

I rent a lock up that the car lives in, I've been bringing all the bits I've taken off home, shrink wrapping then storing them about the house lol, our spare room has most of the interior in the bed.
The loft is also a temporary storage facility lol.

At the minute I'm working at the home garage, I've been stripping my spare head and cleaning it up.
Also stripped an inlet manifold and throttle body for cleaning.
My plans have changed a little now, I'm not going for a total bare shell acid dip rebuild. I miss it too much, so I'll just be attacking the chassis cutting out any nasties and welding in new metal.
So many new parts to get its unbelievable.
Just engine, brakes and suspension refresh parts come to well over a grand.

But it will be worth it.

But, what is `dream car`?
A GTR perhaps?
RWD Coupe with front-mounted F40 engine?

My dream car captivated me age 11.
Black wedge shape with a v12 howling out through four tailpipes.
The lamborghini countach is my total dream car. But one I'm never ever likely to own. Especially the crazy running costs!
But a replica is a possibility.......

Anyway I'm back in love with the coupe so I'm ditching the idea of converting the marea to 20vt.
Id rather put all my (very little) spare time into the coupe.

I need it back in my life sooner rather than later.

I'm going to give the house garage a thorough clean this weekend then paint the walls white, sort the wiring out with new conduit and get the floor painted.
Then I'll be getting a new engine stand from machine mart to begin the engine rebuild.

At the workshop I'll be pulling the engine and box out of the coupe, I've a massive list of things to get done.

Sort house garage out
Carry on stripping the coupe
buy engine stand, block and tackle, new welder etc etc

rebuild brembos with new seals and paint.
Rebuild inlet manifold, throttle body, strip and clean head, lap in20 valves, rebuild bottom end.

Strip and rebuild all suspension, buy new dampers and top mounts, replace rear arm bearings etc etc

Clean up under chassis, weld in new bumper suports front and rear, cut out rusty bits in boot, front off side chassis and weld in new sections, get screen replaced, rust Proof as much as I can, sort out dents and get it repainted properly

Refurbish the wheels and replace all four tyres.

Then it should be at a good enough standard.

Hi Steve, if you haven`t bought the parts already - don`t be tempted to buy the Original Birth rear arm rebuild kits.
I did, and I think I could make a better bearing, the bolts were different side to side also.
I didn`t know quite what to use for rustproofing so I have gone for FE123. (I suppose I should go and work on mine)

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