Now my car has been officially garaged pending the full rebuild I've been planning for ages. Basically split into 2 stages, the aim of the project is a weekend driven show piece with balls, all tucked into a light weight package, and bring what is an old car up to modern standards for luxury, power, paint, looks etc.
A 2003 model RA28 if you like.

Stage 1 - Engineering
I'll be going down the 1G-GTE road as many others have done.
first off I'll be doing the engine conversion and while I'm buggering with the crossmember I'll do the rack and pinion conversion. followed by diff conversion, hilux diff and disc brake, watts link setup, new bushes etc.
then brake upgrade for the front, possibly 300ZX calipers and 280mm rotors as this conversion may have a huge weight advantage.
and anything else that needs to have an engineers certificate.

at the end of stage 1 I can theoretically register the car and go nuts.

Stage 2 - Full Rebuild
basically fully gut the shell of anything that bolts down.

Shell
back to bare metal respray
remove under car bitumen crap and rust proof and re-seal
new fuel lines.
remove interior bitumen crap rust proof and re-seal
the engine bay (having already had an engine in and all accesories located) will be smoothed out and all un necessary holes filled
replace all bolts, nuts and washers with shiny ones
replace all seals and glass
plus other little bits

Engine
engine will be stripped and worked Specs not yet finallise. much reserching pending. but along the lines of porting, polishing, balance, head work and all the things that help an engine rev.
Polish any thing that is metal (except block)
Turbo will either be 1 single ball bearing turbo or twin small BB turbos.
After market computer will be used but not yet confirmed.

Body
new or near new bumpers will be sourced.
bonnet will have a little custom work done
Headlight conversion to H4
Tail light conversion (thats a secret)
front air dam
original chrome will be retained
custom drop tank (alloy - read shiny)
metal rear window louvres (have already)
possible fibreglass front guards/bonnet

Interior
retro fit out of interior (inc body computer) using modern toyota
seat retrim front and rear (suede leather)
new carpet/headlining and panels
basic but quality stereo install.

Wheels
16 (maybe 17) inch billet rims 7 inch front 8 inch rear
45 series rubber

Suspension
replace all bushes
front/rear sway bar upgrade
Yet to decide on coil overs or springs
lowered to improve handling but not comprimise ride (ie not on bumpstops)


Rebuild will start in about 12 months in the mean time I'll be researching, gathering parts and asking dumb questions about turbos. will be updated as I confirm what is going in or as it is done.

Ideas Welcome
Simon

[Updated on: Mon, 08 December 2003 08:07]

Yeh the green one is pretty straight,
Originally I was going to rebuilt that one, so I found the red one as a parts car but I found the parts car was a better starting point than the green one.
The green on has a little rust starting in the door sill and around the hatch (usual places)

I'm still working out some wiring bugs in it, she idles funny (1 miniute 800 rpm next 2000) I thing I've got a problem with the water temp sender as the car is running rich all the time but is very good when the car is cold. (I also found the previous owner removed the thermostat for some unknown reason with means the car never really gets to operating temp and I need to retune the car. hopfully I get so good results from that.
as far as power an the rest I'm keen to get to the eastern creek meet and have a go at the record for > 2000 n/a and I'll be at the next dyno day.

[Updated on: Mon, 13 October 2003 03:56]