Nicks Project Hamilton.

[Nick Mann]

As many of you know, I bought myself a new and pretty clean VR4 last year:
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?54836
IMAG0304.jpg
I fully intended to underseal it and start swapping parts last year, but due to moving house and being busy with work, it never quite happened. This year we are going on the May Ring Trip and I have decided to make that a dealine for doing a lot of the work on the car that I have been putting off for over a year!

So far I have:
Amsoiled the whole car last year.
Fitted my ancient double din Pioneer (It's now been in six of my cars, originally bought in about 2001!)
Installed new stainless downpipes
Decided to keep the Fujitsubo cat back.
Fitted an Evo 6 de-cat.
Partly sorted my boost issues.
Bought a set of Recaros in the red fleck to match my interior.
Fitted Alpine speakers in all four doors - fronts are components.
Fitted uprated speaker cable to front doors.
Installed the PLX DM-100 with wideband and boost/vac sensors. The display is hidden in the clock window.
Installed a Walbro 255 pump.
Installed a Sard FPR.
Swapped the Evo 9 rims from VOR (my previous VR4)


So, on my list of things to do is:

Underseal using Rust Bullet. I plan to strip the car as far as I can to underseal - most of it is coming apart anyway for the list below, but I also hope to remove the rear subframe and the fuel tank to really get into the difficult to reach areas.
Sound deaden using Silent Coat and felt.
Manual convert, although the final drive ratio will still be an issue for me to resolve at some point.
Install the competition clutch and lightened flywheel I bought from Eurospec.
Install my Brembo setup with Performance Friction floating discs and pads. The Brembos have been powder coated so need rebuilding too.
Install the engine from VOR as the previous owner ported and polished the heads and fitted oversized big end bearings.
Install the ARC intercooler from VOR
Refurbish my Tein Super Wagons with EDFC (the shock bodies are in bad shape after nearly 5 years of salted roads) and install.
Fit the Evo 7 rims I have had powder coated in anthracite.
Possibly fit an SAYC rear diff.
Hopefully tart up the engine bay a little on the way.

Most fluids will have to be done with the work listed above. There are additional service items I will be doing on the way:
Full cambelt service, all pulleys and pump, oils filters and plugs.
New driveshaft seals.


The lists will hopefully change through May - as I intend to have a couple of weeks off work to get all this done. I'm sure I will be adding things I have forgotten to mention or taking things away that I can't get done too. If there is anything in particular anyone wants photos of or if there are ideas that I may have missed please post up and ask!

[Kryton]

Looking good & that list looks like it would have kept you nice & busy. I am particularly interested in the 'refurb super wagons' part

[kiteman]

You're going to do all that in 4 weeks, You're some man for one man Nick. Or maybe that should read, some Mann for one Mann, Nick.
I recently aquired a silver FL legnum from "Dublee", actually I traded in "Omars" PFL legnum against it.
I must put up some pics of it when I get the chance.
Good luck with the proposed work, Nick.

[adaxo]

That is a quiet big list, what you gonna do after ring trip??

Nice that you attach links to threads, from your list I will be looking with interest which cambelt kit you fit and where to get this from?? so far I find this and is looks like good priced quality kit.
Under seal is on my list to do as well but I probably chose Swinks way and let professionals do it while I'm on holiday in PL later this year.

Good luck with that 4 week challenge and keep posting with progress incl pict please.

BTW You going to powder coat alloys even after all this horror stories of broken spines ??

[Nick Mann]

Yes, powder coated wheels. There are many many more out there that are good than bad. I am pretty sure that the problem that is seen sometimes is due to bad processing by the powder coaters. I have already had mine coated and I paid a little more than the cheapy prices for a reputable company to do the job. Hopefully I won't regret my decision!

I usually buy the cambelt stuff from Camskill. I have always had good service from them, including adding things to orders or part shipping urgent stuff whilst waiting for less urgent stuff. They have a cambelt kit listed for approx £95 delivered that includes everything in your link (Blue Print cambelt, not SUN) plus accessory belts.

I'll try to remember to get some pics along the way too.

[lancerevo3]

thats a very clean looking vr4 fair play nick

[Nick Mann]

Rust bullet back in stock and ordered.
Silent coat is here, plus some felt for sound insulation.
Some of the service items are here.

IMAG0487.jpgIMAG0486.jpgIMAG0485.jpg

[richy rich]

So we going to have a garage weekend Nick to give you a hand? I've got a couple of jobs need doing as well.

[miller]

Hows the list crossing off going?

Incidentally...27 days to go!

[funkstardelux]

ps nic buy a load of paint brushes as i went through around 8 doing my car and wear gloves that stuff doesn't come off skin easily

[Nick Mann]

Rich - don't think I have got any spare weekends to do that! During the week only for me.
Dave - thanks bud. I'll bear that in mind, and post up photos of myself covered in paint for your amusement when I get there.

So, today I got to spend half a day doing stuff. It was spent re-building the calipers that have been powder coated. They are looking a lot better than before:

IMAG0491.jpgIMAG0490.jpgIMAG0492.jpg

Then I spent the last five minutes finding the Teins so I can have a go at cleaning them up tomorrow. Paint and rust removal followed by some hammerite methinks. Anyone want to suggest possible colours?

IMAG0495.jpgIMAG0497.jpg

[Kryton]

Orange Liking the silver callipers BTW

[Nick Mann]

Orange! I am going for the understated look. Perhaps I should have mentioned that?!

http://www.hammerite.co.uk/products/...oth_finish.jsp

Thinking black blue or dark green at the moment. There will be a lot of silver there already with the rust bullet all over the inner wing. Ho hum - I'll see what mood I'm in tomorrow if I get time to buy the paint!

[Davezj]

very jealous of your EDFC motors, still not got mine,
bah humbug

[BraindG]

I have the same opinion, understated ftw, I was thinking do fun metal grey for calipers.

How much did it cost to get them done?

[Nick Mann]

Calipers were £15 a pop, but I had to strip them down and rebuild. I am going to buy some new bleed nipples to finish them off too. Rebuilding took some time, as I had to clean threads and dust cover seats. I have got a dark metallic grey for the wheels and wanted the calipers to stand out a little....

[Mark 4]

Looking good Nick. When do you need the diff ?

[Nick Mann]

Certainly not this week. Probably not next.

[Mark 4]

Cutting it a bit fine ?

[Nick Mann]

Yep. You have seen the list of work to do in the first post?! Shakedown run is the trip to Dover on 23rd May!