Newish 197 owner

[MartyR]

Hi I'm Martin,

Had a 197 for a couple of years now but have decided now is the time to start caring for it as it looks a bit scabby. I've signed up a few days ago and been lurking for a while but feel like I should say Hi and I hope to be able to contribute to the forum.

I will hope fully post some pictures soon and have had some inspiration from the forums on which direction to go with the car.

I'm not a mechanic but do work in precision cutting with Plasma and Water-Jet so will hopefully be able to fabricate some parts and would be happy to help others out if they needed anything.

Cheers

 

[Big Ben]

Welcome aboard Martin. Look for ward to some pics. Maybe start your own project page if you’re planning on doing a few bits

 

[Johnny 99]

Welcome in. Looking forward to the pictures.

 

[Beany]

Welcome aboard .... needs pictures

 

[Foxspeed]

welcome

 

[MartyR]

Thanks very much, will try and upload some tomorrow and then you can shout at me for how scabby the alloys are . I’ve been reading for the how to’s over the past few day and the knowledge on here is great so I look forward to picking people brains and hopefully giving some of it back.

 

[Pav]

welcome to the club

 

[petercronin]

Welcome along.

 

[Jimmy]

Hi Martin, welcome to the forum!

 

[MartyR]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

I have uploaded a picture of the beast.

So since owning the car I have improved it mechanically as it had some issues:

Replaced the manifold twice, once with a salvaged OEM unit and the last time with a toyo sports one (as im tight).
The salvaged unit failed massively on the A38 and it sounded like a tank
Had all the springs replaced. (the fronts were my fault).
Required new control arms.
Various little jobs.

On going issues:

Fouling from the Toyo Sports manifold under load.
Scabby Alloys
Very slow Oil leak, which I suspect will probably just be a gasket on the sump.
At some point the bumper has been off and there is a slight panel gap now.

Plans:

Sort the manifold out.
Refurb/Respray the alloys.
Sort Oil leak out.
Either now exhaust system or just cut the centre box out, op the suggestions.
Lowering springs but not too low.
Bracing
Remap??????
New headlights
and anything else im open to suggestions.

As you may be able to see I have had a go wrapping the trim in digital urban camo (cause I can) and didn't do a great job (cause im useless) but I'm keen the get the car looking good as it is a fantastic little car and great fun to drive.

I would like to have a little bit more power at the bottom end so again if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

My other plan is to potentially fit a double din unit and think its possible by moving the start/stop, hazard, central locking into a fabricated panel that fits below the main panel but will have to have a think about behind the dash. Just an idea for now but want to get the important things out the way first.

Hopefully I'm not be too ambitious and I'm always open to advice and better ideas.

Cheers

Martin

 

[Big Ben]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

I have uploaded a picture of the beast.

So since owning the car I have improved it mechanically as it had some issues:

Replaced the manifold twice, once with a salvaged OEM unit and the last time with a toyo sports one (as im tight).
The salvaged unit failed massively on the A38 and it sounded like a tank
Had all the springs replaced. (the fronts were my fault).
Required new control arms.
Various little jobs.

On going issues:

Fouling from the Toyo Sports manifold under load.
Scabby Alloys
Very slow Oil leak, which I suspect will probably just be a gasket on the sump.
At some point the bumper has been off and there is a slight panel gap now.

Plans:

Sort the manifold out.
Refurb/Respray the alloys.
Sort Oil leak out.
Either now exhaust system or just cut the centre box out, op the suggestions.
Lowering springs but not too low.
Bracing
Remap??????
New headlights
and anything else im open to suggestions.

As you may be able to see I have had a go wrapping the trim in digital urban camo (cause I can) and didn't do a great job (cause im useless) but I'm keen the get the car looking good as it is a fantastic little car and great fun to drive.

I would like to have a little bit more power at the bottom end so again if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

My other plan is to potentially fit a double din unit and think its possible by moving the start/stop, hazard, central locking into a fabricated panel that fits below the main panel but will have to have a think about behind the dash. Just an idea for now but want to get the important things out the way first.

Hopefully I'm not be too ambitious and I'm always open to advice and better ideas.

Cheers

Martin

Uprating gearbox mount and upper torque arm bush to power flex items can potentially solve your manifold from fouling under load. Worth a look

 

[lewishunter98]

And they improve the feel of the car massively for such a small mod!^

 

[MartyR]

Where would be the best place to get them? Ktec?

 

[Big Ben]

Where would be the best place to get them? Ktec?

Ktec
Kamracing
eBay
Purple series are best imo

 

[petercronin]

Ktec
Kamracing
eBay
Purple series are best imo

Eurocarparts sometime have them too and gou could also check a place called rival motorsport, they’ll probably not list them on their website but they can get pretty much anything you want and at least price match other places.

Regardless of where you get them the price is pretty similar it just seems to be the postage that varies. When you first fit them there’ll be vibrations but stick with it as they settle down.

 

[Pav]

Uprating gearbox mount and upper torque arm bush to power flex items can potentially solve your manifold from fouling under load. Worth a look

this..thanks Ben

 

[silverclio4410]

Welcome matey