My 3B Coupe project - Total rebuild

[AndyP]

Project is still alive, I've just not done much lately. The next step is to fit the 6 speed gearbox, I have the subframe shot blasted and painted with new bushes fitted. I just need to get a set of Powerflex wishbone bushes and one forged wishbone, then I can get everything fitted and finally get the wheel alignment sorted. It might actually drive like it's supposed to do then.
After spending all day working on Jamo's I think I've found the motivation I need to get going on this again, so expect to see some progress over the next few weeks, and I'll be expecting the same from you too Stu

[AndyP]

Finally got round to doing some work on the old bus, I dropped the rear subframe and removed the alloy subframe mounts that I fitted last year as I didn't get on with them. Replaced them with std rubber bushes from quattro corner. Also fitted new rear droplinks and a Whiteline RARB, bought from the unmentionable place in Lincoln.





I've just been for a quick test drive and whilst theres too much snow to get any meaningfiull feedback on the ARB the bushes feel loads better, much less noise and vibration transmitted into the chassis.

[newsh]

Nice one, yeah those ally SF bushes are not for everyone

Shame to see it dirty under there, seems only yesterday it was all clean and shiney are you thinking of spraying with wax?

[Jamo]

Nice one Andy, check the carpet under your car. You like working in comfort!

[AndyP]

Nice one Andy, check the carpet under your car. You like working in comfort!

Makes a huge difference compared to laying on freezing concrete all afternoon

[s2_bo]

Nice to see the progress Andy! Carpet in the garage is just luxury.

[AndyP]

Spent most of the weekend overhauling the suspension again! I didn't get on with the Koni adjustable shocks, they were too harsh for the roads round here, so they came off and were replaced with OE spec Sachs-Boge dampers from quattro corner.



I'm getting really p***ed off with replacing the top mounts on this thing, I think I've done around 10K in this and I'm now on my FOURTH set of top mounts. I've tried cheap ones from GSF, greens, blues and these are now 034 street density, we'll see how they last.
Also got all the parts together for the 6 speed conversion



Once I get this fitted it's off for a proper wheel alignment job.

[Rusty]

You might have to mod the driver's side gearbox mount to fit it with the SM FW. Boge Turbo are good stuff, good price? Sheffield roads are pretty appauling IIRC.

[AndyP]

Well the gearbox and front subframe are now fitted, I was thinking of doing this at home on axle stands but knowing what I now know that would have been a huge mistake, a ramp is really a must for this job. So a massive thanks to Brian Tonks for helping me with this and to Bry for buying biscuits and cakes

Start of the day, 8am


Old gearbox ready for removal


Downpipe off, that downpipe to turbo nut is a right ba****d


New subframe ready to go on


Gearbox out


This is all the pics I got as it took longer than expected and I wanted to get on with it. Everything went relativly smoothly, except the imfamous downpipe removal which took about an hour, and having to modify the clutch hose to clear the shift linkage.
Oh and me putting the wishbones on the wrong sides Sorry!

[Big Lee M]

Nice work! Can't wait to see this at one of the Leeds meets!!!!!! Wish I had the talent, money and time.

[AndyP]

Been using my new shot blasting cabinet this weekend and managed to get most of the engine bracketry blasted and painted



Also picked up my wheels from the polishers



I'm going to get the centres painted Pearl blue to match the car.

[A80Avant]

no no!!!
not pearl blue..do the decent thing and leave them silver!

[lind4hl]

i think you should go for it it´s gonna look awesome

[Bedtimebear]

Pearl blue should work ok, look forward to seeing the finished pictures

[AndyP]

Since the last update when I fitted the front subframe and six speed gearbox the car has finally been for a full four wheel alignment at quatronics and it’s transformed the handling of the car. They use the latest Beissbarth alignment gear and it’s really accurate, I was amazed at how many different inputs it ‘looked’ at to set the alignment and it probably took as long to set up as it did to adjust everything.
Since helping Jamo with his engine and then seeing that he’s got it started I decided to have a real push and get mine done too.
This was the final part of changes to the block, machining the hole in the rear face to fit the coolant pipe.

With that done I could get the block painted

Cam cover shot blasted

Painted

Finished


I’m going to get on with the build tomorrow so by the end of the weekend I should have another update
The car has also been up to Rob’s ( GT500) to get a quote for repairing the rear wheel arch ( it’s full of filler and rust ) and repainting the drivers door, so that should be done soon. I’m just getting these parts done now to get it looking respectable for the summer, then hopefully next winter it’ll have a full respray.