eiriksmil's cars

[eiriksmil]

Let's see..

An orphan came..

It's a mid 80s Charade G11 Turbo - interesting bit of history as this car used to belong to my buddy with the black GTti before he got that and now it's back to him. It has since been upgraded somewhat and fitted with a CB80, the GTti engine. The car does not start and has been sitting outside for years. This is not my car, but it's not like I won't have a hand in this I guess

Speaking of mid 80s grocery getters turning sports cars.. I went to Cyprus, drove the GTi 16v, attempted to have it state inspected (MOT, WoF, whatever you want to call it) only to have it dump coolant outside the inspection station.. It didn't pass..

I did give it a good clean, I need to find somewhere to store this..

Went back home.. Drove some cars outside

Because our neighbors at the garage were moving, and they had a great set of shelves we got

The plan is to 1) Sell some good **** 2) Throw bad **** 3) Give away mediocre **** 4) Get rid of all other shelves. This will give us more space and give the garage/workshop a less cluttered feel. It's amazing how much you accumulate..! 2017 is a year we elevate.

Onto the GTti, it was one step forward and 7/8 back..

30 minutes later

Installing the new to me injectors (RX7 NA) I realised the connectors were different and that the Charade guy I bought them off had a modified engine harness in his car. So he sent me that as well, out came the dash. Mid injector swap

Running the car on the starter after everything was back into place, then connecting the coil then.. Nothing. Realized one of the wires on the coil was snapped, so got that sorted. Then I noticed a leak, which I caught before getting the car started. Always run the car without EFI fuse or similar, or disconnected coil/distributor before a start up (either storage or re-build of some kind). It was a puddle:

And then, connecting the coil.. A glorious moment, the car fired right up. Ran at high RPMs so I shut it off quickly, need to get piping worked out, fan wired up, all the bits and pieces.. But a massive step in the right direction I have also (finally) ordered outer lips for the OZ Turbos so I will get them done as well.

 

[blueturbo]

Let's see..

An orphan came..

It's a mid 80s Charade G11 Turbo - interesting bit of history as this car used to belong to my buddy with the black GTti before he got that and now it's back to him. It has since been upgraded somewhat and fitted with a CB80, the GTti engine. The car does not start and has been sitting outside for years. This is not my car, but it's not like I won't have a hand in this I guess

Speaking of mid 80s grocery getters turning sports cars.. I went to Cyprus, drove the GTi 16v, attempted to have it state inspected (MOT, WoF, whatever you want to call it) only to have it dump coolant outside the inspection station.. It didn't pass..

I did give it a good clean, I need to find somewhere to store this..

Went back home.. Drove some cars outside

Because our neighbors at the garage were moving, and they had a great set of shelves we got

The plan is to 1) Sell some good **** 2) Throw bad **** 3) Give away mediocre **** 4) Get rid of all other shelves. This will give us more space and give the garage/workshop a less cluttered feel. It's amazing how much you accumulate..! 2017 is a year we elevate.

Onto the GTti, it was one step forward and 7/8 back..

30 minutes later

Installing the new to me injectors (RX7 NA) I realised the connectors were different and that the Charade guy I bought them off had a modified engine harness in his car. So he sent me that as well, out came the dash. Mid injector swap

Running the car on the starter after everything was back into place, then connecting the coil then.. Nothing. Realized one of the wires on the coil was snapped, so got that sorted. Then I noticed a leak, which I caught before getting the car started. Always run the car without EFI fuse or similar, or disconnected coil/distributor before a start up (either storage or re-build of some kind). It was a puddle:

And then, connecting the coil.. A glorious moment, the car fired right up. Ran at high RPMs so I shut it off quickly, need to get piping worked out, fan wired up, all the bits and pieces.. But a massive step in the right direction I have also (finally) ordered outer lips for the OZ Turbos so I will get them done as well.

 

[SVX]

Dude that Charade poster! Cooool.

 

[eiriksmil]

[...] I guess we will see 300k km/186k miles next year if we stay accident free and avoid large repair bills

And so it happened. Keep in mind this is km not miles so not that impressive haha.

The 2" 30 hole lips showed up. Time to build OZ wheels.

As mentioned last time now is the time to do a good garage cleaning. All the smaller shelves around the garage are going, only the new large shelves and my work bench is staying. More often than not I have the problem of the workbench being cluttered, ending up wrenching something in an awkward stance somewhere else. Also it's a little too tall and it feels cramped around there. Doing some work to the garage now to have an easier time wrenching.

Picked up some free wall cabinets for the garage. My workbench as of today

One of the shelves I found a year or two ago is already gone, drove it to work where we're ever expanding..
Did an oil change

Waiting for the oil to drain I built some more big shelves.. Need to secure it a little more before throwing more up there.. Also, making a catalogue of where I got all my stuff, should be helpful a year from now or so.

Also put up one of the wall cabinets. It is space for the other one on the other side of the heater/AC. Even hiding wires in the process

 

[eiriksmil]

More cabinets

More shelves

I have thrown on some getto hoses, just so I can drive the car and try it out a little. The bend from the air filter is actually from a Golf mk3 and a cut CV joint boot haha. Just the pipe from intercooler to manifold left..

Time to build these (OZ Turbos..)

 

[eiriksmil]

Got hold of piping, note the piece of Samco hose used to protect the alloy.. Never throw anything that may or may not come in handy lol. Had to cut the tube just a little bit to make it snug.

IMO this bay has turned out pretty well.. I'll change out the upper rad hose when I eventually find one.

A reminder of how it looked back in 2013, and that was after some work put in

To mount the IC properly I used a hole in the front plate which is good for nothing

Drilled out a bigger hole and held a nut in place

And welded into place.. Now I got threads..

I guess I could've cleaned up the weld better, maybe later.. I am not an experienced welder, but I have to say I'm proud because all this car stuff is self-thaught over the years..

We went to Denmark for a long weekend trip.. The Funcargo didn't miss a beat, and even got a little rest

I loved this pic and this place

I've put 6k km on this car since mid July, so in a month.. @Mike Rotch, I'm looking at you..
I heard a whirring noise coming from the bay yesterday, I removed the serpentine belt just to check and no whirring noise without it.. Meaning the alternator or water pump bearing is on the way out. Much better than being engine related..!

Something glorious from the other day.. My GTti moved for the first time in years under its own power. It ran rough, but no leaks and suddenly it didn't run rough.. Needs a good tune though.

 

[Mike Rotch]

That Funcargo is as strong as old boots! * I remain intensely jealous that you have your own garage/ warehouse to store all these projects and tools!

*helps that is has as learned a keeper as you though

 

[Katiegan]

I've put 6k km on this car since mid July, so in a month.. @Mike Rotch, I'm looking at you..

I've put almost 4,000 miles on my car in 2 and a half years...

 

[eiriksmil]

That Funcargo is as strong as old boots! * I remain intensely jealous that you have your own garage/ warehouse to store all these projects and tools!

*helps that is has as learned a keeper as you though

I hear ya, I'm lucky to have this workshop Would probably give up my apartment before that haha.

It's atleast a testimony to that you don't need to dealer service your car every year/every x miles in order to have a well running car for years.. I try to be up front with maintenance though and that saves me headaches.

So yeah.. Built my wheels yesterday.. 7J w/ 1" lip in the front, 8J w/ 2" lip in the back

Test fitting.. I'd done some calculations and I think I've done my math well enough..

We got to drive the black GTti, which has urged me even more to get mine done

All bolted up, just needs sealant and tires!

 

[GDII]

YUSS!!! Please tell me you will be using the Porsche centre caps!

 

[eiriksmil]

I will

 

[eiriksmil]

Got the wheels on

I have no words..

 

[GDII]

It looks perfect! Like they were made for the car.

 

[PASM]

Needs more (omni-)camber . Seriously, not bad. I personally don't like the style of the wheels, but that's on me. Very cool restoration though!

 

[eiriksmil]

It looks perfect! Like they were made for the car.

Thanks dude, they really did fit didn't they

Needs more (omni-)camber . Seriously, not bad. I personally don't like the style of the wheels, but that's on me. Very cool restoration though!

I can respect it's not everyone's cup of tea.. Eventually I would like a set of 14s or 15s with R888s or similar for spirited driving also.

So the Funcargo is getting older and the road salt wintertime will eventually kill that car.. I do like that car. I've been contemplating what to 'replace' it with - meaning finding a car to drive from October to March plus occasionally in the summer. The Funcargo will serve as sort of a summer daily, at least that's the idea and it will go into winter storage like the rest of the gang

I was torn on a few options.. I went with 'How much new car can you get for as little money as possible'. I have many good reasons:
1. It was cheap
2. It still has 11 months of warranty
3. It's a three cylinder, so it's like a Charade
4. It's trouble free motoring
5. Of course I'm not supposed to mod this car because of point two and four, but it's 4x100 so all my wheels would fit
6. There are also coilovers available

I give you, the Mirage

2013 Mirage (Space Star as it's called here), 23k miles. It doesn't scream car enthusiast and it's not a super comfortable cruiser but I can dig it..

 

[SVX]

I look forward to seeing it frame scrape in next week's update.

 

[eiriksmil]

I don't think we will see it scrape for a while.. Although I did throw some 17s at it.. I think it looks a little less sorry for itself.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Lots of these Mitsu's floating around the streets here in Sydney so keen to see how it evolves over time at your hands

 

[Punknoodle]

...Drilled out a bigger hole and held a nut in place...And welded into place.. Now I got threads.. ...

Seems like a very labour intensive way to get a thread. It works, don't get me wrong, but have you heard of nutserts / riv nuts? They act like a rivet but they have a thread.

 

[homeforsummer]

Would be interesting to see how the Mirage handles on coilovers. As standard it has one of the worst setups I've ever experienced in a car - no grip and so little body control that it can almost throw you off the road in a straight line if it's cambered or bumpy.

 

[eiriksmil]

Lots of these Mitsu's floating around the streets here in Sydney so keen to see how it evolves over time at your hands

Yeah, there are quite a few here as well, I know they have sold like hot cakes in the US as well.. It'll be interesting to see, I may have an idea or two.

Seems like a very labour intensive way to get a thread. It works, don't get me wrong, but have you heard of nutserts / riv nuts? They act like a rivet but they have a thread.

Yeah, rivnuts do work but if I can train my welding skills that's cool. Thanks for the idea though, good to keep in mind,

Would be interesting to see how the Mirage handles on coilovers. As standard it has one of the worst setups I've ever experienced in a car - no grip and so little body control that it can almost throw you off the road in a straight line if it's cambered or bumpy.

Yeah, the Mirage handles pretty ****.. Rear anti roll bar apparently does a lot for the handling so that's possibly a good idea. Having said that the 7J wheels did wonders for the grip and how stable the car feels. The stock wheels are 4.5, which is about the same as a Beetle...


Good thing I have a new car.. We were out driving today, just picking something up at work and that was that.. I believe the Funcargo has done its last journey.

Some dude rammed me, not my fault. I'm saddened by it but that's life.. I'd say the strut tower and frame rail area has damage, plus the control arm must have been torn off, or the ball joint collapsed atleast. I'm positive it's totaled, unless I try to convince the damage adjuster otherwise and still then I'm not really sure I would like to repair the car.

309k km/192k miles, driven all across Europe and into Asia.. 17 years old at this point, I've had it for seven. It was a damn great car.

 

[homeforsummer]

Ah, that's crappy luck. You've had a great run with it though.

 

[Katiegan]

Aw no! At least the Funcargo served you well.

 

[eiriksmil]

Yeah.. So I guess it wasn't over after all..

A more thorough update will follow at some point.
@SVX you can officially send the stuff incl the front grille.

 

[SVX]

Hell yeah dude!!!

 

[eiriksmil]

Basically sums up how I feel lol

 

[eiriksmil]

I was positive the Funcargo was over, but I had a few looks at it at the place it was towed to. Jacked it up, inspected the frame rail/strut tower.. It looked straight. Went over it a few times.. Talked to the insurance adjuster, told him this was no ordinary Yaris, this is a Funcargo that has been high and low, survived Nürburgring and has been pampered more than most daily drivers over time.. I guess it helped, I got a good deal and was able to keep the car

So we picked up the GTti

And left it at with my exhaust guy

Picked up the Funcargo located literally across the road

Getting the car off the trailer proved to be an ordeal but we managed to do so with just minor damages.. Both front wheels pointing opposite directions is tricky.. Just started taking stuff off, mid control arm swap.. My buddy I rent the garage with installed the new used control arm.

The Nissan in front is an e-NV200 van. I knew we needed a proper work van for work (duh) when I got the Space Star/Mirage. After all the Funcargo was going into winter storage for the first time, that was going to happen anyway. We didn't know exactly what we wanted, we just knew we were not going to have a Yaris.. Something new, with warranty. We tried electric, liked driving it, didn't like nearly running out of juice. Okay so if we get to the point we can have a second work van we can have one electric.

So we had a look at other vans.. Regardless of what we end up with we realised we needed something in the meantime because I have gotten used to having a van around for the past seven years.. Had a quick look at used stuff.. 252k miles (which makes the Funcargo a low mileage car), diesel, two seater van. Purchase price about 2-3 months worth of leasing on a new van. Better the devil you know.. It's rusty and will not pass next state inspection for sure.. Who cares, I'm having a hoot..

The Funcargo had a bent strut.. I had the Teins laying on the shelf so I threw them on and gave it the OZs to get some motivation.. I dig this car

Then my buddy collected the GTti again and dropped it off at my tuner's. eiriksmil would not be the same without this guy..!

Hopefully we will have the car on the dyno tomorrow... If we manage 180-200bhp on ~1700 lbs that's Porsche 911 Carrera territory in an old Japanese econobox I have more or less rebuilt myself.

 

[eiriksmil]

The GTti is now tuned and made 150 whp, around 180+ bhp. In a 1800 lbs car Maserati turbo, Sprinter intercooler, 460cc injectors, custom exhaust manifold and downpipe, Scorpion exhaust and Xenomorph ECU based on the original unit. Runs at 1 bar boost. Now it's just a matter of a few things to sort out before I can say this car is 'done'.

 

[Mike Rotch]

This is like the best thread on GTP. Thanks for taking the time to take and post pics of your car adventure

 

[eiriksmil]

@Mike Rotch I am sorry I didn't reply sooner. I really, really appreciate the warm words..! I really enjoy being able to tinker with old cars and I like having a place to share it too!

Not much has happened lately. Last two months I did work 60-70 hrs a week and we reached our goal at work. Kinda means a lot too when you and a few other guys have built the whole thing from scratch.

We got the GTti back to the garage.. Got some more stuff into place and wired up half the AEM UEGO, even matches the boost gauge and instrument cluster

Found a set of bumper rebars for the GTti, mine are pretty rusty.. One almost brand new and the other brand new/mint. Both with labels on


Pulled the axle on the Funcargo, it got torn in half at the inner CV joint when I was hit. Have one from a yard ready to go in. It helped pulling the axles twice in 2016 (first wheel bearings, then transmission swap), this time it went a little quicker..! You can see the metal right near the battery is somewhat twisted, but that is cosmetic and not structural in any way. Fun thing is, the silver Yaris work van has signs of previous damage the exact same spot.


GF's Audi A3 was dirty and nearly out of gas..


So she turned it into a new A3 Sedan. Two litre turbo, NOT diesel, quattro, DSG, 190 bhp. This thing is a hoot. I may pick up the tab for a set of 19" two piece Audi Speedline wheels because it deserves it.