Great SS-Four rebuild 2010-2011, Thanks Wolf... (VIDEO update April 22nd) Options

[malpaso]

When you're done, I hope you have a picture of the underbody of your car on a lift. I want to see it all.

I will have it for sure when installing this but I'm afraid you will not see anything special since only one color is used for under-body parts = black. Sure I had vision if something like below



But my mechanic had different opinion and just black paint around

[HectortheRican]

Hey, straight black is still a lot sexier than dirty/rusty

[TRDGT4]

how cool it would be to have the white sumframe and be able to keep it clean would be an absolute mission!!!

[malpaso]

Hey, straight black is still a lot sexier than dirty/rusty

agree to the letter... that rust really scared me

how cool it would be to have the white sumframe and be able to keep it clean would be an absolute mission!!!

that is true... at least my mechanic has the sense of reality

Update for today (again small one)

The last part returned from sandblaster and now is being painted (in black of course )



I have also received note about some DCW parts for interior. I know... nothing I can not drive w/o but I like to keep everything clean . One of those beauties below already lie in the box at home



Unfortunately I'm not that lucky with custom shifter pod that should look something like below (draft photo-shop picture)



Should be ready in two days + a week shipping but now it is month I asked for it and still not delivered... Hope I will receive it soon enough.

This post has been edited by malpaso: Mar 17, 2011 - 4:04 AM

[malpaso]

Al last I can share with big update after loooong days

Tertiary target = suspension upgrade
This is something that was not originally planned at all. However since underbody was stripped once and suspension was last and only thing I have not touched yet I have decided for suspension upgrade. Let’s do all things right. I know it hurts (more money + another delay for first run) but suspension counts as well. So fill front engine support, rear diff rear support, rear diff front support with urethane, change endlinks, swaybar, and to install coilovers…



Unfortunately BC coilovers are not plug-and-play for ST205. Some welding was needed…



...however in hands of good mechanic result is perfect .



At least they are for this price good enough to deal with that . Now the list is complete. For last two years everything on the car is after upgrade:

- Complete body paint
- Brakes
- Cooling
- Engine
- Underbody
- Suspension…

Maybe interior should get some facelift… . But let’s not be that fast. Now let’s make new engine running at last!

[HectortheRican]

I can't wait to see this thing in action!!

[SwissFerdi]

Wow, big changes. I expect this thing to handle like it's on rails.

[malpaso]

I'm like on needles last few days because it is really close... Just looking at the latest pics I have feeling my next part replaced is exhaust



However at last on all four again! I almost hear it running

[TRDGT4]

looking great man keep up the good work!!!

[delusionz]

How many mm of tube did they leave on the stock strut?

On mine they left about 15mm and at the lowest setting mines still alot higher than yours infront...

What size tyres you running?

[makis]

Good job Martin !

[malpaso]

looking great man keep up the good work!!!

Thanks a lot! Words like this counts especially form someone who do not take his car as just "consumable part".

How many mm of tube did they leave on the stock strut?

On mine they left about 15mm and at the lowest setting mines still alot higher than yours infront...

What size tyres you running?

Honestly I do not have any details about cutting+welding. Job done by guy who did that already for his GT-four so just followed . I run 205/50 R16 tires (instead stock 215/50 R16) so diameter of wheel is for 5 mm less.

Good job Martin !

Thanks makis. Now after almost 3/4 a year I pray only for successful quick end

[presure2]

EPIC!!
great work by you and your mechanic, martin, cant wait to see it all finished up!

[SwissFerdi]

^ I agree with that.

Out of curiousity, why are you running 5 MM less?

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Mar 25, 2011 - 10:28 AM

[malpaso]

EPIC!!
great work by you and your mechanic, martin, cant wait to see it all finished up!

Thank you Manny. My role is more "money-box" or "manager" that mechanic... According to Wolf my knowledge of rebuilding the engine is joky .

...Out of curiousity, why are you running 5 MM less?

it is no purpose... it is just a consequence I have wanted narrow tires (since ST205 is like tank w/o a chance to spin as you remember ) to lower price (the are cheper because they are more common) and lower consumption (less rolling-resistance force). So no point to have 5mm less diametr of wheel. It is just consequense of using more narrow tire on the same size of wheel (215/50 R16 vs 205/50 R16).

Last news for today... here is one picture from mapping so...

IT IS ALIVE!!!

[SwissFerdi]

it is no purpose... it is just a consequence I have wanted narrow tires (since ST205 is like tank w/o a chance to spin as you remember ) to lower price (the are cheper because they are more common) and lower consumption (less rolling-resistance force). So no point to have 5mm less diametr of wheel. It is just consequense of using more narrow tire on the same size of wheel (215/50 R16 vs 205/50 R16).

Ah, makes sense.

Funny that you say that though, seeing as you were down on power before the rebuild...I bet you'll notice the difference now!

[Urputus]

It's good to know that the project is approaching its finish.

I hope the engine will run soon, so that I can see your car live

[delusionz]

...Out of curiousity, why are you running 5 MM less?

it is no purpose... it is just a consequence I have wanted narrow tires (since ST205 is like tank w/o a chance to spin as you remember ) to lower price (the are cheper because they are more common) and lower consumption (less rolling-resistance force). So no point to have 5mm less diametr of wheel. It is just consequense of using more narrow tire on the same size of wheel (215/50 R16 vs 205/50 R16).

In addition, And it may be different over there in Europe but here in New Zealand since Bridgestone dropped the GIII range in favour of Potenza, they no longer produced a 215/50R16 and the only tyre available in that size that I've found doesn't have a high enough load rating for the GT4 weight. Unfortunately this only leaves is with options 205/50/16, 215/55/16, 225/50/16 and 225/45/16 the only choice is to go up to a 17" wheel to get 215/45/17 which is a near perfect match in rolling diameter to the stock 215/50/16, but that also cripples us because its very difficult to find 5x100 wheels with the right offset to clear the gt4 brakes and clear the springs of the lowered suspension (the lower strut height increases the camber negativity as the pivot point cant change when theres no adjusting nut on the rear swingarm.) In my case I'm running 225/50ZR16 with 15mm spacers at the rear so the tyres dont rub the springs.

[malpaso]

...
Funny that you say that though, seeing as you were down on power before the rebuild...I bet you'll notice the difference now!

My mechanic said the same thing .

It's good to know that the project is approaching its finish.

I hope the engine will run soon, so that I can see your car live

IT IS ALIVE means engine is already running (see vid on youtube)

In addition, And it may be different over there in Europe but here in New Zealand since Bridgestone dropped the GIII range in favour of Potenza, they no longer produced a 215/50R16 and the only tyre available in that size that I've found doesn't have a high enough load rating for the GT4 weight. Unfortunately this only leaves is with options 205/50/16, 215/55/16, 225/50/16 and 225/45/16 the only choice is to go up to a 17" wheel to get 215/45/17 which is a near perfect match in rolling diameter to the stock 215/50/16, but that also cripples us because its very difficult to find 5x100 wheels with the right offset to clear the gt4 brakes and clear the springs of the lowered suspension (the lower strut height increases the camber negativity as the pivot point cant change when theres no adjusting nut on the rear swingarm.) In my case I'm running 225/50ZR16 with 15mm spacers at the rear so the tyres dont rub the springs.

Wow... that is unbelievable. I would not be able to run on 17" (with Superstrut Suspension) on CZ roads at all. They are so horrible I would be like shake after few miles .

[Urputus]

IT IS ALIVE!!!

Aaaaah, GREAT!
I'm packing my suitcases to Italy