Skypilots build in brissy [Archive] - Excel Rally Series Forum

Lucky67

14-08-2007, 07:05 AM

Good work so far. Great pics.

We share a common interest, first you pop up on OzClubbies and now you are here. There are a few of us NSW with the Clubbie/Excel disease. hey Fazza !!

One thing to think about with the Bond cage. Although Pete did the first one in the shop, if we ever get to build the 2nd Hyundai factory car we will push the B pillar hoop further back to the rear of the car and give it some extra tagging to the B pillar.

This gives much more options for seating positions for both driver and nav. Espcially the nav seat as you can push them back and then down behind the brace going across the car under where the front of the normal seat would seat. Gets the weight back and low. On Fazza's car the nav is bearly visible over the door and getting up and out over the side intrusion bar is a real excercise.

Another thing, you may find that with that cross brace in the B pillar hoop it is actually too small to fit a helmet through. So when in the car you cannot just reach around and place the helmet in the helmet net. This requires going (send the nav !!) around to the hatch and getting them out.

skypilot

14-08-2007, 07:39 AM

thanks Lucky

Yep the clubbie is a disease, was up at morgan park last week in the mx5 and did about 10 laps in the whitepointer bella, aint nothing like a 4AGE on the limiter going past braking taxi's. mind you there was a new M3 and two lotus elise's they were pretty quick as well.

Justin

HMCA

14-08-2007, 08:00 AM

Wayne

Going by Justins Pics his main hoop is back more then ours. Ours sits on a boxed up section in front of the rear seat swab area.

I think where Justins is is where it was suggested we put ours on the new car.

But wot would I know- I'm just a driver with limited ability.

Mick

skypilot

14-08-2007, 11:40 AM

yes guys mine sits up on the rear parcel shelf. I have both of your photos and after talking with the Bond guys they suggested to go more reaward than that. But AND A BIG BUT Mick was right there is a heap of metal down in there. I used a 50mm hole saw and a very slow drill but still needed the good old hammer and cold chisel.
Justin

Mooa42

15-08-2007, 12:34 PM

Great pics and progress. Any idea how many hours you have spent on this?

My initial thoughts were to try and save a bit of money by building the cage myself with the help of a friend who has a bender and scalloping tool and has built a few off road buggies but I am doubting that I would save that much money compared to the Bond kit you have used, did it come with all the plates etc, (I am assuming it has side intrusion bars yet to be fitted)?

Has anyone done the price/time comparison?

Glenn

15-08-2007, 03:25 PM

Has anyone done the price/time comparison?

Yep....it depends on how you value your time. I did exactly what's being done here (Bond cage in bits), except it was our first time building a cage. Sure we got a great cage out of it, but the investment in time just wasn't worth the saving (maybe $1000) for me. We spent a few hundred hours on it....lots of head scratching time included.

skypilot

15-08-2007, 06:56 PM

Yep door bars to come here is the first half.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic134.JPG

I guess I did a bit of research and came up with several different answers

If you get Bond or up here KCF or Competition Fabrications you will not get out of it for less than $3000.00.

I discussed my project with Stewart Reid from SR automotive and Dave from Comp Fab as well as the guys from Bond.

At the end of the day there is about 25m of steel and at mates rates of $25/m that comes to $625.00. I think Bond charged me around $1000.00 all up which meant they basically charged me $300 to bend and cut it all up. Even if I got KCF or C Fab to bend it up for me the cage cost would have been the same as I can not see how you would bend it up in less than 3 hrs as a raw first time excel builder.
I have probably spent an hour all up on the phone to bond so I am another $80 in front.

As to other expenses i think I have used $70 worth of flap disks and say $100worth of mig gas and wire.

So for me I am probably going to save $1800-2000 but I already owned the mig and tools.

As to hours I guess I am up to 25 or so hours.

As to how to justify the expense vs time I guess I am a bit different in that I spend 10-14 nights away from home every month and as such my shed time is sort of like therapy.

To be honest I am probably being silly but I really want to build this car to a budget and try and run in the Pocket Rocket Rally Series and be competitive

So far it owes me

Purchase price 1200
fuel to get home 140
rollcage 1000
rollcage bits 200

If for some reason my cage isnt approved well I have still spent less than a fully installed cage and can start again.

Day off tomorrow off to the glasshouse mountains on the Husaberg Yahooooooo

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mainpic2.JPG

Have a great day

Justin

Glenn

15-08-2007, 09:12 PM

Yep good on you Justin! If you've got the time, it's definitely the cheaoest option to do it yourself. There's a real sense of satisfaction that you get from it too. You can't buy that!

AnnaR

16-08-2007, 01:10 PM

On Fazza's car the nav is bearly visible over the door and getting up and out over the side intrusion bar is a real excercise.

IMO Fazzas nav seat mounting position is PERFECT. I've been in plenty of cars and his is by far and away the best....

I can see enough, and I 'swing' into and out of the car... the intrusion bars really aren't an issue.

Just my 2c :)

skypilot

16-08-2007, 07:13 PM

Glenn or Anna would you have some photos of the seating placement

Justin

Glenn

16-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Justin,

I don't have them with me at the moment, but I will on Monday.

Anna's seat is a bottom mount seat that sits just behind the cross brace in the middle of the floor (if you know what I mean). It's about 2" off the floor.

skypilot

17-08-2007, 06:52 AM

thanks mate I am pretty sure you also have Sainz bars did Cams make you put them in,
any photos you have would you mind emailing them to

jjsinclair (the at symbol) optusnet.com.au

thanks

Justin

skypilot

17-08-2007, 07:38 PM

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic135.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic136.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic137.jpg

skypilot

18-08-2007, 06:43 PM

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic138.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic139.JPG

Latho

20-08-2007, 07:38 AM

Nice work mate! Hopefully I won't be too far behind! ;)

skypilot

24-08-2007, 06:18 PM

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic140.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic141.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic142.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic143.jpg

Hoop and dash brackets,

Hope you all had fun in Coffs

skypilot

01-10-2007, 09:30 AM

Dash fitup and hoop holes plated up

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic144.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic145.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic146.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic147.jpg

skypilot

14-10-2007, 09:33 PM

painted interior and going back together

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic148.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic149.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic150.jpg

skypilot

23-11-2007, 06:15 PM

Hello all

I am still here, Work has gone nuts at the moment, so I have been doing 14 overnights a month which makes it hard to get work done on the car. Louise and I and have moved into our new house, it took the usual time it move house but it took three solid days to get what was a rough shed into somthing reasonable. I built the shelves and bench top out of 25x25mm rhs and even painted the floor.

A HUGE THANKS TO MICK GILLETT AND WAYNE BAKER from Hyundai for my bits to make the car look like a car again.

My next step is order the seats and harness's. At this stage I am thinking Vello then its off for a spray job followed by the suspension.

I will be ready for 2008 but we have a baby due in three days 26th Nov so at least I can farm out the work a bit.

Justin

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic151.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic152.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic153.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic154.jpg

skypilot

04-12-2007, 08:55 PM

Well we have had a Baby girl "Georgina Louise" 7 lb 8 oz. Not much sleep so on day two of the girls being home I snuck into the shed and made up the harness plates. Not sure whether to tack or pop rivet them in.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic157.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic156.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic159.JPG

dazzler

05-12-2007, 08:07 AM

Congratulations on the birth :clap:.

and thanks for the detailed pics n all.

cheers

ernysp76

05-12-2007, 08:54 PM

Great news indeed your life will be changed for ever!!!:clap:

Noticed your lines under the car are still exposed if your not going to take them in the car I found a great way to protect them for free!! I went to the local motorbike shop and out the back you'll find the metal crates they receive new bikes in. There are great profiles that fit neatly over the lines with welded nuts for six 10mm bolts these trays fit the full length of the pipes and are of a thicker gauge than even the floor pan. Worth a look see.

skypilot

06-12-2007, 11:31 AM

thanks guys. I will chase up the brake line stuff.
i ordered 1 Velo Apex today to see if it will fit in the cage. Back to house cleaning:whine:

I hope this thread isnt too boring for people as I am just trying to post pictures that answer questions I have had.

Justin

matt mead

06-12-2007, 12:19 PM

I hope this thread isnt too boring for people as I am just trying to post pictures that answer questions I have had.

dont you dare stop posting :slap: its good stuff ;)

shows future people the transformation that is required from street car to rally car... and shows ppl that it all can be done in the shed :)

skypilot

08-12-2007, 10:01 PM

Look what I just won on ebay. :clap:

1 Whiteline 18mm rear sway bar. part number is BHR45. It came with Super Pro link bushes and adjustable link pins.

The price $29.95 and I picked it up 10km from home.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic160.JPG

skypilot

18-12-2007, 06:09 PM

Made up a fuel tank cover for the interior today

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic161.JPG

skypilot

21-12-2007, 05:46 PM

One of the new seats arrived today. I think I will need to wait a few years until Georgina can Nav though??

Seat mounts are next

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic162.JPG

skypilot

23-12-2007, 08:06 PM

Ok up to the seat brackets, went up to the local Alloy mob and bought 5.4 meters of 100 x 50 x 6mm for $128.00 and started.
I now have the height correct but have to work a way to put the bolts through. MSA and KCF use a nut inside the tube, Competition Fabrications use a crush tube . I am toying with the idea of using the MSA and KCF method see drawing attached as a crush tube is an exact science, and we all know that I am not even close to exact.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic163.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic164.JPG

Automotive Gadgets

24-12-2007, 10:00 AM

The method displayed in your diagrams looks good. The only additional thing I would do is to put gussets perpendicular to the end of the 25mm tube. Make a triangle out of 2 to 3mm plate. 25mm high to match height of tube 50 to 75mm long. The 50 to 75mm face would be welded to floor. You may need a bigger floor spreader plates. The other thing to check head clearance with the cage. I'd advise that you sit the seat in place on tacked in seat rails and with helmet on ensure your head doesn't interfer/touch the cage with you seated in driving position.

Anthony Edwards
0419 299 325

skypilot

27-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Ok now my seat is still to low so I have to raise the mounts again. As the Velo sits fairly low I need a spacer that allows the seat to fit between. Kelvin just came over and this is what I have come up with. I shall sit it all together tommorrow and see how it looks

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic165.JPG

skypilot

28-12-2007, 03:25 PM

made up the seat brackets, I added a couple of supports for the rail side, I dont think the tunnel side needs them as the rail sits on the tunnel. I am pretty sure I have the load paths correct in case of a side impact. Well they are in the same plane as Hyundai anyway. Next is the side welding and repairing my bewtiful spot welding removal.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic166.JPG

skypilot

28-12-2007, 11:48 PM

Sat in this and had a Corona tonight

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic167.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic168.JPG

anthony tanzer

29-12-2007, 08:29 AM

Yep,

Nothing like sitting in your rally car and having a beer to celebrate your achievement on the build.:cheers: Well, actually there is a better feeling :banana: but you won't get that until your first event!

skypilot

14-01-2008, 05:19 PM

You wouldnt believe it, I have just had six weeks holidays and I get a bloody sty in my left eye on my first day back, as usual the doc grounds you for a few days so more time off work.

Got the Nav seat mounts done on the weekend and made Lou drive up to Landsborough to visit Mr Coote to pick up the struts.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic170.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic169.jpg

skypilot

15-01-2008, 07:23 PM

Fitted the rear suspension.

With Proflex-MCA you need to drill the top mount out to 14mm and remove a spot welded section. I forgot to take pics of it but PM Mick G or I and we will tell you all about it. You also need to make up some brake brackets if you dont go the braided line way for the rear and you need to relocate the fronts, Mick has moved the fronts as well so I guess this applies to braided or standard.

The 18mm swaybar I was so proud of didnt fit as it fouls the struts. I have fitted the adjustable bits on it so its not a total waste. I wonder if you can bend sway bars???? (Note in May 2008 way after I orginaly wrote this and after much discussion I tried the sway bay again and it fits perfectly, it just hits the shock sides at full droop so all I did was adjust the links down as much as possible, i personally think the car handles better)Oh a word of warning when you remove the front struts you will need the strut tops. If you dont know how to remove the springs safely, get advice. All I do is put a jack under the lower arm and put some load on it (ie compress the strut), then undo the top shock mount 15 or 17 mm, then the undo the three 12mm strut top mounts. Gently lower the jack and fight like buggery to get the strut out of the upright. AT least this way the spring is not preloaded and wont blow up in your face or body.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic171.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic172.JPG

matt mead

15-01-2008, 07:25 PM

those shocks really are a work of art

Markku

18-01-2008, 10:52 AM

Dare we ask the price of those shocks ?????

skypilot

18-01-2008, 05:24 PM

Ok i will say that you need to ring MCA to get the the exact price but around $4500 will buy a set for the excel

talk to

Murray Coote
MCA Suspension
144 Lower Mt Mellum Rd
Landsborough QLD 4550

(07) 5494 8177

You get

Four shock absorbers
4 springs
4 aluminium collars turned to suit the excel
20 odd camber adjusters

I am sure that some of you will think I am nuts but my reasoning is this.

I gave a lot of thought and spoke to a lot of experienced rally and suspension people. from all over the place. I spent countless hours on the net and looking at cars.

I could have got an awesome deal through GSL rallysport or GSA with DMS (in fact I would have saved nearly $1500.00)

At the end of the day I broke it down to what I believed are the advantages with MCA as they applied to me.

1. Murray Coote answered all of my questions in an honest manner, in fact also praised the DMS suspension, he is an ex rally champion and stands by his product, he is also a gentleman and a pleasure to deal with. From order to delivery was under two weeks.

2. The MCA workshop is a 45 min drive from home therefore help is very close by.

3. MCA is around $375 per shock dearer but I also get camber adjustment with all the collets included.

4. Mick Gillett has MCA.

5. SR (Stewie Reid) automotive recomends and uses MCA

6. TRD use MCA

7. KCF Rally sport recomended MCA

8. Even one of the local guru's who builds supsension with Koni's said to get MCA as the roads are getting
rougher with the drought.

9. I think the car will be worth more for resale with MCA.

10. The build quality is very very good and the set came with instructions.

I guess at the end of the day we are all judged by our purchases but to be honest DMS or MCA is very cheap for what you get in my view. In fact if you price a lift kit for a cruiser you might get a shock.

This was why I built own roll cage as well as making my own seat mounts just to save the money so to afford the seats and suspension, In fact I also worked eight days of my annual leave to help with the cost.

We are talking about motorsport here and I know a fast driver will kick my **** every time but nothing is worse on dirt than cheap equipment letting you down ( I am talking about factory suspension not DMS).

We spend thousands of dollars on our cars with cages, seats, paint and tripmeters but I just cant see the point of missing out on the single most important performance gain that is available short of new tires.

I know for a fact that at least three or four of the QLD excels will be running with MCA or DMS for 2008

If my tone seems defensive I do apologise however i am just attempting to get in before several of the more vocal members stick the barbs in :)

Justin

Markku

18-01-2008, 06:28 PM

Thanks for the honest answer, genuinely just interested in what they cost.
In planning to build a car, I believe in knowing all angles (cost options) before I start.
While I doubt I will have the budget to purchase MCA, it is good to have that knowledge

ernysp76

18-01-2008, 10:18 PM

They look great and it goes well for the Excel Series when people get serious about it like this, yep you'll get knockers for putting $4.5K of suspension under a $800 car but you'll also get knockers for putting a $1200 helmet on your head when you can get a rally legal one for $60! Its all about priorities. I admire the way yo have gone about your build you do have the advantage of having people that know around you to help. Here in Victoria three years ago I had to do it on my own, not knowing who knew things and who didn't wading through the bull dust out there at the time was very difficult combined with my enthusiasm for getting driving, probably cost me about $3000 bucks which looking at now I would have preferred to spend on better suspension..... current suspension about $1.5 money lost about $3k yep them's the breaks, well done again.

regards

John Ernst

PS Love the seats, I've got Velo's and they are great for the long rallies.

dazzler

19-01-2008, 10:46 AM

Your reasoning is sound Justin.

Mate of mine in the old 'G' days used to put crap tyres on his escort to 'save' money but put big bucks into his engine. Just didnt make sense when he left the road rearwards every 2nd rally :clap:.

Love the build and the passion:)

skypilot

19-01-2008, 11:32 PM

Seat mount plates and finished Nav seat mounts

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic173.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic174.JPG

skypilot

20-01-2008, 10:57 PM

Seats and harness's in

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic175.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic176.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic177.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic178.jpg

skypilot

25-01-2008, 05:14 PM

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

the car is now regoed. has mod plates and is fully comp insured for $400 per year,

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHHHHHHHH

taxisvw

27-01-2008, 11:37 AM

How did you manage to get a Mod Plate for a cage with non-removeable intrusion bars?
Great work!

Latho

27-01-2008, 12:12 PM

And damn they are nice seats!

skypilot

27-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Oh Greggles you know i have a delicate backside

JJ

MSA77

27-01-2008, 10:38 PM

taxisvw, ive lost count of how many cages ive built for road registered cars and i have never built any with removable intrusion bars and yes they all got mod plates , as for where the rumor came from about removable intrusion bars i have no idea , ive heard a few and even in my young age a get a little mixed up between what CAMS wants and what transport says, to the best of my knowledge and the last i heard from a previous employer of mine whom had alot to do with writing the DOT book on modifications was that you could have intrusion bars but they could not restrict access to more that one third of the door opening , as with most things government related you can get away with lots of things that are outside of what they deem acceptable and nothing will ever be said , but when something goes wrong they will throw the book at you in the end
quick example is car carrying trailers , i know a guy that over loaded his trailer and never once had a problem in over 20 years then one day it all went wrong someone got hurt and there was an investigation , it didn’t mater that it wasn’t his fault but it was found that he was over loaded and this was deemed to contribute to the what went wrong so they threw some books at him ,
back to intrusion bars the governments view has been that they make it hard for rescue services to extract people if they have to cut super strong bar work out of the way, so it was something they took on board to make it a rule not to cover up the openings with bar work but did allow the one third part

well thats enough of my bourbon induced rambling ,

taxisvw

28-01-2008, 04:38 PM

Thanks for clearing that up.
It's amazing just how far Chinese Whispers can go.
That does bode well!:clap:

skypilot

29-01-2008, 08:48 PM

Spent the morning at GSL/MSA, got a new exhaust, gave Greg and Nathan the tom tits,

I did however come up with my own version of a quickshifter, I got another shifter plate and raised the whole lot by 4" then chopped off some of the gearstick. I decided to bolt it all on rather than weld it just in case it didnt work.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic179.JPG

Curly

05-02-2008, 03:10 AM

Ah nice. We did a similar mod on our X2, using some lengths of aluminium tube and longer mounting bolts.

Ended up going back to a standard length shifter though - didn't like the feel of the shorter throw.

http://curly.ii.net/gallery2/d/34678-2/LCC_029.jpg

Crazy Dave

05-02-2008, 03:41 PM

Rather than shortening the gear stick, go to the other end of the lever and lengthen it as by increasing how much you push the thing forward you shorten how far you have to move it. You need to chop and weld in an extra bit to do this. My shift plate is also raised by some spacers to get it nearer to me.

skypilot

20-02-2008, 11:19 AM

anyone seen my excel I cant seem to find it in the carpark, its painted a boring nondescript colour

Justin

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic180.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic181.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic182.JPG

rob323

20-02-2008, 11:23 AM

Suffrin suckatash Granny! Tweety Rallysport has come to town!
Has your navvie seen this yet?:)

Latho

20-02-2008, 11:32 AM

So where's the window tint and fully sik wing?

Latho

20-02-2008, 11:44 AM

I found the 8th!!!

skypilot

20-02-2008, 11:49 AM

Rob I have tears rolling down my face in laughter from your post, I dont care where youre from thats funny:rofl:

Has my nav told you about the yellow suits and gold lame' boots yet.

might need to borrow you for a certain parade in sydney though

:potstir:

HMCA

20-02-2008, 05:10 PM

Lucky67

20-02-2008, 05:19 PM

Put some black sports stripes on it and it it the perfect Qld car, being from the Banana Bending state, it will look just like one :wiggle:

Seriously, it looks like a very tidy unit

Should make for a very colourful national pic one day.

Green's Cullens, Fro
Burgundy Faz
Blue's Mick, Haggers
White White (of course)
Silver Andrei
Yellow Skypilot

Col Vic

21-02-2008, 08:14 AM

Not forgetting Emma Cugley's Pink car

moxie

21-02-2008, 11:06 AM

Puddikat Rallysport! :rofl:

Yeah - well - about those racesuits Justin......we need to talk :slap:

but i think it does look fully sik mate!

rob323

21-02-2008, 11:39 AM

Dunno about yellow suits either, is yellow one of those colours that makes your butt look big??:booty: :)

Latho

21-02-2008, 12:19 PM

Ah, justin's nice neat paint job.... and I'm about to start drilling holes throught it! :D

HMCA

21-02-2008, 12:30 PM

Ah, justin's nice neat paint job.... and I'm about to start drilling holes throught it! :D

Greg

Remember to drill twice and measure once:rofl::rofl:

rob323

21-02-2008, 12:44 PM

Greg

Remember to drill twice and measure once:rofl::rofl:

And when the actual place you wanted the hole to be, is half way between both of them, that's when you use a die grinder to turn the whole thing into on great BIG hole!:rofl:

(Yes, I'm speaking from experience:()

rob323

21-02-2008, 12:48 PM

Oh Greg, I just had an evil thought, if the holes for the wing are symmetrical, put in on backwards :naughty:, but I want to be there to see the look on skypilot's face when he sees it.

Bumble Bees theoretically shouldn't fly anyway :)

Latho

21-02-2008, 01:32 PM

skypilot

21-02-2008, 02:26 PM

Just got back from GSL and MSA the wing looks awsome.
now I just need to decide on flap settings..

was thinking of this sort of thing

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/1020417154_fc60286a33.jpg?v=0

Greg and Nathan are very clever i am sure they can rig something.

Now stop sitting at the desk and get back to work

rob323

21-02-2008, 02:44 PM

To comply with Excel series regs, those flaps would have to be "non-adjustable" wouldn't they? :wiggle:

skypilot

21-02-2008, 03:00 PM

Ahh thats why team tweetybird will be going with the famous tigermoth type of flap, it adjusts itself by airpressure thereby making it non adjustable by us humans. "thereby meeting the regs"

taxisvw

21-02-2008, 05:44 PM

You mean like the turbo restrictors TTE had in the Celicas?

Crazy Dave

22-02-2008, 07:54 PM

You want to see a spoiler. Check out some of the photos of me from Coffs or the video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnDkr-4SfM
It occurs at about the 2min 53sec mark if you can't wait. It is adjustable to a degree.

Whitey

23-02-2008, 08:02 AM

this is what daves talking about
:rofl:

skypilot

23-02-2008, 10:06 AM

Bugger Rob 323 told me I should bet a bigger wing but I listened to Moxie ("apparently I am supposed to do that") and stayed with the small one

skypilot

27-02-2008, 12:57 PM

MSA foot rest

MSA sump guard

Wing fitted

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic185.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic186.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic187.JPG

rob323

28-02-2008, 01:31 PM

Not listening to me has no real consequences.
Not listening to Moxie on the other hand......:spank::slap:

That tow hook looks good for spearing cats with :)

And the sump guard will help when you have to go up and over gutters to get them :|

skypilot

11-03-2008, 06:11 PM

See I listened,

Here is the car after its first event. Man it seems like so long ago when I put the first post on this thread. All I can say is to give it a go and build one.

I started on the 1st of July 2007 and did our first rally on the 8th of March 2008.

The big hold ups were $$$ and time the usual story

I dont know the exact cost yet but its around the 11-12 K mark

I wont post much on this thread any more until its rebuild time or I discover something worth posting

Best wishes to all

Justin

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic188.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic189.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic190.JPG

Glenn

11-03-2008, 09:13 PM

Congrats Justin. Very impressive effort!

MSA77

12-03-2008, 12:12 AM

a huge thanks to Henry who past away the day before this event , for those who didnt know Henry , he was the forest ranger that ran things up Jimna way and went out of his way to Help us go Rallying and also served us our grog at the bar after the event.will be missed for a long time to come.

congratulations to Justin and Moxie for sticking to the ten skids and a beer policy

rob323

12-03-2008, 06:51 AM

Ah, that's where I've been going wrong.
I always thought it was "a skid and then 10 beers" policy.

Skypilot, congrats for bringing it home unscathed, and Moxie says that you have to progress and actually use 3rd gear on the next rally, either that or put an accelerator on her side as well :potstir:

I like your mug shot on the Pocket Rocket site :)

Vale Henry - His friendly smile and fully stocked cold fridge were always a very welcome sight after a rally. He will be missed by all. (Henry, say Hi to Possum, Colin & Richard for me please). Respect.

skypilot

21-05-2008, 05:37 PM

Small Tweety update.

I have made up a lightbar and Rob323 wired it all in

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_65848_4063.jpg

I also have built up a cheap support trailer (yes i know its ugly)

http://photos-328.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v236/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_54375_2749.jpg

I have also got hold of a 4 door SOHC car that was rolled for $100.00, I gave the engine, tailgate and dash away to MSA who will put it to good use, so far I have got the following spares boxed ready to go in the support trailer.

Gearbox
Driveshafts
Front and rear control arms
Front and rear hub and brake accessories
Power steering rack
Fuel pump
Alternator
Wiper motor
Starter motor
Clutch slave and master cylinders
Brake Master cylinders
O2 sensor (not sure if it will work on twin cam)
Throttle cable
Washer pumps
Every fuse and relay
Maybe the radiator (its rough and has to be tested)
Wiper arms
Heater fan
Two thermo fans

Its basically taken two days to strip and pack up but I think it may be worth it, even if I never use the stuff at least I will have a little peace of mind.

ernysp76

21-05-2008, 11:10 PM

Great trailer we had a similar one first rally with similar parts store now after two years; store of parts reduced to hubs packed and ready to fit (never used) alternator (never used), suspension control arms (never used), TPS, CPS and spare wire (never used) and variety of globes including nav light globe (used but it isn't genuine Hyundai), duct tape (used often) cable ties (used often) a cordless drill (to drill small holes to pass cable ties through). The most important things in trailer now is portable table chairs good coffee making facilities generator and lights. We take ramps and sheet to lie on to look under car make sure we haven't picked anything up on the way jack with large board to roll it on jack stands and couple of wheels.

rob323

22-05-2008, 05:40 AM

Maybe the name of the trailer should be changed from tanzerina to Tyre-eater!
Got some light truck tyres for it yet? :potstir:

We just got to work out a way to put a cappuccino machine in the trailer some how, I reckon we could subsidise the entry fees by selling coffee to the other competitors, and maybe if we slipped some laxatives into their coffee........ :naughty: :|

Redwarf

22-05-2008, 01:11 PM

The rear door area also works great as a bottle opener.

Suggest small keg and taps on the side to keep service crew content after hours.

I have a few other constructive suggestions, but we can leave that until after Benakin. :)

rob323

22-05-2008, 01:28 PM

The rear door area also works great as a bottle opener.

Ah, yes, I forgot that you found that "feature" of the trailer.

Suggest small keg and taps on the side to keep service crew content after hours.

Yep, you're definitely on to something there :hail:

skypilot

22-05-2008, 09:53 PM

You both worry me, one day we will pull in and find you cooking a damper and drinking red.

skypilot

22-05-2008, 10:02 PM

Hi folks I spent all day in the shed and have found a couple of problems with Tweety.

1. On pulling the RH front wheel off it appears I have destroyed the Front control arm bush. on removing the arm I could pull the metal crush tube out freely. I put in our spare arm in but you need to be careful as the crush tube is a differnent length on the twincam vs SOHC, this just means you have to use the bracket as well from the donor. I will check to see if there are different part no's. there was only about 2mm difference but it would be enough to give play on accel or braking.

Oct 08 and I have had a computer wheel allignment by Keystar motors and they have found that the FR wheel is indeed 2mm rearward. so you can use a early control arm but only to get you out of trouble. You can buy the bushes from Hyundai but you need a press to get them in or out
2. I have decided to put the front swaybar back in and have found that my left hand swaybay bush bracket had cracked. That is the bit that the bush holder slips into. I got the mig in there and tacked it up but if you run the front bar just watch it.

Justin

anthony tanzer

23-05-2008, 07:29 AM

the name of the trailer should be changed from tanzerina The rear door area also works great as a bottle opener. So the trailer gets named after me, you bring it to the rally I organize, and then have a christening for it in the service park I provided and I didn't get an invite?:wtf::rofl:

Cheers Tanz.

rob323

23-05-2008, 07:40 AM

:whine: Be grateful Tanz, it nearly didn't make it past Gaynder on the way there due to 2 self destructing tyres. Come see us at Rally Q and I'll let you pee on a tyre. Will that help make you feel better :)

rob323

23-05-2008, 08:09 AM

You both worry me, one day we will pull in and find you cooking a damper and drinking red.

Yeh right :slap: There's as much chance of that happening as me finishing my echo this year :(

What is more likely to happen is that you will pull in for a service during Rally Q to find both of us enjoying the festivities and telling you to "do it yourself"! :rofl:

skypilot

27-05-2008, 07:38 PM

Got home from work today and decided to tackle the roof vents. boy did it take some courage to cut holes in my roof.

Anyway job half done. i have decided to go with two vents just to help out with our hot and humid rallies later in the year.

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_68851_7688.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_68852_8007.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_68856_1209.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_68854_8639.jpg

rob323

28-05-2008, 05:54 AM

Oh dear, Tweety has been ventilated :).
Now you can paint the top of the roll cage through the new holes.

skypilot

28-05-2008, 06:38 AM

yes dear:sick: already done

moxie

28-05-2008, 08:18 AM

oohh - you have been busy - looks awesome!

But great to see our Rally Q service crew are already planning anarchy! hahaha

skypilot

28-05-2008, 11:11 AM

job finished. I used a bead of silastic and used 4mm alloy strips on the inside of the roof, (Thanks to Stephen Page for the advice)

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_69147_4417.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_69149_5134.jpg

Redwarf

28-05-2008, 03:23 PM

I'm a big fan of roof vents.

The best mod you'll ever do. :)

skypilot

28-05-2008, 03:41 PM

And yes just to ADMIT I AM WRONG

To

Dwarf
Rob323

You were both correct at Kalpowar !!! :spank:the switch I had for the zero on the terratrip was wrong.

for all you other electrical challenged idiots like me you need a switch that earths or joins on pressing not a stoplight switch like I had. Infact I got a free one from the cluch switch (for starting) off the parts car and it seems to work.

i just took the car for a drive and the vents work well, I just hope we dont lose to much airflow by putting the rollbar padding back in.

JJ

Mooa42

28-05-2008, 05:23 PM

i just took the car for a drive and the vents work well, I just hope we dont lose to much airflow by putting the rollbar padding back in.

JJ

I'd be interested to know if the air flow for the nav blows their paperwork everywhere. You may need some sort of diverter.

watty

28-05-2008, 05:26 PM

Just out of interest, where do you buy roof vents from?? Am looking at putting some in mine as dust was a big issue at EGS.

skypilot

28-05-2008, 05:47 PM

Vents from Cruisin Auto spares in Nambour QLD

Try Nikki or Dave at

Phone: (07) 5441 6411

cruisinautos "the at symbol"comcen.com.au

and as to the airflow Moxie uses a fairly small pad and the seat is along way back. but I am pretty sure that the cage padding will deflect alot of it.

JJ

DaveTrees

29-05-2008, 06:29 AM

I'd be interested to know if the air flow for the nav blows their paperwork everywhere. You may need some sort of diverter.

I have never had that problem in all the cars with vents I have navved in over the years.

If it's too cold on the nav side you can always just shut that vent, anyway !

DaveTrees

29-05-2008, 06:33 AM

Just out of interest, where do you buy roof vents from?? Am looking at putting some in mine as dust was a big issue at EGS.

Caravan or boat places often sell them cheaper than motorsport suppliers.

A single vent in the centre is just as effective at pressurising the car as 2 individual vents (and probably easier to fit, with the roof diagonal in your cage).

rob323

29-05-2008, 07:47 AM

Wow, so Moxie doesn't have to keep her foot pressed down on the switch all the time for the Terratrip to keep counting now. That will make rally Q a lot easier for her (and in turn, you).

Wrong type of switch eh, who'd a thunk it ;)

Now just to bypass that clutch switch :)

rob323

24-06-2008, 01:51 PM

Are you going to post any pics of the new signage that was put on the car yesterday morning? :potstir:

skypilot

24-06-2008, 01:55 PM

you, Dwarf or Moxie can, I cant bring my self to yet but you have my full permision

Justin

rob323

24-06-2008, 02:15 PM

As much as I would like to, I will do the noble thing and let you have the honours :naughty: (I haven't even downloaded the photos off the card yet).

moxie

24-06-2008, 03:02 PM

Go on Justin - Just do it!
Part of the whole DNF experience I think!
;)

skypilot

24-06-2008, 05:30 PM

The Good

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_83862_5070.jpg

The bad

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v311/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_139652_6830.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v287/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_83939_6463.jpg

HMCA

24-06-2008, 06:56 PM

The Good

Having seen the Bad its all pretty ugly!!!:whine:

Maybe all you Banana benders could get together for a :grouphug: and get Justins Tweedy bird back on her purch

Sorry mate

good thing is the wing didn't get damaged

skypilot

24-06-2008, 09:09 PM

Bad and Ugly in the competitors forum

Justin

Redwarf

24-06-2008, 09:19 PM

It'll buff right out......

skypilot

17-09-2008, 04:18 PM

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v311/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_135302_2675.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v311/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_135297_1213.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v323/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_150432_7711.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v323/55/96/1130672328/n1130672328_150433_8183.jpg

rob323

17-09-2008, 04:43 PM

Not a good move tempting the rally gods by putting that writing on the roof,

BUT HAPPY 41st BIRTHDAY anyway
:banana::cheers::hoot::finger.

rexxus

17-09-2008, 04:44 PM

Nice one :)

Looking good and yellow

skypilot

17-09-2008, 05:56 PM

Tahnks Rob .....41 years old yep whatever happened to cars with chrome bumpers, skin tight stretch jeans, skinny black leather ties and Group B farting machines driven by lunatics.

It was Zebra signs who put it on and as Marius from Zebra and Jeff from Jan Jones Real Estate are paying for it they get what they want. But I had to laugh when Zebra informed me that they only have 500 odd different bonnet designs left so take it easy on the crashes.

I know its all flashy and in some minds very w_nkey but for Hyundai, Keystar, Zebra, Allbrand and Jan Jones to kick in what they have I reckon the whole rebuild has cost under the $1000.
So if they want frilly pink knickers and murals of dogs bums plastered all over the car in crayon from a pre-school then they can have it anytime thay want.

Plus I think that they just put on the roof what you are all thinking :clap:

JJ

Crazy Dave

17-09-2008, 06:07 PM

Looks nice

MSA77

17-09-2008, 07:36 PM

[QUOTE=rob323;6979]Not a good move tempting the rally gods by putting that writing on the roof,

forget the roof , how about those sexy lights , i can just see the rally Gods parading around with those babies hanging from there neck

Happy 41st

skypilot

17-09-2008, 07:49 PM

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

there is a couple of 737's missing a few lights, thank god for Dwarf. hhehhehehehehehehe

ta mate

JJ

Redwarf

17-09-2008, 08:54 PM

All the best people are born in September. :D

Looks good. Lights are very sexy. MEL's will get cleared eventually.

Happy Birthday, and if you keep it shiny side up, and build a deck soon, you may even make 42!!

retrokev

18-09-2008, 08:24 AM

skypilot

18-09-2008, 08:55 AM

I used to work in parts so I would get a list from the panel beater and had to order all the bits, what was the final tally. See If I get it all.
1 Bonnet,2 front guards, windscreen, turret, tailgate and 2 doors.
Did I miss anything?
Are there any rails or reinforcing bars in the roof??

Here you go

1 bonnet
1 bonnet badge
20 body work fasteners
2 bonnet pins
1 windscreen wiper
1 steering wheel
1 battery (the old one leaked and died)
4 new plugs
2 front guards
2 headlights
2 indicators
2 mirrors
2 doors
1 window regulator (was broken in donor)
2 door glass (were broken in donor)
2 side glass (one broken the other intact but plastic bits broken)
1 winsdcreen
1 whole roof turret plus and A,B and C pillars both sides
1 tailgate
1 tailgate seal
1 rear wing
4 spotlights (these add $280.00 to the total cost)
1 light bar
1 maplight
1 rollcage padding

then you can also add
bog
paint
sandpaper
signwritting
paint for interior
flap disks
mig wire and gas

Then add

Wayne Daniels
Rob Dixon
Steve Andrews
Rob Davies
Carson Vella
Nathan Phipps
Rod Pattman
Terry O'Donnell
John Carney
Chris Ballinger
Jeremy Westell
Luke Page
Louise Thackeray
Mick Gillett
Darren Morgan
Nikki Doyle
Dave Gains
Peta Davies
Anthony Tanzer
Steve from Comp fab

Hyundai Australia
Allbrand Wrecking
Bright Lights Vic.
Penisular Paint supplies
SR Automotive
Competition Fabrications
Revolution Race gear

At no stage did I ever pay full price for anything and all I can say is Lou is going to spew when she see's my bar bill from rallying for the rest of my life

one again I am in awe of all of you who helped:hail:

skypilot

06-10-2008, 09:38 PM

finished Urbanville and had a ball.

I have done the powersteering rack mod and found it really good. See the tech forum for how to do it.

Couple of new things have popped up.

The back plugs under the spare wheel were hit by rocks and flicked open. So when you stick the front ones down do the rears as well. I think I missed them as they werent removed when I was doing the sound deadning removal

The Oxygen sensor loom gets very close to the RHS drive shaft if not cable tied properly.

I had destroyed a upper RHS engine mount two rallies ago and in the accident I forgot all about it. Thanks to Dak Dak Dave for reminding me at scrutineering :). luckily I had a new one to put in. I was amazed at how smoother the car was to drive and how much higher the engine sits. i must check the RHS drive shaft to see if it still hits. They are really easy to replace and hard to see if u/s if you are a numb nuts like me.

When we pushed the roof back up we accidently deformed the floor around the fuel tank. I have a slight weep out of the breather vent where the floor touched it when on a full tank of gas.

I have moved the brake pedal inwards toward the firewall, I couldnt heal and tow ( yes I know I should left foot brake and this will make it easier) beacuse the pedal was so far toward the driver. You will need to remove the heater ducting out of the way, behind the the glove box to do this. If you want to do this to get a better seat position do it at build stage. because its a hours job just to get in there afterward.

In tweeties case
1 remove nav seat.
2 remove foot mount
3 remove glove box
4 remove heater ducting
5 adjust pedal
6 put everything back in again

When Rob323 ran my wiring for lights we ran an extra couple of wires from the battery through the loom to the glove box area. At Urbanville our maplight crapped itself and even though it turned out to be the maplight rob still had a couple of extra wires to play with if he needed it so I think its a good thing to do.

The rear RHS taillight is filling with dust for some reason

thats it for now

JJ

rob323

07-10-2008, 06:25 AM

Found a decent map light yet:).

retrokev

07-10-2008, 08:46 AM

Check this out Justin.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HYUNDAI-EXCEL-PARTS-1994-95-96-97-Right-Tail-Light_W0QQitemZ260295665967QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4261 3QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Actually now I look at it, that may be a sedan light. You will find out anyways.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HYUNDAI-EXCEL-97-2000-RIGHT-TAIL-LIGHT-GOOD-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ280273983113QQihZ018QQcategoryZ 33716QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This one might be better

skypilot

08-10-2008, 08:33 PM

Thanks Kev, It is actually a brandnew light (roughly $55.00 from Mick on the parts scheme). i think there is some deformation on the sealing surface allowing dust in, dont know how it got bent:( ???????.

No Rob I havent I was sort of hoping you might find one for the Echo :) and we could all follow you.

rob323

09-10-2008, 07:22 AM

Bummer, there goes my evil plan of letting you do all the hard work for me :(.

Surely they can't be too hard to make? Some coat hanger wire, wrapped around a AAA maglight torch, maybe some blutac to hold it together, zipties and electrical tape for added strength.......By Jeeves, I think we're onto something here :)

skypilot

28-11-2008, 05:40 PM

Time for a bit of an update.

I fixed the map light by heading off to auto barn and buying a four light LED interior bulb replacement and used double sided tape to hold it in the old flexible light post. If it comes loose I will sikaflex it in next time.

Jimna was a very wet rally and when we got the car home I had a noisy water pump or alternator. (I used the old screwdriver in the ear trick and they were just as noisy as one another). After much discussion with Tanz (read much needed advice and prodding) I decided to replace the water pump first. Of course this means you have to remove the timing belt in the twin cam. Whilst you are there you might as well replace the belt as well. (Don’t forget these are an interference engine and a new belt is $40.00 or so)

All I can say is follow the manuals directions and it is an easy job. A couple of things you might want to consider

1. Use a new gasket for the pump (you will need to order it separately)
2. Get a mechanic mate to tell you how to mark the cam and crankshaft. I put the crank at TDC on the timing mark which lined up the cam and then also marked both in two spots as well
3. You can get the crank shaft bolt undone without a rattle gun but its hard work. There is an old mechanics trick that Tanz told me about but you need to ask him how to do it.
4. make sure you do up the crankshaft bolt really tight as well

The water pump was on it’s was out with seepage and a rough bearing so I am glad I replaced it, as it turned out I needed to replace the alternator as well. I used a reconditioned one from my spare car and it was a pain in the **** to get out as that car has aircon (extra thermo fan) and power steering. I ended up dropping the oil filter off to bring the alternator out under the car. Tweety has lots of room so it just dropped in the top.

So again you might want to consider that if you have power steering and the second thermo fan installed (aircon) to take a spare oil filter and oil tray if you need to change an alternator during a rally.

Finally the most important thing is to get a reliable, experienced and professional mate to help and ask advice from when you run into trouble. Poor old Tanz must have got 5 phone calls from me during the day. I might have got the job done without him but guaranteed I would have used the old belt, gasket or not locktited the correct bolts with disastrous consequences.

Tanz you are a god:clap::clap::clap:

anthony tanzer

29-11-2008, 02:56 PM

Gods are made from the likes of Possum, Ari and Colin!:hail:

Where as I just like to help my mates where I can or kick them in the gut when they're down.:D

Good thing you posted an update here as it reminded me to get my map light back from Al Griffin after Urbanville, that may have been a little embarassing come the 1st night stage (providing the prince of darkness allows me to get that far)

Cheers Tanz.

skypilot

18-05-2009, 11:53 AM

Well another four rallies on and i have discovered a few more things.

At Rally Q I lowered the car a bit more and the sump guard copped a flogging but I have dented my left hand rear control arm (forward one) so I will have to plate them after all. I knew I would have to but was just waiting to see how long it took till I hit one.

For rally Q I put in a new set of rear shoes, after recce the hand brake was diabolical. I accidently left it on for a few Kms and thought I had cooked the shoes. Being lazy I only checked the RHS shoes and they were fine. I SHOULD HAVE ALSO CHECKED THE BLOODY LHS. All through the rally the hand brake was useless and infact caused us to miss about 20 left and right 1's just because it wouldnt work. I remember looking at the cable two to one joiner at the hand brake and thinking it was odd that it sat at 45 degree's instead of its usual straight ish.When I got home I took the left hub off and found the shoes not adjusted at all. now I know that I adjusted them up ????? I got on the phone to Dave Gains and he told me to look at the adjuster lock, its the spring loaded tin thing. Guess what it was sitting off the adjuster. I have now bent it back to sit on the adjuster.So I think what has happened is that during recce and the rally it has unadjusted it self and closed the shoes up. I still had back brakes but the pedal needed two pushes initially to pump up the slave cyl. but of course I had no handbrake on the left hand side. So next time you see the two to one cable joiner sitting at an odd angle I bet you have not got even shoe adjustment.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/mypic168.JPG

You can see here that it sits even normally and it was at least at 45' at the rally.

I have broken another exhuast flex joint so that is two in ten rallies of so, I have new engine mounts so it must just be the big jumps:)

I also broke the washer bottles and ripped the washer motors out so I am going to mount a small one inside the engine bay before Bega.

skypilot

02-06-2009, 06:25 PM

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3913/22/118/734231407/n734231407_2225957_1785881.jpg

Photo by Chris at RedHot Shotz

Dirkvhp

02-06-2009, 09:15 PM

Woooooohoooooo!!!!!!!!

taxisvw

05-06-2009, 08:01 PM

And that's why you were faster on just about every stage than the Mirage Cyborg!:clap:

skypilot

01-09-2009, 05:01 PM

about time for an update

1. The fuel tank has had a couple of hits since I lowered the car for Bega and forgot to raise it again for Jimna. As a result the exhaust was split by an impact and was blowing hot gas on the tank. I know the tanks are tough but heat plastic and fuel dont mix.

2. Whilst servicing it today it had me stuffed why the thermofan was constantly on. I consulted the book of words and found out that anytime the aircon is on it automatically turns the fan on. at some stage someone had hit the aircon button and taddadattaa instand constant fan

SOOOOO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A CONSTANT FAN ON JUST REMOVE EVERYTHING BAR THE AIRCON BUTTON ON THE DASH. THIS WAS YOU DONT HAVE TO MUCK AROUND WITH HOT WIRING STUFF. How cool is that.

3. both my front shock tower strut top rubbers have started to perish so next time the legs come out I will replace them front and back. i think Mick said they are $7.00 each.

4. As I had to put a front new control arm in I decided to reconnect the front swaybar. Nearly all of the matal washers have worn significantly and it would only be a matter of time before one pulled through. Its probably not a biggie but if the top washer let go you might damage a brake line or shock.

5. I have broken two flexible joints on the exhaust in 15 rallies. I have got brand new engine mounts and the Exhuast is nice and flexible in its mountings. It might pay just to keep an eye on it as I reckon on they only seem to last 12 months or 1000km competitive.

6. One of the tubes on the charcol cannister split and was smelling a bit of fuel.

7. I was lazy after Bega and didnt apply chain lube to my shock body threaded section, having washed the car only the other day it was a pain to adjust the spring platfrom. My recomendation is dont be lazy and chain lube the things before and after every event.

Thats it for now

have a great day

Justin

skypilot

13-09-2009, 09:00 PM

Well as I sit here at my desk I feel very sad.

I have sold Tweety and he has gone to a good home. I am sure the new owner will pop up on this forum and continue on the work of keeping you all informed on the adventures and issues to be had in rallying a Excel.

All up in the time that I owned the car it did

15 rallies including two ARC rounds and the first Excel World cup in Bega
2 full on test days
1 Motorkahna (which the car won with Rob Dixon)

Tweety never broke down once and never DNF’d due mechanical or maintenance issues.

There are so many people to thank for their help and support that I don’t know where to start.

You all know who you are so if I miss one or two of you I aplogise and its my shout next time we meet.

Mick Gillett – Mick without your advice and help Tweety would never have even got started. I cant believe that you put up with all my questions and constant annoying banter. Without you the series would be a much sadder and more expensive place to be. You are a gentlemen’s gentleman and a nice bloke as well.

David White – Dave without you the series would not really have a voice, you sit away in some Asian hell hole wishing you were home in Oz and still find time to run this site, You have given a voice to over 500 members who have posted nearly 11,000 times. With out this forum tweety would never have been built.

John Carney and Col Hardinge- to the twins from Victoria thank you. As with all things in life grey hair and wrinkles are an absolute necessity when providing advice. Thank you to the two of you for your encouragement, advice and quiet coaching. You are both a credit to Victorian rallying and the gentle art of diplomacy.

To Tweeties Navigators, Peta Davies, Terry O’Donnell and Rod Patman, from the bottom of his heart Tweety thanks and salutes you.

To Stephen Andrews- you will look a long way before you find a finer human being, you know what you have done and all I can say is a quiet and sincere thanks

To Rob Dixon, unknown to many others but Rob gave Tweety his one and only event win and also put in many kms of competitive driving when I couldn’t make to a ride day. Rob also put in may hours servicing as well as advice about rallying in general. Rob works night shift yet is always there when you need him no matter how tired he is – thanks mate.

Anthony Tanzer- to dearest Tanz and my alcoholic Tuesday night beer drinking mate thank you, the effort you have put into myself and the series would not be believed by many so again just a quiet thank you.

Ed Williams – Quote of the year “Justin stop f_cking with it and just drive it” thanks mate

Gideon Street – Tweety will never forget the PRRS, we built the car for your series and the fact that you have helped with the Qld Excel series as well is just an awesome unselfish act, thanks for your advice and laughter.

Rob Davies – thanks mate without your help the world would be a much darker place hee hee hee.

Murray Coote – Murray you talk the talk and you walk the walk. Thanks

To the rebuild crew

Wayne Daniels, Carson Vella, Luke Page, Chris Ballinger, Jeremy Westell.

Thanks guys you are the best.

Adrian Dillon, Dave Roberts, Nikki Doyle and Dave Gaines, Stewart Reid, Dave Feron, Keith Fackrell, Margot Knowles, Alan Brown, Shaun Dragona, Nathan Phipps and Harvey Smith.

To all of you thank you for guiding a strong willed arrogant and loud novice through the pitfalls of losing my rally virginity.

And to my long suffering partner and best friend Louise XOXOXOXOOXOX

For anyone else reading this all I can say is that go ahead and build a car you will not be sorry, listen to the advice being offered but don’t take it as gospel. Do your research and you cant go wrong.

As for me well I will still be around, I will still check out the forum from time to time and I now have a new toy in the shed.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs203.snc1/7032_1219285558865_1130672328_709347_7195463_n.jpg

Yep I have gone the three diff farting machine route and hopefully will run it later on this year.

Please feel free to email me at justinjsinclair@hotmail.com if you ever want advice or help.

Thank you all for a great three years and my shout at the bar

Justin Sinclair