Rebuilding a Tired Old GTiR Donor Car

[Signous]

I became the proud owner of a tired old dog of a GTiR in May 2014. I saw the ad on ebay and put my 325ci BMW up for sale straight away.

I always dreamed of owning a Pulsar but i didn't have much money or space for it, although that didn't deter me. So i found one on ebay in Newcastle. Ebay ad said it only needed a new piston which was supplied with the vehicle. Of course alarm bells were ringing... but it was a complete car and i didn't care! 3 days before the auction ended i sold my BMW for £900 quick sale and bidded away. I managed to win the auction for £850!! So after convincing my dad to give me a lift 350miles up the country to buy it and a towing company £230 to deliver it. I owned my first GTiR.

I promptly delivered it on my unsuspecting mothers driveway (unused) ...most of the time

Here we can see her giving the expected disapproving looks from the front door, but undeterred i continued to take pictures of my car

Take note of the dent in the pillar of the drivers door! I got pretty scared when i saw this paired with the broken off ignition barrel and mess of wiring underneath. The only explanation i have is someone keeping gerbils in the steering column and the RSPCA attempting a rescue. Any background on this vehicle btw would be a blessing. Because judging by the information to follow im going with it being a donor car.

You be the judge. (it only needed a piston)

First impressions can be deceiving

A little further stripping out before looking at the head.

OH BLOODY HELL CRIKEY!!

To say the least i left that day feeling a little overwhelmed, but do not fear, i still have the replacement connecting rod and piston (rod and piston from an s13). I've done a little bit of research and the normal sr20det and transversely mounted 54c/RNN14 are so easy to mix up. He obviously realized and jumped ship.

But this is my car now!

More posts to follow

 

[PobodY]

May the force be with you!

 

[Jon Olds]

Was cheap enough, I suppose. I have a spare head, if you need it. If it were me, I would have the sump off for a good 'looksee' before spending any cash....
Jon

 

[Thanos]

I think you knew it from the beginning.You need to check all the engine and build it with fresh parts.If you need any parts I have a lot of spare in my warehouse.Keep on .....

 

[fubar andy]

Looking forwards to the rebuild thread!

*puts kettle on*

 

[keastygtir]

looks like this will be fun!

 

[RAB-GTi-R (LDN)]

Hi bud. We all can see that you have your work cut out for urself, but never the less it will be rewarding once you have her driving on the road again!
Keep a look out on ebay, gumtree and the parts section on the forum for good bits for sale. Also if your struggling to find bits for your R, don't be shy to ask anyone on here. People have lots of good parts sitting at the back of their sheds collecting dust, and they probably will keep sitting there unless someone asks if it's for sale.
Also make a plan for the car with a budget and try forcasting for what parts you need next. I know many would say this is easier said than done, but without a project budget and forcast you will be broke in no time!

Chin up bud, the best is yet to come

 

[Signous]

Haha, cheers guys. I certainly have my work cut out for me

I've just come back from a year in AUZ and have spent a whole year itching to get my hands back on the car.

luckily i managed to get most of the gory bits out of the way like stripping the engine down etc before i left.

As you can see it was done in the comfort of the bedroom

I bought some new ACL bearing for the bottom end and test fit them with plastigauge but it seems i have a little too much oil clearance.

So, out of impulse i purchased some 0.25 ACL bearing's.

I bought myself a Dial Bore Gauge and Micrometer set which are waiting at the post office to be picked up. I'm sure plastigauge is a reasonably sound method but if i am going to need to get the crankshaft reground i just want to be sure!

I'll measure it all up properly on Tuesday when i have a day off and find out what's what.

I've also got all the goodies waiting to rebuild so as you can imagine Australia was an extremely difficult year .

So far the list of goodies are as follows:
ARP Headbolts
ARP Con-rod Bolts
Wiseco pistons
ACL Mains Rod and Thrust Bearings
Cosworth 1.8mm Headgasket (the machine shop had to remove more from the cylinder head than previously imagined)
New Nissan waterpump
New Nissan Chain tensioner pulley kit
New Nissan Oil Pump
Full engine rebuild gasket kit

... i think that's it!!

 

[johnny gtir]

A lot of people have had gasket failures using arp head studs the head will lift in time.

 

[Signous]

Well, that's a bummer! You reckon i'm better off with OEM headbolts? whats every ones take on this?

 

[Signous]

Was cheap enough, I suppose. I have a spare head, if you need it. If it were me, I would have the sump off for a good 'looksee' before spending any cash....
Jon

Appreciate the offer!! My machinist said the head in this ol girl was pretty badly warped, hes managed to deck it flat but i cant honestly remember how much he took off, i know it was a large amount. >.<

 

[fubar andy]

Well, that's a bummer! You reckon i'm better off with OEM headbolts? whats every ones take on this?

Yes, OEM are more than capable and safer to use than APR head bolts.

 

[Signous]

Getting my crankshaft back from the machine shop this Friday 12/08/16, had the mains machined to 0.25 oversize and the big ends are apparently well within spec so im gonna go ahead and plastigauge the ACL bearings i have and hopefully it will yield the results im looking for. Been working way too many shifts hence the delay >.<

Went and bought some 560cc Evo injectors that im hoping to use in the build as well. I partially sure they are capable of handling the 330-380hp mark in aiming for.

I've also been having cylinder head day dreams recently and am considering getting a slightly higher lift TOMEI camshaft set and spring / lifters etc. Worth going down this road?

 

[Fast Guy]

560s will be at the limit at about 360bhp, you'd be better off with bigger ones. 600ccs will do just short of 390bhp at 85% duty. 700/720s will give you more head room for when you want more power.

 

[Signous]

Been a little while without an update. Unfortunately work commitments took over as usual. But I have been slowly working away when I've had time.

 

[Signous]

Spent a few hours rebuilding the intake manifold. Came up pretty well, but the Evo injectors were a pig to fit.

 

[Signous]

The Gtir rods were a little too tight at the small ends which I didn't like. So I bought some Eagle rods, they were a much better fit.

 

[Signous]

Pistons in and new timing chain water pump and oil pump fitted

 

[johnny gtir]

Good stuff love to see shiny car porn

 

[Signous]

So I've completed the engine work. Tomorrow after work I'll be bolting on the alternator and p/s pump etc. I've had a little trouble finding the torque setting for the camshaft caps. I've been told 7nm, is this correct?