My EVO IX GT Update

[invisible]

Hi All,
For those that know me when I used to be a more active member and attended the odd show or 2 I took my Evo off the road about 15 months ago as had a few niggles and to be honest as other events took over and I started plodding around in my daily months passed very quickly!

Good news is I have finally decided to get the niggles sorted and bring it back out to play again.

Decided if you want a job doing properly you might as well pay the experts to do it quickly rather than me spending spare weekends for months on end scratching my head so its going into NR Autosports on Sat 20th April and they are going to have it for the week or two and do the following;

1. Full Service - All fluids + Belts (not due until next service but as it's been standing around and the car is old for it's low mileage worth doing now) + probably do plugs too.
2. Investigate the notchy 2nd and 5th gears (got a feeling this is going to be the expensive bit!). I'm hoping it's just fresh oil that's needed but not convinced.
3. Investigate whinning noise at speed (could be transfer box)
4. Check whistling noise (dump valve / Turbo)
5. Replace the exhanust manifold with a standard polished and ported one I have had sitting around for 2 years now! (Car still riding the cheap ebay one that came on it when I bought it and has cracks welded over)
6. Sort out problem with engine cooling fan (only the AC fan comes on at the moment when the engine gets hot)
7. Check if anything draining the battery as it tends to go flat quite quickly but that's probably more to do with me not using it)
8. Check the fuel pump+wiring as had the odd intermittent problem in past
9. Wire rear fog into reverse light so I can lose the one hanging down from rear bumper
10. MOT

I have set aside a few grand for this project. If the gearbox needs to come out and be rebuilt then a big slice of the budgets gone. If not and a more simple fix then I will lay out for them to remap it, set car up with fast road alignment and maybe see what else I can squeeze in.

I named my EVO 'Eleanor' after the Shelby in Gone in 60 seconds so I am sure they will find one or two other areas that need attention too but will see.

Will keep you posted and look forward to getting to a few meets over the coming 'summer' months

PS. I've still got the 8-man tent for the shows

 

[invisible]

Car dropped off with NR at the weekend

Now holding my breathe waiting for the calls to come in and tell me what needs sorting!

I think Nic said his guys couldn't start to work on it until Wednesday so updates later in the week.

He did have a quick look around on Saturday morning and confirm a few of my concerns to be correct;

1. The fuel pump has been hardwired, not necessarily a problem but they have wired it incorrectly so it races all the time! - He will sort
2. Some of the gauge wiring a bit suspect - He will tidy this up and has also talked me into a single digital gauge in pillar pod and a relocate of AVC-R to under the stereo. (use AVC-R for boost, single dual gauge for pressures

Fingers crossed not too much to sort on gearbox/tansfer box and turbo!

Will update as week goes on

 

[martinthegooner]

Good luck,hope you don't get any bad news.

 

[invisible]

Small update so far having spoke to Nic @ NR this morning. Jobs done so far;

• Exhaust Mani fitted along with a standard heatshield they had lying around (I might put a bling one on later)

• Pipe work was a mess apparently - bit of a cowboy job (further evidence I was smoke screened when buying!). In short vaccum hoses replaced, pipework refitted and properly blocked off as necessary (clearly an upside down lucozade bottle top isnt the correct way!)

• Aftermarket wastegate poorly fitted and ill functioning - been replaced

• HKS DV not working properly - been replaced

• A few general service items - done

• Rear brake discs corroded - replaced

• A little tweak to alignment

• wiring to dials was poor - been cleaned up and redone.

• Fog wiring done

They have road tested and played with a few maps, turbo seems to pull well but still can't work out where the whistling is coming from on idle revving and release.
Possibility turbo maybe hybrized? Also maybe a little weak but think still life in it as we speak - more investigation to follow

Not looked at gearbox yet - slight notch in 2nd is not uncommon from cold and will probably be unnoticeable once they change oil anyway. Yet to check 5th - will road test again later and confirm.

Still to check diff and transfer box with their 'listening' gear

Looks like my kitty for a few nice to haves has eroded away

Their MOT guy is away this week and early next so I will need to wait another week or two before collecting and all jobs complete so unlikely will get back for bank holiday weekend

 

[invisible]

Spoke to Nick at NR today - more problems!

Will be next weekend if I am lucky to pick up.

Fuel pump was wired into the live feed for the radio!!
Fixed that and connected up properly, didnt start. (correct connectors corroded so fitted new ones and now starts and is wired as it should be.

Short road test, still strange noises but still looking into this but came back to find coolant pissing out. Radiator has a crack in it - new one ordered.

Next week MOT will be done, then it's time to check out the gearbox and see whatelse they can find!!

Looks like the extras I was hoping for will have to wait

 

[supamario666]

Spoke to Nick at NR today - more problems!

Will be next weekend if I am lucky to pick up.

Fuel pump was wired into the live feed for the radio!!
Fixed that and connected up properly, didnt start. (correct connectors corroded so fitted new ones and now starts and is wired as it should be.

Short road test, still strange noises but still looking into this but came back to find coolant pissing out. Radiator has a crack in it - new one ordered.

Next week MOT will be done, then it's time to check out the gearbox and see whatelse they can find!!

Looks like the extras I was hoping for will have to wait

Not the best news in the world mate really but could be alot worse after having it stood for so long! That's what scare's me about mine and not driving it enough:sad:

 

[B6lee]

Fuel pump wired into stereo.... That's a new one lol

 

[invisible]

Fuel pump wired into stereo.... That's a new one lol

Yep spliced the live feed from the stereo but all sorted now and hoping they don't find anymore as longing to get it back and give it some stick!

 

[invisible]

Not the best news in the world mate really but could be alot worse after having it stood for so long! That's what scare's me about mine and not driving it enough:sad:

Agree bud but been in a garage away from the elements so was less worried although I think the rear discs corroded as used to pop it out on the drive, clean and put it back! lol

It's just evidence that previous owner(s) were cowboys or couldnt be asked to get someone to do the jobs properly

 

[gooner8]

well i think your in good hand's there and when she's back you can be sure its all done right. Then you can start enjoying it again!

 

[invisible]

Progress Update -

Gearbox and transferbox off and 5th Synchro replacement in progress.

One bit of good news out of all this is the car has a Exedy Twin Plate Clutch -nice surprise

If rebuild goes well the following will happen this week too;
- Full test on turbo
- NR Autosport map (live road map)
- Springs
- Fast road setup

Here's counting down the days.

They think my noise at speed could be down to the aftermarket wing mirrors -apparently had this before on another car!

They still not sure on turbo whistle currently as cant find any leaks and the turbo is pulling boost (possibility the turbo has been hybridized)

All being well hoping to pick up this weekend!

 

[fq-craigus]

Glad to see you getting it all sorted pal, we all missed you at the shows last year, you comin along to any this year? Jap show is soon

 

[invisible]

Glad to see you getting it all sorted pal, we all missed you at the shows last year, you comin along to any this year? Jap show is soon

Hoping to come along for end of June one

 

[invisible]

One bit of good news out of all this is the car has a Exedy Twin Plate Clutch -nice surprise

Should have known - Nick been on phone to me - Exedy Twin plate is on last legs so needs replacing!!

Previous owner must have been launching this for England to wear that out!

Digs hand deeper in pocket to see if any cash left! :shock:

At least if I sell it the new owner will know it has been completely checked top to bottom with every component serviced and or replaced!

Lets hope next call is to say car ready for collection and not that they have found something else!

 

[xiii]

Feel for you mate. It is never ending but i know we will see you at japshow and joining our convoy

 

[Tom2741]

This is taking a lot of tlc mate do good on ya for forking out on doing things properly!

Hope the car comes back in tip top form.

Our 4 has an 80 series with gt30r internals and makes a whistle kinda noise. Best ways to tell are, when you turn it off you'll hear the turbo wind down and if you take off the inlet pipe n spin the impella it will keep spinning freely on its own for a few seconds.

Good luck with getting it back soon.

 

[foxy lady x]

Should have known - Nick been on phone to me - Exedy Twin plate is on last legs so needs replacing!!

Previous owner must have been launching this for England to wear that out!

Digs hand deeper in pocket to see if any cash left! :shock:

At least if I sell it the new owner will know it has been completely checked top to bottom with every component serviced and or replaced!

Lets hope next call is to say car ready for collection and not that they have found something else!

I had an exedy twin plate - lasted me 6 months :razz: but as you all know I eat through clutches like paper :cry::cry:

The one I have in now though seems to be lasting, without tempting fate

But at least you seem to be making progress though, it was the jap show we last saw you bk in 2011

 

[stu's_evo]

Just replace the plates on the exeedy. I had a twin on my 550 BHP skyline and after 2 years was still near as new. I launched it but not too regularly

 

[invisible]

This is taking a lot of tlc mate do good on ya for forking out on doing things properly!

Hope the car comes back in tip top form.

Our 4 has an 80 series with gt30r internals and makes a whistle kinda noise. Best ways to tell are, when you turn it off you'll hear the turbo wind down and if you take off the inlet pipe n spin the impella it will keep spinning freely on its own for a few seconds.

Good luck with getting it back soon.

Cheers - that's useful to know

 

[invisible]

Just replace the plates on the exeedy. I had a twin on my 550 BHP skyline and after 2 years was still near as new. I launched it but not too regularly

Agree but my spend on it so far is massive, the plates for the twin plate more than an Helix Organic so gone cheaper option for now. Will look at the condition of it when I pick it up as may well keep as spares for next time