No cat in the centre on a classic J, just the downpipe...RCM make the quietest resonated centre section I've heard, I run a 3" variant and it is way quieter than my old 2.5" resonated Hayward&Scott centre

Looking very good there, Jay. I'm sure I've seen your motor in passing at Lakeside in recent weeks. Will stop and give you a friendly peep next time I pass.

Same boat as you fella, little bit's at a time loads of DIY and home mods and other very well chosen mods when cash permits. Been at it 2 and a half years now and loved every minute of working on the wagon and driving it. Keep up the great work fella looks great what your doing.

Thank you for all the views and comments.

Please guys if I do something wrong or you have better suggestions tell me so I get it right.

Well, I have amassed a few jobs over the last few weeks so here is an update.

First the sound system - no pics but my FLi components were not that reliable so I had a courtesy set replaced for me. I chose a pair of Phonocar components with proper crossovers. It was a horrible day so I did not take pics - but I will do when I do the rest of the sound deadening.

I went to the ESOC Geo Day at Skidmarques and had the wagon set up for fast road use. I dont push the car hard or drive competitively so I just wanted the car to be reliable, planted on everyday corners and be kind to the tyres.

Here are the results with a 25mm drop.
Before.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps444b5f6a.jpg

After:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps1d625e27.jpg

Also some shots from the garage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps710faff3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps9e9f44c6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...pse737d02a.jpg

I met up with Jason Wong yesterday to buy a few bits off him.

First was his Hayward & Scott back box as it's more refined and quieter than mu existing one.

I also fitted an STi intercooler and Samco water hose with temp sender.

Next plans are fuel pump, sports cat downpipe and then I will find a software solution.

Here are pics.

Need a little heat resistant treatment I think
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps64c409a5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...pse01ae84b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psbf393ef7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps14ca5755.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps4d01bde9.jpg

Oops. I almost forgot.

I get irritated with either too much or too little bass. I don't really want to be navigating the settings on my Head Unit regularly or especially if I am driving. I therefore fitted a bass level controller. That leaves my settings well alone and I only alter the bass level.

Before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps71b76de0.jpg

Bits
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps4145f625.jpg

After (temporary fitting hence velcro). I plan to use the spare blank switch slot above the head unit. I will take the control's casing apart and fit it flush.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psb913c667.jpg

J

The car is looking good now, glad I could help,

Looks like a fantastic project there mate. :) :)
I like what you've done with the oil pressure adapter!! :)

I use to have one of those bass adjusters in a car i use to own there a good piece of kit,keep the mods coming Jay,SJ.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm doing the brakes next, then fuel pump and drop links.

I will keep an eye out for an ECU in the near future too. I'm not sure I wan a decat....I'm not number chasing, but just to enhance the driving experience.

J

Hello all.

It's been a while and I sure have done some tinkering when I got the chance.

1. Water temp gauge.
I installed a water temp gauge as the OEM one stays too still for my liking, and I know temp can vary as much as 20 degrees between cruise speed and traffic. It does not match the Prosport Green ones for now, but it is accurate enough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps65185646.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...pse58cf33d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps08406abe.jpg

2. Secret switch.
Well, this was an impulse buy but lets just say it will deter tail gaters!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps3359a3de.jpg

3. As I have poverty spec GF8 (no air con / no sunroof), I wanted the car to be cooler inside and also to protect my daughter from the rays so I got the car tinted at Khaz Customs in Brentwood.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psb155f6d7.jpg

4. Not sure if I mentioned it earlier, but I replaced my OEM fuel pump with a Walbro item

5. Brakes!! I ordered a set of discs and pads (front and rear) from Graham Goode Racing as mine were all in a poor state. Also, my 4 pots were inefficient. To say it was a hard job was an understatement. It took over two hours just to get one of the pistons out. Time was against us so we cleaned the pistons and seals etc, installed the front discs and pads, and ordered a new set of pistons from Godspeed to be fitted at a later date.

The rear discs supplied by GGR were incorrect, so they kindly collected the wrong stuff, and selivered the correct discs - but I found out yesterday while the car was in the air that there were no pads!! GRRR.

Also, I painted my calipers black, tidied up my Cusco strut bar towers and the intercooler also. Here are some not so great pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps7a06d4b4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psd17b0c8e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps37e3c4d3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psbed7cdee.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psc5f23bb6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps1c6fcd84.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psf8d7b265.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps9616272e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps762c455c.jpg

My discs were all rusty where there is no contact with the pads, so I got trigger happy with the spray paint. Masking the good surface first though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psace52397.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps4c4d17ce.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psd6b22b96.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps5d56fab6.jpg

Pistons - oh pistons!!
Old V New - shocking state of affairs
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psea2f640c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps029f29b1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps4b0f6565.jpg

The new pistons and seals were so beautifully packaged - like sushi. And they were delivered in less than 24H from ordering.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps5e5189dc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps7114fb28.jpg

Installed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps8b6cb05d.jpg

Strut Bars
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps81d01bfc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psde5a4c9e.jpg

Intercooler:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps4a809c1a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps6c671025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps37e4dffa.jpg

Random pic in Bury St Edmunds
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psaa3e318e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psfff8bdb8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps2cb8a071.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psd636a245.jpg

I will update you with more progress later.

J