![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:25 • Filed to: Junkyards | ![]() | ![]() |
Here in the UK most people perceive junkyards (or scrapyards as we call them) as dangerous places, manned by shady types, which is how they are portrayed in films and TV. But you can save money by buying car parts from them - if you're lucky enough to ave a decent one nearby.
That reputation is only half deserved. They are certainly often manned by failed mechanics, and they are full of old cars with glass, bent metal and heavy machinery all over the place.
They are also a mine of car parts just waiting to be removed from some unfortunate wreck for an utter bargain.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:31 |
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Scrapyards are god's own gift to the owner of 10-20 year old cars who do their own maintenance (read 'me').
Just don't be an idiot and you'll be fine.*
*I know this from personal experience, having dropped a BMW bonnet on my head and taken myself to the minor injuries unit to have it glued back together
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:32 |
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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
That's all I read.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:32 |
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I love junkyards. Did a complete head replacement on my friend's Explorer for 80 bucks. Recently bought a rear driver axle shaft and outer door handle for Project Thanks Obama for $40.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:36 |
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Junkyard parts are a hit or miss. My friend pulled an E30 tranny for his 325is and while it's better than his old transmission that no longer had 5 or reverse, the junkyard trans is starting to grind in 3 and 4. However, my friend and I love to search for Miata parts to make a quick buck off of. Intake manifolds, headers, headlights (NB2's especially), exhausts, LSD diffs, etc. I usually avoid moving parts like engines or transmissions.
I wouldn't mind getting an European NB Miata intake manifold though!
/Sadly in US so no optimal intake manifold.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:36 |
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I shouldn't laugh, but....
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:37 |
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That's the point. I've bought a ton of stuff. Some is hit and miss but it's always dirt cheap
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:40 |
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Indeed. I'm paitiently waiting for a T5 equipped 9000 CSE to be dropped at my favorite yard so I can snake the wiring harness and other components to slap onto my SPG (Aer0)
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:48 |
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I have one about 30 minutes from my house and I has come up huge for me as far as parts. I have got a set of rims, window motors, washer fluid bin and a stereo wiring harness for 30 bucks.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 13:49 |
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I'd hit 'em far more often if beauties like thsi impreza were sitting in them!!!
![]() 11/04/2013 at 15:08 |
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I need it.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 15:18 |
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The junkyard was my best friend when fixing up the 3rd gen Firebird. That has since gone, and now that I have my 2002 Subaru, I find it hard to find parts.
If anybody knows of a lot that has a good subaru collection in the Philadelphia area, let me know.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 15:18 |
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So, what are the choices in the Northern Virginia area?
![]() 11/04/2013 at 15:30 |
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Is than an ST24?
You don't see many of those.
![]() 11/04/2013 at 17:33 |
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Oh yes. I think it is. My old boss had one in blue
![]() 11/10/2013 at 12:28 |
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Often times good used parts are less expensive and will outlast cheap aftermarket replacement parts. Especially with certain electronics and sensors! But you do have to be aware whether or not that particular piece was a 'problem part' from the factory or if it was one of the reliable parts.
![]() 11/10/2013 at 17:00 |
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Up to '99 9-3 works as well. The harness I hear is better for the swap. Make sure it doesn't have traction control.
What are you doing for the trigger pulse? I found a rotarty table for the mill at work!
'90 SPG here.
![]() 11/10/2013 at 18:25 |
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True dat. I've been having a problem finding non TC harnesses from the 900s though. I have a lot of time so it's not the biggest issue lol
What am I doing for trigger pulse? I have a CAD file for milling the trigger marks into a 9000 flywheel and a friend who does CNC, so I'll probably go that route. That way I can keep A/C
![]() 11/11/2013 at 10:39 |
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The harness, DI, and sensors, from a TC car is OK, just not the ECU. I have some time too. I need to pass California smog first.
CAD file? Could you send it my way?
![]() 11/11/2013 at 11:05 |
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Sure! Give me a few days to find it (all of my stuff is really not in a usable location right now lol)
![]() 11/11/2013 at 11:51 |
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Well surprisingly I found it! Saved to my Skydrive.
![]() 11/11/2013 at 15:29 |
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Thanks a ton for the link. I had a copy of a file here and misplaced it myself.
Let me know how the project is going and I'll do the same.
Cheers!
![]() 11/11/2013 at 15:33 |
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Will do! I have a two-year timeline for my project, and with cold weather looming overhead I'm pretty well done for the season. Gonna try to amass tons of parts over the winter though, to make next spring and summer go a bit more easily.