So oppo, what did you do this weekend?

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228) 05/04/2015 at 15:56 • Filed to: La Citroen

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I took my SO to the airport to fly to Sri Lanka for 2 weeks, which means plenty of time to muck about with cars :)

So far I’ve welded up the two gaping holes in the boot of the Citroen, and one of the three holes in the sills. The little plate I made up is one of the most bastard ones I’ve done to date. Three opposing bends in close proximity don’t lend themselves to fitting easily in a vice :S

I’ve also washed and cleaned the inside of the Jaaaag for the first time since before the winter :S I forgot how nice it looks when it’s clean :)

I’ve also done a bit of mucking around with alloy pipe trying to make extensions for my inlet trumpets on the Spitfire, but I can’t fix them together yet :S I’ve got everything that my new TIG welder needs bar a bottle of argon and it’s a bank holiday here so I’m stuck :(

Still, progress!

CalzoneGolem > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 15:59

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Here is my much less impressive craftsmanship on my car.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/beater-status-…

thebigbossyboss > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:02

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Here is me watching a rally car go by (me in orange) Thanks Zippy for this most excellent photo!

Takuro Spirit > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:07

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Started fixing some rusty rock chips on my roof

Then went through most of my extra Trans Am parts trying to weed out (again) what I need and what I don’t so I can sell them for monies.

Bandit > Takuro Spirit 05/04/2015 at 16:12

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Those don’t belong on a ‘77 or ‘78. Get rid of them!

dogisbadob > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:18

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I tried to replace my oxygen sensor again, but have still been unsuccessful. The 4th-gen Maxima has some german engineering in that there’s no tool access because it’s blocked by the frame.

The oxygen sensor socket is too bulky to fit along with a bar. I got this 22mm box wrench but it’s too long and gets blocked.

I might try again next weekend with this thing

RallyWrench > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:18

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Nice work! I was working on cars too.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:18

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waxing

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:19

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Nothing this weekend, but tonigth I’m going to look at an 86 Starion(it’s actually a Chrylser Conquest, but I’m never going to call it that lol.)

WhiskeyGolf > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:21

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Like a few others I went to a local rally, where I took photos for a post that got reposted to the front page, so that was fun. Sunday I bought a new deck chair and did a bunch of reading on my new balcony, which was a pleasant change from the basement.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:22

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I spent the morning helping put a roof back on a shed and spray-painting the Ranchero to seal up the sandblasting. I then spend the majority of the afternoon working on the tailgate (getting 50 year old tar out from inside, and rust, then stripping paint and sanding), apart from an interlude in which I helped check over some things on a ‘78 Midget.

I’ll probably buy my ticket today.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:24

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Did you grind those welds any after you made them?

Nice job. I like working bits of metal into various solutions as you’ve done.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 16:30

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Looking for an engine and transmission for this pile of tetanus.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit 05/04/2015 at 16:46

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Damn skippy! Hey, how rare is this visor with lighted mirror?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 05/04/2015 at 16:56

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Capri! I like those :)

I’ve always thought a Pinto Turbo from a Mustang SVO (or even an Ecoboost attached to an MX-5 6-speed) would go very nicely in one of these :)

Either that or a Mod 4.6l. For some reason (probably because I’m from Yurup) I rather like them over the Windsors, aftermarket be damned.

3 valves and SOHC just sort of work for me :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/04/2015 at 16:58

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I ground some of it off yeah (I only ever do that with external welds). Couldn’t get it flush unfortunately as the grinding wheel was catching on the metal surrounding it and would have poked more holes in it :S

I like bending and chopping bits of metal to make repair plates too. I’ve got quite proficient at it over the past few years with all the rustbuckets I have :) I’ve just really got a vice, a guillotine and a drywipe marker, but it works for me :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Takuro Spirit 05/04/2015 at 17:02

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I must start doing that with a couple of my cars. I need to make a little touch-up pen with some of the paint I’ve got and start patching up some little holes.

How hard is it to do?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe 05/04/2015 at 17:04

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Purdy :) I stopped short of waxing mine. I still need to polish off some overspray from painting the door surrounds so I didn’t see the point...

Bandit > Takuro Spirit 05/04/2015 at 17:04

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Never seen one... is it aftermarket?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > dogisbadob 05/04/2015 at 17:11

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I really don’t see why manufacturers insist on putting oxygen sensors in such awkward places. I know on E36 3-series you can’t drain the coolant without taking one out. Not exactly smart...

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 17:13

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Well, my father has three of them, a 1975 John Players Special, 2.8 Turbo. He also has a 1979 with a pushrod 5 litre V8 from a mustang, and a 1975 RS2600 factory race car.

Takuro Spirit > Bandit 05/04/2015 at 17:13

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I have no clue. It LOOKS factory, and the hinge where the wires run through has a wider hole than the other ones.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 05/04/2015 at 17:16

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Productive too :) it’s cool for you to stay btw :) we’ll crash on the sofa for a bit.

The Citroen and the Jaaag should be on the road, perhaps the Alfa too. You’re welcome to have a muck about with them as well :)

sony1492 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 17:16

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Put a set of used ebay coilovers on the front of the ProCivic. Saw my rear unblown shock just frizzle, die, and start leaking after removing it and finding out that it wasnt gonna come apart, and putting it back on. Figured out that one of my hubs on the front is ruined. The balljoint also has a castle nut that wont screw all the way on. Not a good weekend for suspension.

First waxing of the season though.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > thebigbossyboss 05/04/2015 at 17:23

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Nice :) I really must go to a rally at some point...

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 17:23

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Nice work with the sheet metal! I want to learn to do that.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > WhiskeyGolf 05/04/2015 at 17:29

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It’s always nice when that happens :) must go to a rally at some point. I wonder whether my GF would like it...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/04/2015 at 17:44

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Sweet :) I’ve got a bit of a soft-spot for Starions. 80s as anything in a good way, big displacement 4-cyl and a turbo. What’s not to like?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > CalzoneGolem 05/04/2015 at 17:46

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Hah :) I’m of the opinion that improvisation is as impressive a feat as workmanship :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 05/04/2015 at 17:48

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Dude! Have you driven them? What are they like?

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 17:54

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I have driven the JPS. Haven’t driven the other two because they’re both in mothballs. But the JPS is amazing enough. 300 horsepower at the wheels, a five speed stick, rear wheel drive with no computers, all wrapped in a package that weighs 2200 pounds dry. It handles like a Gokart and goes faster than a brand new BMW. IE, 0-60 in under 4.5 seconds and a top speed of just a hair over 175 mph. And it was all built in Germany in 1975. Its frighteningly fast. A proper Oppo Review will happen once the new engine is in the car.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 05/04/2015 at 17:54

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Thanks :) it’s not that hard really. You just mark and chop until you get something approaching the shape you need. Basics are a bench vice and hammer to bend it and a guillotine like I have or an angle grinder to cut it (you can use a hacksaw if you’re a masochist).

I used to only get about 1 in 2 right though, so there is a learning curve to it...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > sony1492 05/04/2015 at 18:00

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I hate taking stuff apart and then realising that bits you thought were fine aren’t and you have to put things back together broken :S

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > RallyWrench 05/04/2015 at 18:13

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Dude! congratulations :) what a kickass job. Very jealous :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 05/04/2015 at 18:17

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That sounds like an absolute monster :) I look forward to the review :)

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 18:37

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I’m sure I’ll learn a thing or two once I start chopping the rust out of my CRX.

Bandit > Takuro Spirit 05/04/2015 at 18:41

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Hmm that is worth looking into. Maybe post on one of the T/A forums about it. Let me know what you find out

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/04/2015 at 19:34

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That’s the best. I’ve worked with a lot of wood over the years, but I actually prefer working with metal because it is fluid . Bends, curves, melts. Wood either stays a solid or turns to ash.

CalzoneGolem > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/05/2015 at 09:00

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Well good because I can do that.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/05/2015 at 14:56

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Oh that black one looks freaking evil. I LOVED driving it, and owner had already fixed a lot of the cars (especially the 87s) quirks. Such as re-flashing the ECU to 89-90 specs, replacing the steel gas tanks with a plastic one, deleting the jet ports, he also put the power antenna on a separate switch which is nice since I never listen to the radio. He also turned the boost up from 7lbs ro 10.5 which is a reasonable increase. Watching that center mounted boost gauge bounce was so much fun. I’m not 100% sure I’m going to buy it yet, but I’m also kinda planing on picking it up on Friday.

that really is a great place for a boost gauge

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/05/2015 at 18:14

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I’d definitely say go for it :) what’s the worst that could happen?

Agreed. Best place for a boost gauge ever. I’m surprised it isn’t like that by default :)