Sonicriot13

Funnily enough I slipped with a spanner and bashed my finger against the block and it came out in a big lump. I thought I'd broken it at first. Oh well, it's pain that confirms you are truly alive. There's no way I could do a job like this without injuring myself. :lol: I remember seeing on a forum some guy had slipped with an angle grinder and buried it into his arm :shock:!

Well, it's not what you know, it's who you know. Your mate Oliver is obviously a very handy person to now! :D Seeing this I can't wait to get stuck into my G60! It's a hard slog but it'll be worth it in the end mate.

It's off! Finally I can get on with the rest of my life. All it took was a nut splitter, an Irwin Bolt Grip (thought I might as well but some, they are actually awesome), a hammer, a ratchet, some sweat, some tears, and some bad language. Not necessarily in that order. :D Will update my members gallery soon. Thanks again for all you help guys!

That is looking sweet. The thing that caught my eye externally are your calipers. They seem to be one of those nice details that just set the car off. :thumbleft:

How much are we talking about these days? I'm certainly in no position for that kind of thing at the moment.

Yeah, tell him to get on with it! :lol: You can't take on a project car and expect it to run smoothly. It just doesn't happen. I've just spent a week just trying to undo one bolt! Even simple things like that can go t*ts up. I wouldn't know how to do it but I'm sure it's repairable.

This thread is amazing. I'm loving it. So many people would have just given up in the face of such a challenge. Well done mate! :D

I don't currently have a mascot but my girlfriend has one of those furry things with the goggly eyes and the big sticky feet that were popular in the eighties stuck to the dash of the Celica.

Everyone I know with a G60 loves it and everyone I know with a VR loves it. Come to think of it everyone I know with a corrado loves it. Can't see that you'll be dissapointed with either of them. Like the VR there are just certain things on the G you need to keep an eye on and get done when they need doing. With the G60 you just have to keep on top of charger maintenance. There's a small drive belt that needs doing annually (costs about a tenner) and you need to check regularly for boost leaks and oil coming out where it's not supposed to (more info on the buyer's guide). Other than that it's really just an 8v GTi engine. You sound like you have your head screwed on about these things and I'm sure you'll be fine. If you find a nice VR and the money is right I wouldn't be put off by what your mate is saying. Grab it while you have the chance! :D

I'd say go for one that's in good nick if you're not all that fussed about the model or year. I have a G60 and love it to pieces. We're not talking super quick but loads of character. I went on to it from a mk3 16 valve golf GTi and one thing I would say is that the throttle response ain't nowhere near as good IMO. But I wouldn't change it for the world (or a VR6) it's so much fun to drive. Other than the charger I would say that's a very easy engine to work with. I'm not the most experienced home mechanic you're ever going to meet and I find it easy. And I wouldn't worry too much about maintenance costs. They potentially could be a lot with any corrado. Just depends on how lucky you are and what breaks. Although I own a valver I still haven't actually driven it. :( Other than that welcome to the forum and good luck with the search! :D

:iamwithstupid: Not that I think you're stupid or anything Goldie, on the contrary, that's a capitol idea! :D As for the rattling that definately will call for some investigatory exploration. My guess would be something is loose if it's rattling at certain engine speeds. But that is only a guess without hearing it.

Next time I take a trip down to Swansea I'll stop off on the M4 at Cardiff and you can 'ave a go in mine mate. :D

Cheers for the offer buddy. Will let you know how I get on. Think the thing that's gonna get it off is perseverance and I'm sure I will get it off by hook or by crook. Am gonna have a go tomorrow. It's monsoon season in Ipswich again this evening. Not raining at the moment but it looks like it's gonna. An impact gun is another thing on my wish list... along with a garage.

That does look a nice clean bay. Got yerself a decent car there buddy. Welcome to the world of Corrado ownership! :D

A breaker bar is definately starting to appeal to me as a wise investment. I can't believe I've been working on the same nut for more than a day. Madness. Thanks for all your suggestions guys. Certainly gives me lots of things to try. My car is fitted with a catalyst. If worse comes to the worst and I round the bolt off or something stupid will it be wise to just disconnect the front pipe from the catalyst?

Everyone knows superchargers are better! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Good lad, give it some stick! :lol: :lol: :lol: I've never had a car on the limiter ever. I'm far too much of a coward for that kind of thing.

Cheers mate, I also keep my members gallery thread updated as well if you wanna keep an eye on that. This project has been a tough one for me but the car is looking so sweet now. Spent so much time on the interior. Just needs a new gear stick gaitor when I get round to it. It's forever taking me out of my comfort zone as well which has been really good because I have learned loads. I can't wait to drive it for the first time. It's a shame I couldn't have got it done in time for the scorcher. Never mind, always next year. Hopefully the G60 will be resprayed by then but I won't have the money for that until the valver is gone.

Cheers, gonna have another go at it tomorrow. Am gonna give it a rest before I start to get frustrated with it. Frustration and hammers aren't a good combo.... :lol:. Plus I'm moving ever closer to the nut splitters. Got some rust dissolving stuff I can try as well. It's not really surprising it's such a pain when you consider what those nuts have to put up with. Stupidly high temperatures when the engine is running and then freezing cold over winter. And no doubt they've been there since the car was first built 14 years ago.

Cheers for responding Tom. It's the one in the center on the side nearest the head. So right underneath the manifold. Got the drive shaft heat shield off and we can get good purchase on it. My entire family are round at the moment as we are clearing out the house ready for sale as my grandma very sadly passed away recently and my uncle had a go at it. He's built like a brick sh*t house (I'm a nine stone weakling) and even he couldn't move it. It's a nightmare. Could I try heating it do you think? I don't own a heat gun or anything but I could soon lay my hands on one.

Am trying to get the cylinder head off the 9A at the moment. Everything is drained, disconnected and unplugged and it's ready for the head bolts to be undone. Except for one piddly little 17mm nut holding the exhaust manifold to the down pipe. It's bl**dy welded on. It took me the best part of two days work to get the other five off and I left the most awkward one until last. I've spent hours on it and it just won't budge. I don't want to try and unbolt the manifold from the head because the first bolt i tried to undo just rounded off so I thought it best to leave that idea. I even had one of my mates round who is a proper mechanic and doesn't just make it up as they go along like I do, his pearl of wisdom was, and I quote: "I'm glad this isn't my problem mate". I don't think he likes being a mechanic. He thinks I'm mad for doing it in my spare time. Anyone got any tips?

What are those things called again?.... :?

I'm still struggling to get the old one off....

Valvers love to be revved I find. I love a nice 16 valve engine note at 5 grand. I used to get a real kick out of opening up my old golf's ABF on slip roads. Sounded wicked! :D But it just doesn't compare to my G60 going through a tunnel. That's at least :D :D :D :D :D :D

That garage is bigger than my house :shock:! And I am still working on the valver in the rain :(. Not fair.