Toph

Right here's a quick update to bring this thread bang up-to-date before the trip to edition! Oh n a few of final touches and about to head for Cultra to GTINI's meet/show at the Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra! N a massive shout to out to Orla and Pete for their help and Pete's wheels! :wink: Seeing it sitting like this made me finally relax and enjoy the outcome from the last 18 months...

Yeah sure is mate, aint it, lol! Well to be honest we didn't get beyond the lights and onto the rollers for the brakes or the lifts for checking underneath, lol! Had a fuse out so that resolved the light issues, so that pretty much covered the list, lol! Oh n the new battery. On the retest there wasn't an issue at all. Rolled through all the tests fine. Though he did worry me at one point as he kept looking at the front wings n I was waiting for him to query why there aint any repeaters, lol. But he called me over n said to take it off the ramps as it was fine. Got the MOT disc off him and then off I went!

The car is going back into the garage this weekend to get the sunroof seal fitted (new one) and am already dreading it as am hearing it's a right pain in the ass of a job. Also got to clean up the D90's again, get them fitted, car lowered properly over them (but just high enough to get onto the ferries at the end of the month, lol). N a general clean! N maybe some extra's if i get time to fit them! :wink:

Well finally a week later I went to the retest and pasted! :clap: Then last weekend I gave it a pre-Edition run to a mates wedding at the other end of Ireland in Waterford. Over the 500mile weekend the car didn't skip a beat and responded really well as n when as too! It even drew attention at the wedding in the car park too, lol! Even had cut some onlookers a bit short as the convoy was about to roll out for home! Ride quality was very good on the FK coils which was perfect as we were badly in bits from the awesome partying the previous night and early morning, lol! Though some minor stops were taken to clear minds etc, and refocus on the trip home! lol Snatched these pics on the way back up from Waterford! Didn't get arty with them as I was in bits... And then on the way home I had to stop for a quick call of nature, so grabbed another couple of shots... Thought the name of the town was interesting, lol! :D B)

So we went back to the drawing board as such, and worked over the car to resolve the issues experienced at the failed test. Whilst looking over it I mentioned the very heavy throttle and poor response to my dad n we checked the throttle cable to discover this... (cant believe I didn't notice this sooner, doh!) :blink: Now it's responding perfectly with a new cable fitted!

I think the following pic will sum up my day as a whole... Basically things went a bit Pete-Tong last night when I was tidying up after Pete (Project Horizon) kindly helped out with finishing off then car. Before he left I fitted the new replacement bulbs for the passenger side dipped (front n rear) but still no joys with them! I reckon a fuse might have gone or sumit but time was against me sorting it. So plan of action was to blag it if poss at the test centre, lol! :lol: :lol: As I put the car into the garage I had an issue with the steering wheel n the horn , lol. The new boss and steering wheel was shorting out (or sumit) and basically sounded the horn instantly. That resolved and all was good till i put full lock on n it then beeped, lol. So i had to take it off this morning to sort out. Sorted and the original VR6 wheel back on, I was sorted. But the on the way to the petrol station i notice that the wheel aint 100% lined up, so back to the house for the tools, lol. I kept them in the car and thankfully I did, as I had to sort it again whilst in the que at the test centre! :blink: Hardcore! ;) I aslo was up at Gary's (The Hub) to get the lend of his wing mirrors. A full car park to the appartment and a very shortlty timed safety light meant it was practically impossible to sort. So Gary kindly lent me his car keys so I could return today to remove them. Got there to find his neighbour was parked close and making life very hard to remove the passenger. Drivers off and a lost battle with the other I head back to sort things out. On arrival to home, I had an idea of fitting the old (shattered) mirror to my proper mirror (drivers side) and sticker a Halfords finest sticky mirror onto it. So I gave that a go and it worked a treat. Thus making the efforts at Gary's kinda pointless (though was good to catch up with him properly again after these years). ... man is an essay :lol: :lol: Anyways... I pulled up at the test centre, fairly sure I was going to fail but was happy enough as I knew that I would have a list of problem areas to resolve. So game on!! Once parked in the que I switched it off and made a phone call, but when I went to move it the bloody thing wouldnt start!! Then after a few mins it turned over and everything seemed good, "Game-on" again! Finally called into building. Emmisons passed, but then started the lights tests. Obviously failed due to the dipped, even though I said it had just happened, lol! :lol: All that sorted we went to move on and the car wouldnt start AGAIN! The examiner tried several times but no luck. Commence embarrassment of the highest level! Being pushed out of a test centre backwards n having to jump start the car in reverse! Test failed and retest booked for next Tuesday! All over again but should be better all being well! SO yeah there ya go folks, a day in the life of the Toph! A day which made me question the very reason to why the hell am I in this game! But seeing the car parked up in the yard reminds me why! ;) :D B) I do have some pics and will get the uploaded tonight! (fingers crossed)

oh the mess... :lol: got the scuttle panel from SWG fitted... ^^ well pleased with it!! cheeky reflection shot... quick snap before heading off the test centre... n some from it parked up again in the yard...

Some pics of the recent developments with the car before the MOT... steerin wheel... team working hard... n yes am actually doing something, lol! N yes officer its my car n my headunit that am tinkering with...

Haven't been on in ages as I've been pretty busy recently earning more money to keep the ball rolling with the project. Have plenty of pics and some info to bring ya's bang up-to-date with whats been happening. Can say now that it will def be at Edition this year and all being well I'll have it looking well enough to put onto the club stand, providing there's still space! :D Will try and have it reading ok, though will be copy and pasting most of the info so please excuse any mishaps, lol!

Cheers guys!! :grin: Get it back today from the mechanics, all serviced and ready for MOT. Just got to do a few more things to it and then we're ready to roll and get the test. Though still got a couple of touch ups to be sorted at the bodyshop so will prob through it in there first. But all in all it shouldnt be much longer before it's up and rolling legally on the road! Couple of video's of it before and after the exhaust being fitted... Sounds mental as there aint any system after the Magnex manifold, and also contributing to it not running 100% Now rolling with Powerflow system. Haven't heard it properly yet as its only going across the road to the mechanics... Will get more up soon! :grin:

Headed to a local Powerflow distributor as I knew they were good with adjusting exhaust etc, being ideal to adjust my Magnex to fit. Once there and the car up on the lift, they were very quick to show how low the system was going to sit due to it not being right, and that it wasnt going to be a simple change of the hangers. So after a discussion of options and me not being prepared to continue to hire trailers to move it about, I decided to get them to put one of their systems on. An hour later the car was ready to roll home. It may have to go back for an additional silencer fitted as the Raddo wasn't running 100% and he couldnt judge the sound 100%. But as along as it gets through MOT am happy enough for now, and a quick run down will soon amend it. Couple of pics of the new system on...

Right well finally came to the day of rolling the car out of the garage to get the much needed exhaust system sorted and it away to be serviced for a much needed MOT. Trailed booked for 8.30am on Thursday morning and sun shining all was looking well! :D Whilst my dad was away collecting the trailer I made a final and quick adjustment to the suspension to make sure of clearance. I did take some video footage but at the mo am aving a bit of difficulty uploading them, but will get them posted soon enough! ;) Rolling the Vento's old shoes... Ready to roll out... And off we went...

Booked the car in to get the exhaust adjusted and fitted properly which will be a big weight off my shoulders as I can then get it away to the mechanics. Decided that it need to be raised a tad to allow it to clear the ramps onto the lifts etc, and to change my wheels to my old set from the Vento wheels as they aint stretched and to prevent any scuffs. Some pics from tonight...

Some more progress made over the last couple of weeks. Decided that the original parts of the scuttle panel were looking a bit crap and faded so decided to freshen them up with some satin action. Brought some of the ghetto to it with my spray booth (ala Blue Peter style)... ^^^what a pain in the rear to get off but worth it in the long run cometh the booth... and bingo... I also drove across the province to Donegal to meet a guy who is currently breaking 7 Corrado's, for some much needed door trim, original rear lenses, an ariel base and some other parts. Have got the doors built, and make it look a lot better. Will be returning with a bigger shopping list, lol!

I'll prob end up MOT'n about the same time. In for hopefully better weather! :grin:

Nice one mate! The postman seems to be constantly delivering parts to me these days again, lol! Can't wait to get the exhaust all fitted properly so I can hear it go. Def up for having a good look round yours! You going to Castlewellan this year in July??

thought it would be a shame not to try n tidy the bay up a bit with the rest of the car being a lot fresher now. Wasn't aware about the fuel lines being like that under the plastic. Is all a new game to me mate.

Certainly will mate! It'll need a good blast up the A1 to blow the cobwebs out! ;) So it would be rude not call by! How you getting on with yours??

AHHHH no way!! Holding head in shame! :brickwall: Was copying my updates over from E38 and obviously went about 6 pages too far, lol! My bad! ;) Mate wouldn't be a problem if the price is right, lol! Though it could get very emotional if I told the folks that I was bringing another motor into their yard, lol. But as you say, on a more serious note... Germany? Haven't been on the forum in ages, can thank Goldie for chasing me back on, so don't know anything about this. Will go and investigate it and see what the craic is! If feasible I could be very interested indeed!

That's pretty much it bang up-to-date. There are more n more things which are bugging me but will address them over time! Important to get it running and on the road again! More things in the post as per usual so will have more updates soon!

A mate offered his assistance the other night to help get things up n running properly. So picked him up on the way home from work and on arriving I discover my dad washing evidence off his hands from working at the engine. To my joys he had got bored and decided to finish the engine. On expection I placed my hand on the top n felt that it was warm. Instantly a big grin appeared on my face when I realised that the Raddo was alive again!!! :D :D Anyways more pics... Am fairly pleased with how I've got the engine and bay looking considering the age of varying aspects. Hopefully get it tidied up a bit more to make it worth lifting the bonnet. Hopefully purchasing braided fuel lines (cheers Rojocho) will help! They arrived this yesterdat morning... After the excitement of knowing that the Raddo is working we refitted the spoiler and is working spot on. All being well a good weekend at the car would see most of it sorted and it ready to leave the garage to see the rest of the exhaust system fitted and it over to the mechanic for a good servicing so that I can get it MOT'd!!

Finally got some time to myself and down-loaded the latest batch of progress pics... Rocker cover finally back on, and looking much better after several soaks of degreaser and some elbow grease. To be fair it could still come up a lot better but another time for now! The on Saturday when I arrived home with the folks after my dads first Sprint of the season, I was greated with this box... :D Needless to say it wasn't long before I had it in the garage and it opened n a quick trial fit! Have to say I'm pretty happy with it, be better once properly on. Impressed with SWG's service aswell (Cheers guys!!).

Two random pics taken whilst at the car... N the wheel sitting inside the new dishes for the new wheels for the new daily hack! A lot of news I know, lol! ;) :lol:

Came home to find my dad tinkering at the car. He's recently finished tidying/rebuilding his Hillclimb car (which may be in the background of some pics) and got itchy feet and need something to be tinkering at. So was determined to get the new manifold to fit. With some force and clever thinking he had it on and was tightening the bolts when I got home from work. :P Needless to say I took some photo's of his handy work... This means full steam ahead now to get the rest of the engine back on and her fired up! The exhaust isn't lining up 100% due to having the wrong hangers (pre/facelift being different) so will be next on the list with that. If I have to drive it onto a trailer and tow it to local workshop and get it adjusted then thats how it'll be resolved, lol. N then back to the bodyshop for some amending in places while I got the trailer! Anyways... Decided to have a tinker at the steering wheel and to fit the new MOMO one but found out that the boss which I bought doesn't fit (not much luck) so new one it is then. Some pics...

Well again its been a bit since my last update. Took a bit of downer on moral with the car so walked away from it and didnt touch it for about a month. Been tinkering at the car, and trying to keep moral up as the manifold/exhaust issue is still unresolved, MOT is now out-of-date and need to get it back to the bodyshop for some touching up with bits that I aint totally happy with. Anyways here's a couple more pics (not quite sharp, sorry), mainly of how the front bumper is looking... and a nice moody shot...