310 replies to this topic

[Ren-dog]

May be worth a shot, but i haven't got an engine hoist at my place, and don't know anybody with one :/

Altho for the price of a head gasket to be fitted i could probably buy one

Thanks for the idea, i will go ask.

Should just do an STi conversion

[Ren-dog]

Yeah, you can get them for around $250-300. So may definitely be an option. Sti conversion could work, but not worth losing your license.

Yeah, i'd apply for the exemption before i bought anything for it haha.

Then again, i dont think having that much power would be good for me. i still drive like an idiot at times. Bigger brakes should be the first thing i do.

[12.SLOW]

part that is stupid is that v6 commodore put out more power then the sti engine would

[Ren-dog]

Here is the essay that i moved to here from my pussy deflector thread.

First thing i want to sort out is the tapping noise from the lib, in this thread... before i make any firm decisions.

Options:

Replace engine: For a second hand untested engine from the local places im looking at $1800, fully reconditioned will be $7-8000. Unless i can find someone with a EJ25D sitting around for cheap.

Sell car: May only get a couple of thousand for it, if anything

Part it out: by far the most difficult and impractical while renting.

Conversion: Now this would be ideal... however because of the QLD laws you cannot drive a "modified" car on your P's, that includes engine conversions (even certified/engineered). This also makes the "moderately powerful vehicle" shit nul. I may do lots of stupid shit, but im not willing to do that. (Insurance will be invalid, and knowing my luck i would just get shot on site if the cops found out) I could use the loophole where i put the car in my parents name and say they are lending it to me, but dad has already said no to that in the past.

Repair Myself: This is by far the hardest option... With my limited knowledge of engine internals and lack of tools this option scares me the most. If i up in the repair, i've not only spent the money on parts and tools, but i will be stuck with a car that doesn't move and needs a new engine.
However, the boss is willing to let me park it in his (MASSIVE) shed and work on it in there, because i rent and only have a veranda i cant really do it at home.

Get repaired: Just for the headgasket im looking at anything between $3000 and $5000. (includes heads getting machined)

The decision is waiting on me to decide how much work i want to do and money i want to spend.

[CRUISN]

Contact AMAuto.

They found me a low kay (140K) ej25D, fitted new timing belt, water pump, all seals/gaskets, machined heads and fitted metal head gaskets. Complete motor bar alternator for $2950 to my door in Vic.

Dropped it in on a weekend.

Thats your best option.

[TSG]

If you think the car is worth it condition wise, do what Mark says (cruisn). Otherwise if the Lib is a bit of a bucket (can't really tell from the photos) maybe it simply is not worth the cost, and would be more economical to sell it to a wrecker, sell the chick magnet for a profit when ready and then buy a good Subaru. Sure the Gen2 was a nice shape, but is that enough to want to drop $3k+ into it?

[Ren-dog]

Hehe, I'm pretty good at hiding shit in photos...

The paint is so 'ed that there isn't a single second hand dealer in townsville that wants to buy it. The chassis still has creaks here and there, half the electrics don't work properly (major ones are fine) occasionally grinds third, carpet in the back... well doesn't exist, door trims are held on by half of what should be, fuel gauge doesn't work, still needs new bushes (i was waiting for swaybar upgrade), every panel has at least 3 dints, both bumpers are held on by cable ties.

The lib was awesome fun, looks cool at a glance, sounds amazing... but it was the reason I never had any money. Every pay I would be spending at least half on fixing the Lib. Still so many things that need fixing.

The practical part of my brain is telling me to keep the pussy deflector, because i can fix it for $50 not $600, its just as fast, just as fun, more economical, nimbler, simpler, better on the highway.
The crazy part of me is telling me to keep the lib, It sounds fast, it looks awesome, it has a reputation around town with the other car people, AWD, other hoony reasons.

I will look into AMAuto and see what happens. Cheers guys.

[Xon]

Get rid of it.
A standard RX is not nearly rare or interesting enough to be costing you that much money every week. While Mark's solution is probably the best cost wise, the whole car is worth maybe $4000 these days, maybe less by your scathing description.

[Ren-dog]

Well every time i think about the repair costs i look at this...
http://www.subyclub....bilstein-ed-5k/
And think... thats sexy.

E: FARK HE DROPPED THE PRICE AGAIN!!!

[bd-850]

ive just had my engine rebuilt (B4 TT ) i got quoted $3900, thats with new Sort Block.got told it will be abit more jsut because he cant guarantee anything when he pulls it all apart, when i get the car back i will show the receipt

[bd-850]

*double posted*

[Scuba-Roo]

Hehe, I'm pretty good at hiding shit in photos...

The paint is so 'ed that there isn't a single second hand dealer in townsville that wants to buy it. The chassis still has creaks here and there, half the electrics don't work properly (major ones are fine) occasionally grinds third, carpet in the back... well doesn't exist, door trims are held on by half of what should be, fuel gauge doesn't work, still needs new bushes (i was waiting for swaybar upgrade), every panel has at least 3 dints, both bumpers are held on by cable ties.

The lib was awesome fun, looks cool at a glance, sounds amazing... but it was the reason I never had any money. Every pay I would be spending at least half on fixing the Lib. Still so many things that need fixing.

This is why I got rid of my first lib, even after spending years finding legacy parts it was still an unreliable heap of crap. And I was spending a fair but of money to keep it going. Almost everyweek something would break. I don't know or want to know your financial situation, but I got a loan which was ~$100 a week for 4yrs for my impreza and I reckon it's the best thing I have done. After a few weeks you barely notice the money being withdrawn.

I always kept thinking 'if I keep going this wagon will be epic' and sure it might have been alright. But I'm glad I've got a car, that ticks all the boxes. Looks good, comfortable, economical, reliable.
Anyway I'm not trying to tell you what to do, just offering advice based on my experience.

[Ren-dog]

Cheers fellas.

[CRUISN]

My Outback is mint inside and out and everything works so It was a no brainer for me to drop a new engine in it and have a very clean, reliable car.

IMHO, from your description yours doesnt sound like spending more money on it is a wise choice.

[B4TT]

Dude, your car sounds incredibly shit and not worth it (no offence to you) but if it is mostly broken, dented and no good paint and carpets and 'ed electrics, take it to the wreckers and cut your losses, it sounds barely road worthy and like it is falling to pieces.. save your cash and buy one in good condition for probably a 1/4 of the cost it will take to get your car back to something worth owning, that is before you talk engine conversions.

[Ren-dog]

I'll see what i can come up with. (we dont have any local wreckers :S)
May just have to bin it and save for a 98 WRX.

[Adam]

surely townsville would have some??

Or chuck it on eBay. Someone might want it!

[Ren-dog]

Yeah townsville does have some, but i would have to tow it there...

I may just give ebay a go.

[Adam]

Some wreckers will come pick it up!

Do you still have the old suspension and zorst?