Dave Abbott's New Car!!

Evening all.
As those of you who attended Japfest know I was in the process of selling my Scooby. I know I know I'll miss it too sooo I haven't let it go too far....my brother now has it for two reasons:
1) He was insanely jealous and desperately wanted it.
2)He has bought it on the agreement that I can still use it when I want as long as he isn't using it (including the odd track session)

Sooo my reason for selling was to buy something smaller and cheaper so I did!




Here we have what used to be Cheryl's first car. I had it from my brother (who bought it off her) with some cash for the Scooby.

She is a 1998 1.0 12v 3 cylinder beast currently running 54BHP with an eye watering 0 - 60 time of 16.0secs.
I know not an ideal start....but she is economical which helps my student sized budget!

Once I got her I decided the stock suspension was no good so ordered a set of coilovers!


I got excited when they came, didn't take any progress pics etc (sorry) but here is a few after pics!






The ride hieght has halved and she is a lot more stable soo I'm well happy!

I have changed the steering wheel from this:

to this:


Purely because the leather was twisting round the old one and it looked tatty so had to go. This one is only 1 1/2inches smaller so turning is still no problem. (Is a non-power steering model)

The coilovers are suitable for Corsa's that have been converted too which is now my next plan.

I'm looking for a complete car with a redtop engine, box loom, ecu etc. Cavalier, Astra whatever. As long as the lump etc is good I'll buy it.

Whilst looking for a suitable doner car I will need to address brakes etc.

Once finished though she will be a real Wolf in Sheeps clothing and a great track car....it's just a long way off at the mo

Awesome!!!! Wana race then??

I love that fact that you bought a cheaper to run car and then bought some coilovers lol

Sam wrote:

Awesome!!!! Wana race then??

Ofcourse Though i may get my ass whooped....you do have a 1.2 after all

Adam86 wrote:

I love that fact that you bought a cheaper to run car and then bought some coilovers lol

I know doesn't quite make sense...I just don't like factory spec...it sucks

So now I need some B4T stickers to complete it.

Any siggestions on size, colour, position people?

Urrmm...car looks....Urm...good?! Only messing mate, it sorts your cost issue. Although not sure buying coilies and then looking for a redtop really suits that last sentence I just wrote!

We've all been there though, having to sell a car we love, and probably not far away for me again either!

You could have bought the passion wagon for £300 that extra 3hp makes the difference

Looks funny with zee extra doors! Much better with lows and I actually like the colour :/ Filters of winners also!

nellers2001 wrote:

Urrmm...car looks....Urm...good?! Only messing mate, it sorts your cost issue. Although not sure buying coilies and then looking for a redtop really suits that last sentence I just wrote!

We've all been there though, having to sell a car we love, and probably not far away for me again either!

Yes but we like coilovers n redtops don't we

Sam wrote:

You could have bought the passion wagon for £300 that extra 3hp makes the difference

Sam your the only one who can master that little beast

Steph wrote:

Looks funny with zee extra doors! Much better with lows and I actually like the colour :/ Filters of winners also!

Thanks Steph....filters are just for comedy value I like them though!

Can not wait to see this finished good work mate

Psht, lowerrr! Lol. Looks much better at a decent height... nice steering wheel too

Not sure on the whole redtop thing... think it might go against why you've bought it a bit. Thought about maybe a nice 1.6/1.8 lump to keep the insurance/fuel down a bit whilst still being nippy?

I know we have the same wheel
Was such a good offer I couldn't say no!

I've just been looking at 1.6/1.8 options....very tempted. I found a kit for the vectra 1.8 ecotec to go straight in

I cant go lower. Thats full 100mm drop n it rubs when turning even on some corners.....I could take the helper springs out but then I think it may rip the wings off when I encounter the first bend. lol.
The back is all the way too...adjuster removed

Mate of mine back in 6th form stuck a 1.6 with some kind of special inlet on it in his old corsa, that went nicely!

Lol true, at least you're scraping, shows you've put some effort in! Lol!

I will research different options before diving in head first..I know there are some odd combos that make an excellent engine and some that are just fine left as they came from the factory.

yaayyy go me with my scraping tekkers!!

Love it mate!

Engine Conversion?? Easy... Redtop Turbo, Opel Manta Box, Custom Prop, Omega Rear running gear. Done.

Orrrrrrr... If you can find on... Calibra 4x4 Running gear... you'd never know it wasn't the Scooby!

All-wheel drive with a beam axle on the back...sounds like I'd need to convert to independant so it would handle right

Yeah pretty much Just use the calibra rear clip

Other problem with your conversion idea Stu is that manta boxes are rare as rocking horse poopoo and when you do find one they cost the earth. My mate was looking for one to drop in his dolomite with a red top but gave up on the idea after looking for months on end.
I may just get a 1.6 or 1.8 for the time being...

Just slap and MR2 engine in the back

He didn't look very hard... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Manta-Gte-Gearbox-/200624662463?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2eb62967bf

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-2-0-DOHC-16v-Red-Top-Engine-/180688850827?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a11e50f8b

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-REAR-AXLE-DIFF-AND-DRIVE-SHAFTS-V6-99V-/320721238225?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4aac79b8d1

At B4T we call that mincing.

Haha okay fair point...but that was the only manta box on ebay, just searched n nothing came up!

I like your speedy part sourcing though...when ready I will ask you

#UPDATE#

Scooby is officially sold and has left my families possesion...will not be attending any more B4T events with it ever

Gutted isn't the word!

How badly do you want to slap your brother? lol

Whats replacing it?

Haha quite hard mate!

He is looking for a Benz auto as he has problems with his clutch leg due to an accident when he was younger!

Ok so haven't touched the car for a while in terms of enhancements....so though I better sort a few things out..

This week I have made two improvements:

1) Touched up a few stone chips/scratches

2) THE GREATEST ADDITION TO ANY CAR..........




B4T Sticker



Coming soon.....black grill ( without vauxhall chrome bit), respray rear bumper and HID kit.

I am also thinking of spraying the wheels too but not decided yet..

Nice stickers

Is it a bad time to tell you it looks wonky?

I thought that too but only slightly It could b because te top of the k is higher than the rest of the text?

I think its slighty wonky sorry, the www. bit is a touch angled and because of the high k it stands out slightly.

However i dont put stickers on very straight either so no room to talk lol

Your right! It is a few degrees out but won't notice when it gets dirty

Ok so I did some more stickering today but on the missus' motor...she loves it too. Winning
It's straight on her car too...why is it you always do a better job for others haha

Haha so glad i got the pink ones made up

To be fair I wasn't fussed on the idea but it looks really good against the black paint. Real contrast. U thinking what I'm thinking...polo...pink stickers...win?

Haha already on it

On there way