MWP's wannabe Tarmac Rally 5S-GTE ST185 (racing!)

[YerRandO]

How long have you had that swaybar, and what setting was it on? Crazy you don't often see that, glad it didn't cause an accedent though.

[MWP]

It was already installed on the car when i bought it, so i have no idea how old it is.
Really they should never break though, so this one must have had a fault.

I defective swaybar like this would never cause an accident unless it fell off the car (unlikley).
I continued driving the car for a week before i removed it.

[MWP]

So i finally got around to installing the Toyota crash bolts (camber bolts) yesterday, along with turning of the strut top mounts to adjust caster.

Installing these and turning the tops has given me about 1.5deg of extra caster and around 1.5deg of camber.
I did the wheel align at home using string lines, so i cant be too precise about the camber and caster measurements, but the toe is good at 1mm toe in.

The car as a result steers quite differently.
It tries to pull itself straight a lot more, and requires more effort of the steering wheel.
With a quick run through the hills, it feels like the car does have more front grip and stability, its quite a bit more confidence inspiring.

Next run up at Collingrove Hillclimb will be a good test.

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[redGT4]

Looking good. Cheers for your number. We will definitely have to catch up, if not this week then the next.

[GrpAGT4]

Hey man, good to see your car on here. It's looking good. Do you think doing collingrove with a borked front shock might have helped that rear bar snap? just a thought.

Are those strut tops straight bolt in? Cos i need some new ones. $490 bucks seems a little steep though. Did you get a deal?

Lastly, GT4 CRUISE. ASAP. SORT IT OUT!

[MWP]

Also good to hear youve still got yours
Couldnt bring yourself to sell it?

The strut tops are almost straight bolt in.
The top mounting bolts are closer together so requires about 1mm to be slotted in the mounting holes on the strut tower.
He would probably make them to fit if you were not in any rush.
They are VERY well made by a nice guy. Recommended.

Front shock was fixed a while before the bar snapped, shouldnt have contributed.
I think it was just faulty and the hillclimb pushed it hard.

As for a cruise... if we can organise a time/date ill do the rest.

[GrpAGT4]

Yeah I couldn't bring myself to sell it. Lose to much cash if I do. I've decided to keep sluggin on with the money pit. New front bushes and ball joints go in on Tuesday. After that its the strut tops (only cos I don't have them now to do with the rest).
Im gonna paint the control arms, any ideas of a colour? I reckon its between Black, Blue, Yellow or White.

[MWP]

Thats good to hear.
You wouldnt be able to buy another car with its performance in such a good shape for what you would sell it for.

Go black... going with a bright color is just begging for attention.

You considered getting new full coilover units?
The BC's on eBay going for ~$1300 are getting good reports.
That way you get the strut tops too.

[MWP]

The mud flaps I made up & fitted....
Did a good job of keeping stones & mud off the paint work while driving (and occasionally sliding) on >100kms of twisty dirt hills roads last weekend.

Rears:




Fronts:

[MWP]

Fuel tank out:


Hole worn through the high pressure fuel line out of the tank:


Repaired:


Walbro GSS342 compared to the factory pump:


Walbro fitted:


Tank ready to go back in:

[GrpAGT4]

I had to do my fuel tank. It was a PITA! My sympathy's man.

[MWP]

Nah, actually it was quite easy.
No rusted bolts or anything like that.

[mike325ci]

enjoyed the videos: the "motorkhana" seems a bit strange-- looks more appropriate for a go-kart or a teeeny car, lol...

btw, you were able to turn your camber plates to be totally 90 degrees and adjust only caster? who makes those plates? i turned them 1/3 of the way to adjust mostly caster, but a little bit of camber (rest is done with 3-dot crash bolts like you)...

and oh, rofl @ the TWIT article in the newspaper you have in the background. did you even notice that? ahhahaha

[MWP]

Ummmm....



:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

So that drivetrain noise was actually a dieing wheel bearing.
(= very good news since it means my gearbox is probably ok)

Backing out of my driveway last night, heard a thunk, then some other odd noises from the front left wheel.
Seems my wheel bearing failed big time and took out the CV shaft along with it.
Good thing it happened while not at speed

[MWP]

In other news though... i picked up my new ST205 engine today
Looks to be in awesome condition, very clean, new air-con compressor, water pump & timing belt.
Now to find a 98+ Camry 5S block.