after a huge absence I’m back

been a busy winter and now springs on its way it’s time to get some jobs done. First port of call was the front
engine mount which had collapsed through its arse.

Bought a new mount and also purchased the “gtx” bracket from one of the guys off the b18ft groups. Dunno if anyone else has issues with going though mounts but this is my 3rd front mount and I’m also on my 2nd rear mount. The front gearbox mount is still the 1st one and still looks in good Nick

New vs a year of abuse. Also pics below of “gtx” mount which did move the engine closer to the offside suspension strut tower but there’s still afew millimetres of clearance for the engine to move.

Didn’t get any pictures but did have to make some clearance on the left hand side of the bracket to clear an area around the water pump casting. After that was done I’d got fed up with how bulky the 172cup alternator setup was and decided Togo down the rose joint adjuster route. My mate had a spare so had a cheeky five finger discount on that


You can see where the front cross member has been “plated” to fit the cup alternator setup which I’ll sort out at a later date!! Anyway, new set up is loads better!! Can adjust it without taking the bumper off (unlike the cup setup) and ended up selling the cup
alternator bracket and adjuster for £100

after completing this task the fucking
clutch cable snapped! Only one that I could find quickly was from CGB-Motorsport which sent out next day delivery but the fire wall grommet was incorrect!!

After battling with it for hours trying to rag it through the firewall I decided it would be easier just to reuse the grommet of the old clutch cable and it literally took 2mins!

So, after that dilemma I decided to tackle the issue of not running no air filter on the ITB’s!! The trumpets were 5mm shorter than the air filter and not making power on EFI’s rollers (not letting the engine breath) forcing me not to run a filter which has ended up with me cleaning them out each month from carbon build up. I’ve done some research and found jenvey actually do trumpets to order. With the space between the engine and slam panel being very tight I needed some trumpets which the bolts went through the front of the trumpet making it easier for me to service them and also giving them enough room inside the filter to let the car breath and make power.

after fitting these and the filter I took it for a rip and I’m glad to say that there’s enough room to let the car breath and once again my cars an absolute animal which now has a proper air filter!! Another job ticked off the list now it was time to tackle the front
coilovers, which looked like they’d been chucked to the bottom of the sea with the titanic!! Also with this I’d gained a knock which I believed with the OE campus top mounts. After chatting to afew lads including Brigsy I’ve put my hand in my pocket and purchased some COMPBRAKE top mounts. Was told by afew lads that I had to buy billet spring caps from GAZ so that there’s not interference between the top mount and spring cap.

After fitting these I noticed that the bearing collar wasn’t sitting correctly on the suspension strut shaft.

Rang GAZ and told them the issue and they said that they can machine the shaft to allow the collar to sit right and I also took this opportunity to have my coilovers reconditioned and also purchase some heavier springs.

Collar now sitting flush with the strut shaft and now that is sorted I was a piece of cake to build the rest up and fit them.

Beefy 350lb springs… hopefully these will sort afew handing issues I had on 250lb springs.
Dampener adjuster is now billet and not shitty plastic like the ones I’ve had in the past!!


After fitting I adjusted to maximum camber which gave me -3degrees (looked cool but way too much)

once adjusted for caster it now sat at -1degrees of camber but was unsure about measuring the caster, any caster is better than non I guess. Will have to get the geometry done at a later date but all looks good and drove ok.

To be continued…