Audi S2 V8 ITB widebody project - should I finish it???
Discussion
I remember seeing this a couple of years ago, might have been on here, might have been somewhere else. Cant remember. But I've always loved the S2; I think they're a fantastic slab of 90sness and I remember seeing Simon Bainbridge's ridiculous 650bhp carbon bodied one competing at Harewood about 10 years ago.
Of course I'm going to say finish it.
Of course I'm going to say finish it.
I'm in the process of fitting a 3.9i and auto box into my Defender, which was previously running a 3.5 carb + manual box. I don't get loads of time either, plus I'm also old now, and spending a full day on it kills me for a few days after. On top of that, if it's in the garage there's no space to work on it so it's all being done on the drive.
In my case, the engine bolted straight in, and miraculously (given that JLR never made a 3.9/4HP22 Defender) so did the box. But all the extra stuff is taking forever; an HP fuel system, a custom rad and pipework with integral oil and trans coolers, a further external trans cooler, trying to find somewhere to locate the MAF and air filter, etc etc. Overall however it's going to end up being a MUCH easier job than yours.
It did cross my mind that there's the possibility I'd never finish it (I'm only about 6 months in), but then if I sold it on, I'd never see or hear it run, or drive it. So I'll stick with it. And for the same reasons, so should you!!
That'll be a REALLY interesting car when you finish it. And it'll sound amazing.
In my case, the engine bolted straight in, and miraculously (given that JLR never made a 3.9/4HP22 Defender) so did the box. But all the extra stuff is taking forever; an HP fuel system, a custom rad and pipework with integral oil and trans coolers, a further external trans cooler, trying to find somewhere to locate the MAF and air filter, etc etc. Overall however it's going to end up being a MUCH easier job than yours.
It did cross my mind that there's the possibility I'd never finish it (I'm only about 6 months in), but then if I sold it on, I'd never see or hear it run, or drive it. So I'll stick with it. And for the same reasons, so should you!!
That'll be a REALLY interesting car when you finish it. And it'll sound amazing.
CAPP0 said:
It did cross my mind that there's the possibility I'd never finish it (I'm only about 6 months in), but then if I sold it on, I'd never see or hear it run, or drive it. So I'll stick with it. And for the same reasons, so should you!!
I'm 8 years in to building a kit car...mostly because I appear to have thrown away half of the original kit and remade it how I wanted. Things like deciding I hated the Granada/Cortina hubs with their terrible geometry and flexible shafts and so made[1] my own uprights...which meant the arms didn't work so made[2] my own arms etc etc.
The other issue has been a young family, spending time with them rather than in the garage.
Anyway, I've had stages when I've not touched it for months and months but it slowly moves forwards. I *will* finish it, even if it takes me another 8 years.
[1] Technically "making" as I have part of one in the lathe right now.
[2] Er, "making" again, well I put in an order for the parts to be laser cut yesterday.
S100HP said:
Why the f
k wouldn't you finish it?
JFDI
Me, or the OP? (Or both?)k wouldn't you finish it?JFDI
In my case simply because for reasons that I struggle to understand, I am beyond time-poor. If there were such a thing as being in abject, miserable time poverty, I would immediately qualify for that badge. But that's for a myriad of other, mostly-unrelated reasons.
(I *will* finish it; it was just a passing thought. And then I'll take it all apart again to fit a new bulkhead
)
Thoughts:
- The work you've done looks great
- It looks like it'll be quite front-heavy... I can't help thinking your old MR2 would be nicer to actually drive (but I'm sure you've considered this)
- If you sell it as an 'incomplete project' you likely won't get much for it. If you sell it running with an MoT, more. If you get it 100% finished and looking nice and magazine featured, more again. (although never as much as you spent building it).
- The work you've done looks great
- It looks like it'll be quite front-heavy... I can't help thinking your old MR2 would be nicer to actually drive (but I'm sure you've considered this)
- If you sell it as an 'incomplete project' you likely won't get much for it. If you sell it running with an MoT, more. If you get it 100% finished and looking nice and magazine featured, more again. (although never as much as you spent building it).
Krikkit said:
Finish it, but take it slowly! You said you can't do 10h at a time, just do an hour here and there. Walk away when you get sick of it and come back to it.
It'll be done when it's done.
Make a rule to do *something* on it every day (or week depending on where it is and getting to it). It'll be done when it's done.
Even if that "something" is drilling a single hole or spending 5 minutes on it.
skinthespin said:
With regards the spacers I imagine they will put more load on the bearings, but it will never do many miles and there all brand new. It will make a mess of the standard geometry, steering in particular but if your lowering it as much as I have the set up needs doing from scratch anyway, so happy to do this.
Yeah, don't take that as a criticism, I don't really know what effect spacers have on steering feel and handling, but I suspect someone with your level of mechanical and engineering ability will design a solution if they do cause issues.Great thread OP, keep us updated, even if it does take years.
If you enjoy working on it still then why not? An hour here, an afternoon there...
Appreciate time is valuable but it looks like you've already broken the back of the project, from a complete layman it looks like you're at the exciting stage of fitting things up and making it work again.
Appreciate time is valuable but it looks like you've already broken the back of the project, from a complete layman it looks like you're at the exciting stage of fitting things up and making it work again.
I echo a few thoughts here. It looks fantastic, if you still enjoy it or feel you will enjoy the end product, crack on, when you can and finish the job to same apparent standard you have set.
If it has become a bind, you are not enjoying or it no longer suits your purposes....then let it go.
I bloody hope you finish it though an we get to see the amazing finished product!
Richard
If it has become a bind, you are not enjoying or it no longer suits your purposes....then let it go.
I bloody hope you finish it though an we get to see the amazing finished product!
Richard
I'd move on tbh.
Life's too short to be lying under a car on your time off. I've watched many friends spend their weekends and days off modifying their cars, taking them here and there for this and that. Total waste of time and money IMO.
Buy a nice car that works and enjoy your time out driving it with family and friends, they're the memories worth building.
Life's too short to be lying under a car on your time off. I've watched many friends spend their weekends and days off modifying their cars, taking them here and there for this and that. Total waste of time and money IMO.
Buy a nice car that works and enjoy your time out driving it with family and friends, they're the memories worth building.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff