Project 'Poor-mans Pickup'
Discussion
New nember, hi!
I may get stick for this, but its what I want so so be it!
I will be starting a project car in October (when I've moved house); my choice of vehicle being a Vauxhall Brava/Isuzu TF:
http://www.carpages.co.uk/isuzu/isuzu_images/isuzu...
I plan to get one with a knackered engine from a breakers yard on the cheap (<£200 ideally) and basically do it up, get it road worthy and 'pimp my ride'!
I'm doing this for two reasons. Firstly, I have little-to-no mechanical knowledge and I want to use this to learn from, and secondly, it will allow me to have something I like but on a smaller and cheaper scale.
I will be doing all of the non-technical (IE styling/audio) myself, the mechanical stuff I will get the aid of friends and pros if need be.
Few immediate questions though. The Brava/TF comes in a variety of 2WD and 4WD petrol and diesel engines. Will the engine bay be more or less the same in each of the cases? If, for example, I acquired a 4WD diesel, what is involved in replacing said engine with a petrol engine from a non-4WD vehicle? Is this possible or does the gearbox(es) create a world of hassle?
I've not decided if I will go diesel or petrol yet in all honesty, though I do fancy putting a 2.5l V6 lump from a Vectra/Calibra into it.
I did want to include a turbo, but I have been advised that converting a NA engine is a LOT of work so I won't bother with that.
Basically, this will be a rolling 12 month project on my driveway; I plan to replace the engine (unless I get lucky and get a good deal on one with a running engine), do whatever needs doing to make it roadworthy, then full respray, window tints, body panels/lights/bumpers added and smooth in, new audio, re-upholster interior and stick dirty, great wheel on it.
Any advice (especially regards the use of engines and 2WD/4WD) is much appreciated!
(PS: I am not niave enough to think this will be quick, cheap or easy!!)
I may get stick for this, but its what I want so so be it!
I will be starting a project car in October (when I've moved house); my choice of vehicle being a Vauxhall Brava/Isuzu TF:
http://www.carpages.co.uk/isuzu/isuzu_images/isuzu...
I plan to get one with a knackered engine from a breakers yard on the cheap (<£200 ideally) and basically do it up, get it road worthy and 'pimp my ride'!
I'm doing this for two reasons. Firstly, I have little-to-no mechanical knowledge and I want to use this to learn from, and secondly, it will allow me to have something I like but on a smaller and cheaper scale.
I will be doing all of the non-technical (IE styling/audio) myself, the mechanical stuff I will get the aid of friends and pros if need be.
Few immediate questions though. The Brava/TF comes in a variety of 2WD and 4WD petrol and diesel engines. Will the engine bay be more or less the same in each of the cases? If, for example, I acquired a 4WD diesel, what is involved in replacing said engine with a petrol engine from a non-4WD vehicle? Is this possible or does the gearbox(es) create a world of hassle?
I've not decided if I will go diesel or petrol yet in all honesty, though I do fancy putting a 2.5l V6 lump from a Vectra/Calibra into it.
I did want to include a turbo, but I have been advised that converting a NA engine is a LOT of work so I won't bother with that.
Basically, this will be a rolling 12 month project on my driveway; I plan to replace the engine (unless I get lucky and get a good deal on one with a running engine), do whatever needs doing to make it roadworthy, then full respray, window tints, body panels/lights/bumpers added and smooth in, new audio, re-upholster interior and stick dirty, great wheel on it.
Any advice (especially regards the use of engines and 2WD/4WD) is much appreciated!
(PS: I am not niave enough to think this will be quick, cheap or easy!!)
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