Repair season has begun
Discussion
Well, after developing various problems in the past 10K miles, I have finally decided to take the Esprit off the road to start a host of repairs and hopefully some updates. Depending on many variables it will be off the road for at least 2 months.
Here's the list of intended repairs/upgrades:
1- New Radiator... it starting seeping last year and now after another 20K miles it started again. Plan is to replace with alloy unit and Spal fans (JAE).
2- Add fans to the oil coolers and some sensing/drive circuitry to control all fan motors and provide real temperature regulation under all conditions.
3- Fiamm air horns (bye-bye Buick).
4- HID swaps on the driving lights (headlamps already done 2 years ago).
moving to the rear of the vehicle....
5- Tubi exhaust. The fourth muffler (all warranty replacements) has started cracking now and the outlet pipes aren't evenly centered and it doesn't sound that great anyway.
6- New metal cats... not decided yet but leaning towards the ones that Marcus has at PUK. Might as well do the entire exhaust up front and be done with it. Would also like all stainless from the turbos back.
7- New clutch. It doesn't show a trace of slip/wear (at 33K+) but it frequently sticks and the car is almost undriveable under most conditions now. Plan is to buy a new unit and have the existing one rebuilt as a spare.
8- New synchros in the gearbox as they are badly worn from said clutch. Also plan to add the Quaife ATB diff at the same time.
9- New air filters.... ITG again.
10- Full cleanup of the engine compartment/chassis and new reflective foil on heat areas as some got ripped away during the gearbox replacement done under warranty.
11- New cambelts at 36K miles (covered by LCU), after 1-10 are done.
Well, wish me luck..... I plan on taking some pics along the way.
Regards, KM
2000 V8 - new and improved for the summer... I hope.
Here's the list of intended repairs/upgrades:
1- New Radiator... it starting seeping last year and now after another 20K miles it started again. Plan is to replace with alloy unit and Spal fans (JAE).
2- Add fans to the oil coolers and some sensing/drive circuitry to control all fan motors and provide real temperature regulation under all conditions.
3- Fiamm air horns (bye-bye Buick).
4- HID swaps on the driving lights (headlamps already done 2 years ago).
moving to the rear of the vehicle....
5- Tubi exhaust. The fourth muffler (all warranty replacements) has started cracking now and the outlet pipes aren't evenly centered and it doesn't sound that great anyway.
6- New metal cats... not decided yet but leaning towards the ones that Marcus has at PUK. Might as well do the entire exhaust up front and be done with it. Would also like all stainless from the turbos back.
7- New clutch. It doesn't show a trace of slip/wear (at 33K+) but it frequently sticks and the car is almost undriveable under most conditions now. Plan is to buy a new unit and have the existing one rebuilt as a spare.
8- New synchros in the gearbox as they are badly worn from said clutch. Also plan to add the Quaife ATB diff at the same time.
9- New air filters.... ITG again.
10- Full cleanup of the engine compartment/chassis and new reflective foil on heat areas as some got ripped away during the gearbox replacement done under warranty.
11- New cambelts at 36K miles (covered by LCU), after 1-10 are done.
Well, wish me luck..... I plan on taking some pics along the way.
Regards, KM
2000 V8 - new and improved for the summer... I hope.
good luck with the work you are going to do, i took my 88 turbo off the road 3 years ago because it blew the head gasket, now at £7500 later were getting there. As i turned that job into a complete rebuild, have replaced every bush nut and bolt (all stainless), brakes all uprated, leda suspension, braided hoses etc etc etc. Got to say it looks pretty dam good now, got about two more months off work to do then i shall be back out in my beloved baby. I have taken loads of pics of the rebuild and shall turn all these into a folder once complete. After all the work, i have got to say it has been worth it, as she will be like a car off the production line (driving on all new parts, not worn). Just now i am installing a new sound system with a 1200 watt amp, alpine head unit and speakers, then off to those good people at s&j for the head gasket (which will be a lot more than that no doubt). Anyway good luck and don`t loose faith when certain parts really pea ya off, as they do.
all the best
all the best
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