Lauren

The reason is we've been too busy and I did lose interest for a bit when I got the GT. The engine was finished a year ago. Just been busy doing the GT86 stuff. Really there was no rush. Will hopefully get it started on Saturday morning. I'm not in a rush to get it insured and MOT'd yet. If we do have an 86 day event in June perhaps I'll aim for that.

LOL! It was a sign! Just for good karma and all that, I will make sure my GT is watching when I go to start it.

Got a bit more done today. Filled the gear box oil which is the easiest job in the world on an AE86 as you just pour it through the hole where the gearlever sits. Then bolted up the gearstick and the surround: Now with gearstick and centre console back in place. Interior now complete if absolutely filthy from being in the workshop for the last 20 months: Connected the battery and voila: Although in this pick I'd forgot to push the alarm button so no ignition light. When I did, though it did turn over, just. This is not bad for a battery that's been sitting for so long! Everything is on except for the exhaust manifold which needs wrapping. I have some new studs coming from Toyota too. In this pic I had just put the oil in;

Cool. I'll have Mark's Go Pro, need the suction mount as he only has stick on mounts.

Would be interested in the suction mount. Mark has a 3+ Black edition. So may use it for mounting in the car.

Mark, I was comparing a non resonated Milltek to a non resonated Cobra system. This is a fair comparison I feel.

After seeing a friend's post on FB today of her trip to Tec Arts (she was there today!) I just must go: http://www.autolifers.com/garage-life-tec-arts-tuning-shop-japan/ Just wow!

Was in to see Richard at RRG Macc this morning. Got one of those new steering wheels that Fensport sell. Richard gave me the keys to his TRD for the day which already has the steering wheel and poly bush for the gearbox fitted. By the time I got to work, I was on the phone to him asking him to fit the poly bush gearbox mount as it makes quite a difference to the gear change. No problem he said! I've got to say the poly bush makes the gear change just so much more precise. It really does feel snickety snick when you change gear. A great mod and not expensive either. I do like the new steering wheel too. It's 350mm so 10mm less in diameter than standard, but it's just so much more comfortable to hold. It has sculpted sections for your hands so they rest much more comfortably on the wheel at quarter to three. Also it's a little bit thicker which I think helps too. Here's a pic, though low light means it's a little poor:

It could be a way forward. Meet up Saturday, hotel, big dinner, then meet Sunday, with a drive out perhaps?

I've got tbh, this just isn't good enough. It sounds like their systems vary in how loud they are. I wonder if it is to do with how well packed the rear box is? It's not because an unresonated system is too loud either. I have an unresonated Milltek with a decat and overpipe. No issues and I haven't heard of anyone having issues. My system may have quietened slightly but it was never too loud in the first place. I have 30K+ miles on mine.

If I buy anything I'll ship it back. I do have a budget for buying parts, but really we'll see. I'd love to find a decent set of wheels for the AE86.

I wouldn't put them on my car, that is true. I actually really like the standard ones. They are a nod to the 2000 GT.

I'm also wondering on the effect of my lighter wheels on the damper settings. I noticed that driving the TRD with it's heavier 18" rims, the damping felt better. In comparison to my lighter (7.4kg) wheels whereby it feels like the dampers can't keep up with them.

It's about £227 inc VAT. On the Fensport site if you have a look. I drove Maz's car. I didn't like his spring rate of 6/4kg. It really doesn't work. Also it feels underdamped. 8kg is getting on for pretty firm, which I think would be too much for me.

Time Lapse video of proceedings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_WFnab2kh0&list=UUdokYg51aL3FGA4-k4jCAoQ&feature=share

Okay, we have the engine and box back in the car! It's been 20 odd months since it last sat in there! Waiting for the rain to stop so we can open the shutter doors and get the engine and box in position: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Shutter going up and time for the AE86 to meet the GT86. Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr With three of us and me being underneath guiding the gearbox down, we had it all on the mounts within 15 minutes. Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Mocal sandwich plate for the oil cooler on and new Toyota filter added: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Si gets busy with all the awkward bits: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr This pic doesn't show much, but it signifies the prop being back on the gearbox, so all is connected underneath: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Exhaust manifold needs some more wrapping yet: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Si still fiddling: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr A bi of a problem here. The inlet seems to have got broken somewhow where it's been stored out of the car. Not sure what to do, will see if Toyota still have new ones and price up, I think. Not sure I can do much with that. Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Still, a decent amount of progress has been made today. Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr We need a few bits. Apart from the radiator, I need engine oil, gearbox oil and a few odds and sods. But, will hopefully have it running in a few weeks.

I admit I would have preferred a wheel which was all black, but it's the way it feels to me that matters. Function over form and all that. I will add those bushes to the list when I get the suspenders changed. Just out of interest how did you find Maz's car in regard to the suspension and the supercharger? He is running 6/4kg springs on the HKS Super GT coilovers.

A bit more progress. Mark insisted that I buy new bolts for the bellhousing to gearbox and block strengtheners. So off he went to Toyota: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr £25 for 8 bolts! I'm glad we changed them though, the old ones were in terrible condition: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Mark makes the first cut to the wiring loom in preparation for the new injector clips (we've changed to later injectors from an AW11): Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Meanwhile Si and I get the engine and box ready for lifting so we can get to those other bolts: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Starter on and some shiny bolts too: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Mark's soldering setup. I know crimping would be better but we don't have the gear. They will be well soldered, knowing Mark: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Mark, hard at work: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr New injector plugs spliced into the old loom: Untitled by Lauren Blighton, on Flickr Next the engine and box goes back in!

JFDI, Neil on the polybush. Big difference for minimal cost. I really love the new steering wheel as well, it's just way more comfortable than the OEM one.

Put me down for £2 a kilo for you and Jan please.

Also bought a carbon gear knob when I was at Fensport last weekend. Really this was a 'comfort' purchase as I find the stitching on the front and rear of the OEM knob to be a bit coarse. This is a smooth knob which is much more comfortable: I think with the mileage I do, I've come to realise that comfort is important, hence the gear knob and the steering wheel.

Gearbox mount.

They look nice. Why did I think they would be black?

Looks good. I do like those Buddy Club ones, but they are pretty expensive.

Happy Birthday, Steve. (Don't worry I'll link it to FB for him!)