Lachstock and Four Turbo Charged Cylinders ['04 NB SE]

[Lokiel]

:
On a different tack, does anyone know if there's any difference in upper and lower radiator hoses for the SE compared to the normal NBs? I figure it's a good time to replace them while doing the timing belt job soon. I've done some research that suggests there's a difference, but I can't find anything definitive.

The upper radiator hose is different because it has to bend around in front of the intercooler pipe's throttle body elbow - it's a subtle difference but it exists. On MT.net, 18psi was asking about his dodgy looking radiator hose on the SE/MSM he had and I wrote that it was from a N/A NB - the standard NB hose was stretched and made contact with the elbow since it was missing the extra kink.

- a good excuse to do the cooling re-route?
I still have my upper hose in good condition if you want it since it no longer fits my TSE radiator
- I think I've chopped up the lower one to fit the TSE radiator and modified mixing manifold.

The lower hose MAY fit OK but I know that the mixing manifold on the SE/MSM is different since the outlet needed to clear the turbo.

If you can't find the right hoses, you can always get a few hoses, cut them accordingly and use SAAS water temperature adapters to join them (it does add potential leak points though )

[ManiacLachy]

Thanks Lokiel. Yeah, I was starting to get the impression there were some differences, mostly on the lower, but it's good to know the upper is different too.

Mania have some silicone hoses specifically for the SE. Doesn't look like OEMs are available any more for the SE/MSM, not enough volume/demand I guess. Unfortunately Mania only have blue or red available (black is out of stock), going to be a bit of an eye-sore either way, but might be the best option.

I'd like to do a re-route, but I figure I'll have enough on my hands doing the timing belt on a weekend, let alone messing around installing a re-route at the back of the head with the engine in place. Also, I'd want to do a cross-flow (FM/SM/TSE) install at the same time. But I can't do that until the OEM turbo goes bye-bye. It's a game of dominoes!

I think it's just time for the Mania hoses.

[StanTheMan]

if & when your new turbo goes in will you need to change your clutch?
if you do. I'd wait for the re route until then. take out thge engine & gear box. might do it all in a weekend.

timing belt should be a day if you also do the water pump.

[ManiacLachy]

if & when your new turbo goes in will you need to change your clutch?
if you do. I'd wait for the re route until then. take out thge engine & gear box. might do it all in a weekend.

timing belt should be a day if you also do the water pump.

The current clutch should be able to handle anything the stock motor can throw at it. Famous Last Words. I have an FM2 on the shelf I bought last year during Black Friday sales if it's needed though.

No rush for the re-route, might get done on the stock motor insitu in time, or it'll be done when we pull the motor to rebuild for moar boost. I don't have any cooling problems right now.

The timing belt should only take one day. But nothing takes the time it should the first go, I'm trying to give myself the whole weekend. I'm doing the water pump of course, and one or two other things while I'm in there. I almost have my ducks in a row to start work, maybe next weekend.

[greenMachine]

So the two most hyped up and expensive models of shocks can't handle a bit of normal day-to-day grit. That is very disappointing.

These shocks did 200,000kms plus in the GM, before coming off and being re-valved for the racecar. They then did about ten years in that application, before coming off that car and straight onto the SE.

I don't see much to complain about there. YMMV though.

[ManiacLachy]

Bruce loves a good complain, it's what we love about him!

GM you got a lot better run out your PSS9s than I did out of my Xidas. You surely don't have much to complain about there. In my case I think this second round of leaking was an issue with the rebuild. But I don't think they should have need the rebuild so soon either.

[bruce]

Grumble, grumble!

[ManiacLachy]

Hold on to your hats, at last, I have a daily driver!



I've been wanting a daily for a little while now, it will allow me to work on the SE stress free without having to worry about finishing jobs over the weekend, I can carry people and my dog, it's much more comfortable for passengers, I can enjoy the MX-5 more when I drive it (I can't remember the last time I went for a purely fun cruise). And after a few tastes of the upcoming QLD summer with some 30* days over the last week or two, having a car with a decent AC is a major draw!







It's another silver, 6 speed manual, Japanese car from the 2000s, 4 cylinders and a turbo charger. Just like the MX5 SE

But this one is 2.5L, all wheel drive, seats 5 people and carries a load more gear! It's a 2007 Subaru Liberty GT-B.

I've been wanting one of these since a friend had an auto version 10 years ago or so. And the want has grown ever since. I had some reservations about Subaru fuel economy and reliability, but in the end my heart won out.

Silver wasn't my pick of colour, but these are quite rare in the manual wagon combo. Combined with the fact that it was in Brisbane, 10 minutes from my office, and only 67k km on the clock, this was the one! And actually, the two silver cars make a pretty handsome combo

It has a few mild mods, pretty much what I would want to do myself, a 3" dump, WRX mufflers (not my favourite if I'm honest, stock is nicer looking), a tune (better response and economy), whiteline sway bars, some LEDs, and a solid tint. The only thing missing is a Bluetooth setup, which I will have to sort out so I can stream music and take/make calls. Although there is a world of mods for these cars, just as big as the with the MX5, I'm going to resist the urge. For now.

It's a fun car, enough grunt and grip to make it entertaining, but it's quiet and classy and comfortable. The stereo is great (14 speaker McIntosh setup), the AC is excellent, visibility is really good. The dump and mufflers haven't made it loud, maybe very slightly louder than stock, it's no boy-racer. It's built in the window of time when cars were well built and modern, but before they became overburdened with electronic nannies and complicated technologies prone to failure - the sweet spot.

I hope to enjoy this car for many years to come. And I hope this will enable me to better enjoy the MX5 as well!

[StanTheMan]

nice thats definitely my favorite shape . they seem to have become really boaty of late

[StanTheMan]

everything in that era was silver..../OMG
now its that machine grey or gun metal. LOL

If that's a Liberty GT-B does that mean its built by STI ? And numbered?

[ManiacLachy]

The Gen 4 was a good shape, sporty but still classy and practical. You're right they got boaty for gen 5, and the current one looks like a cross between a Camry and an Accord, so boring, and is only available as a sedan with a CVT transmission . Earlier models looked good too, square and purposeful.

Not built by STI, the GT-B just means it's a facelift version, the original Gen 4 GT was a 2.0L turbo with a 5 speed, the GT-B is a 2.5L with a 6 speed, and I think they changed the turbo too, and a few cosmetic and interior differences. The facelift is the generally more desirable car, but from what I hear some people claim the 2.0 is better than the 2.5.

There is a "tuned" by STI version which carries a premium, but is little more than a slight tweak to the tune (which can be accomplished and superseded with a re flash on the GT-B) and some Enkei wheels, maybe a spring and brake upgrade. It's not really enough to warrant the money IMO.

Silver is the safe colour, but a little boring. The Subaru white is really nice, and despite the required cleaning black also looks good. I'll be just fine with the silver.

[Lokiel]

:
The facelift is the generally more desirable car, but from what I hear some people claim the 2.0 is better than the 2.5.
:

? I heard the opposite ?

At any rate, I think you've got the perfect DD apart from fuel economy, it can carry a lot of sh*t, is reliable, has all the NEEDED mod-cons, is "dawg-friendly", and is actually fun to drive with plenty of "poke".

Agree with comments regarding the shape, it's under-stated - I HATE many of the new cars coming out today, they look way too busy and like stuff has just been stuck on as an after-thought (Honda Civic and just about every Toyota, I'm specifically calling you out on this - these cars look odd now and will not age well).

The temptation to mod this car will be all-powerful so, "Be Strong!"

[ManiacLachy]

? I heard the opposite ?

At any rate, I think you've got the perfect DD apart from fuel economy, it can carry a lot of sh*t, is reliable, has all the NEEDED mod-cons, is "dawg-friendly", and is actually fun to drive with plenty of "poke".

The temptation to mod this car will be all-powerful so, "Be Strong!"

I guess it comes down to opinion on the face-lift differences? I don't know enough about them yet, but like with the MX5 there is a big community and plenty of information, I'm reading and learning.



That's pure highway, but I'm happy with that. I think I'm currently on a ~10L/100km on suburban driving. I'll have a better idea of what my mixed usage is like by the end of the week. I'm expecting about 9L/100km, which is fine. Much better than what the SE is pulling on E85!

Oh, the urge to mod will be mighty strong, I'm sure I'll cave eventually, but for now the focus is on getting the SE to where I want it. Starting with the timing belt job, and hopefully resolving my suspension woes. Might even see if I can get that multi-function gauge to behave

[Lokiel]

:
Might even see if I can get that multi-function gauge to behave

I should be getting some free time to get Gina up and running soon AND look into that!

You need to get a shot of your dog sitting on the engine block - "A boxer on a boxer"!

[SKYHI]

Well done mate. I love my Skoda Octavis RS wagon, it has all the space, practicality, comfort and speed I need for a daily driver.

No more stressing about having to get the SE jobs finished on a weekend