mitch_f1's mariner NA6

[mitch_f1]

6-12-09
SO I thought it appropriate to take pics with new wheels...

[mitch_f1]

7-12-09
SO I have a new least favourite compound now...mastik...sh*t gets everywhere

I also have a new favourite chemical...white spirit...stuff is magic on bloody mastic, removes it almost like water.

Also learnt that silicone is no substitute for mastik, and that you should keep the original door plastic stuff rather than cutting up a new one from builders sheet.

So yeh, basically I have installed the passenger side manual regulator, but cbf doing the driver regulator, cause 1) i'm lazy, and 2) I had other things i had to do, and I started it too late to get them both done.

The weight difference isnt massive...but then I am not taking into account the weight of all the wiring, which i cbf pulling out, so that is all still in there.

As for weight differences there is a 500g difference in the units along;
1700g for electric
1200g for manual

[CheyneX5]

Cool car man. How many Km's does she have?

[mitch_f1]

16-1-10
So I recently bought some NA8 calipers and brackets, which allow for larger diameter rotors. I am also trying to get an NB prop valve, to have a more rearward bias, and I am told more pedal feel. Doing all this brake work now cause I am worried about the lack of stopping power the car as, and the absolute lack of feel.

Also got the Sabelt harness that a fellow forumer had for sale, but not sure if I am going to fit it now, on account of my realising I have to actually take the roll bar out to put the harness in (it needs the captive nuts to go in for the eye bolts), which is a massive pain in the tit. But will see how I go.

[mitch_f1]

1-2-10
So it arrived today...a lot sooner than I had thought they would.

I guess the tape gives it away a bit....


But then you open it and it is a whole lot of goodies


I got:
GV lip (obviously)
BeeR filter (brand new, for almost nothing)
Front lower control arm braces
JoyFast (Carbing) front strut tower brace with BMC brace
RS Stage Brake pads...dont know what I am going to do with them, because I have since purchased NA8 brakes. Might put them in for EC trackday, see how they go.
Also a 360mm Nardi Classic


Strut brace was easy as piss to install, so I got right to it. This thing is so light. Didn't weigh it, but easily 1 or 2kg, possibly less; hollow aluminium ftw. BMC brace is also quite cool (should this be sitting tight up against BMC or just loosely?)







Brand new BeeR filter, which will go in the stock airbox. What I am planning is to run a 60 or 75mm PVC pipe (yet to determine which will work best) into the airbox, which I will heat wrap. Mostly because as I hear the exposed filter is a little bit illegal, and I kinda want the car to be less defectable. PLUS I read somewhere in a comparison of different intakes on the NA6 that the stock intake with a higher flow filter works best when compared to like pod filters and such (although they did not test the mania-style intake).






So tomorrow I am going to get the car up on stands, do GV lip, brake pads, and lower arm bars. Gonna be fun tomorrow!!

[mitch_f1]

2-2-10
Didn't quite get to brake pads (cbf), or intake (couldn't find right diameter tubing), but i did braces and GV lip (which took a little bit longer than it should have because the front bumper was apparently a bit bent froma previous owner, so had to straighten the supports. Also couldn't get the momo off, so the Nardi didn't go on.

First i thought I'd dwell on the quality of the braces.




here they are fitted. They don't have the same cross-bracing of the cusco items, but I don't really think that matters terribly much, plus they were about a quarter of the cost




You can't really see it here, but I had to space the back one with 4 gal washers to clear the exhaust



GV lip on car. If i can find the right ducting for the intake I might get a little bit more and make some brake ducting as well

[mitch_f1]

9-2-10
so changed brake pads today. Took a while because first I couldn't get the front rotors off, then I had to wait for them to get machined, then I had trouble with that stupid piston valve screw thing at the rear. But I got them in. Just went out and bedded them, but now I have a small problem.

Firstly there appears to be a periodically contacting pad at the right rear. Unsure if it is rotor, pad, or bad reassembly. Think I'm going to take it to mania on Thursday ask them whats happening.

Also, it would appear that the car pulls while braking heavy, I think it pulls to the left, but that could have been the road surface, as it also pulled to the right on a couple of occasions, so unsure about that one....

[mitch_f1]

18-2-10
So did the twilight track day thing yesterday. Had an absolute ball; the car is soo much fun to drive. Couple things need to be done now though; exhaust (couldn't hear the car, which is really annoying, so Ive purchased a second hand 2" extractors off of ebay for fairly cheap ($100), and am going to get the rest of the system fabricated up), and improve driving skill; my heel toeing was pretty atrocious and embarrassing, so have got to practice and perfect this. But all in all it was so much fun. I think last time I looked I was doing 2.08's which for a first trackday I think is pretty respectable.

The most amazing thing though was the tyres; they blew my mind. I could go full throttle (after a little brake) though turn 1 at about 140, and then full throttle again through turn 4, which was sooo much fun; I could feel the tyres really hugging over the bumps in that corner.

The whole night thing was pretty hairy as well; could hardly see the exits of corners, and on turn 3 almost went off because I thought the exit was a lot closer than it was

Did a couple of videos, neither of which were any good (I kept forgetting to turn it on), but I have now worked out that Ricoh cameras are hopeless for incar footage due to atrocious vibrations, which the Panasonic cameras had none of.

All in all was a great night, massive props to Circuit Club, and I cannot wait for the next one.

Car also looks baller with black wheels and the black GV lip. Gonna post some pics up of it on Sunday when I get my card reader back (can't download photos or videos yet).


23-2-10
looks tough:


Finally got round to uploading some videos:
This one is probably one of the better ones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsD6OhIJyqg

This was from earlier in the same session
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzQ52Z3j3go

The closest thing I had to a loose all night, which was good considering how hard I was pushing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTjjWwclFSA

As for exhaust, the header that I purchased off of ebay turns out it is a HKS Super Header, so pretty happy with the deal I got there. Now I am just going to book the car in to get the rest of the system done.

[mitch_f1]

3-3-10
Thanks mate, and once I can drive it properly I will.

So I have pretty much gotten to a point where I am happy with the car. Everytime I drive it, it makes me giggle; when I turn it turns, and it grips, it's just so amazing, and fun to drive!!! I am also very happy with the cars looks and stance, it makes me think 'wow that's tough' every time I look at it.

So today I was installing the rear subframe brace which I bought agers ago. Had a couple of problems, and what was supposed to be a 1/2hr install, turned out to be a several hour install. First, the holes that go onto the lower control arm bolts were off by less than 5mm, so i had to file away at that until it would fit. Then, when tightening it up, I managed to shear one of the bolts which attach the rear sway bar to the chassis. I called up Mania, and they said I should drill it out, tap it, and just put a bolt through it. So I drilled it out, put a high tensile bolt through of a slightly smaller diameter in (didn't bother tapping it, because the hole I drilled was a bit of a cone shape due to sh*t drill keeping on moving when it came in contact with the harder steel of the body, as opposed to the soft steel of the bolt). Hope it works out okay, but it doesn't appear to be any kind of load bearing bolt, and there is the one above to keep it in. Can anyone just put my mind at ease, and confirm this?

Anyway, pics;
Sheared bolt


captive head


sheared bolt in nut


fixed


Installed


Honestly, I can't notice a huge amount of difference, but I'm sure it's there, because that is a pretty big hole that it has filled.

[mitch_f1]

9-3-10
So I took the roof off today for some twilight cruising, and could not believe the difference in handling. It was just so rubbery and sh*t, i guess is the only way to put it. The roof makes it feel so taught and stiff and direct...taking the roof off gets rid of all of that, it is quite an exceptional difference.

So I have bought a new airbox for the car, it was very very cheap, and it has everything that I wanted to do to it, to make it reasonably legal (exposed pod filter right now, with no way of enclosing it easily). Will be here soon as dad comes home from business trip (joy). Basically it is stock airbox with heat protection on exhaust side, enlarged intake tube and flexible ducting to go from headlight duct direct to airbox. Also free HKS filter





Also purchased a new exhaust (almost):




I know a guy in Japan with it on his car, and he, and his friends love it, plus I got a good deal on it, so looking forward to it.

[mitch_f1]

17-3-10
so cappuccino tells me you cant get the no-pro washer bottle at Suzuki parts australia, but the part number is 38450-80F00, and yes it is the same as the NoPro one.

So I fitted the exhaust today, and took it for a bit of a drive. It's too quiet. So I am a bit sad. It contacts the diff and the rear bumper, so I am getting it bent a bit on Friday, might also look at getting a cat delete pipe. Overall, its a good exhaust, build quality is exceptional, but the loudness lets you down a bit.

Also the tips are tiny; two 1.5" tips...so maybe look at getting some bigger ones put on in the future

[mitch_f1]

21-3-10
So the dyno day today was kind of interesting. Made 70kw, 99nM with the pod filter installed, and 68/69 with the stock airbox, and panel filter

Pod filter


Airbox



The exhaust is a bit louder now as well, so it is starting to settle, which is nice.

[mitch_f1]

28-3-10
So wakefield is tmrw, and I has a video camera now (not a borrowed one )

Got a bit bored at work yesterday, so stupidly made my way over to the variety shop...found some high visibility smiley faces..and had to have them (they arent as blotchy as the picture; they are like th colour of those high vis vests


Also, got a couple of shitty exhaust pics




Tips are still really small, but it's starting to get quite loud now after the dyno day, and I imagine it will be at it's loudest post-wakefield.


29-3-10
So wakefield was pretty exceptional. Best time was a 1.19.861. So I am fair stoked with that considering I still have yet to master downshifts, and my lines were still pretty horrendous. Didn't video that run unfrotunately, and can't find a way to chop up the video I did take, so it may be a while.

Also, the right rear pad was absolutely nutted; was down to the metal. Was changing wheels and was like 'what is this on the rotor.....ohhhh sh*t,' so pretty much drove home without using the brakes.

Also have some kind of a rubbing issue at the left front; the inside of the tyre is touching somewhere, and gouging out chunks of tyre. Can't see where though, will have to get under the car at some point and check it out. But strange thing is that it wasn't happening at EC, and nothing has changed in terms of suspension since EC.

[mitch_f1]

10-4-10
So i went to mania to get this rear brake thing sorted. They rekon that the rear calipers are rooted, and need a rebuild (the adjustments aren't smooth like they should be, and the whole wearing out one pad and not the other - ON THE SAME SIDE!!!)

So I have been looking into putting the NA8 brake kit that Ihave purchased a little while ago onto the car. I think I am going to do it. Thanks to Jason's (szeman), and hopefully an accurate micrometer reading (I am not sure how accurate my one is) I have determined that my front rotors are 19.5mm thick (they should be 20mm thick when new), so they are good to go, unlike what I was told from the seller). The front pads are brand new, and made by Akebono, but I am unsure what spec of pad they are, and I have just emailed them to try and find out. The rear pads which are almost new seem to be replacement stock items. Plus I have new rear rotors (need a shim because they are rusty, but meh). So I just have to find the time to go to Mania now.

Oh and I also have the NB prop valve to go in at the same time.

Should hopefully be ready in time for anzac day at wakefield.

[mitch_f1]

11-6-10
So with the QB wakefield day on Monday I got my arse into gear and did the NA8 brake conversion. Ive had them sitting in the garage for like forever, just not done anything about it. I got the rear calipers rebuilt at Chatswood Brake and Clutch (Bruce there is a relaly nice guy, strongly recommend them to anyone looking to do the same) because I had issues with leaking calipers on both sets, so figured why not start from new with this.

The front calipers I just used the ones off of the car. When I have some more money I will look at getting them rebuilt as well i think. But so far they are fine.

For brake pads I have gone for RS Factory Stage S500 pads. It was a bit close with them just arriving this morning, but thanks to Streeter for organising them. I was a bit stupid and forgot to consider postage in the cost, so they were a bit more expensive than what I thought, so are not the bargain that I originally anticipated.

For the rotors I have gone RDA slotted up front (thanks to forum sponsor JDM Obsession for sorting me out with these and for the Cressida as well - now drives like a new car). Up rear I have shaved the rear rotors and am just using those for the moment. They have like .5-1mm left in them, so that should be plenty for the time being.

Had a bit of an experience with Mania, who i got to install them (I would have liked to, but I dont have the time with exams coming in thick and fast). They called me up after dropping the car off, and were like, so with the rear calipers, do you want to keep the ones on the car (I gave him the reco'd rears in a box, and they look brand new). I felt like saying, well, which ones look newer do you think. I mean for crying out loud.

Oh yeh, I got the NA8 brake kit with some braided lines up front of unkown brand. The plastic coating of the lines was a bit damaged on one of them, but the braiding is in good nick. So these went on as well. Again, mania had to ask me if I wanted them on; I gave you them ffs, of course I do.

While they were putting the brakes on they noticed that the drivers hub was a bit loose, so that was unfortunately replaced. $300 I did not anticipate having to spend (they rekoned it would be the same price to remove and repack it with the labor involved than to replace it), which was a bit of a kick in the gut. But it's all sexy and new now; couldn't believe how easily the wheel spun with the new one in.

While it was there I also got them to do the gearbox and diff oil, as i didnt realise that they hadn't done it on the 100,000kms service. Going into 2nd has been a bit notchy of late and there has been a couple of occasions where it hasn't wanted to go in. Unfortunately the oil change didn't do much for it, and I think the box might be on its way out. Thoughts???

Umm yeh, don't know what else to say, apart from sorry for all the text; got a bit excited. For your reward, here are some pics:

Brand new looking rear calipers. ignore the surface rust on them; I spilt a bit of water on it





Braided lines, sexy in red

What do you think? Worth worrying about???


NB brake prop valve. Didn't end up installing it, I think I will see how it goes. This is another popular thing to do with the NA8 brake swap, as it is bigger than the NA6.


Looking mighty attractive here





Also forgot to mention that I spent like forever getting the roll bar out just because I forgot to put the plate for harness bolts in. So now that is in, and if I ever have to take that roll bar out and put it back in again I might just die. Also put a fire extinguisher in.




12-6-10
SO just went for a nice little drive almost out to Pitt Town, and honestly, wasn't that impressed with the brakes. I mean I wasn't going hard or anything, but I didn't notice much of a difference in stopping power, and the pedal was still annoyingly soft. I wonder how would I go about firming up pedal feel?

I guess though only Monday will tell, once the rotors and pads get some proper sustained heat into them for the first time.




By the way...buy my old brake stuffs :p