Accidentally bought a V8.....

So, it would be a slight understatement to say it's been a while since I posted. In fact Its been 4 or 5 months (if not more) if my memory serves me well. This has been predominently down to two reasons, both involving me blowing my project car savings (sorry for the neglect my poor Mitsubishi). Firstly, this was due to moving house and the car fund becoming a mortgage deposit, as our house sold quicker than expected. Secondly, after we moved I started saving again.... and I kinda blew the project car money again... this time on a V8... The Abarth is gone.

Now, blogger tells me that 9 of every 10 views on my blog comes from North America, so I want to start by clarfiying that although this is a V8, this isn't American muscle, though it could be considered 'muscle' of sorts. Deutsch Muskal.

This is my new (to me) Audi S4. It has a 4.2l (256.3 cubic inch) engine which, when new, delivered 339 bhp through all 4 wheels.... ugly ass wheels... 

To be fair they don't look as bad in the flesh as they do in photos, but still might be tempted for a bit of an upgrade at some point. 

In terms of performance it does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, a fraction slower than my old Hawkeye and not too far off what the GTO could do before it was garaged. The drive is much smoother than I expected from an engine this size, and its delivery of power, for the most part, feels quite refined in comparison to the JDM cars I've had with similar performance. When testing it I put my foot down from a set of lights and started thinking it wasn't too fast, until I looked in the rear view mirror to realise how far ahead of everyone else on the dual carriageway I was.

The interior is well kitted out for a car off its age. It has Recaro's front and rear, all of which are heated leather. There are tons of hidden compartments, so plenty of storgae and a huge boot. And with four doors this means I can now cart the kids around... if I ever let them in the car.

At the point of typing this I have had the car for only a couple of hours, having picked it up during rush hour. This means I'm yet to stretch its legs and see what it can really do. As such, I will do another entry next week focusing a bit more on the drive of the car.

Check out my last post here

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New-New-Top 'So Called' Gear

Sunday night, sat on my sofa, watching TV from behind a cushion. Peeping at the screen through the gaps in my fingers, hiding behind my hands. No, I wasn't watching some cheesy teen slasher horror set in some abandoned asylum... though it did feel like it... I was watching the new Top Gear.

Probably the second most anticipated moment in car related TV entertainment of 2016 in the world (obviously behind the 'Grand Tour'). It had big shoes to fill, clown sized in-fact. Not many would be foolish enough to try, especially whilst brazenly copying the old format, though I'm sure the paychecks helped.

The first disappointment to point out occurred before the opening credits had even finished. Evans trying (and failing miserably) to copy the voice-over style of Clarkson. It is something he just couldn't pull off and I think this video says it all....

Reaction to Evans' Top Gear from proper presenters

The next disappointment came right at the end of the credits. I expected the credits to finish and have Johnny Storm, or maybe even Captain America stood there... But instead was some old ginger pillock... I thought Chris Evans was presenting it? 

Chris Evans Meme

Into the first segment and Evans' Clarkson-isms continued to un-impress. "Brakes the size of dinner plates..." etc etc. 

I've read a lot of criticism of Matt Le Blanc as well, though in my opinion he was much better than Evans and showed more potential at being watchable. I was a bit disappointed that the attempt at a cheap car challenge saw him on the back of a tow truck for the majority of it, fighting break downs was half the fun of those things! But still, as long as he can learn to say "Porsche" correctly, he may be a slight saving grace for the main show. Especially if the bookies odds are right for Evans being dropped after 1 season. 

The real hidden gem was Extra Gear. Given how bad the main show felt, I'm not sure many will have gone out of their way to watch the Extra Gear sister show, and if not many did it would be a real shame, as I think Chris Harris and Rory Reid proved the much more watchable pair. If you hated the main show, I would strongly recommend giving that one a chance. 

I also loved the concept of having a rally cross track for the 'star in the reasonably priced car' segment of the show. It really mixes thing up for those 10 minutes, it may no longer be the break in the show to make a cuppa it has always traditionally been. I will find it interesting to watch the first bad weather laps as I can imagine that will impact on lap times much more than the old track, but also make them more spectacular to watch!

On reflection, I think the negative reaction was that of a knee jerk, and I suppose that's why I waited a couple of days before posting about it. It's not as bad as people are making out, and there is some potential there. I suppose after a few episodes when Evans realises he will never be Clarkson and settles down into being himself, maybe even he could become a bit more watchable..... here's hoping, and failing that, counting down to Grand Tour, albeit still watching Top Gear in the mean time. 

And for those still resistant to change (maybe myself included)  don't forget Top Gear used to look like this:

Check out my last entry K&N 57i install on a Mitsubishi GTO (3000GT)

If you would like to laugh at my lack of progress in real time you can follow me on social sites by clicking the links below or search the @s :

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How to Sleepy Eye/Lazy Eye a Mitsubishi GTO/3000gt

I mentioned I wanted to try this soon, but I didn't realise it would only take me 30 seconds to do... (cue the that's what she said jokes)

So what is Sleepy Eye or Lazy Eye? This is where your pop-up headlights aren't fully open, but aren't closed either, it's a paradox a bit like a bar just before kick out, the doors open, but are you hell gonna get served.... although funnily enough it can make your car look like it's had one too many beers... and the rest!

Sleepy Eye GTO

This is probably the easiest mod I will ever do to the car... It doesn't really count as a mod, just something cool to do for pics with pop-up headlights really. Beats the googly eyes I keep seeing hairdressers put on their mx5's  (that's what we call a "miata" to those across the pond by the way).

The first step, which I'm sure will come as a shock to most, is to open the bonnet.

GTO engine bay. Headlight height controls circled. 

In the pic above I have circled the "headlight height control dials". I'm sure this will have a more technical and slightly less made up title, but as my manual is in Japanese I'm gonna go with that for now... it's catchy. Up close it looks like this:

Dial with cover

 It is a rubber cover which hides the actual "headlight height control dial" underneath. This should pull off easy enough.

Actual dial

 

With your headlights popped up, turn this dial the opposite direction to the arrow (anti-clockwise) and the headlight will start to lower itself. It's that easy! I found the cover to the dial handy as a gauge to use to ensure the headlights were at the level, although the cock eyed look might appeal to some people.

GTO with 1 Lazy Eye

And on that note I'll just leave this here:

I prefer the look of the Sleepy Eye on the GTO without the lens below the headlight itself, sadly this is the sidelight and I probably wouldn't get away with doing a delete on this in the UK, not that anything seems to ever get done about those driving about with only 1 headlight, but it would be just my luck to get screwed over it, so I think I may nightshade that somewhere down the line. 

Below is what it looks like with both sides done for now though.

This wasn't all I got up to with the GTO this weekend however, in my next entry (hopefully later this week) I'll be removing this:

Check out my last entry - The Beast is Back

If you would like to laugh at my lack of progress in real time you can follow me on social sites by clicking the links below or search the @s :

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The Beast is Back!

I have finally got the GTO back, and she runs! That GTO shaped hole in my garage is gone, snuggly filled with my baby. I'm a happy boy. 

Always love a fat arse!

I missed the call to pick her up yesterday whilst driving home. I got back with 5 minutes to spare before the garage closed so called them and arranged to pick her up today instead. So last night I couldn't sleep for thinking about her. And I thought of her whilst I was getting ready this morning. And I rather struggled to concentrate at work today, watching the clock ticking down till I could leave and pick her up. 

Back home where she belongs.

Mrs 3oD was kind enough to drop me at the garage to pick it up, but as we set off and headed the 15 miles or so home I decided I couldn't stop. I live up in the hills, with many a fine B road to blast down and having not driven her for 4 months the temptation to go for a little hoon was too high.... I just wanted to drive, and drive, and drive.... 

After a short while, I pulled over, and just had to take some photos of her as the sun was setting. (I even used the big boy camera, not just my phone! Oh so grown up...) 

Not the first I took, but by far my favourite!

In truth, blasting through the countryside made me realise how far I have to go with this car. It highlighted a few issues I had forgotten about from before she was taken off the road in February.

Under heavy braking the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably in my hand, I have experienced this same feeling before in my Hawkeye when the brake rotas needed replacing through slight warping. This is the reason my next big purchase is planned to be a big brake kit, and I will probably be taking her easy until I get that installed, she still stops fine but I don't want to take any chances. Thankfully she's not a daily so doesn't need to see many miles in that time. 

Another issue is third gear had always been a little hard to find, and with changing the clutch this was much improved, but still not ideal. When I get round to ordering a short shifter I wonna have a look at the selector mechanism because it feels more like that than the box itself, but in all honesty I can see 2017 bringing a gearbox refurbishment. I think I would be kidding myself if I thought anything else, this is a 90's Mitsubishi after all!

The winding mountain roads also made me realise that I should have probably gone for a stage 2 clutch. I warned warned by the manager of the garage how heavy it was before I got in the car, but was still shocked at how much force it took to depress the stage 3. My left leg is gonna be ripped! That is something I will get used to, and the extra torque it can take will hopefully one day be a necessity for the 3 of diamonds!

Find some more of my pics below, I need a bit more practice, but hopefully I'll get there with using that camera soon. 

Check out my last couple of posts:

Still no GTO

Car Porn

If you would like to laugh at my lack of progress in real time you can follow me on social sites by clicking the links below or search the @s :

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Still no GTO?

So, when I set the time aside this weekend to write my next entry, I was fully anticipating having got the GTO  back from having the work done on it, posting images from taking her for a hoon through the countryside to celebrate her return. Unfortunately due to a slight miscommunication she is not yet ready. Cue sad face emoji.

So instead I have been sat working out what my next few mods will be for the car, as I get stuck in to working on her properly for the first time. The next big purchases are easy, I live up in the hills and as a result have a wealth on winding, apex filled country roads which are national speed limit, so it would almost be insulting to the car to not start with a big brake kit and some suspension upgrades. Brakes will probably come first, and I'm in the process of saving up, but don't think they'll happen until July. 

Big brake kit for a Mitsubishi

So what happens in the mean time? When she's up and running again I don't exactly want to wait to July before I can start with improvements... Well, as mentioned at the end of my last post I have a 57i induction kit waiting to be installed. When I install this I will also trying to use up my stash of elbow grease to clean up the engine bay. For some reason I don't quite trust 25 year old electrics with the power spray, so it may be a long and tedious job doing it by hand, but it's gotta be done! 

K&N Logo

Along with the induction kit, I also have ready and waiting a set of JDM speed tow hooks and a Summit Racing windscreen repair kit. Although my insurance covers me for windscreen replacement, I would have to pay a rather large excess, and as the chip in mine is only small thought a gamble on repairing myself first was well worth it! 

My JDM Speed Tow Hooks, hope the red against black looks mint!

If I fluff this one up can always cover with a sun strip I suppose!

The first thing I want to try when I get her back is Sleepy Eye. In theory it should be the easiest, most straightforward mod I do on the car. Aaaaaaaand I shouldn't have said that because I've just jinxed myself. The picture below demonstrates sleepy/lazy eye, but when I do it I'm going to consider removing the side light cover from below the main headlights as it looks cleaner without that there.

'Sleepy Eye' or 'Lazy Eye' on a Mitsubishi GTO (3000gt)

Whilst we're in the head light area, driving the car in the dark and rain before she was taken off the road was a little scary. I want to do a bit of a DIY headlight restoration as I went to turn my full beams on, thinking my normal dipped headlights weren't enough.... only to find I already had the full beams on. This won't be as important for visibility through summer, but if I'm drawing attention to the headlights doing Sleepy Eye, they gotta look good!

I also want to try and polish some life back into the paint, I would love a full respray eventually, however priority with budget will be on performance first. With that in mind I'm hoping a good seeing to with a rotary polishing tool/mop will do the trick! (at least in the short term) and in my head I'll be silently hopeful that I wont burn the paint having never used one before or the respray may be moved up in the schedule.....

If these mods don't keep me busy until I can afford bigger and better mods, there is always weight reduction. I don't really want to do this until the new clutch is broken in, so I can do before and after 0-60 runs.  She is a rather large girl, and does need to go on a diet rather badly, but we shall see how the other mods progress before we get started with this.

GTO having been on a diet

I'm hoping the next time I post it will be with the GTO back in her home in the garage. Keeping my fingers crossed for the next few days!

I'm currently running a poll on Garage Amino. 'Which reinvention of 90's JDM muscle looks best?' At the link below:

http://aminoapps.com/p/h1ztc4

Top left: Mitsubishi GTO (3000gt) Top Right: Toyota FT-1 (but will evolve to next Supra)
Bottom left: Mazda rx9 (possibly first true replacement to rx7?)
Bottom Right: Nissan GTR - for the fanboys,  I once read it would have carried the skyline name were it not for a legal hiccup between the Nissan and Infinti brands.

Head on over to the app to cast your vote! I have already had a couple of messages denying the FT-1 becoming the next Supra, for doubters check this link http://www.teamimports.com/2016/03/finally-officia-new-toyota-supra.html regardless, the Supra is currently smashing the vote! Lets face it, none of these cars will have many parts left over from being used on their predecessors, so lets just enjoy the next breed of Japanese muscle!

If you enjoyed this post, check out my previous entry E85 Society - April Meet. Caution, the entry contains much car porn.

If you would like to laugh at my lack of progress in real time you can follow me on social sites by clicking the links below or search the @s :

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E85 Society - April Meet

In my last post I mentioned that I wouldn't leave it as long before my next post, so as promised, here goes. But first a disclaimer. This post comes with a warning:

So warning over, shall we begin?


Last night I attended the April E85 Society meet and the cars in attendance didn't disappoint. There was a wide range of cars there, from Low n Slow VAGs, to JDM beasts, and even the odd bit of domestic muscle, speaking of which is where I'll start.

My favourite car on show was this 600+BHP Ford Escort Cosworth:

Simply stunning example

Engine bay - Car porn!

Boot build on the Cossie

Many of these cars spent much of the 80's and 90's either upside down in hedges or being plagued with rust, so to see one not only in such good condition, but also modified so well, felt like a very rare treat indeed.

So from one legend to another, Godzilla. There were not one, but three Skylines at the meet. When the White one pictured below arrived, just reversing into the bay it managed to set off the car alarm on one of my mates project cars. I think that this laid down the gauntlet for when I get the GTO back next week. Next meet I gotta try and do that! If it can't in its current guise I'm sure I'd manage it when the 57i is installed.

The blue r34 (also shown below) went one better though, as it left the meet it spat flames, damn big flames. Sadly I left the meet before it, so didn't get any pictures, but the E85 Society on facebook has plenty of videos of it I'm sure.

Loud Exhaust

Flaming Exhaust

 You might just be able to make out that the cars sat either side of the blue skyline are a little special as well. Both are imported JDM Honda's (well... sort of). To the right is an Integra type R. I think that if I was to own a Honda again, this would be the one I'd go for. They seem to carry a bit more presence than a lot of other Honda's, they look awesome and sound great. To the left of the Skyline is a Mugen Civic, not exactly something you see at every meet.

Teggy Type R

Mugen Civic

There was a variety of other Jap cars there, one of which was this rather clean Mitsubishi GTO. It made me a tad disappointed I hadn't been able to get mine back on Friday as planned. but I do look forward to getting her out to meets again soon.

Mitsubishi GTO SR

She is an SR model, so although not as fast as my baby, she is in really good condition in comparison.  This one gave me some goals for body work, eventually....  after she's had a bit of love and attention in the performance department. 

So, as I move on to the next couple of cars I was going to mention, I would just like to take a moment  and pause for a second to point out this is not a JDM society... honest... Here are 2 Supras and a couple of early MR2's:

4JZ Power!

Stock spoiler or carbon? Left or Right?

Toyota should never have changed form this early format

The later MR2s are like a completely different car

I think thats probably enough JDM goodness for today, if that's even possible.

As with most car meets, a large proportion of the cars there were VAGs, many of which rather than modifying for speed, instead chose to see who could make their car sit on the ground the lowest. I always find this relatively funny watching people trying to leave over bumps, but it can make for some admittedly dramatic and good looking pictures. There is also something strangely satisfying about the signature tssssssssssssst of an air bag signifying a VW has just parked next to you at a meet.

 Last but not least is probably the most unexpected car at the meet. Not every day you get a machine like this at your average car meet in a car park on a Saturday night. Dat Lupo tho!

Dat Lupo tho!

There were many more cars there, and I wish I could have featured them all in my entry, but I suppose I should save some for next time! Hopefully next time the 3 of Diamonds herself will feature!


If you enjoyed this post, Check out my previous post by clicking here. It contains less cars, but more humor, lots of laughs in that one... Well... OK... there is SOME humor at least... Check it out.

If you would like to laugh at my lack of progress in real time you can follow me on social sites by clicking the links below or search the @s :

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