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I can't stand waiting to get my car back!


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So I did the suspension, wheels, tires, and new cooling system (literally every part - hoses, radiator, water pump, senders, housing, etc.) after the car majorly overheated. I know the suspension work would not fix the overheating but I just couldn't wait to put the new parts in.

With the cooling system all together I learned my problems were more serious - white steam out the tailpipe.

I own a townhouse with no garage, so the suspension and cooling system are about as much work as I'm willing take on. So, off to the shop it went... cracked head.

I had them rebuild a solid used head, cylinders honed, new rings, timing chain guide, KF timing belt, etc, etc. The bearings and pistons were great, so the honing and rings were all that was needed on the bottom.

"While they are in there" - a phrase I have grown to fear lately! - I'm having them put in a new Top End Performance 4 into 1 header with center resonator to go along with the Ansa Sport muffler I put on about 500 miles ago (and like despite the noise).

So I basically have a rebuilt engine, rebuilt suspension, new wheels/tires, new cooling system, and all new exhaust BUT have not driven the car since all the work has been done.

I bought the car in February and feel like I have barely driven it. Now I'm eager to experience the goodness all this work should bring about!

I should be getting the car back in a week. I can't wait!!!

Bryan

Current: '74 tii; '05 Audi S4; '10 Triumph Scrambler; '07 Mini Cooper S convertible

Former: '11 Infiniti G37s; '10 370Z; '85 911 coupe; '01 Audi S4; '84 VW GTI; '70 VW Karmann Ghia convertible; '76 Datsun Z

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Thanks Todd. I was planning on doing all of these things, just not in the first 6 months!

Bryan

Current: '74 tii; '05 Audi S4; '10 Triumph Scrambler; '07 Mini Cooper S convertible

Former: '11 Infiniti G37s; '10 370Z; '85 911 coupe; '01 Audi S4; '84 VW GTI; '70 VW Karmann Ghia convertible; '76 Datsun Z

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Sorry, but I share the pain all too well. Bought my first 2002 in '04. It was trashed but I used it as a beater through the winter in Colorado. Got the bug and wanted to turn it into a project. Fast forward to '07, I ended up just buying a beautiful finished 2002, formerly a track only car. Got tired of looking at it in the garage when I could never make it out to a track, so it's been a project turning into a street rod since then. Even though I've driven them a little that first winter and the newer one a few times down the street illegally, I've basically not felt the feeling of owning and driving a 2002 since I got into them in '04, 5 years ago. The project nears an end but it's just one little thing after another at this point. It's driving me crazy not being able to drive it.

Michael Rose

'91 Porsche 964
'00 Dodge Durango
'13 Honda Pilot

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MrNvgr - Wow, that's a long time. I'm really just whining. The reality is it has been about 2 months since I drove it, but it feels like two years.

The mild engine rebuild was my not-so-pleasant surprise. The engine was fine till it overheated (my temp gauge stopped working and I had not fixed it for a several weeks).

So, I was flying down the highway at night, no temp gauge, noticed some knocking/pinging, stopped, and the car was completely overheated. I was really surprised since there was no real warning. No smell of coolant. The car had always run cool like it should since I bought it. It just blew a hole in the radiator and lost coolant fast I guess.

So along with the new cooling system I'm installing a VDO water temp gauge. I want a clearly marked gauge with numbers to take any guess work out of it.

The car is rust-free with a nice interior and good paint. Mechanically it will be rock solid now (knock on wood!). So I'm just anxious to get it back and enjoy.

Good luck finishing up your projects. Hopefully we'll run into each other at a show some day.

Bryan

Bryan

Current: '74 tii; '05 Audi S4; '10 Triumph Scrambler; '07 Mini Cooper S convertible

Former: '11 Infiniti G37s; '10 370Z; '85 911 coupe; '01 Audi S4; '84 VW GTI; '70 VW Karmann Ghia convertible; '76 Datsun Z

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