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Old 21-11-2012, 09:22 PM   #1
ross
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Thumbs up Ross's dumb ar$e BA questions

Right, let's start with an apology for the dumb questions I'm going to ask. Sorry, but I've been a hop in and drive for so long I've forgotten how to talk car. Give me a dirt bike and I'm comfortable but cars, couldn't find the door if the wife wasn't sitting in the passenger seat.

So after getting the idea in my head on Saturday morning today I've become the proud owner of a 1998 323 BA Series 3 V6 Astina hardtop that looks like this







This is going to be my daily driver and I want it to be a non-racer but it should certainly be sexy in a mature sleek type of way.

So my intention is to lower it a bit and upgrade the suspension, put some nice wheels but with enough rubber to have it comfortable while hanging on in the twisties.

Then debadge and respray.

Then tweek the motor, it has 141,000k on it.

Then do some work on the interior.

Of course, I have no idea what I should ask for, what to look out for, what to avoid etc. So, I'm thinking that if I read the threads, ask a you guys, ask a professional, then repeat, perhaps I'll avoid doing expensive stupid things.

So thanks in advance.
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Old 21-11-2012, 09:36 PM   #2
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Hey Ross, welcome
Got to say its a nice looking ha.
The guys here will be able to help ya heaps.
I can't sorry, hopefully I can learn with ya.
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Old 21-11-2012, 09:41 PM   #3
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Motor wise. Best bang for buck is a complete 2.5L swap. Apparently relatively easy swap. From experience these engines are a pita to work on if something down the back goes. As for rims, there's plenty of info around. Most opt for a 17*7 with between 35-45 offset. 35 is closer to flush, looks better. And yet another set of interior upholstery! Seriously I've seen at least 5 seat designs so far. If you did a kl-ze with supercharger you would be top gun in the club haha. They sound amazing.


Rear sway bar is cheap and easy to install, makes a large difference in handling. Best bang for buck mod imho.
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Old 21-11-2012, 11:19 PM   #4
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If you did a kl-ze with supercharger you would be top gun in the club haha. They sound amazing.
So much want right here.

Paint doesn't look too bad. Looks like you got yourself a super clean (super late model too!) example
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Old 22-11-2012, 06:09 AM   #5
ross
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Motor wise. Best bang for buck is a complete 2.5L swap. Apparently relatively easy swap. From experience these engines are a pita to work on if something down the back goes. As for rims, there's plenty of info around. Most opt for a 17*7 with between 35-45 offset. 35 is closer to flush, looks better. And yet another set of interior upholstery! Seriously I've seen at least 5 seat designs so far. If you did a kl-ze with supercharger you would be top gun in the club haha. They sound amazing.


Rear sway bar is cheap and easy to install, makes a large difference in handling. Best bang for buck mod imho.
Re the 2.5 V6

I came across Dancing Duck Performance Initiative who do a KLDK-R 2.5l V6. http://www.facebook.com/dancingduckpi

Anybody had any experience with them?
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Old 22-11-2012, 06:21 AM   #6
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He is a young guy, passionate with racing and cars. He's built a few nice motors for himself, and the other guy who got one of these loved it. So if I were looking for one, this is what I'd do. While its not a klze, its better value for sure.
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Old 22-11-2012, 06:44 AM   #7
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He is a young guy, passionate with racing and cars. He's built a few nice motors for himself, and the other guy who got one of these loved it. So if I were looking for one, this is what I'd do. While its not a klze, its better value for sure.
Thanks for that. It's a reasonable cost by my perception and I assume there's a market for a low kilometre 2.0 V6?
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Old 22-11-2012, 07:39 AM   #8
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Suspension - As an older bloke with a daily ride, just some lowered springs ie- Tein Eibach Kings should fit the bill for you. With a whiteline rear sway bar should net you the lowered and performance gains you require.

Wheels - 17x7 with 215/40R17 tyres. Small is the same you got, bigger and you will sacrifice comfort.

Engine - I know the V6 owners will get all uptight about this. But personally I think the are a poor donk of an engine in a cramed engine bay. Personally I wouldn't be touching it one bit, if it runs well, leave it.

Paint - Mate it is too clean too mess with. It'll cost more than the car to change it to a different colour. Sure if it have clear coat pealling and colour fading, you might change it, but you got good paint there already.
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Old 22-11-2012, 09:38 AM   #9
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Engine - I know the V6 owners will get all uptight about this. But personally I think the are a poor donk of an engine in a cramed engine bay. Personally I wouldn't be touching it one bit, if it runs well, leave it
I conpletely agree in a way. Thats why with my 6 its getting a KL. Cheaper and more readily available parts over the KF.
Plus compared to the BP the 6 is a problematic engine.

With the KLDK-R, its got more power than a ZE anywho.
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Old 22-11-2012, 11:26 AM   #10
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by project.r.racing View Post
Suspension - As an older bloke with a daily ride, just some lowered springs ie- Tein Eibach Kings should fit the bill for you. With a whiteline rear sway bar should net you the lowered and performance gains you require.

Wheels - 17x7 with 215/40R17 tyres. Small is the same you got, bigger and you will sacrifice comfort.

Engine - I know the V6 owners will get all uptight about this. But personally I think the are a poor donk of an engine in a cramed engine bay. Personally I wouldn't be touching it one bit, if it runs well, leave it.

Paint - Mate it is too clean too mess with. It'll cost more than the car to change it to a different colour. Sure if it have clear coat pealling and colour fading, you might change it, but you got good paint there already.
Ouch, the voice of reason.

I'm starting to think that perhaps I get the car, drive it around for a while, see what bugs me and what I can put up with and what I like, then do things.

Sell a bike in the meantime and have some cash to play with
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Old 24-11-2012, 09:53 AM   #11
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Well, for better or for worse it's over at Dancing Duck for Dec to have a look at.

Posted on FB and got back from my 'mates'

What the hell is it?
Is that a ding in the rear quarter panel?
#bigredpeniscar
#midlifecrisiscar

I love those guys :-P
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Old 24-11-2012, 09:57 AM   #12
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Also are Osaka wheels decent quality?
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Old 24-11-2012, 10:38 AM   #13
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i have some ( sp23 rims avalible if your interested) 17"
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This is my girl sxc isn't she? http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18139
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Old 24-11-2012, 10:50 AM   #14
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i have some ( sp23 rims avalible if your interested) 17"
I'm more looking at 10 or 12 spoke so if you have any Mazda 6 wheels that would be sweet

I have no idea what fits and what doesn't
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Old 24-11-2012, 12:27 PM   #15
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Fresh out of those
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This is my girl sxc isn't she? http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18139
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Old 24-11-2012, 12:41 PM   #16
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MSO1 would look awesomely sexy on that colour.
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Old 24-11-2012, 02:33 PM   #17
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MSO1 would look awesomely sexy on that colour.

Yes indeed, they are great looking wheels but I may have found my price refusal point
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Old 24-11-2012, 02:40 PM   #18
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Hehe

7 inch wide is a good size - a +35 offset is ideal for 7".

I'd recommend a bigger rear swaybar and a 30mm drop to have the handling a bit more 'wow'. Even the stock wheels look great with a bit of lowering.
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Old 24-11-2012, 02:58 PM   #19
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Hehe

7 inch wide is a good size - a +35 offset is ideal for 7".

I'd recommend a bigger rear swaybar and a 30mm drop to have the handling a bit more 'wow'. Even the stock wheels look great with a bit of lowering.
Yes, I think I'll do a 30mm lowering and the rear swaybar as soon as I get it. I don't mind the existing wheels, just the gap.
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Old 24-11-2012, 06:23 PM   #20
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I fail to see how a family 4 door sedan equals mid life crisis.
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