Hi everyone,
 
I have been quietly browsing this forum since 2011. Maybe it's about time to post my first thread for the "purple lemon" which I purchased 15 months ago. The idea of this thread is to track some of the records & money that I spent on this "lemon" and also seeking advices from the forum members.
 
After I sold my previous rides ( Gold supra & RX7 ) 3 years ago, I said to myself, NO more track cars! The money I spent on these track day cars would never equal to the enjoyments I had received from them. I stopped visiting car forums, carsales.com.au website etc. for almost 2 years until this late model sw20 from ACT was up for sale. Its' a 1995 SW20 hardtop. It came with some nice goodies like Phoenix Power departure exhaust, Rays TE37 15/16 rims & BC coilovers etc. 
 
While I test drive the car, I noticed a tiny bit of white smoke was coming out from the BOV. I checked with 2 well known mechanics in Canberra and they both point out with the same issue - TURBO. 
 
I thought " That's easy ", I just replace the CT20 or rebuild the turbo. Bought the car and the nightmare started ........ 
 
I dropped the car to my mate's workshop (Haks, Performance Exhaust) for the turbo rebuild, he pulled the turbo out & sent away to Precision turbo builder for a quick check up before we decide to either change a bigger turbo setup or rebuild the CT20. A quick reply from the turbo builder said "Nothing wrong with the turbo, it's in good order" What the FxxK!  
 
We did a quick compression test............ and the long, expensive rebuild started 7 months ago with Paul (Boss Tuning). 
 
The purpose of this rebuild would be focus on the fun, reliable, budget and road registered, So I am splitting the rebuild into 2 stages ( budget, budget, budget.... )
 
Stage 1:

• Standard normal engine rebuild with all forged internals
• NEW Berk ceramic coated dump pipe 
• NEW Excedy sports tuff heavy duty button clutch
• NEW white line F & R sway bars with adjust links
• NEW RDA slotted/dimple rotors with EBC yellow pads
• Front & rear strut braces
• New Greddy copy SMIC with proper duct plate & fan
• Semi slicks - keeping the 15/16 rims setup
• Power FC with handheld & tune after run-in
• 4 or 6 points Cusco bolt-on cage

Targets for stage 1:
Power: 170 -180 RWKW after tune
Lap time: Wakefield 1.09.99, EC 1.49.99
 
Stage 2:  (Only happening if I can achieved stage 1's target) 

• Garret GT 307X turbo, exh manifold & Tial waste gate
• Fuel injectors, Fuel pump & fuel regulator
• W2A intercooler
• Race seats with rails
• Bigger brake setup with new 17' rims
• Custom build race coilovers
• Strip interiors & weight reductions

Targets for stage 2:
Power: 250 -260 RWKW after tune
Lap time: Wakefield 1.07, EC 1.45
 
The stage 1 build is getting close to completion, hoping I can have the car back before Easter.
 
Here are some pics when I first got it:



 
Here are some of my old ride pics



 
 

reserved for pics

Welcome!
Look's like we will see you at the track soon enough.

The number plates dcups seem familiar :-)

Welcome! Think I was there when the RX7 had a bit of an off @ EC. I knew Chester from his TGZ days & was there on the day with Dylan, Shane etc.

Funnily enough, I believe my RX7 has Chesters old Re-Amemiya cf bonnet.

I remember seeing this MR2 for sale & thinking it was a bargain. Also remember the original owner from the Autosalon days. I think it was a chick who owned/had it painted pink?

Anyway, hope to see you @ this Wednesdays meet @ Rhodes.

Im just curious do you have a video of your exhaust note? I have the same exhaust in storage and unsure if it will be too much to put on.

The price was very attractive for a late model gen3 hardtop, but cost me twice more to build the car back to standard now. I would love to attend the monthly meet, maybe I wait till the car comes back.
 

rico
Im just curious do you have a video of your exhaust note? I have the same exhaust in storage and unsure if it will be too much to put on.

Sorry don't have one, maybe I can arrange one after I pick her up next week. Saw your clean red sw20 on Epping road many times, Nice!

Finally, I pick up the "Purple Lemon" today. It's been almost 10 months since I dropped the car to Paul's workshop and about 17 months time that I had the first chance to drive this car.
 
Here are some pics I took this afternoon, the more & more I look at her, I REALLY don't like the colour, eventually I will respray the car back to the original colour - charcoal grey.
 
 
 

 
As soon as I paid the final bill took the key and did a few laps up & down the Cumberland Hwy & James Ruse drive and first thing I noticed was the BOV was so bloody loud... (not my liking), The exhaust sound was deep, loud but acceptable level. Slowly cruising the JR drive as I past the Northmead while I was on 80km/hr, back into 3rd gear, here we go!... wow, the acceleration was quiet impressed as a standard car (10psi boost). That's hope this engine will last for awhile!
 
 

Few issues after the quick drive today;
1. The Heater relay is making ticking sound soon the ignition on
2. The steering wheel shakes a bit under high speed normal braking (old pads/rotors)
3. BOV too loud
4. Need to check suspension, bushes, joints etc. made some noises & handles not to expectation
5. Need wider rear tyres, previous owner put 205's semi tyres all round and that's probably why it revs quick.
6. Sign of grease/oil front left strut top pillowball, leaks from shock/coilovers?
 
I also pick up some new tyres today,
Front: Nitto NT01 205/50/15
Rear: Hankook ventus RS53 225/50/16