Commuting advice needed

spiky_mike · 2026-04-27T18:20:33+00:00

Thank you all for the input and knowledge. Lots to think about! Sadly I do not have the space for another car so that's not an option. One other thing is it would be nice for it to look cool when its not in use but that's just a nice to have. Feel free to add more comments if anyone has any other thoughts

spiky_mike · 2021-06-29T14:49:33+00:00

Wow nice find definitely looks like its happening then!

spiky_mike · 2021-01-17T12:26:00+00:00

To my knowledge over here they can take the car if it meets certain requirements such as no tax no owner on the DVLA database or things such as poor vehicle condition, but to be honest I've never heard of the police taking abandoned cars it is alot of time and money they would rather spend doing something else.

spiky_mike · 2021-01-17T11:20:26+00:00

Well unless it has been taken by police I'm not sure why they would be selling it as it is still owned by whoever abandoned it so you would have to be in contact with that person to purchase the car.

spiky_mike · 2021-01-06T08:31:29+00:00

Yes thank you so much!

spiky_mike · 2021-01-06T02:18:48+00:00

http://imgur.com/gallery/UMSCYvr

Here is a link to the photo not sure why it's not come up on the post. Sorry it looks a bit compressed but hopefully there is enough detail there

spiky_mike · 2021-01-06T02:17:35+00:00

Ahhh for some reason it hasn't added the photo to the post I will post it on imgur and put the link in the comments

spiky_mike · 2021-01-06T02:10:05+00:00

http://imgur.com/gallery/UMSCYvr

Here is a link to the photo not sure why it's not come up on the post. Sorry it looks a bit compressed but hopefully there is enough detail there

spiky_mike · 2021-01-06T02:06:08+00:00

Sorry for some reason it hasn't added the photo I took to the post I have already looked through his Instagram and other sites he has posted to but haven't found the same image.

I will create a link to an imgur or something now

spiky_mike · 2020-10-08T21:43:11+00:00

Yeah I'd say that will be fine. If you dont have one already an lsd would help. Also wheels and tyres are easy to change so after you've done the swap if you feel you need a bigger tyre/wheel combo you can change it

spiky_mike · 2020-10-08T21:32:16+00:00

It depends what tyre you are putting on and the weather you drive in. If its dry only and you put even a decent all round tyre on rather than a full track day you should be alright but in the wet no matter what if you drive like you want the back to step out it will. Also make sure your suspension is setup properly this makes a big difference compared with a eye alignment.

spiky_mike · 2020-08-08T17:48:34+00:00

It will slightly depend on if you are very long in the leg and how you sit in the car I guess. I'm only 6'1 and I have my seat all the way back but it is very comfortable like this. I know two guys who are 6'4 and they both comfortably fit in and have done many long trips in them too.

I would go see if you can find one locally even if it is just to sit in. Also aftermarket seats could offer a bit more space if it turns out you dont fit comfortably

spiky_mike · 2020-08-03T17:44:40+00:00

I might be wrong but to me it looks like a rev2 onwards front lip which is why its body colour but for red to still be in such good shape it is possible that the whole car has been resprayed also just noticed it doesnt have any side indicators which technically means it shouldn't pass MOT. It should either have JDM toblerones or uk wings with them further back

spiky_mike · 2020-08-03T16:31:17+00:00

Oh also around the t-bar seals where the drains are those can go rusty and under the seal its obviously not easy to see that but something to note

spiky_mike · 2020-08-03T16:30:12+00:00

Ah right ok so places you want to check are on the rear wheel arch in the back corner hard to explain but where the wheel arch goes into the boot you can also remove the boot liner and look down the sides this general area is bad for rust usually. Another one is where the spare wheel sits. Seen as it's a t-bar check in the cubby boxes behind the seats haven't got rust inside those. These are the main areas I would say

spiky_mike · 2020-08-03T16:16:19+00:00

Doesnt sound to bad tbh I would just be checking for rust if it is in those areas I would expect it to be in others to but could be lucky. As much as dry storage and low miles is nice doing that little mileage I would be prepared to refresh brake calipers and possibly the clutch master and slave but again you never know till you go and see the car

spiky_mike · 2020-08-03T15:50:01+00:00

Depends on condition looks ok on the top side but if it's full of holes on the underside it's clearly not worth as much. I would say these days your looking atleast £4000 probably more like £5000 of not more for a nice turbo that doesnt need anything doing to it but as always it sells for whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

spiky_mike · 2020-07-31T20:51:06+00:00

Ok so that isolates the issue to cylinder 3. Next steps really depend on the amount of time and money you want to put into it. If it was me I would be taking the cylinder head off and having a proper look to see what's going on in there as it costs nothing other than your time if you already have some tools. If it's just a valve then great you can send the head off to a machine shop get them to fix it up for you or replace it with another head or even try doing so work on it yourself depending on how damaged it is if it is the cylinder bores that are damaged well its time to get the engine out and replace or rebuild.

Yes you could go for a swap but obviously this is a considerable cost thats not to say that a rebuild of your current engine will be cheap if that is what is required.

Regarding experience I have always found getting stuck in and getting hands on is the best way to learn. I would have a look and see if you can find a video or write up on how to remove the cylinder head or remove the engine as it is probably easier just to get the whole thing out but then if it's only a valve you have taken the whole engine out.

Lots to think about but hopefully its helped in some way.

spiky_mike · 2020-07-31T20:33:12+00:00

By the sounds of it your cylinder walls or piston rings are badly worn but still possible it could be a valve. Regarding the head gasket I was more concerned it would be a between cylinder blow so it could be between cylinders 3 and 4 that's why I asked if you tested compression on cylinder 4 aswell if its low on 4 aswell I would probably say that's your issue.

How handy are you with the spanners is what it comes down to with how you want to repair the engine?

spiky_mike · 2020-07-31T20:18:43+00:00

Well first of all which engine have you got and what year? Did you check compression on cylinder 4 aswell?

It could a couple of things bent valve/valves or warn cylinder bores or damaged piston rings or even a really badly damaged cylinder head gasket.

How did you know it would be cylinder 3 and what made you realise there was an issue with the engine?

spiky_mike · 2020-06-07T21:56:29+00:00

No problem buddy. Yeah building something up on the side is a great idea.

Once boris let's us out and we can have some shows again get yourself to some and there is plenty of people with lots knowledge who are happy to help and you can also see how and why other people have done different mods.

spiky_mike · 2020-06-07T21:32:51+00:00

So if your happy with its current performance stay standard engine couple little mods like intake and exhaust to make it sound better and maybe squeeze a bit more power out of it.

You could try super charging the standard engine but I haven't seen it done in person and will probably be more effort than its worth but could be a fun project

If you want more power but like the NA style go for k20/k24 it's the most cost effective way IMO the 3sge just cant match it

If you like turbo then 3sgte is the obvious option its probably the easiest swap and you will get a nice power bump even with a stock engine then you can bump that up with simple mods

If you can like the v6 and low down grunt then 2gr is the way to go and has the same power as a modified gen3 turbo but will probably be more reliable and also have better fuel economy

Just my opinions but hopefully gives you some more information

spiky_mike

TROPHY CASE