Hello AOC

[almeramad]

Hi All,

Just new to this site as recommended from a friend. Thought i'd come in here and introduce myself and my Almera.

I'm in Edinburgh and like modding cars to a certain extent (nothing too crazy). I bought my almera in April 2002 and made several mods over the years most done by myself. I've listed them below along with some pics. Let me know what you think?

Cheers, almeramad.

P.S. I wish I knew about this site earlier...before I decided to sell the car. It will be advertised in the for sale forum next.

Engine
K&N 57I induction kit.

Interior
Colour coded Leather interior (including parcel shelf) – done by myself.
White Dials – done by myself.
Silver Dashboard kit.
Momo steering wheel.
Momo gearnob.
4 Kenwood speakers in original mounts so as not to change appearance.
Boot Install (minus Sub) with pull out floor to allow access to spare wheel, while also leaving boot space for messages etc. Wiring is in place to add one more amplifier and subwoofer.

Exterior
Clear side repeaters.
Side Skirts.
Back Valance (from seat cordoba).
Modified one off grille (done by myself).
Wing mirrors painted white.
Side bumpers removed and passenger door de-locked.
Tinted rear lights (done by myself).
18" BSA 187 allow wheels.
Lowering springs all round approx 60mm (modified specially to allow the bigger drop while staying legal for MOTs).
Brembo Discs and Ferrodo Pads on front when last replaced.
Tailpipe on original back box replaced last year.
Copper brake pipes.
Colour coded callipers and drums (done by myself).

 

[Chris180]

Hey mate, glad to see finally got on, welcome! Make sure you have wee look in members section since far to many nice pics to email to you!

Edited, can see pics now

 

[James]

They all appeared fine to me! Tidy motor!

 

[andy s]

hi welcome to the AOC, nice motor there,

Do you fancy comeing on our stand at the "fast and Modified show" next month at ingleston??

 

[almeramad]

Hi mate, thanks for the welcome. I was asked by another mate if I could but unfortunately i'll be in London that weekend. Thanks for the offer though, appreciated!!

 

[almeramad]

hold up hold up, I may be able to get a mate to bring it along for me...i'll keep you posted and sort it out with you if he can do it.

Cheers!

 

[GTi kurt]

.Lowering springs all round approx 60mm (modified specially to allow the bigger drop while staying legal for MOTs)

How?

 

[almeramad]

I'm trying to sell this car so I shouldn't give away the secrets...but sod it. You buy progressively wound 35mm lowering springs (i used Gmax) and then do the following:

For the back you just cut away the extra coils that you don't need, if I remember right you can cut away two at top of the back sprint and one at the bottom. This removes about another 45mm (from the already 35 drop) while still leaving a full flat wind at the top and bottom which when placed on the original struts still keeps the spring tensioned and therefore legal in an MOT.

The front's are a harder task though. You want to leave the bottom of the spring untouched. At the top you only have one single flat wind. You want to cut the spring at the highest point where the spring coming up meets the flat wind (ie, once you cut it you will be left with your coil spring coming up to a point. Once you've done that you want to put the spring back in the original strut and then heat the spring as little as possible to make the strut pull the point of the spring down to a flat wind. To do this you'll have to start heating the spring from approx 1.5 coils down from the point and come upwards slowly (Note: this may affect the strength of the spring, although I done this over 4 years ago and mine are still going strong). In the end you'll take off approx 40-50mm (on top of the already 35mm) and be left with springs that are tensioned in the strut and have flat top and bottom winds.

A few of my mate's are MOT testers and they have assured me that they cannot fail a car so long as the springs are fully tensioned and have one fully flat wind at the top and bottom of each spring.

Estimate £110 for springs and about 3 hours work for a drop you'd pay at least £650 for.

Enjoy!!

 

[Garnz]

Cutting springs is dodgy no matter what!

 

[almeramad]

you could always go for the coilover sleeves that you weld to the original strut and place 8" long 140-160 lb/ft springs over them. But they can't be gas struts, like the KYB! Otherwise when you weld the sleeve into place on the strut you're risking the strut exploding. Other thing, the ride comfort is non-existent if you do this but it's cheap without cutting springs!