yoeddynz

How much would most folk expect to pay for a wheel alignment? We just had one recently (like about a month ago) on the van- cost a fairly usual $75 and I was happy with that. However- I think my mum just got ripped off by a local garage for a wheel alignment. My brother is trying to sort it out but mum doesn't want to 'rock the boat' because they have "always had great service from this garage"... I feel pissed off because to me it reeks of a big company taking advantage of old folk etc etc. But before I get too pissed off I thought I'd pop the invoice up here because maybe I am out of touch with pricing. I wont mention the garage name but I have always felt they are a bit fucking steep anyway. edit- I have noticed they have charged to take a wheel on and off too! (wheel had a parking scuff so needed paint) Also should add that this company had sold mum this car (30k secondhand) and they have bought several cars from them in the past. I'd expect better service.

Similar fault to the 1kz ecus then?

oh btw- buy lots of teabags and cake. Its a fucking good read that blog and you'll get sucked in. Report back in a weeks time

Hannah and I are just starting on a coffee cart build for some customers. We'll be using alloy composite cladding for some of it. I think 4.8 kg a sheet I was told. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out as I am normally more of a woodsy cladding type fella. A really good read is this one. Its quite old now but Rob built a very choice 'housetruck (more like a battle truck...) indeed, then another one. He stuck alloy check plate on, first with a industrial grade (but more god like) 3m adhesive tape. But then moved on to a sikaflex adhesive. Its a good read!... http://www.robgray.com/ontheroad/wothahellizat/

There was a 2 door manual 4wd in red on TM when I showed Dave this car. I think it was like about 5k. Looking back a fucking bargain for a cool little car like that.

A very small cow?

Would be very easy to do !

ahh thats right- you were there when he was telling us. Tercel being the fwd thing but with north/south engine or something you said?

Wow- I have not read this thread for ages. Great fun. Thanks for sharing and thanks for blowing up engines so we all get to learn/more thread time. ....and now I'm getting all sorts of ideas for the micra... I machined some pockets out in some pistons for a local dude who's made a frankenstein engine using a 2E )or something 1300cc coupled with a 20v head. Its in a K20 race car. It wasn't a chore to do really. But your idea of having shiny new pistons with better sealing rings sounds better anyways. I still wish my mate had offered me that little (earlier projector dash ) echo/vitz thing, a 4wd and manual version - the one I had sent you pics of ages ago when it was in here for work. He sold it fucking cheap to some fella in Wanaka. What a little weapon that could have been!

Yep I've seen that. Its good eh. Looks like whoever (barry) put it up has made it by filming the doco (probably at some museum) with their phone - that reflection eh.

He must be pulling some super high revs even then. ... More then a horrid datsun pushrod can apparently do ....

Ha cool. So nippy through all the cars at the start. Then gets hammered by the long legged big cars on the straights. Cool footage!

You do have very large capable hands with a lovingly strong grip.

Sweet- I never knew you'd had a couple of imps. Yep- to get a load more grunt from 875cc you need to deal with less usable torque and also an engine that is going to be even closer to it limits of reliabilty. I should have just replied to that barry with the word 'headgasket'

Well then..... so I'm going to now have to remove the terrible Datsun engine after having been informed its crap by some Barry commenting on my 'first drive' youtube vid. He stated the following.... "Why would you replace the high efficiency Imp engine with a Nissan updated version of the BMC A series engine? Imp engine is 875cc all alloy overhead cam engine with high grade steel bore liners, with crank balanced for 10,000rpm as standard. The A12 is an A series bottom end pushrod OHV engine with improved alloy cylinder head. The Imp engine can be easily tuned to 100 bhp per litre with just work on the head and carburation, as shave it to raise compression, bore out for larger valves and fit high lift cam, plus add twin carbs with Stiletto manifold. I don't believe you can get 100 bhp per litre from the A12 no matter what you do to it" I'm sure @RUNAMUCK, who's driven my Imp with this engine, or @kyteler would love to have a little chat about just how terrible the A12 is.... Anyway - my reply was this... "Torque!, reliability, easily available parts inc so many performance upgrades, bomb proof bottom end, very strong crank as stock, only 15-20 kg heavier. Easy as to get 100bhp per litre! How about about a Tomei built 170bhp 1300 A12 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRRHnvUhDbU&t=126s I've owned a stock imp before this and driven fast imps in the UK with the 875/930 engines. This engine, even as completely stock with a tiny Hitachi carb simply blows them away for usability and mid range grunt. It is also MORE economical. My only gripe with this engine is its upright position which has lost me some of the useful parcel shelf. But hey- that will soon be sorted when I finish my flat six swap. Oh boy- that'll upset the Barries! Haters gonna hate.... " I look forward to seeing his reply. Bloody barries

OK- short video here....

Great to see this out on dirty/muddy roads today. I laughed when some fuck in a big new shiny Navara 'BRUTE' came racing up behind us in the Micra when we were following you. He sat up our arse, wanting to get by asap ... "yo little shitty hatchback, let me pass- I am in a big shiny 4wd with huge wheels that I've spent a whole lotta monies on" Then he past us, caught up to your truck and I could just see his dick shrink. Ha mr Navara - aint so boss now muthafucka r ya! I took some pics...

Couple more. I took some (basic) video and will see how well it uploads onto youtube from our steam powered connection here in the valley

Nice morning out peoples. Cheers. I never realised how long the access road would be nor the climb involved. That place is super ripe for making loads of sweet mtb trails in there!!! When the race track proper gets built its going to be a sweet place to go. Already fizzing at all the possible suitably cheap little cars one could make to have some fun with on that dirt track. I took some photos....

Very light drizzle her but will still head out because the mullets of the 'wera will soak up the drizzle for us. See you @Willdat? at the @ThePog place. Hopefully @Slacker_Sam. will be coming out to * Dave @avengertiger might see you out there? *not coming out like that... we already know his dirty mitsi preferences. But coming out to watch.

Appreciating classic! one barely sees any on the road now, let alone a twintub one!...

Bugger - I've just had a feed of sausages on the bbq. But hey- you'll have coffee making facilities then! Cool.

Sun always shines hard on the 'mullets of the 'wera ' 'tis why they are so golden and happy and also why all the falcons have faded rear seats.

So 10am at Dylans? Will- do you wanna m/bike there and then you can play musical car seats out with us. See if we can rope @Slacker_Sam. to bring along his latest toy- a mighty twinturb FTO with panels in grey primer.