mattg's progress thread, vts gone and impreza to play with.

[mattg]

I bought my vts in January this year for a price alot lower than book price.
The reason i got it so cheap was due to the fact the last owner hit a curb or low wall pretty hard damaging the front bumper, radiator, left hand engine mount, o/s wheel bearing and o/s drop link.

When i picked it up it was looking so untidy and had been very neglected:wall:

I got it home and gave it a good scrub and bought a brand new genuine radiator, engine mount, wheel bearing, drop link and new discs and pads all round, this was what was needed to get it up to scratch.

Pics after first proper wash back in January.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0652.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0651.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0650.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0653.jpg

I then decided to do a few bits and bobs to freshen it up and look abit more tidy.
They included, drilled and grooved discs all round, yellow calipers, sprayed up the engine bay, smoked the headlights, customed the standard grille, de-wipered, full stainless exhaust system including de-cat and polished up the rear badges.

Heres how it looks at the mo, not too bad for 2 months of work.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0737.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0738.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0739.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0740.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0741.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0742.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0743.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0744.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0726.jpg

It had mot today and passed without any advisories so i must have done everything right to get it back to road spec.
Any comments welcome, the front bumper will be sorted asap;)

[Saxy1]

Looks nice mate. :y:

[xxxvickxxx]

nice sax :y:

[Hopcraft]

you have tidyed it up very well. but that back is soo high, never seen one like that.

slam 60 allround !

[mattg]

you have tidyed it up very well. but that back is soo high, never seen one like that.

slam 60 allround !

thanks yeah it looks alot cleaner now, yeah i thought that when i bought it, i put it next to my mates black vts and it sat the same, not sure if its cus most saxo's are lowered.

Plan is to lower 50mm all round asoon as i build another drive at the top of my garden as its a pain to get down even as it sits now.

[mattg]

well seeing as the front bumper was looking naf i decided to whip it off over the weekend and tidy it up, decided to rub it all down and repaint it, done the black around the top in matt black and the splitter at the bottom was f***ed so decided to start plastic welding it and then sprayed that matt black too. Looks so much cleaner in my opinion and alot fresher. Smoked my fogs at the same time and put some uprated bulbs in.

What you think?
Before.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0738.jpg

After.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0745.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/Image012.jpg

[liam46]

Looks good mate.
I like.
Just need to sort that crack out on the splitter and its awesomee!

[liam46]

Ooops.
you already have
Sorry bout that
I like

[mattg]

yeh there is still a faint crack but its only really thin, being black now hides it so its alrite. cheers for the comment though.

[MattWilliams]

Looking good mate.

[Hopcraft]

matt black bumper trim looks muchhhh better. silver just didnt quite work imo.

[mattg]

Well today was a nice day so decided to have ago lowering the back as had some spare time. Was'nt as difficult as i thought and had the whole job done in 3hrs, not bad considering never done it before.

Decided to lower 60mm on the back which i think looks ok but maybe could be abit higher, the prob i got now is the n/s/r sits 10mm higher than the o/s/r.

I measured and double checked the measurements 5-6 times to make sure and both were exactly the same height, when i dropped it down the n/s/r slighty sits higher, will this drop in time or has something gone wrong, i definately checked it 5-6 times as i was going through the process.

Do you think it looks ok at this height, obviously the front needs lowering but thats easy to do and wanted to get the tricky bit out the way first.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0773.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0776.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0775.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0777.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0772.jpg

[Hopcraft]

sure its not the ground your checking it on.

60mm is a good height thou

[AlexB]

looks nice man
definatly heading in the right direction with the mods your doing

[mattg]

sure its not the ground your checking it on.

60mm is a good height thou

Do you mean the floor could be uneven if you know what i mean?

[mattg]

looks nice man
definatly heading in the right direction with the mods your doing

Thanks, yeah its getting there, slowly but getting there lol.

[SaxoJamie]

nice mods so far. good progress :y:

[brett69]

Like the car alot matey, good that you give lowering the torsion bar ago yourself. I think im going to have to get some bottle and give it a go.

Let us know how it handles without being lowered at the front :P

[Adam_Q]

Nice motor dude! well done for doing the rear yourself too !!!

[saxokid100]

Coming on well matey!! keep up the good work.....

[Hopcraft]

Do you mean the floor could be uneven if you know what i mean?

yeah, because surely that can make 10mm of difference, if you put it on flat then mesaured it surely it wil be bang on.

If you measured it correctly and you say you double checked it numerous times then i cant see it being out. best thing is to do the hieght, double check, put torsion bar back in then check it hasnt moved.

[mattg]

yeah, because surely that can make 10mm of difference, if you put it on flat then mesaured it surely it wil be bang on.

If you measured it correctly and you say you double checked it numerous times then i cant see it being out. best thing is to do the hieght, double check, put torsion bar back in then check it hasnt moved.

Got it on the flat this morning and still 10mm out, jacked it up and checked the measures and exactly the same.

Dropped the passenger side another 10mm today and lowered the car.
Looks absolutely spot on. Its now perfect both sides not even a mm out.
Bit strange i had to do this but it worked and now spot on so very happy.

Getting good at these torsion bars now, took me less than 20 minutes to re-adjust the passenger side;)

Thanks for the comments all:y:

[Hopcraft]

nice one, just get the front down now !!

[mattg]

nice one, just get the front down now !!

Yeah thats the plan now, loving the look of it lowered but not sure how low to go on the front to make it even, its roughly 60mm back so prob have to be 60mm front i suppose;)

[mattg]

Well today i lowered the front on spax 60mm shocks and springs. also fitted new driveshaft to drivers side whilst i was there.

I think it looks awesome now, just how i wanted it to sit, very happy with it.

What do you all think?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0795.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0794.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0793.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0792.jpg

[Vin-NorthEast]

Very nice:y:

[m17ky-u]

nice mate, how many clicks at the back was that?? got a vts too and want to lower it but unsure how it will look

[mattg]

Didnt measure by clicks mate, done it by removing the torsion bars and measuring the distance, lowered it roughly 60-65mm.

Thanks for the comments guys:y:

[Adam_Q]

Sits perfect dude! What you got planned now?

[mattg]

Sits perfect dude! What you got planned now?

Thanks yeah im very happy with the way it sits.

Got to sort the hub out on the drivers side as its pretty much had it, then going to do some performance mods ie manifold, enclosed filter and cams then remap.

[mattg]

Got another hub tonight so gunna fit that tomorrow and problem should be solved:clapping:

[Saxy1]

looks much better lowered. :y:

[mattg]

Right fitted 106 gti hub and bearing today and fitted perfect, noise ive had for ages has now gone, problem sorted, skint now afer splashing out on so much stuff but at least its sorted.

The ride is so much smoother, being down 60mm feels no different to standard ride so pleased with the outcome:y:

[ReissJ88]

Sorry quick question, getting a mechanic to lower my car at work but he's not to familier with it all, did you use a guide to follow? If so could you possibley email it to me so i could print it off? Or has anyone got a step by step guide that's any good? I bought 1 off ebay and the pictures looked pony and so was his method, waste of 99p :)

[mattg]

Sorry quick question, getting a mechanic to lower my car at work but he's not to familier with it all, did you use a guide to follow? If so could you possibley email it to me so i could print it off? Or has anyone got a step by step guide that's any good? I bought 1 off ebay and the pictures looked pony and so was his method, waste of 99p :)

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108157&highlight=lowering+guides

theres some good info on there mate, i never used a guide, just got on with it and tackled it myself, if your mechanical minded then its pretty straight forward. Need abit of patience but its uite simple, I've never tackled a torsion bar myself but done mine in less than 3 hours which i dont think was pretty bad.

Just link through the link and there should be some good advice in there for you:y:

[Mr_suv]

looks soo much nicer now! doesnt have that 4x4look tis the sex!

[JEEMO]

Car looks great lowered :)

[ReissJ88]

Yes btw the car looks good, had your mates in the back yet?

[mattg]

Yes btw the car looks good, had your mates in the back yet?

Thanks for the comments guys, yeah had two people in the back and dont rub.

[Mini-valver]

Your passenger wheel sits back towards the sideskirt like mine. Any ideas why? I've put a new wishbone on too!


Looks mint at that height, got some front rake too unlike most Saxo's. Top work mate!

[mattg]

Your passenger wheel sits back towards the sideskirt like mine. Any ideas why? I've put a new wishbone on too!


Looks mint at that height, got some front rake too unlike most Saxo's. Top work mate!

Not sure why mate, both wheels are like that, thought they were supposed too as my mates is like that aswell.

Thanks for the comments though, i love the look of it now, i think it looks perfect but thats my opinion;)

[Hopcraft]

looks to sit spot on, very nice.

[mattg]

looks to sit spot on, very nice.

Lol everytime a car is mentioned as lowered your name seems to pop up, you must love lowered sxos/cars lol.

Yeah im happy with it, never thought i would get it to sit that well tbh, do you think the rear needs to come down 10mm maybe or do you think its the best i can get it, i know saxo's are supposed to be alittle higher at the rear so maybe ill leave it cus on the cill clearance the cill sits higher by about 7mm on the rear but saying that i think the cill drops down abit lower on the front as designed anyway.

[Hopcraft]

Well i just HATE saxo's at standard height, looks stupid, lol.

Personally i would always go 10mm more at the back than the front, this isnt for a performance thing its just a level/peace of mind thing.

When i got mine lowered it was 50 front 50 back, i kept thinking the arse end stuck up too much and looked a little stupid, so i got the back re-done to 60. Now it sits 50 front 60 back, and looks spot on imo (see prog thread for comparisons).

Yours seems pretty level from those pics, but arnt they on a slight slope (causing the back to look lower) ?

[mattg]

Well i just HATE saxo's at standard height, looks stupid, lol.

Personally i would always go 10mm more at the back than the front, this isnt for a performance thing its just a level/peace of mind thing.

When i got mine lowered it was 50 front 50 back, i kept thinking the arse end stuck up too much and looked a little stupid, so i got the back re-done to 60. Now it sits 50 front 60 back, and looks spot on imo (see prog thread for comparisons).

Yours seems pretty level from those pics, but arnt they on a slight slope (causing the back to look lower) ?

Lol, yeah ive seen your progress thread at 50mm rear and 60mm rear and 60mm looks spot on imo.

I lowered the rear at roughley 60-65mm and thought lower the front 60mm to near enough match and thats how it came out. Yeah the pics make it look higher at the back slightly cus it is slightly at an angle and sometimes in different places it looks spot on and sometimes slightly higher.

Could well be down to me and thinking this cus its so close, like you say probably is down to the ground it sits on and maybe to do with when the handbrake is on ie on hill and so on.

I think it looks spot on 90% of the time but that question is still in my head, i think ill leave it like that cus ive had 2 people in the back already and no scraping so that suits me.

The gap between the wheels and arches isnt far off front and back so i think ill leave it.

Sorry to ask mate, just needed a second opinion if you know what i mean:y:

[Hopcraft]

As long as its 90% of the time lol

Id always rather have it looking too low than too high.

If i get a vts im going to be going down 60 front 70 back me thinks, i dont usualy have more than 2 people in the car so that suits me.

[mattg]

As long as its 90% of the time lol

Id always rather have it looking too low than too high.

If i get a vts im going to be going down 60 front 70 back me thinks, i dont usualy have more than 2 people in the car so that suits me.

Yeah i dont think its worth dropping it another 5-10mm just in case it puts it too far out as i like the same level alround if i can so mine being 60mm front and 65mm rear i think is close enough for me.

Yeah 60mm front and 70mm rea will look perfect as im sue the rear has to be dropped 10mm more to match the front.

Cheers mate, ive had a good think over night to had a good look at it this morning and and must say its pretty close:y:

[mattg]

Not much of an update. Well today i thought i would give the car a good clean and decided to give it a polish too as it hasnt been done since ive had it and thought it came out pretty clean. Also put my saxp stickers on, was debating whether to put them on or not and didnt want them on the rear quarters like most people have so tried something alittle different. Im not sure yet if i like them but they can always be removed, i decided to put both on the windscreen as i have a tinted sunstrip, let me know what you think of them and if it looks clean. Good or bad comments always welcome:y:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0799.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0800.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0801.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0802.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0803.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0804.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0805.jpg

[Tupps]

sits lovely that does

nice motor

[mattg]

Thanks mate, yeah im well happy with it, things are going to plan and love the way it looks now.

[mattg]

Well last weekend i got home late on Saturday night and reversed onto my drive but not concentrating properly got it slighty wrong and caught the front bumper on the curb and ripped the standard splitter to pieces.

It was pretty mashed up from the last owner but managed to fix it up abit and looked alright but wasnt strong at all.

Over the weekend i thought it was time to cut it off and replace it with something abit better. First off me and my mate tried a seat ibiza splitter but didnt look right, looked ok but was abit too difficult to bend to shape.

In the end we got one from his store room as he works at seat and fitted this one instead. Its a seat cordoba one and i think it looks so much better than the ibiza one.

This is it fitted to the bumper but obviously still drying as had to screw the front but on the corners and sides we had to grip fill them as there was no where to screw it.

What you think, abit different imo, it isnt totally finished yet but should be by tomorrow.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0841.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0839.jpg

[AndySAXO]

i like that :y:

[mattg]

i like that :y:

Thanks mate, thought it would be abit different, seems to fit nicely and its going to be pretty low when on, should freshen the front end up abit more.

[Hopcraft]

looks ok, ill see once on the car, not usually a fan of aftermarket splitters though.

[mattg]

Right got the bumper on the car today, think it looks smart, seems to blend with the bumper well, what you all think?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0842.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0843.jpg

[Marshy]

Looking good mate, fits in well with the vents in the bumper. And its not OTT like most splitters.

[mattg]

Not much of an update people, just some good shots from the Devon show.

All comments welcome, good or bad;)

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk78/lee-354/PICT0002.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk78/lee-354/PICT0004.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk78/lee-354/PICT0039.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/nicktynan/chav%20fest/DSC_0138.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/nicktynan/chav%20fest/DSC_0141.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/nicktynan/chav%20fest/DSC_0143.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/nicktynan/chav%20fest/DSC_0145.jpg

[Xsi16v_Jk]

looking lush mate, v nice.

[bide_furio]

first time i really look at it mate! looks mint! not sure on the splitter tho but is growing on me already

[Hopcraft]

very nice !!! ...put some img tags on though

[mattg]

Sorry people, didnt realise i didnt use the img codes when i done them, oh well here they are properly, hope you all like, its coming on well now, currently working under the bonnet at the moment to spuce that up abit, will get pics up of that soon.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo1.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo2.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo3.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo4.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo5.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo6.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/saxo7.jpg

All comments welcome good or bad:y:

[mattg]

Small update, fitted new raceland filter and stut brace today, also cleaned up the bay. What you think?
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0951.jpg

[Marshy]

Looking smart now mate, engine bay looks alot brighter!

[bytor]

Hows the strut brace?

[Mr_suv]

mattg your car rocks my sox!

[mattg]

Thanks for the comments guys, the strut brace is good, feels abit better on sharp cornering, defo feels tighter. Worth the money in my opinion:y:

[davesaxovtr]

engine bay looks nice and clean

[mattg]

Small update;

Well today i got round to fitting my quickshift, by christ do you need small hands and stretchy arms to get to it, finally done it after swearing and cursing and found the gear changes alittle tighter, not a great difference but think im going to uprate my linkages and see how it goes from there. Heres a pic of it fitted anyway lol.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0962.jpg

[Mr_suv]

yea is definatly worth changing your linkages i did it makes your box feel so much tighter and looses alot of flex! you will love it!

[mattg]

yea is definatly worth changing your linkages i did it makes your box feel so much tighter and looses alot of flex! you will love it!

Thanks mate, im looking into them now mate lol. Defo need it abit tighter:y:

[mattg]

Interior update,

As im going for a yellow theme with my car i decided to do a few little touches to the interior to brighten it up abit, These included;

New leather yellow/black handbrake and gearknob gaitors.
New leather and chrome handbrake handle.
New leather yellow and black race wheel.
New yellow and black seat covers.

Not too sure on the seat covers yet but they might grow on me as not sure i want to put buckets in and strip it yet lol.

Obviously im going to be doing something with my wheels soon too but not too sure yet as to what i will be doing, was thinking my vts wheels sprayed gloss black with yellow rim.

Here's the pics of recent update though:y:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0964.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0965.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0966-1.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_0967.jpg

[Marshy]

Looks good mate, vibrant! :y:

[Tinytinks]

I really love that steering wheel,everytime i see it i like it more lol.x

[Killer]

looking good, liking the clean engine bay!!!!!!!!

[mattg]

Thanks for the positive comments, at least knowone has slated the seat covers yet lol. :panic:

[mattg]

Well got rid of the vts last october and been toying with a 1995 impreza wrx sti i picked up.

Thought it was about time to put some photo's up of it, not a saxo i know but hey!

Spec;
Only covered 64k with full jap service history and every single receipt,
Impreza wrx sti 1995.
Full turbo back jasma sr stainless system,
HKS mushroom induction kit,
Blitz twin trumpet dump valve,
Greddy uprated actuator,
HKS turbo timer,
Blitz boost gauge,
Fully adjustable suspension,
Exedy paddle clutch,
Short shift,
Usual sti engine spec,
Carbon fibre bonnet,
Carbon effect twin headlights,
Carbon effect afterburner rear lights,
17" black alloys,
momo steering,
momo gear knob,
Private reg hence the '555'
few polished bits under the bonnet and plenty more bits ive missed too.

Needs alittle tlc but its all a working progress:A:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1099.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1101.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1102.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1100.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1103.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1104.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/yogi1982bear/100_1105.jpg

[Marshy]

Didn't realise you put your scooby on here mate! Looks awesome as always, its coming along very nicely :y:

[mattg]

Didn't realise you put your scooby on here mate! Looks awesome as always, its coming along very nicely :y:

Lol thanks mate, yeah thought id see how how it comes along like the saxo, that changed quite abit lol:panic:

[Jamie]

Two lovely motors you have there mate!

[Adz]

both cars are very nice mate, what did you use to clean your bump strips, they look really shiny, on one pic they almost look asif they have been sprayed gloss black ?

Cheers Adz

[Mint-VTR]

scooby looks lush mate, very nice indeed

[mattg]

both cars are very nice mate, what did you use to clean your bump strips, they look really shiny, on one pic they almost look asif they have been sprayed gloss black ?

Cheers Adz

Lol baby oil on the bump strips ftw, put it on then go over with a dry cloth and will stop it dripping but keep it super shiny;)

Thanks for the comments all, lots and lots of plans and parts coming soon so should be a good read:P