My personal diary (AT200 related), An account of my progress Options

[Cridge]

Pictures say a thousand words, when I collected the car it looked like this:






I brought it home:



Gave it a clean





And that is how it currently stands

[Box]

Welcome! Good job on buffing out the paint.

[Cridge]

Thank you, it was bought as a budget car to take to the nurburgring at the end of August - what do you all think are the best/cheapest modifications that I can make to the car to make it more track-worthy?

[Box]

A set of good lowering springs and struts go quite a ways. Polyurethane bushings where ever you can replace old rubber ones. From the looks of it the car has been sitting and it'll probably need some new bushings and struts anyhow. Eh, might consider redoing the exhaust. Aside from that do your basic tuneup things like wires, plugs, air filter, etc...

Also get some ceramic pads and replace all fluids with synthetics. Just make sure everything works as it should.

This post has been edited by Box: Jun 26, 2013 - 2:24 PM

[Cridge]

Spot on - its been sitting for about 3 years but it runs really well, I will change all lubricants etc. and I've been looking at these cheapie coilovers springs:



Anyone tried them?

[playr158]

don't go with cheap coilovers like those, the ride will be very poor.
if you want to go lower and save money get TEIN lowering springs.

[Cridge]

Do tein make springs for this model?

[Box]

I have Tein springs and KYB struts on my car. They handle really well, a bit on the stiffer side but that's just part of it.

This post has been edited by Box: Jun 26, 2013 - 3:28 PM

[cyberblader1130]

Spot on - its been sitting for about 3 years but it runs really well, I will change all lubricants etc. and I've been looking at these cheapie coilovers springs:



Anyone tried them?

I would agree, don't buy those.... ever. When i first bought my GT, the previous owner had installed something just like that and lowered it too far for my taste. Shocks were shot, the bushings they used were worn and the ride was terrible.
I also currently have Tein springs and KYB GR2s and haven't had a problem since.
If Tein doesn't suit your taste you can go with TRD or Eibach lowering springs.

[cheela]

it cleaned up nice! looks good.

as for suspension,
I will have to +1 on not getting those coilovers.
I have TRDs that I've yet to put in but I heard they were a decent drop and ride pretty good.

[Cridge]

Thank you everyone, I installed a cone type filter today but I may remove it as the idle doesn't appear so good and it makes an annoying hissing noise as it pulls air in at idle speed.
Still - a little more cleaning:



Has anyone had experience using the spax springs?

[Box]

Has anyone had experience using the spax springs?

Never heard of them.

It's under $200 for a set of Tein springs. It really isn't worth going cheap on springs, you don't save much money wise.

This post has been edited by Box: Jun 27, 2013 - 1:54 PM

[Cridge]

Trying to find them in the uk seems to be a problem? I would love Tein really but all I can find is Koni, Spax, Lesjofores or cheap Chinese junk?

The other option I have is Apex springs?

[Box]

Should be able to order some off eBay.

[Cridge]

Only ST205 gt4 teins available?

[Box]

There are plenty of U.S. sellers that'll ship worldwide.

[Cridge]

Trouble is - the shipping is the same price as the springs!

[Box]

Must be someone local that sells them. Try the Tein website and use the dealer locator.

[Cridge]

I went with the lesjofores springs -40mm drop but for the price I couldn't even pay the shipping on the tein's! I will probably regret it but hey - you gotta try!

[Cridge]

De-cat and piper rear exhaust silencer



Excuse the finger

[sr666]

Trouble is - the shipping is the same price as the springs!

And that's before you include customs charges etc

Car looks fairly sweet mate where are you based? I'm only in Sussex (but used to live in Basingstoke a few years back)

If you want Tein's have a look on Motorsportworld.co.uk The product code is 8893D, They're listed for the ST202 but they can use the same springs the GT Four doesn't have the same rates due to the weight so they won't work

I've had Apex springs on a previous car and didn't find them too bad although a little crashy as it were

The best thing for filtration for the ST is to simply add a K and N or Pipercross panel filter as it'll increase throttle response as opposed to giving more noise and actually sucking too much air which is normally hot unless you've shielded it etc (I've had a ST and a GT previously)

I'll keep an eye out I'm in a black MR2 now though lol

[Cridge]

Small world mate - I live in Basingstoke! I may as well add a panel filter for the cost I suppose, I put the standard air box back on as the cone type one was annoying!

[sr666]

Yes indeed mate. A very small world lol

I had a Pipercross in mine and it made a fairly noticeable difference to the way it picked up so maybe worth looking into?

[Cridge]

Some stickers:

[sr666]

Do you work in the MOT centre mate? I've been past a few times was just curious as to if it's the same one?

[Cridge]

Yes mate, I'm the manager at the Lennox road branch

[Cridge]

Some race:

[Cridge]

So - Nurburgring this Sunday, the time has passed by really quickly - I will try and get some pics of the ring (and hopefully the car on it!) wish me luck!

[sr666]

Good luck and drive safely mate

[Cridge]

We made it!!







I have a new found respect for the 7afe - 904 miles = 2 tanks of fuel!

[Box]

It's the only thing the 7A is good for.

[sr666]

Did it make it back again?

I told you she'd be fine didn't I

[Cridge]

You was right mate, no issues at all!

[sr666]

Glad to hear she's all good, You might treat her now LOL

[Cridge]

Or sell her!