Autocross NZ Lancia Delta HF Turbo

Delta Tarmac Assault Car Almost Finished

So i got to spend a little more time on the Delta over Xmas, and its just about ready for track time. The interior is basically done apart from a few things, and the engine is running nicely.  I am now back onto the 128 engine trying to get that rebuilt (just awaiting some piston rings).  I don't really have time to do a full update here, but pics speak louder than words right ? 

Captain Slack.

I am so incredibly slack at updating this blog, its no wonder anyone ever reads the damn thing. I must apologise profusely for this. Well - i managed to tuck myself away into the garage for part of the weekend to carry out a few more upgrades to the Lancia. Believe it or not, its starting to look like a race car. I can't even remember what the last thing that i posted about was so heres a quick rundown of recent additions: -
1/ Full FIA spec rollcage thanks to Lynchbuilt Engineering (http://www.lynchbuilt.co.nz/)
2/ Custom race springs made by Chamberlains Springs in Christchurch NZ (350lb front 400lb rear)
3/ Custom built shocks to suit the springs (Boge shocks shortened to suit the springs and dyno'ed to correct rates).
4/ Momo Start 2007 bucket seats, on custom fabricated rails (see pics below).
Also the battery now resides behind the passenger seat.
Heres some brief pics ..

Milo Gone .. Lancia on the go ... Yellow 128 going.

Well ... i've been pretty busy once again with the cars ... Milo (the black 128) has since been sold, and i now see it driving all over the shore frequently. Dads 128 (the yellow one) is all up and running again .. reset the timing, and hes had it out for a practice day at pukekohe. It turns out that the engine in that is a real snarler. It seems to have plenty of go, and sounds fantastic. I need to make some adjustments to the front suspension, but that car really seems to go well.

I've now made some progress with the Lancia also .. found a guy who lives close by called Tom who has an immaculate Mk II delta HF turbo, and even more nuts about it than myself. I went for a ride in it .. really sweet little machine. He's sold me a few bits and pieces for mine. So to add to the upgrade list, the Lancia now has an Autosport drivers race seat, a Momo steering wheel, a custom cold air box, a manual boost controller, and a few other bits and pieces. I have purchased a set of white Advanti Racing Hart CP035 15X6.5" racing wheels for it which look amazing, i just have to get some race rubber and redrill them to suit before they will be put on the car. Also, a mark II front bumper which is alot more like the Integrale bumper. This didn't fit straight away, so i have cut and added an alloy plate into it, resprayed it, and cut the notches etc to fit it to the car. I think it looks fantastic - and gives me room for the larger intercooler i have to mount in front. Heres some pics of the bits and pieces anyhow ..

Its all about to change ..

Hey guys how are you all ? ..

Things are ever changing in the development of our 128 race cars .. so much that we have decided to move on. Ever evolving rules and regulations in the race class we run in has changed where we now run in the class - and in the spirit of a "classic car" decided that the car is really as modified as we want it to be. The reality is, if i want to make the car any faster, its going to need some very serious cutting and modifying of original components - things like glass windscreen will have to come out, and lexan fitted - fibreglass panels or carbon fibre - wings, etc etc etc. Its all getting a little bit outside what the car was really intended for .. so we have decided to run the car a few more times, then it will be up for grabs for some lucky new owner !

At the same time, this means that not only the Blue/White race car will be up for sale, the yellow/black car will also be for sale. Its almost complete, and will definitely be finished over the next few weeks.

ALSO to top that off .. i have been working furiously on the black car (originally brown, nicknamed Milo) to get that one finished too .. it was too good to use as a donor car for the race car, so turned it into a hot little road car :). Please contact me if your interested in buying it ...

Its about 95% ready to sell .. just awaiting the freshly rebuilt carb to come back for it.

The black car is an NZ new, genuine 3 owner 1979 Fiat 128 Sedan. When i bought it this time last year, it had a 1300 in it, with very low oil pressure, and suspected run bearings.

The motor was lifted out, and an early Fiat X19 1500 plonked in the hole. Its got a 128SL inlet manifold (opened up to suit the 34DATR carb that will be shortly put on), 128SL headers, and a larger freeflow exhaust. Its also got a freshly rebuild radiator, new battery, lowered suspension, Fiat X19 wheels with good tyres, and pioneer CD player. The paint is a subaru black with heavy

red pearl (it looks almost burgundy/purple in the sunlight). Its the most rust free 128 we have ever stumbled across. Its also got a pair of really nice RS legacy bucket seats fitted, and will be sold with a brand new WOF & Rego. - $3500 O.N.O

Heres some pics of "Milo" as it sits now after alot of man hours of work :)

I think you'll be surprised at how good it looks (and drives). I've also got a new project to share with you .. Its almost a Fiat .. some would think, possibly even cooler.

Engine Rebuild Underway

Hey guys .. ive been taking a long time to get my A into G on the race car once again, but slowly & surely its starting to come together. Ive now completed the cylinder head, its all back together, with new stainless valves, and everything is once again spotlessly clean.

Today we dummy assembled the engine - two pistons in the centre bores, valve clearances set, and a new Felpro head gasket. we strapped it all together, timed the engine up with plastigauge on the pistons to make sure we had adequate valve to piston clearance. The result ... not so much. Any amount on the Inlets, (0.080" +) but only 0.004" on the exhausts - needing somewhere between 0.056" and 0.076" more clearance (we are going to go with the latter of the two as this engine is going to be the "safe" option.

With any luck the exhaust valves in the pistons should be pocketed within the next few weeks - so not long now until the engine build is well underway. Will keep you posted !

Take care all.

Progress once more ..

Hey guys how are you all ? its been a long time since i last updated the blog. Theres been a bit happening in that time .. ive been on contract for a new company, and got relocated to wellington for almost 3 months.

Now that im back, ive been working on the cars and trying to get things happening. My cylinder head for the race car has been welded, and the port/chamber reshaped, and new seat put into it, now awaiting me to lap in the new stainless valves, and reassemble with new valve springs, and take some clearances.

Ive been working on Milo (the brown road car) which is starting to come along nicely ..

It is now sitting on king springs in the front, lowering blocks in the rear, the 1500 a new battery, and autosport bucket seat, and is almost ready for paint.

I have chosen a Fiat metallic red to be two tone with a subaru black, which has an amazing red pearl in it. It looks red in the sunlight, black in the shade. Once i get it sprayed up ill take some pictures !

Anyway, i went and saw a friend Scott McIntosh's 128 today, its the straightest 128 ive ever seen without exception. It has an Uno 1300 in it at the mo, but shortly to recieve an Uno Turbo engine.

Check it out for yourself ..